Catching Up 3: Thanksgiving Trip

I left for my 4-day Paris Thanksgiving trip on Tuesday, 22nd November and returned on Friday the 25th. I had a great crew for this one and we had some fun plans. Unfortunately neither Una nor Nancy joined us on the trip so it was just me and my pals on the crew. Paris was really cold and yet perfectly sunny for most of our layover.

On Wednesday Kim and I took our afternoon nap and then headed over to our champagne place (the 2-for-1 happy hour deal). Unfortunately the antics of a certain crewmember that tagged along with us the week before made it very uncomfortable for us to be there--so we won't be back again. We had our two coupes de champagne and then left. Lesson: never take someone you don't know to a place you like on a layover. Had a satisfying and inexpensive Morroccan dinner at the wee place by the Beaugrenelle then came back to my room where we played cards and drank wine until late.

Was wide awake at 9 am and ready to call Kim, but wanted to let her sleep awhile longer. Mika was also awake and called me. We agreed to wake the others and meet for lunch at 11 am--or at least head out to look for lunch then. Only Kim and Everett (aka Passion Flower) joined us--Oscar wanted to go for a run instead. We were going to the Musee du Vin but decided on a great little bistro closer by that I knew, Au Comptoir du 7ieme. There, I had a delicious confit de canard for my Thanksgiving lunch. We all exchanged stories about how our families celebrate (or don't celebrate) Thanksgiving. Passion Flower's family celebrations sounded like the best, Hawaiian style.

Kim and I headed off to the rue de Passy for some Christmas shopping; Mika and Ev opted for Zara on the rue de Commerce instead. An Algerian selling Eiffel towers by the Eiffel Tower propositioned me along the way. Hmmm .... not sure if that was a compliment or not. We began our shopping spree at Franck & Fils where we did more looking than anything. We got stuck half way between two floors in a glass elevator and then I dropped a 50 euro mirrored picture frame on the way out. Not such a successful start.

A few hours and many shopping bags later, we were pooped and hailed a cab back to the hotel. I had bought some champagne for the pre-dinner drinks for everyone but we were running so late that there was no time to drink it. A quick clean-up, a change and a rushed powdering of the nose and we were in the lobby again. Our reservation was for 6 at Dans le Noir?. (Yes, the name of the restaurant includes a question mark). This has to have been one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. Myself, Kim, Passion Flower, Rome Odom, Oscar and Mika were who went. We started out in their bar having a much-needed cocktail to calm our nerves. Mine was an interesting Cosmo Violette; Kim's was a Mojito au Jasmin. A few minutes later we were led to our table.....

Kim led the way behind the waiter (the lovely Toni) who, like all the waiters there, was blind. The dining room was literally pitch black. I am not kidding--there was no difference with the eyes open or closed. It was rather freaky at first but such an experience in all. We sat at a round table in the order that I listed above, so I was between Mika and Kim.

Catching Up 2: A Stormy Night in Houston

I could tell from speaking to Nancy that she was not at all up for picking me up at the airport at 8 in the evening, in the rain and on a work night. Besides, she shouldn't be driving at night anyway. Luckily for me, Kim was happy to get me and take me home. The kids were in Denver with their dad so she was up for spending the night.

As we got close to the house we could see the bayou nearing the street. It didn't look as though it would flood over, but we were certainly having a stormy night. Kim and I made a cocktail and sat outside on the front deck marvelling at the atrocious weather and generally catching up. Had a nice surprise in that Eric Edlund was in town and so he stopped in for a martini with us. Loads of stuff going on for him with Hudson Shad. One martini became three and we were joined later by Jay--straight over from a dinner at Nancy's. The thunder was totally crashing and the lightening was lighting the skies up but we were all fine on covered front deck.

After the others left Kim started craving Spanish Flowers' Mexican food but I talked her out of it--who needs to eat at 1.30 am??? We slept through until about 9 am when she left and I went to the post office and cleaned out The Moose's box. Oh the glamorous life I lead. Headed out for Paris that evening.

Catching Up 1: Trip to Glasgow

I have been extremely busy over the last few weeks and so unable to take the time to update my blog. In fact, for the entire month of November I only had 2 days off at home. Mad!!! So, I will write about stuff in several installments until I am caught up. I'll start with my trip to Glasgow on the 18th .....

I came in from Paris the night before and set about getting my suitcase unpacked and repacked. Got up before dawn in the morning to finish packing, etc. and to catch the flight from Houston to Newark. It was a good flight: I had a huge lunch on the flight and the delightful Orlando offered me some First Class wine. With 4 hours to kill in Newark, I was so glad for my President's Club membership. Snuck on to the flight as the only non-rev and nestled myself into 1D. Mere hours later we were landing amid blue skies and sunshine.

To my horror, it was bitterly cold outside the airport terminal--the skies were deceptive. Hopped in a cab over to the City Inn where Jer and the guys were staying for the weekend. They were all tucked into bed when I got there so I snuggled right into my Jer and we took a great nap together. Chris came over when we got up and when he left we called Stephanie, who picked us up a few minutes later. The three of us met with Amir for a good Japanese lunch at Ichiban.

The next part was a little tricky as Amir was stoked about seeing Jer, and I am sure hoping for inner access at the Sting show. We all walked to the SECC with Botti and his good friend from the Blue Nile, P.J.. Once there, Amir had to sort out his tickets whilst the rest of us went backstage to the Chris Botti band's dressing room. Luckily I remembered to bid for December from there, otherwise I would be in the same predicament as Kim Phelps--Saturdays with no Christmas off. Knowing the delicacy of the situation for Jer, I made myself scarce whenever Sting was around. I did enjoy listening to Fortress Around My Heart during his soundcheck though. It was just great to see Jer in his element at work with everyone. They all love him--and rightly so.

Before the show, Stephie, Amir and I went back to the hotel to freshen up. We met in the bar for a pre-show cocktail--in the case of Amir and myself, a fabulous bottle of champagne (1995 Laurent Perrier). This has somehow become a tradition for us prior to a Sting show. Jer's other sister, Mo, met us before we headed back to the venue.

Mo and Stephie took our front row seats for the show and I sat next to Amir, also in the front row but bang smack in the center. That was wierd. I gave my seat to Jon's wife, Sailene, for the Chris Botti set as she'd never seen them play from the front row before and wanted to take some pics. But for the Sting set, the I was right uder his nose with my backstage stickie glowing. For some reason I knew that that would be the last time I saw his show from the front row. And I'm OK with that, as the dynamics of the whole thing have now changed with Jer being part of the whole crew. Besides, I have other perks now!!!

Post-show Amir went back to the hotel, Mo left and the rest of us went back to the dressing room. We chatted for ages and laughed, lamented, pondered over all sorts of things. Finally, P.J., Stephie and I headed back to meet Amir in the hotel bar where we waited then for Jer and Chris. After a couple of drinks we were all ready to call it a night. We were pooped.

The next morning was somewhat a wash. Jer took Billy to get his glasses fixed in the rain and I had a coffee with Amir. We were starving and breakfast had finished at 10.30 am. Finally at around 2 pm we were sitting down in a cheesy family pub chain eating what tasted amazing, but I'm sure was awful. Stephie had brought Kai with her, which was great for me and Jer but not so great for Amir. We went into this wonderful tartan shop where Jer and I picked up a few gifts then went to Buchannan Street Mall for more shopping.

Amir headed back to London and we went over to Stephie's place. Jer took off to visit with Daryl for a short while and I took a quick shower, painted my toenails and nattered with Stephie and Kai. Back to the hotel to change then immediately off to Cafe Gandolfi for dinner with the entire band. I love the food in there. The cheese board I had at the end was particlularly good--with oatcakes. Yum!!! Much to everyone's surprise, Dave Kuhn had treated for everyone--including Stephie, Stuart and drinks for Mo and Steve at the end. How nice of him (even though the record company will really pay in the end).

Had some drinks in the bar with Chris when we got back and he told Stephie some scoop on Barbara Streisand. Finally everyone was gone and it was just me and Jer, alone at last. We had a sensual shower together, in the middle of which the shower hose became unattached! Then we laid in bed together for ages, chatting and cuddling .... then he fell asleep!!!! WAAAAA!!!!!

To top it all off, we didn't get our wake-up call in the morning and so we literally had to kiss goodbye and go. He, on to Manchester; me, back to Houston. I love him so much. At least we got to be together for a short time. Makes me look forward even more to December 12th, when he'll be home.