Chris's Place

Jer and I are here in NY at Chris Botti's flat. It's very white here. The ceilings, floors, walls and the furniture are all white. Chris released his new album, When I Fall In Love, this week and he played a show at Joe's Pub last night to celebrate. Lots of Sony execs were there, as were Fred and Andrea.

We all went out for drinks and dinner afterwards at Indochine. Met loads of nice people and a few crazy ones. We all headed back to Chris's place when we were well-sauced and the others went out. Not I.

Le Bar

Just got back from another great Paris trip with my awesome September crew. Was working BusinessFirst with Oscar, Mika "Shut the fuck up" Wenman and Scott McK. Poor Chris D had to suffer coach on this one but he had a great bunch of nutters back there.

Jepson opted for the bang-for-the buck evening out with the two wild ones from the crew (Lisa Romano and Bill Gill) as opposed to the let's-do-it-up-we're in-Paris evening that Mika, Chris and I had planned. Oscar joined us for dinner at my standby, Ribe, where we had kirs, beers and a super meal with some decent wine. He called it a night when we went for the cab to go to the fabulous Georges V bar. Known to the locals simply as Le Bar, this had got to be one of the most amazing bars in the world.
The picture shows it in the daytime, but at night it is totally plush and very luxurious. The entire Georges V hotel is sumptuously decorated, with the most amazing floral arrangements everywhere.

Chris ordered a melon martini, which our waiter shook with lots of vigor and rhythm. Mika and I opted for the Grand Marnier 150, which just feels like honey. We were given a sample of the Grand Marnier 100 to compare and all agreed that the 150 was the way to go. Not sure how our intruder, Zanzibar Dan felt, but he certainly threw us for a loop when he joined us and started waffling on about the Catholic church and other nonsensical ditties. Luckily for us, our waiter was on the ball and when I made my way to the ladies room he informed me that he'd already called security. When I returned, Dan had left our table and the others noted the clever tact that the staff had used to liberate us of him. This hotel is so classy--what a wonderful treat to go there.

Cabbed it back then went for a late-night coffee and crepe. Got back to the hotel to find that my room heating was still not working but that the hotel had left an extra blanket for me. Found out thismorning that the troublesome trio stayed out until 4 am!!!! Ouch. The other shocker, Jepson was the sober one!!

Why Drive 65 Miles for BBQ?

Jer woke me up at 5.30 am yesterday as he had take the early flight to Chicago. Even Patois was disgusted with that and didn't get up until I returned from the airport at 6.40 am. It wasn't even daylight by then, but I decided to make the most of an early start and stay up. By 2 pm I had done lots around the house and called it a day for chores.

I picked up Nancy, who looked very Jackie O with her gigantic sunglasses following her field of vision test at the optician's in the morning. The remnants of Hurricane Ivan were lingering over Texas so we weren't sure if we could make the 65 mile drive to Willis, but once we were a few miles north of Houston it was fine.

So why on earth would we make that drive on a Saturday afternoon? Two reasons:
1. Dad and Sharon are off travelling the entire US in their deluxe RV and so I wanted to check on the lake house;
2. Early's BBQ.

We got to the the house a little before 4 pm and immediately fixed a little bubbly with raspberry juice (which we named a Razzle-Mosa. We sat out on the deck and relaxed by the lake for a couple of hours, enjoying the serenity interspersed by the odd boat shooting by. I totally love that place ... although I wouldn't choose to live that far from the city. Nancy made sure that we didn't lose track of time though as Early's closes at 7 pm and we had to get some of their delicious barbecue before we headed back home.

We could barely contain ourselves for the smoky, tender tastes we had so anticipated all day. Yummelicious!!!! It truly is the best tasting barbecue I've ever had. Even The Wee Moose was agonizing over how she could possibly partake in the feast. Of course, I had to share a little with her. I wish she could just relax when I give her treats--she always woofs it down as though if she slowed down at all it may disappear. Shame she can't simply savor the flavor somewhat.

After I took Nancy back home I stayed up a while longer and felt like cranking some music. Wouldn't you know it, right when I was getting into an old Garbage CD, my mobile rang. I know Jer must have thought I was nuts!! Don't you hate when you can't get to the volume before you answer the phone because if you do, it'll transfer to your voicemail?!

I didn't go to bed until around 1 am because I saw that the next hurricane, Jeanne, had arrived onshore in Florida. Eek--their 4th hurricane in 6 weeks. Not good. For some morbid reason I am hooked on following hurricane news. I had another nibble on some of the Early's beef, which made me feel much better, then rounded up The Moose and went to bed.

Awesome Mussels

What a lethargic day yesterday was. I couldn't do my morning run due to a cut on my big toe that just wants to reopen every time I wear shoes other than sandals. I feel extremely frustrated when I don't get the endorphins going and often end up doing lots of niothing as a result.

Jer and I went to Farrago's for the first time. It was ranked number one for mussels in the Houston Press. Since we've both been craving mussels lately we decided to check it out. They were delicious ... done in coconut milk with garlic, lemongrass and cilantro. I thought everything was excellent but other than the mussels and the dessert Jer thought it was just okay. The dessert was something worth writing about: strawberries soaked in Chambord and sugar overnight, then topped with a pecan cinnamon crumble and baked. Bryce, our waiter, was also rather yummy. Check out their website at www.farrago.tv.

Had a great surprise visit from Derek last night. He was on his way to HGO and happened to call and we happened to be home. Derek is one of those people that I can go for months without hearing from and it feels as though no time has passed. It's always super to see him.

Rue de Passy

Got in from Paris early for a change and had to wait for a gate, as is normal on early flights in IAH. Once cleared by passport control, I noticed that I had left my perishables on the plane .... so an hour after touchdown I finally walked outside, where Jer was waiting for me with a cup of hot, black coffee. I love that he always does that for me--such a treat.

On this layover Mika and I went straight out after our arrival at the hotel. We took a cab over to the Musee du Vin to discover that it was closed on Mondays. A bit of a drag as we'd planned on having lunch there too. Instead we walked up the steps to the Rue de Passy and had lunch at a cool brasserie, Le Passy. My only complaint was that there was no t.p. in the ladies room. However, I had some tissues tucked into my purse so we were ok there.

Next stop, Depot-Vente de Passy, a consignment store on the rue de la Tour. This place contained many "bargains" on couture items, that is, if you are up to spending several hundred euros on any given item. Most items looked brand new and were in style.

We made our way back to the rue de Passy where we really started to get into the shopping spirit.
This street is filled with boutiques, shoe shops, cafes and even has a mall half way along it. We both loved the entire day, stopping for a tea or coffee here and there and buying lots. I found a fabulous brown trenchcoat which will be perfect for this fall; Mika found several coats for the fall/winter. Many hours later and laden with a dozen bags of purchases between us, we hopped into a taxi back to the hotel.

The rest of the gang had already headed out to dinner at Le Petit Troquet so I nipped across the street to Ribe for a light meal then stayed up in my room pampering myself with some of the goodies I had bought at L'Occitane before sleeping very well for the night.

Sting in Town

When I got up yesterday I had no real intention of going out to The Woodlands for the Sting show. However, as the day progressed I knew I simply couldn't not go. After spending half the day on the phone and internet, I finally managed to procure myself a seat in the second row of the pit.

Michelle had driven into Houston from last night's San Antonio show so she and I did the whole thing together. After a broken down car in the freeway exit lane, several near misses of careless drivers around us and an out-of -control motorist spinning around a mere two cars in front of us, we made it to the venue, feeling on tenterhooks. A couple of glasses of wine and lots of amazing music helped us get over all that.

Dominic Miller opened playing just four songs but wowed the audience with his masterful guitar work. The audience were surprised when Sting joined him on stage for Shape Of My Heart at the close of his set.

Next up, the fabulous Annie Lennox who sounded way better than I had imagined possible and looked amazing in her crystal-trimmed jeans and cropped designer tee. She has such emotion and stage presence when she performs .... and that voice of hers just gets better and better. An odd thing happened at the end of her main set in that as she swung her microphone around during I Need A Man she popped herself royally on her head. She was barely 6 feet in front of me and so I could see clearly that she hurt herself. She nonetheless made it out for her encores.

The Houston heat was stifling so I decided to move around a bit. At least that's my excuse for going out for another glass of wine before Sting took the stage. During the time that I was gone from my seat the empty seats within the pit filled up with the entire staff of Rick's Cabaret. They were decked out and partying!! Many times when I've been in the pit it's filled with dullards who just sort of sit there and stare at the stage. Not last night--everyone was on their feet for practically the entire show. We all had a blast in the pit, probably the most fun bunch of people ever at a concert (for strangers).

Sting was in good form and appeared to have fun last night. He got drenched by the end of the evening from the humidity and his own sweat, to the point that his Gucci shirt was all puckered up and totally clinging to him. Never seen him quite that wet before! There were a few variances in some of his arrangements since the last show I was at (Paris at the end of May) and, of course, some of the songs dropped from the list. Normally Annie joins Sting onstage for We'll Be Together but she didn't last night. My thinking is that she hurt herself with her mike earlier.

Highlights for me from Annie Lennox were Pavement Cracks and Why; from Sting, Sacred Love and Seven Days, plus I liked the new ending on Every Breath You Take. I had two disappointments with the show: no duet and no Stolen Car.

Michelle and I stopped by Spanish Flowers for a bite before heading home and chatting until almost 2 am. Talked to Jer from California and he said that Chris had a show filled with children running around playing ball during the show. Sort of sucked. Majorly. But, they all had a good time--and that's what it's all about.

Day 3 of 4 Days Off

Watched a really gripping movie yesterday: Not Without My Daughter starring Sally Field. It was so intense that it stressed me out ... so I unwound by watching Oprah afterwards. Felt much better.

Jer is in California for some Chris Botti shows and won't be back 'til tomorrow. I love having the house all to myself but I am starting to miss him (as is The Moose--she did her howling thing last night). He'll be home tomorrow, which will be great, except that I leave for Paris tomorrow night.

Rebecca is having computer problems and so she stopped by to use mine. She loves it and is tempted to buy one for herself. But does she want the desktop instead?? My guess is that she will not buy either until after she gets back from Laos. Had some margaritas and dinner with her and Nancy at Spanish Flowers. We sat out on their patio, which has been remodelled and is very nice now--very Mexican.

You've REALLY Made it When...

Have You Really Made it in Hollywood? Here are Ways to Tell
 (By Emily Feimster)

You know you've really made it when:

• Harry Winston is offering millions in diamonds and a bodyguard for a night on the red carpet.

• A photo of you leaving the gym in sweats and a ball cap makes the tabloids.

• They'll hold your ride for you if you're running a little late - and your ride is a Gulfstream jet.

• Your entourage has more members than the USC marching band.

• Nate 'n Al's deli names a sandwich after you.

• It takes an airplane hangar to house your collection of Porsches (like Jerry Seinfeld).

• Your trainer is on call 24 hours a day.

• Your shrink is on call 24 hours a day.

• Your stylist is on call 24 hours a day.

• Your eyebrow plucker is on call 24 hours a day.

• They'll let you run in the Boston Marathon as a celebrity participant, without qualifying (like David James Elliott).

• You keep botox syringes in an iced cavier server - and have arrangements to restock it at will (like…well, we probably shouldn't say…a well-known blond…we'll leave it at that).

• You show your eco responsibility by buying Priuses -- for your assistant and your kid's nanny. For you, it's the customized Hummer, the Mercedes-Benz S-600 with the hand-fitted Nappa leather seats, voice-activated phone, 12-speaker audio system, and satellite-based DVD, or, if you're feeling frisky, the Ducati superbike.

• The value of your awards show "goodie bags" for one year is greater than the GNP of three developing countries.

• Your Chihuahua has her own stunt double.

• Julia Roberts gets scripts with YOUR fingerprints on them.

• You have a deal for a cook for your pet iguana built into your movie contract (like Jim Carrey).

• The guy standing in the bushes outside your home is holding a camera, not hedge clippers.

• Several top-tier universities vie to confer an honorary degree on you, despite your 1.7 grade point average.

• You're asked to consider running for political office - by both parties.

• Paris Hilton crashes your party.

Fun and More Fun in Paris

Every morning I run for two miles, have done for years. Thismorning's run was invigorating. I felt energized and enjoyed every step of it. A good thing too, as I just got in from Paris last night and was feeling the effects of work, jetlag and too much fun on my layover. The run got me back on track.

Sometimes going to work can be a struggle but I knew that this trip was going to be a blast. Oscar, Elissa, Scott, Sabrina, Chris and myself in BusinessFirst; Andre, Jepson, Mika, Stephanie, Champagne Dorothy and Joanne in coach; Kip in the cockpit. Don had invited the entire crew to his Paris apartment for drinks and appetizers before dinner at Chez Nathalie. 9 of the crew went--plus Don and Carlita (Carlos).

Don outdid himself with canapes, champagne and great music in his teeny-tiny one-roomed flat. We all brought more champagne and wine so a good time followed. None of us wanted to go out for dinner as we were happy to stay there, but Don had made a reservation and changed the time twice already so it would have been a huge faux-pas to have no-showed. Once at Chez Nathalie, we were all happy to be there and enjoyed a marvellous dinner with some excellent Languedoc.

That's when the evening should have ended. Why is it that I am always swayed by Jepson's powers of persuasion?? Of course we ended up in our old haunt, La Taverne (in the Butte aux Cailles)....



Yazid (the bartender) still had a crush on me and so he kept passing me samples of different flavored rums ... mango, ginger, apple-cinnamon .... none of which I am particularly fond of. So I kept passing them on to Jepson, Champagne Dorothy and Don who all proceeded to exhibit signs of silliness. Let's just say that the evening ended with all of us taking Don back home, Jepson spilling red wine everywhere, me cleaning Don's floor at 2 a.m. and then an almost futile search for a cab back to the Mercure. At one point Jepson flagged down what he thought was a cab but was a regular car; when it stopped to see what he was doing Dorothy got into the back seat and I had to yank her out and profusely apologize to the concerned motorist!!! We finally got a cab and headed back to the 15th ... got back to the hotel at about 3.30 and finally got to go to sleep.

Dinner With Friends

Last night I did one of my favorite things--dinner with friends. Jer was in Milwaukee with Chris Botti so he couldn't come with us. Jay had choked on a chicken bone and needed the Heimmlich manoevre, which resulted in a cracked rib, so he didn't go. Jason didn't go cos Jay didn't go. So it was Nancy, Stephen, Paul and me all in Stephen's Jeep with the roof off.

We went went to Thai Sticks which is the new restaurant in the old Boulevard Bistro space. I really enjoyed it--great prices, tasty food, pleasant decor, excellent service. Nancy almost burned the place down when she held Paul's Greek villa vacation info over the candle. We tried several appetizers and then I had something entitled Prikh King (as opposed to King Prikh) which was a red spicy sauce with green beans and chicken. Delicious.

After dinner Stephen, Nancy and I came back to our place for wine, chatter and laughter on the deck in the hot and humid Houston weather. Patois loved the company too. The downside was that when I finally went to bed I realized that I hadn't put the clean sheets on the bed (laundry day). It's slways such a drag to have to concentrate on making a bed when you are in that tipsy state!

I am flying to Paris tonight with pretty much my dream crew, which will be most welcome after having just flown with whom I deemed the crew from hell. It makes all the difference to work with great people who do their jobs well and have fun at it. The entire crew, including the pilots (that's right, even them!!) has been invited to Don Brantley's Paris apartment for drinks then dinner in his hood. Should be lots of fun.