The Most Beautiful Day
It’s is so gorgeous today. Everything is blooming and greening. We walked the dogs. It was perfect. I think I need to do the Gratuity Dance!
Screen Door
I flew back in from L.A. and headed straight to dinner at Screen Door. Fried green tomatoes, poblano corn chowder, biscuits, chili-dusted fried catfish, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese topped off by a “moon pie” and an RC cola. The service was really attentive, plus the manager and the chef, Fitzgerald Dodd, stopped by our table to chat. Nice touch.
Plus, our friend Janet taught me the Gratuity Dance. I’m not sure where it came from or why it’s called the Gratuity Dance, but it does make you feel better. We did it for the cameras at One Arts Plaza, so hopefully someone will get to enjoy it.
By the way, if you’re not watching Kings, you should be.
Check Out My Super Swanky Digs
I’m trying a new L.A. hotel: the Thompson Beverly Hills. It’s a super trendy boutique hotel. I think I like it. After I checked in, I checked out the rooftop pool and then had dinner at Bond Street, the hotel restaurant. Yummy sushi. All the pics are on flickr.
I spend a couple of days here, and then head down to Orange County where the Westin will be somewhat less photogenic, I’m sure.
Parigi
The umpteenth birthday celebration with Howard and Lisa was pretty fun last night. Parigi is definitely a superb restaurant. We had the fondue for a starter, then I had more Prince Edward Island mussels, this time with Pomme Frite. And then we finished with Peach and Buttermilk pies.
Mmmmm good! The service was also great, and the atmosphere charming. Okay, we can stop celebrating my birthday now.
Bolsa
Just sitting outside at Bolsa on a breezy perfect Spring evening. Ate a sampler of flatbreads.
A little pizza with Jimmy’s Italian sausage.
And some mouthwatering mussels. And a delicious Four Vines Naked Chardonnay. If every day could be like this….
Bug Love
I have a feeling I’m going to see a lot more nature now, thanks to my great big office window. I already had duck and turtle sightings today. And these two (horrible) bugs have been fornicating on my window for hours. Good on you, Mr. Bug. You’re a legend.
Meanwhile, this other (horrible) bug above has been watching them the whole time. Pervert. Of course, I’m the one taking pictures so I really shouldn’t talk.
The Big Reveal
So, the new office is complete and I’m all moved in. I think the best thing about it is the floor to ceiling window. It’s so nice to see some blue sky, green grass, and a bit of water. Across from my desk is a seating area with black leather club chairs and at the other end of the room from the window is a small conference table.
I like it! Les is going to do some art for the wall over the seating area, and I’ll be all set.
Moving Day
They finished installing all the shelving and furniture, and now the little elves are moving all of my files and belongings into the new space.
And EVEN MORE
Birthday Flowers
Birthday Cake.
They were too nice to put all those candles on it. 
Tags: birthday45, cake, flowers
More Birthday Goodness
I came in to work today and was surprised to find presents and decorations!
Aint’ that nice? Plus, they had decorated the outside of my door with words describing me, using the letters of my name. I’m not sure Barb understood the object of the game, unless she really thinks that I am a valkyrie and a voucher, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.
I also got gorgeous smelling daffodils.
Les is joining me shortly for lunch at the cafeteria. He presented me with a birthday basket and my Buddha head this morning. Meanwhile, I move into the new office tomorrow. Hooray! They will assemble it tomorrow morning, move all my stuff over, and I will show up at 9:00 tomorrow to a fully-furnished new pad.