New Directions!

Ever have one of those mornings when you wake up and say to yourself... "What the Hell am I doing??"

I had one of those a while back.

And then someone gave me a book called Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts.

And I interviewed Aleta St James.

And I had fun acting in a movie

And I decided I didn't know what the hell I was doing. So I decided to go on the journey to figure it out.

So I quit my job. And took 5 others.

And I stopped getting up at 4 in the morning.

And now I still don't know what the hell I am doing, but I DO know that I'm having more fun doing it. And less stress.

Don't I look a lot happier now??

Stay tuned for more new developments!

Ciao!
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My Kind of Town, part two....

Last night the Grant Historical dinner was amazing!

We ate in the Empire Room and the meal included Curried Butternut Squash Bisque... Peppered Beef Tenderloin wrapped in Proscuitto with creme fraiche Yukon Gold potatoes... and Le Mirior de Truffles au Chocolat, among other things.

There were only about 25 of us in the Empire Room of the Palmer House, dining upon the same china that President Grant and Mark Twain dined upon, that is only taken out of the vault to show people... never for them to dine upon. Ken said that each place setting was worth about $6800!

We were treated to a history of Chicago and of the Palmer House. I am going to do some research on Bertha Palmer. She was quite the progressive! She was the first to bring Monet paintings to the United States and helped start the first women's garment union. Really an incredible woman.

Then Ken had a limo waiting for me to take me back to the Sofitel, where I met David and Susie in Le Bar. And when I finally got back to the room, there was a Fire and Ice bath package awaiting and a single rose on the bed.

It's so nice to live the life of luxury, wouldn't you say??? :)

Today Susie and I are going to Bloomingdales for a make-over. Still have to find those martini glasses....

I love Chicago!!

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My kind of town, Chicago is....

In Chicago for the Auto Show to broadcast live as part of a contest we did on the radio. The hotel we are partnering with is the Sofitel Water Tower, truly an elegant European style hotel. Yesterday was the broadcast with the management of the hotel, and what a cast of characters they were! Rob Prohaska, the marketing director, Laurent Boisdron - the food and beverage director, and Christos Palaglou - the Chief Operating Officer. Funny, smart, clever and cute.. this was a fun bunch of guys. And a real treat. When you do broadcasts on location with people you have never met... you are never quite sure what will happen and how it will go. This went swimmingly! (pictures of the guys will go up when I get home)

Laurent convinced me to try the Lipstick Martini.... a peach concoction that came with some Bobbie Brown cosmetics. And then he ordered some champagne for us and picked up the entire bill. Thank you, Laurent. :)

Ken Price at the Palmer House found some time yesterday to sneak away for lunch at the Downtowner and he fed me like a Jewish mother! Quesadillas and crabcakes and sea bass and peapods... and a freshly baked cookie with ice cream for dessert. He is such a fascinating man! His true love is the Great American Songbook and he is bringing the Cabaret Convention back to Chicago in March. Unfortunately, they are all sold out, or I would bring Beverly back for it. It is an incredible evening.

Ken made reservations for us to come back tonight for the historical dinner at the Palmer House which will be served on the same china that President Grant dined upon. What a fabulous evening this should be!


Today I'll spend some time on Michigan Avenue doing some shopping and sightseeing. It's a little grey out today and looks quite chilly. Glad I brought the wool coat! Gotta find some martini glasses for the gang back home.

Remember when you come to Chicago to visit the Palmer House... ornate, historical, exquisite. The Sofitel is your choice for Euporean elegance and the romance concierge. And the Art Institute for a bit of culture. Chicago is definitely my kind of town. :)

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