Saturday night was Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy bash. My favorite performer of the night was Ke$ha, with her new hit, "Tik Tok." She had the whole crowd lifting their arms and moving like clock arms. She's going to be the next big thing, if not already. She has stage presence, star power, wow factor, all of it. And from a brief conversation we shared later in the evening, she possess humility and a need for perfection. And since I am singing her praises, spectacular legs!
Here's a snap from my Blackberry camera.
Here's a better picture I found on Wire Image -- Jaime Foxx closing the night with "Blame It". You know the saying, "I know that like the back of my hand"? Well, I do know the back of my hand and the red arrow points where they are!
For a more thorough report of the one and only Clive Davis' party, click Roger Friedman's review here.
On the Friday before the Grammy's, there were parties a plenty, and here's how my night went.
Prior to whooping it up, Kim and Arnold and I delighted in Boa's famous ceasar salad. Made tableside, server Johnny tossed plates, crushed garlic, twirled a pepper shaker and caught flying lettuce. Such excitement. Steaks, kobe meatballs, spinach and sweet potato fries were a hit too.
The best party in town was Jaime Foxx's Pre-Grammy Party at L'Ermitage Hotel. Kim and I ran into Olanna and also Tommy Alastra. Ah, a tender reunion of dear pals.
Here's Olanna and her roomie, Ali. If you watch Project Runway, you'll recognize Ali as one of the hotties that struts those new designs. Fortunately she's been teamed up with great designers, so everything she has worn has complimented her beauty.
I love Dine LA's Restaurant Week. I don't need an excuse to have a fantastic meal out, but I can always wrangle friends to up-scale restaurants with the allure Dine LA's prix-fixe menu. So last night, Kim and Andrew and I went to the hot culinary spot, Eva on Beverly in the old Hatfield's location. Lovely night!
Funky, groovy, peppy and ambient tunes mixed in with conversations with Nasa, the Endeavor shuttle and International Space Station. DJs should eat their hearts out. I can't get enough. Try it -- it is a blast. And thanks Lucas for sharing it with me.
Last night, a group of mainly ex-Mad River employees went to the Smooth 'n Purdy Gallery to see Gary Ward's exhibit of "Signs of the Times".
Below examples of his charcoal on paper art.
After dinner, we made a pit stop at my house for some billiards action. Here are Sherman, me, Shelley and straight-haired Kim.
Mr and Mrs Cahn
Shelley being silly and me ready to drop one in the pocket
Andrew and I were talking about Alien, and he said that one of the writers had recently died. I hadn't heard that news and while living at the creator of Alien's house, I boldly said that Andrew was wrong. Sadly that is never the case, ever. And I learned that truism once again here. Thus, the wager was jumping in his frigid pool and I paid up!
I will say that his unheated pool in January was easily the coldest water I had ever been in, but bless Andrew for putting a robe by the pool and running an ultra-hot shower for me to run into immediately after my icy dip! Note to self and others, never bet Andrew again!
For years, I've given my extra money to Anthony Perez at Ameriprise Financial Services. He is a whiz at investing, especially with the specific needs of each client. I'm small time, but Anthony still keeps his watchful eye on every cent. We meet once a year and he tells me how my money is growing and that in about 85 years, I will be so very rich! Ha!
Seriously, I feel the comforting, joyous feeling of financial safety with Anthony, so if you are looking for a little peace of mind yourself, he's your man! Here we are after another reassuring dinner at Sasabune.
The other day Reagan called me, said the standard hello pleasantries and then abruptly stopped and in a solemn, concerning tone said, "I really need to talk to you in person." Of course I would meet with him and I offered lunch on Saturday. Reagan said that was not soon enough and could we meet for a drink after work the next day. My mind raced around wondering if his health was okay or if he was having family or work issues or what? All I knew was it was the first time that Reagan really sounded bad and the first time he insisted on speaking with me with urgency.
I braced myself as I drove to Hollywood. At the Musso and Frank bar, Reagan nervously kept asking me what was new with me. The situation needed immediate refocus. Reagan must have been able to sense that I was going to change direction, so he sheepishly excused himself and went to the bathroom. My imagination was having the best of me. He'd accidentally got a girl pregnant? He murdered a co-worker in a heated moment? He was joining the CIA as a spy and would never been seen again?
A deep, almost perverted voice snapped me out of my brainstorming. "Hey baby, can I get your number?" As I spun around on the bar stool, I realized that it was MIKE DOWNS! Surprise! The one and only Mike D was down from San Francisco for one night. Reagan came bouncing around the corner, grinning from ear to ear, while I breathed a monsterous sigh of relief! Loved it.
Anyhow, the three of us caught up and rehashed and did what reunited old college chums do -- turn into 21 year olds! It was a fantastic time which only got better when the announcer at the bar enthusiastically exclaimed that there would be hula hooping. Here's what happened after:
The three descriptions given below are of real magazine titles that have been changed by just one letter. (For example: stories of sadness = Newsweep.)
a. A logical location b. Golf score and club c. Current events with a twist.
Press comment if you are smart enough to get the answers!
While saying goodbye to my 2009 journal, I transferred birthdays, addresses and other info into my new 2010 version. And yes, I do have all of the same information accessible on my Blackberry and Facebook, but there is something *real* about turning the pages of a book and keepsaking memories.
On a page next to a list of recommended restaurants in LA, I wrote down songs that I wanted to remember. These aren't popular hits that can be heard while flipping around the radio dial. Some are classics, some are random songs from movies, some are new. All touched me and I didn't want to lose them. Thus now that the 2009 journal goes in the journal box (with journals dating back to 1996), instead of re-writing the list, I'll post them and share them with you. There seems to be a theme of melancholy, so probably not choices for your party mix! Click on the links to take a listen.
Here are a few snaps from the famous Bowlmore Lanes in Union Square. After scrolling through the various shots, please pause for a moment on the last photo.
Steve, Meredith and Ingrid
Kraus and pins
New roomies, Meredith and Boobie. And Kraus.
Miss Robbins and Miss Ramos
Kraus going for a strike. It's all about getting down low!
Happy pin droppers.
Okay, I did title this posting as "Good job everybody!" but who am I kidding? I really just want you to see my personal best ever! As per usual, my bowling identity is "Lo Dawgie", thus LD on score board below. The flash hides the two spares in the beginning, but slide on down to the turkey in the 5th, 6th and 7th frames. And the luck continued! Oh 200, watch your back. I'm coming for you!!
