The Moldy Doily

you may be asked...

My beautiful friend Cynthia recently asked me to drive with her across the country in a van full of musical equipment. At first I was contemplating the spontaneous decision, but realized that there was too much work left at the Show Pony. Today she sent me these magical enchanted forest images from her stay in Austin TX at SXSW. It's nice when a friend texts you images of trees webbed with wonderful objects and then the message "Wish you were here to see this"

I can only imagine how it must've been with musicians playing on top of the river.

anyplace where you can be under the stars, surrounded by trees sparkling with flair, listening to bands play while water flows underneath them has to be pretty cool

everything in her heart told her to go and yet things would never be the same if she did

It has been a long few weeks of travel and returns. The annual tradition of heading for the desert for Cynthia's birthday seemed nearly impossible. Considering the store still needs an overhaul and all the artwork piling up and so on and so on. I had told my friends that it would be an impossible feat. In my mind I had declared it just about the worst thing I needed to do. In agonizing I realized that this has been a year of eliminating the things that no longer suit me, while reclaiming the love of other things.

It was at that moment that I realized that the store wasn't really going anyplace, I mean what is one more messy day in there? The money isn't really gonna be made in two whole days? The apartment cleanup was probably gonna be vetoed for cable t.v. and I might truly regret not spending the birthday weekend get away with good friends.

And so it goes. Age of Consent by New Order ringing through the ears as we wind around giant surreal rock formations piled high like lady fingers on a tiramisu cake. No one saying anything as our faces tilted out into the desert sun. Four women riding in the same car with separate daydreams and expectations of what this weekend may have in store. The nostalgia of the drive in, the little pioneer rooms lit up with magical lights almost killed me.
I can't explain the sense of utter euphoria that the desert air stirs, but the faded structures serve as a reminder that life keeps on living out there. The tourists come and go, and this space will wait for them to revisit. The smell of BBQ reminded me of Mr. P and his love of the place. I wanted to eat what he would have ordered. I wanted to snap pictures with my cell phone and send them to him of the perfect plate.

We spent the weekend scouring the antique junk shops, Indian stores, and running around from room to room. In our down time we told tales of our lives and laughed so hard that we nearly wet the bed.
The weekend also reminded me that this new moon in Aquarius has pushed me through a new door and gently closed the old one. I have always struggled with change, ever since I was a kid. But change has always forged new adventures for me, and so I blindly accept this new challenge.

The band SPINDRIFT was playing at Pappy and Harriets and Plucky and Cynthia shared a birthday celebration. The evening started off with a nice game of cornhole. A game where you toss a bean bag into a hole. After that we drank, and ate until we felt electric. The night seemed to melt away

this was the picture that made us laugh til we cried. One wild eyed man with a chin ponytail and the other playing guitar with his tongue- who would you pick?

meet darling jasmin, a sweet local 18 year old girl who danced all night with us

we survived the weekend, and I'm glad I chose plan B

The Get-Away

Xmas eve, around midnight, Mr. P handed me two suitcases and said you have 10 hours to pack two days worth of clothes (fancy and casual) and be ready at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Hmmm. How does a girl sleep on that info? Where are we headed?
What should I bring? What will we be doing?

We headed out Christmas morning and lucky for him, I have no real sense of direction and couldn't tell if we were headed for Mexico or SF. After a few hours on the road, he pretended that he needed to use the restroom and we took off on a side road winding along the lovely coast. Hidden along the shore is an exclusive SPA retreat called Bacara. I realized it was the same place we had been years back during the Santa Barbara Film festival, attending Leonardo DiCaprio's award receiving party.

The entrance is breathtaking, an enormous fountain packed with giant bulbs and greetings by attentive bellhops offering to drive you to your room in golf carts.
Our room was across from the SPA organic cafe and Spa center.

I love that I have never been one to get my "Relax" on properly. In fact I've never been a good receiver of massages, nor facials. I lack the necessary smarts for how to let go and be pampered. The SPA booklet featured luxurious treatments for the body and the face as well as manicures/pedicures and exercise activities. Within 20 minutes of arriving on the scene, I opted for a toxin /stress releasing mud spine treatment with shoulder and neck massage. I misunderstood her instructions and laid down face up on top of the covers. When she entered and saw me, she gasped and said- "You need to get under the sheet, please" Faux Paux nude blunder number 1.
It was funny.

I also got a facial later that day. They call it the Instant Gratification Facial, and for a mere 25 minutes it'll set you back $95. Compared to most of the other decadent peels and masks, that price is a bargain. Did I mention sitting in the Eucalyptus STEAM room for 15 minutes til my face almost melted off? WOW it was amazing in there. Hot pools and saunas with women lounging around reading the latest issues of Vanity Fair- Ahhh the life of luxury.

after my fab facial- check out that glow!

This will go down in history as the MEAL of a LIFETIME!
Seriously- the best 4 course Christmas dinner ever. If I could frame the menu I would. Actually the bill was around $650 so perhaps we should be framing that too...Ouch.

The restaurant is named MIRO's- after the painter- all of the plates looked like his paintings

Lifestyles of the Rich and famous- kept playing in my mind

the life of leisure suits him

we spent our romantic nights in front of the many resort outdoor fireplaces, well, it was absolutely freezing by the ocean late night...

this light fixture should be in cynthia's place

in town we witnessed this Xmas miracle, a rat on top of a cat on top of a dog. Pretty sweet

We also shopped around Santa Barbara and saw the Kite Runner. It was amazing and heartbreaking. A must see.

Here's the debut of my new Xmas dress from Mr. P. Seems like the World Wrestling Association may be missing a winning belt, huh?

check out the chocolate sculptures in the lobby

Heaven can wait

There is a place on Earth where the stillness of the landscape calms every nerve in your body. Around every corner a faded pastel sunset, wild rabbits and running quail. You can see every single star in the sky so perfectly clear. Pomegranate trees bend across the water, dropping seeds across the sand. Little painted cabins tarnished from the sun decorated with wind chimes and lanterns.
"I could live here" echoes in my mind. I could love it here, someday when I escape the city and surrender to the idea of only making art. It's lawless and slow. Some say that the desert is a mirror to a person's soul. You could disappear out there on a porch swing and wait for something. Imagine lovely lazy days reading books and listening to records. 29 Palms out there in Joshua Tree isn't for working, but getting your relax on. It was all like a dream

FAIRYTALES can come true

Thanks to HAPPY PEOPLE DON'T COMPLAIN, I was transported to the lovely HOTEL FOX in Denmark, Copenhagen. The magical hotel features 61 individual rooms painted by 22 various types of artists. From the whimsical to the adventure seeker, every room reflects fabulous ideas. My favorites include:

Amadori is currently very interested in myths, legends, and mystical symbols and wanted to create magical rooms (in the traditional sense) full of life and a rich diversity: “You are invited to spend a night at the King's Court. The King and Queen have gathered their magicians, jesters, fortune-tellers and other mystical courtiers to greet you. Blue represents the King's Court and is associated with trust, loyalty and honesty. Also it is the colour of the sky and the deep sea, which suggest infinite freedom.”

for more info go to the site: hotelfox.dk

Aquarius Get-a-way

In honor of Miss Cindy's birthday- we skirted off to the desert (Joshua Tree) to play in the sand and saddle up to a long bar. She was given magic spice cake which transformed the landscape into a wonderland of jack rabbits and speeding quail. We holed up at the famous Pioneertown Inn- where countless old school western films were shot, and the ghost of Gram Parsons roams. You can still ride your horses right up to the Inn and coral them while you devour racks of ribs at Pappy and Harriets saloon. When you drive in tons of wild bunnies and rabbits run around the parking lot.
(Click on images to see the entire photo)

Mr. P was in hog heaven- at Pappy's place- eating slabs of BBQ ribs the size of the Flintstones

Now you see 'em

now you don't--who knew that Colby could pack away the entire plate?

another highlight--definitely dancing with the local and boys on leave

The festivities involved all of the L.A. hippies and freaks driving up to the desert for a musical bonanza. Bands like Spindrift- the Moon Upstairs and our favorites- the Winter Flowers converged on the trail. Seemed everyone had found some form of mind altering distraction buried deep in a cactus flower. Random smiling strangers wandering in and out of motel rooms looking for a sing a long.

When we first took off on this adventure- we were all a litttle worried about Mr. P. We wondered- Could he possibly relax? Would he adapt to the laid back lifestyle? Would he drag along a suitcase of ties and cuff links? Could he accept a no work policy? Would his serious side be able to take a vacation?

meet Mr. White man overbite

check out Rachel of band Civil War representing Bonnet old school

So happy to have Miss Manning from the Del More join the desert party

you know everything is gonna go good when Miss Lizzie strolls in

Mr P. said we look like we are going to perform at a Bavarian Beer Festival

ooohh...the Winter Flowers- (they just completed their new video for Strawberry Morning)

we ran down Main street- and straight into a real Native Indian- at the rad trading post. His pal makes dream catchers and crazy crafts- which are piled 6 feet deep in his little storefront

way past the western town --furthur down the road- we discovered someone's yard that was a work of art. They had a pond of broken treasures and a sign that said- "Tis better to give to the circle than to take from it" It was at this moment I realized I had to move to Pioneertown and build yard art

Uh oh-- looks like Mr. P just found his new secret office...

just in case "snake lake" decided to make an album cover

meet Miss Daisy the piglet that will always stay that size- (her owner told us she is freak of nature)

this was taken by Mr. P- on the porch of the future Show Pony boutique...it's right across from the Pioneertown Post office- so I can Ebay with ease. It even has a piano inside!!

on sunday morning- the tiny church was in service- and the music pouring out sounded like something from a band at the Echo- like the Pixies gone instrumental- well- like heaven.

the antiques and crafty stained glass huts on the Blvd made us happy

this is my dream "daisies" bathtub

Lincoln bought this manly shirt with shoulder pads- and made himself into a festive flag

Lincoln took us on a trip to explore the stone mountain where he built a guest "cube" house

best breakfast in town involved santa and baby grandpa mugs

this is what breakfast felt like if you were birthday girl Cindy- and slept 3 hours in two days...

this is how I want to remember the Aquarus get-a-way- chasing speedy quail and a hot cup of Oolong magic tea and cindy enjoying a sunset on Pioneertown.

Deco and Dancers

I woke up today in Chicago. I have to say this is the best city in the U.S. Sure it's summer and I haven't had an extreme cold wind- but it's really amazing. Something about the clean streets and magical river view make me want to go explore stuff. I went today by myself to visit the old Marshall Fields Department store...it's been a landmark here forever. The MACY's is going to be taking it over this week officially. It's sort of sad, like a passing of Christmas windows long long ago. I couldn't believe the old signs and giant patina clocks that protrude from the building. The inside has art deco light fixtures and elaborate columns. The view down from the inside is breathtaking. My friend Brad opened a great "old style" diner on Eleventh and named a sandwich "the Marshall Fields " sandwich. He said he wanted to pay tribute to the ladies who lunched there back in the day. This week he was told the item had to be removed from his menu or risk legal action. I looked up this info on Wikopedia:

Marshall Field (1835-1906) was the wealthiest man in Chicago of his time, worth an estimated $100 million when he died. Originally working as a clerk for Potter Palmer, he saved half of his $400/year salary, and in 1865 with his partner Levi Leiter bought Palmer's dry-goods store. Field and Leiter eventually became "Marshall Field and Company".
Originally opened in Chicago in 1852 by Potter Palmer, eponymously named P. Palmer & Co.. Four years later, in 1856, 21-year-old Marshall Field moved to Chicago from Pittsfield Just prior to the Civil War.
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That is old.
That is some history. This whole city is old and amazing- every corner something profound.

the tiffany stained glass ceiling

To top it all off- today was the opening day for the new LUSH soap store at the bottom of this building.
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Last night we ended up at the Green Mill- WOW
talk about 99 years ago. We had the best time! Here is the low down--

Throughout its uproarious history, The Green Mill Jazz Club has played host to a number of famous - and often infamous - celebrities. Opened in 1907 as Pop Morse's Roadhouse, the "Mill" was a stopping place for mourners to celebrate the passing of a friend before proceeding to St. Boniface's Cemetery. By 1910, new owners had converted the roadhouse into the Green Mill Gardens, complete with lantern-lit outdoor dancing and drinking areas, and boasting such headliners as Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and Sophie Tucker. Actors Wallace Beery and Bronco Billy Anderson also visited the Gardens, hitching their horses to the outdoor post and settling down for a drink after a days work filming westerns at nearby Spoor and Anderson Studios.

As the twenties roared, The Green Mill became mobster territory when Al Capone's henchman, "Machinegun" Jack McGurn, gained a 25% ownership of the club. Manager Danny Cohen had given McGurn the 25% stake to "persuade" comedian/singer Joe E. Lewis from moving his act south to the New Rendezvous Café at Clark and Diversey. McGurn managed to convince Lewis by slitting his throat and cutting off his tongue. Miraculously, Lewis recovered, but his songs never regained their lush sound. The incident was later immortalized in the movie The Joker is Wild, with Frank Sinatra as Joe E. Lewis and a Hollywood soundstage as The Green Mill. Of course, his interest piqued, Sinatra had to visit the club.

Throughout the 1930s, '40s, and 50s, The Green Mill continued to pack 'em in with a heady mix of swing, dance and jazz music. Uptown crowds from the Aragon Ballroom or Uptown and Riviera Theaters would "stop in for one" before or after shows. Business began to slip in the mid-seventies, and in 1986, present owner Dave Jemilo bought The Green Mill and restored it to its prohibition-era, speakeasy décor.

Ok with all that --in mind, let me say that this place is straight out of an old movie. There are old old old regular customers, a door man with a bear claw around his neck and handlebar mustache and young swing kids decked out in their big band gear. The bandstand was enormous and sounded like an old record your grandma always played.
Problem is that I have absolutely no rhythm. So when you tell the older men who invite you to dance that you really can't...they don't believe you til they feel your feet crushing theirs and you nearly tumble into the trombone player.

this is where I ended up of course- Mr. P has to eat cheezeborgers after hours

Tonight is the opening premiere of the movie -- I can't wait! Mr. P was on Chicago radio twice today- being funny on the loop.

Land of the Red Hots

Tis true that this is one of the best hot dog places on earth, perhaps explaining the heavy weight city title.
I don't think I ate this much while touring Italy. Last night we went to Billy Goats- one of the oldest Chicago Newspaper hangouts. The Bar/Diner is hidden under the city and looks untainted by the passing of decades. Mostly people know Billgoats from the infamous Saturday Night Live skit mocking it...cheezeborger cheezeborger-no Pepsi--COKE. My camera battery was dead- so the layers of grease and history will have to remain in my mind.

Sometimes pictures are better than words- and since these past four days have been quite an amazing blur- I will let them show why I think Chicago is an incredible city. (From the Green River Soda to the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier)

My favorite new discovery in the park downtown is the giant mirrored bean sculpture.

In the LOST house district where the oldest home from Chicago sits- we discovered this amazing mansion for sale. We went around the yard and noticed a coach house as well. This would make the best salon style bed and breakfast. It is directly across from the MArshall Fields Jr. mansion

Last night we time travelled to the 1990's Hard Rock Cafe style.
JAson got us onto the red carpet for the Blender Magazine party. It was straight out of scene at the Rainbow room...Dave Navarro and company on stage and strippers gallore.
This made me miss my L.A. Insert tongue in cheek now

this particular Fredericks of Hollywood babe was one step away from vomit

Well- by tonight I will be on a plane headed for the land of plastic ladies and palm trees. I can't wait.
Good bye Chicago- til next time

Off to Sleazy Motels

In our final days in NY state we lounged by the patio and went antique shopping in Nyack. I fell in love with all the gems and this little black sheep doll.

Later we attended a play in town that Alan directed called:

In the audience was the still fascinating Arlene Dahl. She was in "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and once had a torrid affair with J.F.K. She still had the fiery red hair that made her a siren in the day.

She was married for a brief time to Fernando Lamas...and had son Lorenzo--(GREASE)

Uncle Alan is having a fab house warming party later this month. My favorite thing in his house is this pastel portrait that someone made of him in the late 70's:

I helped make these trash cans fancy for his celebration.

We left the lush landscape of Rockland County and headed for our favorite sleepy town in PA called Stroudsburg. This is the place we stayed on our last Ohio tour. We ended up at a Church Rummage Sale/ town festival with the locals (seemed more like a scene from Deliverance) Toothless townies and sausage faced kids.

After eating a fried feast and buying crafts we were back on the road and driving
for 10 hours to Ohio. Lucky for us the rental car had a navigating computer system. As we drove in the darkness past my sisters 6 acre homestead...it simply stated "You have arrived".
We unfortunately were staying furthur up the block at the sleazy moist motel.

The Low down :

BOB EVANS- Biscuits and gravy for G.P. Smoking in Diners still exists, obesity is the new fad.
Jim's Kitchen- Super small old diner- 50's that I've been going to since I was like 4. All the waitresses
still know me and G.P has a luxurious burger with onions.
Chagrin Falls: The infamous 1920's town with the waterfalls behind the old time popcorn shop

Drive- In Movie-- That's right 5 minutes away from my sisters place there is a huge Drive-In where you
pay $15 for a car load. We were eaten alive by bugs but had a good time draped in
blankets

4-Wheelin'/mini bikes: G.P and I rode around the lawn on mini bikes racing across the 6 acres- This
is more exciting then one could imagine. Especially the narrow bridge to the back
yard -in the pitch black darkness with creeks and tall reeds-

The VFW Bar We officially want to be members. Where else can you get top shelf scotch for $3
along with Chicken Paprikash special dinners? We played pool and talked to
the locals- G.P. loved the smoke filled room.

Hillbillies -- We stumbled upon this tiny road behind my sisters place that took us by this old
house with a sign that said "free puppy" . In the drive was a ratty old fluffy dread
head doggy that was adorable. We stopped and called out to him and then a dozen
puppies ran out and surrounded the car and followed us for awhile. Furthur down we
noticed this amazing sunset clearance through the willow trees. Flowers floating on top
of the lake- so serene. Seemed Jason would jump out at any time and kill us
Old Trains- Everywhere trains running along the roadside-
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
Bob Dylan- retrospective... Sid Vicious blood stained SEX shoppe t-shirts-, his pirate
Viviene Westwood strappy boots, Jimi Hendrix's early paintings of football players
(Henry DArger style) Janis Joplins love beads and gods eyes. So many cool outfits of
JEfferson Airplane (a suede cape with a naked couple fornicating as the clasp out of
brass) The MAMAS and PAPAS embroidered dresses, Beaded fringe vests of Sly and the
Family Stone, etc...