Travel Tips

There were so many birthday parties at so many hotels/clubs/restaurants; one fabulous year after another -- Checca, Hollywood Roosevelt, Summerfield Suites, Hollywood Athletic Club, The Mint...!! It seems so long ago that they all blur into one, but I was always surrounded by good friends and that's what really matters on your birthday, right?

Sundays at the Cat & Fiddle was when we'd go to hear jazz on their outdoor patio, which is a bit odd considering that it's an English/Irish pub where the vast majority of patrons were rockers clad in leather. I'd always order the Ploughman's Lunch and share it with Frank. We'd drink black and tans (Guinness and Bass), or even Harp. Then Frank would laugh and inadvertently spit beer across the table, Adam would call Rocco "Morocco" (innocently, of course), and Barbara would club Muffy over the head and say "What were you thinking?!" when she'd catch sight of the latest guy he was trying to set me up with!

These were a small smattering of the guys from Rock N Roll Hell. Spending weekends with them was endless hours of kegs, blasting rock and roll music, comparing tattoos, and watching videos like "Faces of Death." We'd go to the Seven Seas over on Hollywood Boulevard and slam dance (or rather, they would; I wasn't allowed in the mosh pit by any of them!). Afterwards, we'd play chicken on Hollywood Boulevard or hang out at Boardners in a haze. And to think...they almost talked me into jumping off the top of the roof into the pool with Dave!

New Year's Eve prior to actually leaving the apartment; we were sitting around shooting the breeze, getting pre-inebriated -- at least, those of us who wouldn't be driving. Jericho was someone that I knew in San Francisco who'd moved down to Los Angeles, and we invited him out with us. He adored my friends; said they were incredibly nice and sincere and made him feel so comfortable.

This was really one of the most fun New Year's I'd had in awhile. After the pre-party, we went to B.B. King's in Universal Citywalk, and danced and drank till closing.

Player D and I actually got separated from the others (as did two other couples) and were not with the "group" at the stroke of midnight. Somehow I didn't mind having him all to myself! We know each other well; we think the same (in that strange way). We try not to judge each other and just enjoy the moment, wherever it takes us. Miss you, D. Where are you?

UPDATE: I found my Player D, or rather, he found me -- in San Francisco where we both currently live. After losing contact for over a year, we both happened to be in the same bar at the same time (and it wasn't one that I've ever frequented before). So he's back in my life, though maybe temporarily... As usual, we'll just go with the moment!

A New Year's Eve party at the house of one of my closest friends.