This was a weekend of doing things for the first time. And, no, I’m not talking about that so get your mind out of the gutter. Besides, we’ve been married waaaaayyyyyy too long. Even with that admonishment, I did “pop my cherry” a few times.

First, my spouse came home from a business trip and we were trying to decide what to do this weekend. We have been saying that we need to get out more. Not only that but the D.C. area has plenty of opportunities to experience events, festivities, and culture. So when a text popped up on my phone telling me that the Kennedy Center was offering $20 tickets to see the opera, La Traviata, I suggested it to him. Needless to say, he hemmed and hawed about going. But I clicked on the link anyways.

The Kennedy Center has a program called “My Tix” where they offer discounted tickets to certain shows if you are a student or in the military. I saw this as a chance to try out opera. We’ve never been and I figured that $20 a ticket wasn’t breaking the bank. And if we hated it, we could leave during intermission. When I saw that they were offering orchestra seats for that price, I couldn’t say “no”.

So come Saturday, we got dressed up and headed out. I love the ambiance of the Kennedy Center. The Millennium stage was hosting an African tribal group so they were our social hour entertainment. It was lovely. When it was time to go in, we found our seats and waited.

La Traviata is the story of a courtesan. She falls in love with an affluent man but his father disapproves. Violetta does the admirable thing and leaves him. She is dying anyways, you see. In the end, the two reunite as she is dying. If you’ve seen Pretty Woman, you know the music. It’s the same opera Richard Gere takes Julia Roberts to.

I wanted to love or hate it. By intermission, I wasn’t swayed either way. It was rather disappointing, if you must know. So we stayed for the second act. About 10 minutes in, I found myself weeping uncontrollably. I’m not sure why but I was. I guess we’ll be going to another opera at some point.

And then on Sunday, I needed to run some errands. Alain went his way and I went mine. We had to be back in time to see the Patriots play. As I was driving to the thrift shop, I realized what I was wearing on my feet-Crocs! What a disaster! I had sworn when I had to get them that I would never be seen in public with them. My podiatrist had ordered me to wear them around the house to support my toes. No more bare feet for me. But still, Crocs! I may not be fashionable but I didn’t want to wear them. And now here I was, out shopping with my Crocs on my feet.

At least it was a quick trip, made even quicker by my footwear choice. I won’t make that mistake again. Oh, and I found what I was looking for at the thrift shop so score one for me!