I woke up at 8:00am this morning, right before my alarm was set to go off. There’s a church nearby and the bells tolled 8 times, so I knew without opening my eyes exactly what time it was. Not bad!
I had slept like a baby. The inflatable bed was SO comfortable and Joe and Miguel gave me a lovely white down comforter, so I was comfy and cozy. Joe woke up soon after and he and I hung out while Miguel slept. We talked, caught up, filled each other in on people we both know, and just enjoyed each other’s company over coffee.
Shortly after Miguel got up I jumped in the shower. They have the biggest, fluffiest bath towels (which I love). I told them staying over was like being at a spa. Everything was just perfect.
I left to meet the family for brunch at THE MAGIC CASTLE at 11:00am. I was very excited, because it’s an exclusive club and you have to know a member in order to go. They don’t allow children at all, except for a few hours on Sunday, and there are no jeans and men must wear a jacket.
Now, the only thing I brought for Sunday was a pair of my new jeans, but they really look more like slacks. They’re black and thin denim, so I wasn’t worried. I also wore the shell of a sweater set my Mom bought me in Florida. It’s a bright turquoise blue, and I wore a black short-sleeve belted jacket over it with a turquoise and gold heart-shaped pin on the lapel. The weather was gorgeous – even nicer than San Diego!
The magic castle is a hotel and restaurant, with many, many little theatres, and other rooms for entertaining. It is a club for magicians and was built in the early 30s. It’s décor, architecture and flavor is totally Victorian, which of course I love. It is so elaborate and beautiful, but they don’t allow pictures (except in very few areas), so you’ll have to check it out on their website (by clicking on the link above!). If you click on ABOUT THE CASTLE and then click on VIRTUAL TOUR, you can learn a lot about this magnificent building and the history inside!
Right across from the main entrance to the restaurant:
The ladies' room was one place you were allowed to take photos (go figure!), so I took some pictures of the elaborate chandelier and the decoupaged walls. How often do you get to sit on a toilet and look up at THIS?
When I arrived, there was a long line outside. I had NO idea why people were standing on line, but I knew that Ilene and the family were already seated inside the restaurant area for brunch. So, after giving my car to the valet, I just passed by the line and walked right inside. I saw a woman behind a desk, so I walked up to her and told her I was here for the Wachtel party. That’s the last name of Ilene’s friend, who was our host for the day. He is a magician and a member of the club (as well as an emmy-winning writer!).
I was told to go stand by a wall of books, look up at an owl and say, “Open Sesame.”
Of course, I did this with quite a flourish, and when the doors opened, all the people inside – including me – said, “Ooooooooooooooo!” It was very exciting. I was then led up a flight of stairs and through many small private rooms to the one where they were seated, at two tables.
I was DYING to take pictures, because there was not an empty space on any wall, the ceilings were all painted with fabulous murals, and the red velvet, carved wood, and magnificent tablecloths and curtains were just overwhelming!
My cousin Catie saved me a seat and I was immediately approached by Gustavo and asked what I’d like to drink. I settled on a mimosa. I said my hellos to Ilene’s brother and sister, mom and dad, and all the kids. Brooks Wachtell was sitting at the head of one of the tables and I was introduced to him. He is a very interesting and charismatic man. More on him later!
We got on line for the hot brunch, and there was so much to eat my head was spinning. I had definitely over-eaten the night before and was determined not to do the same today, but – boy – was it hard! I ended up having a little roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, a waffle (which was not too big and was the best waffle I ever ate in my life), and a tiny blintz. I haven’t had a blintz in so long. They were little and delicious.
We all sat down and enjoyed the delicious food. Even the kids, who are all pretty picky eaters, had a wonderful time. After I finished the plate from the hot buffet, I moved on to the cold buffet. They had peel and eat shrimp that were so fresh and delicious. Lox with ½ a toasted bagel, fruit, and pastries. The shrimp and lox were SO good – two of my favorites! I finished with a few little pastries and some coffee.
When we were done eating, we got a tour from Brooks. He showed us some historical sites, pointed out the turret where we were standing in a picture of the building in 1937, and then brought us through many hallways, explaining the photos, the posters, and the history of the club and building.
When we got to a lower level, he started asking people to go inside a phone booth. When he closed the door he told us to face the back. On the back wall was a mirror, but when he closed the door it became transparent and you could see a life-size skeleton. We all screamed, just for the drama of it all!
Everyone had a chance, but no one told what was in there, so each person would be surprised. It was really cute and fun.
Then, we had a seat outside a little theatre. We all filed into the small theatre (with many other people in the club that day) and all the children were put into the first two rows with the adults filling in the rest of the 10 or 12 rows.
There were two magicians and both of them were comedians, too. I laughed so hard that by the time I left I actually had a headache. They just really had great routines and could roll with anything that happened. They used most of the kids (including the bar mitzvah boy, Evan!) for assistance with tricks, and anything that happened they would improvise and they were really fast and funny.
I sat inbetween my cousin David and his wife Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen is just like me – an easy laugher. We were laughing so hard. David didn’t laugh that much, but every time I looked at him he was smiling. He’s like my Dad (well, he is part Seidman!), because my Dad’s the same way. He’s not a big laugher, but he smiles when he thinks something’s funny.
Everyone totally enjoyed the show (unless, maybe, they don’t like comedy or magic!). I absolutely loved it. Brooks then took us on more of a tour. He showed us a clip on a small screen of W.C. Fields, who has an area of one room dedicated to him. In this clip, W.C. Fields is telling a story as he is attempting to hit the cue ball to start a game of pool. I always think of W.C. Fields as a child-hating, cigar-smoking actor, but he was SO funny in this as he kept preparing to hit the cue ball and never was quite able to do it.
After more of a tour, we were brought into a much smaller, private theatre with a round card table in the front and 3-4 rows behind.
The kids all sat in the first row and some of the adults sat around the round table. Now, it was Brooks’ turn to entertain us, and entertain he did! I have never been that close to a professional magician as he did his card tricks and I really loved it. At one point, he gave me an invisible tube of lipstick (how did he know!) and I had to apply it and then blow a kiss to the back of a card I had chosen.
When he pulled the card out of the deck, it WAS my card and it had the perfect imprint of red lipstick on the back. How did he do that? I loved it! Brooks did a bunch of tricks using Ilene’s mom and Dad, Karen, Ilene, and Mary Ellen. We all enjoyed it thoroughly and were completely intrigued. He also had great one-liners and I realize how important comedy and timing are to a magician. I guess not all of them have the personality for it, but Brooks certainly does!
When we left there we walked into a room where a baby grand piano was playing by itself. He informed us that it was a ghost called Invisible Irma. Okay, everyone has seen a piano that plays by itself, but then Brooks had a conversation with Irma. He would ask her a question and she would answer with a song that fit the subject perfectly!
For instance, he asked her what was more important – love or money – and first she played LOVE AND MARRIAGE, but then quickly segued into I’M IN THE MONEY! It was really clever. Now, I DO believe in ghosts, but I have a feeling someone was within earshot with another keyboard that controlled the baby grand. But, hey, I’m just guessing!
After that performance we left and all got our cars. We said fast goodbyes, and then I drove the 3 miles back to Joe and Miguel’s. Joe was watching football and Miguel was running errands. I relaxed on the couch and closed my eyes a little until Miguel came home. We relaxed in the apartment for a while and then I took them out to dinner at a restaurant we had eaten at with Eric the last time the four of us were together in Los Angeles. THE ALCOVE -- CAFE & BAKERY -- is another fabulous place with great food and lots of antiques all over the inside. The ladies' room ALSO has a great chandelier, with carved furniture and great pictures on the walls. Lovely!
We actually sat outside, but they have those great heat lamps, so you don’t feel a chill at all. The weather really was pretty nice and I guess most people wouldn’t even need the heat lamp, but we’re talking about ME here! Joe had a steak sandwich. Miguel had a chicken dish and I had a crabcake sandwich with Ceasar salad. It was delicious!
After dinner, I dropped the boys off back at their apartment and headed to I-5. I can take I-5 all the way from their apartment to my apartment! I just have to pay attention to make sure I STAY on I-5! So, I kept Betty plugged in while I listened to DREAM GIRLS, so she could instruct me to “keep to the left in 2 miles,” just to be sure I didn’t screw up and accidentally get on another interstate highway!
Thankfully, there was no traffic all the way home. I left at 7:15pm and arrived at my apartment at 9:00pm – exactly. I don’t think you could do it any faster unless you did 80mph the entire time. I did 80mph part of the time, but usually did around 70mph.
When I got in I immediately went back out for my mail, and then started unpacking. I thought I would fall into bed immediately, but I actually was pretty up. I had bought a regular coffee for the ride home, but only took 4 or 5 sips. It was just security in case I felt like I was going to fall asleep!
Conrad seemed VERY happy to see me. He had plenty of water and seed for the weekend (aren’t birds wonderful and independent?). I had left the heat on low, so it wouldn’t get too cold, and left the vertical blinds in the bedroom partially open, so he would get sunlight all day. He did just fine!
I had a fantastic weekend from beginning to end. Fun on Friday night with the family, the camaraderie of getting everything ready for Evan on Saturday, the lovely affair on Saturday night, the fabulous brunch on Sunday, and spending some time with my dear friends, Joe and Miguel. I am so happy I was able to attend, but I do wish Eric had been here to go with me, and he expressed the same sentiment. It just wasn’t the same without him.
I wanted to blog last night – I really did – but I was just not energetic enough to sit at the computer and download all the pictures, etc. I finally did the Bar Mitzvah entry, but didn’t have the energy to post the photos, so I’m posting them tonight. If you like, go through Saturday’s blog entry again to see some great pictures. I didn’t get a good picture of Evan (he was either turning his head, blurry or his eyes were closed), so I wrote Ilene for some good pictures of the handsome Bar Mitzvah boy, but I haven’t received them yet, so sorry about that! I do want you all to see the décor, because it was really fabulous! Enjoy!