Category Archives: music

I love Harry Connick Jr.

and I love my husband!!! He’s been teasing me about how we’ll be missing the HC show – in fact, we thought we’d already missed it. Well early this morning, he decided to pick up a pair of tickets for this Friday’s show at the Greek! I’m SO excited!! And not that it really matters much in the scheme of things, but he also picked up some VIP parking passes so we don’t have to deal with the stacked parking crap.

*sigh* my husband rocks!!! He may not be big into buying cards or falling for those Hallmark holidays, but he’s still a keeper!

Once Again The Hollywood Hills are Ablaze

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Griffith Park is on fire. Again. Sadly, this little “accidental arson” has caused quite a bit of damage. Over 800 acres were damaged. Over three hundred residents had to be evacuated. Both the zoo and the newly upgraded, Griffith Park Observatory were at risk. Luckily, now, it’s listed as 50% contained. Thankfully, nearby friends are okay. But really, this is some scary stuff.

We went out late last night to take some pictures. It was amazing to see how close the fire came to us. Even now, over 24-hours later, I can smell the fire likes it’s in my backyard (which is interesting considering yesterday I couldn’t smell the fire at all). Yet when you walk outside, there’s no smoke plume and no ash.

This is a picture standing on our street corner (basically) aiming towards the zoo…
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This is a photo that shows how close to the freeway the fires reached…
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Notice how much of the actual hill is on fire – only that one patch of vegetation remains…
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The Happiest Three Years…

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I’ve been neglectful, please forgive me. I’ve got a lot of posts stored up in my head, I just haven’t gotten around to typing them up yet. Until then (which will be shortly), I’ll leave you with some anniversary details…

Since the hubby has to work tonight (he’s shooting the Rufus Wainwright show) we decided to celebrate last night instead. We started out the evening by heading over to the Hotel Cafe to see Keri Noble (her myspace with music clips). She put on a great show and didn’t disappoint. Since she was the opening act, we had great seats right up front (and of course, the hubby was shooting the show and got some great photos).

It was a very stripped down set with just her on keys and her husband on guitar. She did a great version of Patty Griffin’s Fly (the Chicks also cover it). We hung back and talked with her manager after her set and found out that she’s sadly still unsigned. Man, she’s got a kickass, raspy voice and it’s really a shame she’s unsigned. Here’s a clip of one of my favorite songs of her’s, here’s an X-File video that she sang on and here’s her single from her last album). Yeah, I’m a fan, what can I say.

So after the show we headed on over to Off Vine for dinner. I’ve heard some good things about them and have wanted to try them for quite some time. Sadly, it was just okay. Nothing fancy and let’s be honest, we were shooting for fancy. The restaurant was dead – not a surprise since it was a Monday at 8:30. The restaurant is very cool as it’s in an old arts & crafts-style bungalow.

I do have to say that our smoked chicken and mozzarella ravioli with an apple mango chutney appetizer was kick ass! The souffle for dessert was okay as well. I liked the one we had in Vancouver on our honeymoon much better. The meals itself, again, just okay. The hubby had a pretty good trout in a cream sauce that was tasty, though we couldn’t for the life of us figure out what was going on with his side dish (way too weird to figure out – something with broccoli). My pecan crusted chicken was missing something – my theory is when you have to salt your food to give it some flavor, it’s not usually a good thing (outside of eggs, mexican food and chicken noodle soup, that is). But hey, their wine menu was very well written. I can’t say we’d go back again or recommend it to friends though.

Tonight we’ll be off to see the RW show. Turns out the hubby was able to get a +1 after all, so I’ll be going along. So I picked up the fixin’s for a Chinese chicken salad, a carrot cake (bad, I know) and a bottle of bubbly, prossecco so we can celebrate again – since he doesn’t go on until 10. Not such a bad deal considering we really don’t exchange gifts (though this year we are getting a new home entertainment stereo system as our “anniversary gift” since the hubby’s old, hand-me-down stereo is on it’s last legs). PS – RW was on KCRW’s Morning Sounds Eclectic earlier today and it’s a great set – check it out.

Oh yeah, remember that SATC episode where Samantha got a peel the day before Carrie’s book launch? Yeah, well, I’m a walking example of why one should NEVER EVER get a facial before a big event! Yes, the woman gave me two glycolic peels (light or not) and then waxed my upper lip and I’m ON FIRE!! My nose and cheeks are bright red, and my upper lip (and the actual lip!) is in so much pain it hurts to even open my mouth! Crazy I tell ya!! I’m sure I’ll look great this weekend *sigh*

Hopped Up on Diet Coke

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I ran some errands earlier today to pick up the missing dinner ingredients (goat cheese, sugar snap peas and chocolate covered strawberries – yum!) and in true Valentine’s Day style, I decided to treat myself to a scone and a movie. Both, were quite yummy.

Let me start by extolling the virtues of Portos. A year or so they opened up a second location in Burbank and boy-o has that made things easier. This is my go to bakery – when I want a fine dessert for a special occasion, Portos it is; when I want the world’s most perfect scone, Portos is my place; when I need treats for a bridal or baby shower, you better believe I’ll be getting my treats from Portos. And on those rare occasions when this gal is craving a potato ball (a potato-y ball of heaven is a more accurate description), Portos is where I head. Come to think of it, does anyone else even make that potato-y ball of heaven? Kind of makes you wonder why Jennifer Lopez had such a difficult time finding “piping hot cuban bread” in the greater LA area (side note: next time she should consider using a recording studio in Burbank or Glendale – both cities have a Portos!!)

From there I came home to drop off my chocolate-covered strawberries extraordinary and remembered that Music & Lyrics starts today. As a bit of a Hugh Grant fan, I also happen to be love both, the chickflick and chicklit genres. My hubby, not so much. So I figured what better than to head out to the matinée showing. Thanks to those extra long previews and pre-movie commercials I made it just in time. Unrelated to the topic of hand of course, but I can’t help but wonder, if anywhere else in the country actually get real commercials as part of the pre-movie experience?

Moving on…I think the movie was quite good. Yes, it had is predictable moments – but what chickflick doesn’t? I think the casting was perfect, and both Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant played their roles just as you’d have expected. There was just enough humor that you’d bust into the occasional giggle or chuckle. I was actually quite surprised that Hugh and Drew sang their own songs. I can’t imagine that either of them will have a career in the music business, but it was good enough to actually enjoy (there are song samples on the movie’s website.)

And of course, what late-30’s gal (aw hell, did I just admit that?!) can’t relate to Kristen Johnston’s 80’s fanatic character? I know I’ll be going crazy and singing right along when George Michael comes to town. There’s just something about the memories and music from the 80’s *sigh* my hubby just doesn’t get it. And ladies, I know for a fact that the George Michael tour schedule is in the works!!

But really, I’d recommend the movie. It’s definitely a well spent two hours. I can’t imagine that the guys would enjoy it nearly as much (a bit too much butt-wagging), but I’m sure they’d appreciate Haley Bennett and her Shakira-esque dance moves. (Note to Self: remember to purchase Hips Don’t Lie for the workout mix).

Now that I’m coming off my caffeine high, I think it’s time to get started on that Valentine’s dinner – pomegranate pork loin – yum! And let’s not forget the champagne. I guess tonight is yet another non-WW day. Aw hell, I just need to write this week off and start over again – not like we’ve never done that sort of thing before, right?

Just Call Me Ms. Little Old Fuddy Duddy

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Well, it’s Grammy weekend here in sunny (okay, in hazy) Los Angeles and I have decided that I’m just getting old *sigh* For the past couple of days, we’ve been living the high life. Well, not the really high life, but you know, an LA sort of high life.

Thursday we get to attend the Blacked Eyed Peas’ PeaPod even at the Avalon. Their last fundraiser at the Avalon was awesome. I was so starstruck be everyone we got to see. I was *this* close to Scarlett Johanson and Molly Simms. I saw Paris and Nicki and some Backstreet Boys. I saw Naveen Andrews from Lost. It was a non-stop party. This year, not so much. The only celebs we saw were the performers backstage (Herbie Hancock, the BEPs, Slash, Macy Gray, and probably more still that I just didn’t recognize). Outside of the BEP’s performances and the free alcohol (I had one drink) it really wasn’t all that exciting and it was damn long night.

Friday we had a music website launch party to go to. For me, someone new to this whole industry sort of thing I was pretty darn excited. More excited still because it was going to be held at the Viper Room. I mean, come on, the legendary Viper Room, just imagine how kickass this thing was going to be. Only it wasn’t.

Sadly, it was, well, the Viper Room. It was dark. It was crowded. The music was loud. So yeah, it felt just like the Viper Room on every other time I’d been there. Let’s remember, this was a launch party. I was looking for celebrities. Hell, I was looking for food. Neither were to be had. Granted, it was an open bar, but eh, I’m just too old to care about unlimited alcohol, especially when I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. What a let down.

Saturday we celebrated a good friend’s birthday at her favorite restaurant, Lawry’s in Beverly Hills. Prime rib, hell, legendary prime rib – yum! Eh, it was okay. It was a bit too cool for my tastes and it was smothered in au jus, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. I’ve had better experiences in less crowded restaurants where I wasn’t rushed to eat my (pricey) meal. But the important part, the company was great!

After our rushed dinner we headed back to our friend’s house and sat out on the (heated) deck to enjoy a couple of drinks (I mentioned this is Los Angeles, right?) while we decide where to head out next. As phase two of the Grammy weekend experience, we head out over to the Bel Age hotel bar (where we ended last night after dinner as well) to be regaled with stories from the White House and international trips by the birthday girl and her co-worker.

From there she gets called to attend the Roots’ private party at the Key Club. By now it’s midnight or so and I’m exhausted. The poor pupster hasn’t yet eaten dinner and it’s been 8 or 9 hours since he was last let out. But our names were put on the list, so we head on over. We go through the “celebrity entrance,” pick up our snazzy, VIP wrist bands and head on up to the lounge. Man, it is insanely crowded and every where you stand you’re in someone’s way. This is SO not my scene. So again I’m thinking, private, crowded, It-people filled party, with free alcohol. And again I’m thinking, free alcohol does not always a good time make. Once more this weekend, I’m thinking “damn, I’m too old to care about shit like this any more.”

We leave shortly after, dragging the birthday girl with us. I felt bad to cut her night out short, but again, I was just thinking about the poor little pupster, and the fact that I wasn’t having fun. On the home she asks us if we want to go to the William Morris, post-Grammy party tonight. She tells us it will be a fun time. And while I’m tempted (I love to at least see the celebs) to at least stop by tonight, I really have no desire to get all dolled up and head out for yet another late night just for some free drinks. Do you see a pattern here?

The only thing I’m dying to get out of this Grammy weekend is to see the Police perform tonight and to get those Police tour dates tomorrow! Otherwise, I’m really just feeling too old to even care about all this crap. So yeah, feel free to call me Ms. Little Old Fuddy Duddy.

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