Ethos Kitchen

It was Dina Peterson's birthday. She invited friends via Facebook for an Ethos dinner and conversation celebration. I arrived early straight from work and started blocking in this sketch figuring she would push some tables together to eat with friends in the main dining area. I was wrong. I was halfway into the sketch when Dina arrived and told me she would be sitting outside. I never abandon a sketch but the dining room was absolutely deserted. My heart sank. Thankfully a mother and daughter sat at the table in front of me.

Outside several tables were pushed together and Dina's friends began to arrive. Maria, Tia and Sophia were at the far end of the table. Denna Beena was there with her fiance Travis Fillman. It was a creative, holistic, fun group. Travis had a brand new 3-D smart phone. He took a photo of Denna as she held her hand out menacingly towards the camera. The 3-D image was impressive. A train whistle blew in the distance and Travis ran to the train tracks to shoot a 3-D video clip.

Amanda Chadwick read excerpts from a diary she kept from elementary school days. The entries were blunt and hilarious. Terry arrived late and when she arrived we split a plate of vegan tacos. Terry gave Dina a birthday card with a painting by John Sloan. The painting depicted a social gathering much like this birthday celebration except the intellectuals in the painting wore turn of the century outfits. I realized that the artist must have been seated at a table away from the main gathering. I looked around and saw a table with a good vantage point but decided to relax and enjoy the conversations instead.

Denna Beena's Wedding dress

Denna Beena is engaged to Travis Fillmen. The wedding is being planned for fall of 2012. Amanda Chadwick arranged for Deena to try on wedding dresses. Now Deena isn't someone who I would consider to have conservative tastes. Her hair is bright pink with purple and yellow highlights. I am more used to Deena wearing bright colors and black leather boots.

I got lost trying to find the Bridal shop. I thought it was in the Millenia Mall but Amanda texted me to let me know it was in a strip mall near a Super Target. Deena had already tried on a dress as I scrambled to find the place.

The Bridal shop was a flurry of activity. Tony Bennet crooned. I walked past row after row of white dresses toward the back of the store, then Amanda flagged me down. Deena was inside the dressing room. When she came out she was wearing this simple elegant dress with a brown sash around the waist. She liked it but wasn't sure it was "the one." The shop only allowed the future brides four dresses to try on. The dressing rooms had to be booked in advance. After four tries Deena had not found the perfect dress. This was a major step forward towards making the dream wedding a reality. Amanda offered some advice but was mostly there for moral support.

At lunch afterwards we had a long discussion about whether I should post this sketch. After all Travis shouldn't see his blushing bride in the dress until the wedding day. It was decided that since this wasn't "the" dress, it would be alright to post it.