I couldn't, of course. As long time readers are aware I am a huge fan of ABBA and I was thrilled when I found out Mamma Mia! the musical was opening in San Francisco. Shelly Ross offered to get tickets and organize the evening. Eight of us met up Saturday night and had an ABBA-riffic time. The show was corny but thoroughly fizzy and fun. We all stood up to dance and sing along at the end of it. I knew all the words to all the songs.

I used to hide my devotion to the group because it was massively uncool to like them in the 80's, but I've long since come out of that particular musical closet. I'm now proud that I started listening to them in the late 70's. I am a child of the original disco era, after all, and I remember glam rock as well. None of this retro crap; I was there for the real thing. You won't find any clothes from that era in my closet, though, or more than two or three photos of me. Good thing, too. Well, good thing for my dignity and pride.

After feeling stressed about having too much company and going out all the time, Sunday was just about perfect. We socialized in the morning and loafed all afternoon. We met Bill and Michael for dim sum at Ming's in Palo Alto. Good food, great service, and excellent company makes for a memorable meal (not to mention a change from my recent experience on the north peninsula). Afterwards we all went to Kepler's where I discovered two new historical mystery writers, Roberta Gellis and Kathy Lyn Emerson. I didn't buy their books because they were only available in hardcover and I need paperbacks to take with me to Mexico. Don't tell anyone, but I went home and ordered them on Amazon.com. I want to clarify that I only order from Amazon when I can't find what I want in paperback, usually earlier books in series I'm currently reading. Otherwise, I patronize my local booksellers because I love going to bookstores. I'd hate to have the Internet be my only source of reading material.

I've been catching up with various journals and noticing how many people thought 2000 was a terrible year. Gosh, I thought it was really great. My life moved forward in important ways. I consolidated friendships started the year before, especially with Michael, Sei, and Shelly. I went to Japan again and had a wonderful time. I wound up Archipelago which instantly reduced my hate mail to zero. I got out a lot more than normal, going to a play, movies, the circus, and a concert. I gave several extremely successful parties. I pierced my nose which was a big deal to me even if everyone else barely noticed. I went back to school and conquered Algebra at long last, which means I'm finally getting somewhere with my persistent quest for a university degree. We bought a house which makes my future so much more stable, and moved a lot closer to San Francisco which was something I had wanted very much. Man, 2000 rocked my world.

There were a couple of things which I wanted to do but didn't make time for, like going back to L.A. to see Steve and my other Southern California pals, and going on a cruise which I swore I was going to do. I was devastated when Ginkgo killed herself. My dog had a serious health crisis which was frightening. I had to go on cholesterol-lowering medication which is rather annoying. But overall I think it was a year I'll remember with great fondness, if increasingly fuzziness, as I get older. I'm afraid 2001 is going to be the year I get bifocals, speaking of increasing fuzziness. It's pretty obvious that some physical changes are taking place, changes that are associated with aging. I just pray 2001 is not the year I learn what a hot flash is.

I'm going to go listen to my entire collection of ABBA now. When I listen to them I'm 19 again. Thank you for the music, ABBA. It's not the coolest soundtrack for young adulthood, but it's cheerful and optimistic.

Like me.

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