I have no excuse for not blogging last night or all day today. I didn’t get home that late last night. It was only about 11:00pm, but I was exhausted and just didn’t feel up to it. I had pictures I wanted to download, and I knew it wouldn’t just be a fast “type and post” because when pictures are involved it can take hours!
I picked Artie up at the GRAND DEL MAR at noon and took him back to Clairemont to see the apartment. He loved it! I had told him that I have a view of a pool – just like he did on his patio at the hotel – and he was amazed at how beautiful, how tranquil, how picturesque and how lush the environment is. There are beautiful flowers everywhere – birds of paradise, bougainvillea, hibiscus, roses, and other lovely flowers, bushes, palms, ferns, and succulents. He loved the flower pots I have on the balcony, and agreed that the view through the open door is very inviting.
I gave him the “5 minute tour” of the apartment and then we left to go to lunch. I was so glad that Artie got to see the apartment before I left San Diego, and he was happy, too. It was such an unexpected surprise that he was visiting. He only found out about this job a month ago!
I told Artie about THE BIG KITCHEN in South Park and explained that it was fabulous food, a fun and funky environment and that I brought ALL my visitors there. Unfortunately, Judy the beauty was NOT on duty, but he thoroughly enjoyed it anyway! I had my new “usual” – grilled cheese and tuna. Artie had an omelet. I took home half my sandwich (they’re huge), but Artie ate all his omelet and most of his potatoes (they’re magically good!) and enjoyed it all! He loved the story about Whoopi having worked there years ago. We sat in a booth on one side, but I showed him the kitchen (where Whoopi’s signature is on a wall) and the other room, too, because of all the posters and artwork on the walls.
After we left, I showed him a lot of the Mission Style houses in the neighborhood. He really appreciates that stuff, too! Then, we drove to HILLCREST, because Artie used to hang there when he had gigs in San Diego years ago and he wanted to see if he remembered anything. The only thing he really remembered was the big HILLCREST sign on University, but he enjoyed the tour anyway. I showed him where Stacie’s video was filmed, and my favorite shop – WEAR IT AGAIN SAM.
Then, we drove to LA JOLLA, and I took him down PROSPECT street, so he could see all the fancy stores and restaurants. It was such a gorgeous day (he had perfect weather the whole time he was here) and we had a view of the cliffs and the beach as we were leaving.
Finally, we drove back to the GRAND DEL MAR and I dropped Artie off. He had another party at 7:00pm and had things to see to. I told him I would come back for the party and headed back to the apartment. I spoke to Eric and told him I wasn’t feeling great. I had a headache (very rare for me) and was feeling tired. He told me to go home, take 2 Advil, relax for a while, maybe take a nap, and then get dressed and go. He said “You HAVE to go to the party. You have to hang with Artie!” He knows how far back Artie and I go back, and what a special relationship we have. It was so sweet how he was encouraging me to go – and he convinced me!
I came back to the apartment, took the 2 Advil and set the alarm for 6:00pm. I did manage to nap, and when I woke up I showered, got dressed and went. I wore my new purple satin platform shoes, which I just ADORE!!! They’re very comfortable and I love wearing them. I wore black Capri pants and a black t-shirt with a knee-length purple Chinese jacket over it. It’s a vintage jacket with the typical mandarin collar, frog closures, slits on the sides, and thick cuffs on the sleeves. I also wore a long silver necklace with crystal and pearls and a tassel at the end with matching crystal and pearl earrings.
When I got to the hotel, I asked the valet how much it was to have them take my car. He told me it was “complimentary” and I was thrilled, because I didn’t have to walk down from the parking lot! Why would anyone park their own car if it’s complimentary?
I found the party, and Artie, who looked so handsome dressed all in black. He was giving final instructions to the four musicians who were hired for the entertainment that night. The theme of the night was a “Buddha Bar,” which I never heard of before, but apparently is some kind of lounge scene with tranquil Indian music you might hear in a yoga class, played by beatnik musicians sitting on the floor. It wasn’t really my style, but the lead singer, named Spring, is a really good friend of Artie’s, and she has an amazing voice.
She had traveled from Los Angeles that day with two other musicians and they were joined by a fourth who lives here in Ocean Beach. They did a great job and everyone really seemed to enjoy their sound.
At one point this woman, Matilde, who hired Artie, came over and told me someone wanted to take my picture. The man, who looked to be in his late 50s, introduced himself as Skeeter. I told him I was “nobody,” and couldn’t understand why he wanted to take my picture, but apparently he’s an “artiste” and wanted to get a specific picture. He asked me and Matilde (who is as little as me) to stand on either side of a candle sconce and look seriously up at the light. We did so, and he showed us the picture. It was our profiles in shadow with the candles burning bright in-between. Very nice! Then, he took some pictures of us standing forward and just smiling. Don’t ask me why! It was fun, anyway!
There was a lovely buffet, but Artie and I only snacked a little and then we and the musicians all ordered from room service and it was delivered at 10:00pm, when the party was over, to a small room they used as a dressing room the night before and we used as a “hang out” room that night. It was really fancy, with padded damask walls, lots of fancy gold moldings and elegant sconces. I guess it is usually used as a small meeting room.
Here's one picture I took of the wall in the small meeting room where we occasionally hung out and then had dinner after the party was over:
It was not the best thing in the world for me to have mushroom fettuccini with sundried tomatoes, asparagus, and shaved parmesan at 10:00pm, with a dessert plate afterwards that was TO DIE FOR (Artie had the same thing). I’ve gained about 6 pounds since I came back to San Diego after Thanksgiving. I’ve just been eating whatever I want and eating out a LOT. I hope my NY friends are prepared for my chubbiness when I get back to NY!!!!!
After we ate, I went back to Artie’s room, so he could get the checks for the musicians, and I took some photos of his accommodations, which were SO luxurious and beautiful.
Beyond these curtains was the little patio.
This mirrored vanity area was next to the bed. Beyond the mirrored doors is the bathroom!
After everyone had packed everything up, I took another picture of the room. You can see how beautiful it was!
The company that supplied the tables and chairs was called PACIFIC EVENT PRODUCTIONS and had their initials on a dolly. I couldn't resist!
I left soon after. When I got home, as I said, I was too tired to blog, so I just got undressed and watched AMERICAN IDOL. Then, I started watching DIVINE DESIGN, but I shut it off before it was done, because my eyes were closing.
It was a great night with Artie and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day – and the great event I was lucky enough to attend.