Weekend Report

Or... My So-Called Glamourous Life

Friday Night (the only night worth reporting since I laid low the rest of the weekend) Report:

Went to a pre-party for Shag's "A Gracious Oasis - Paintings from Palm Springs" show put together by M Modern Gallery owners Jay and MiShell Nailor. It was quite the shindig (which I think is the most appropriate word) at the Elrod/Lautner Estate - once we actually got there.

There was much confusion (and a fair amount of grumbling and dissension among the ranks) as to where we were to meet and how we were all going to get up to the house (parking up there is very limited). Most of us (40 or so people?) showed up at the gallery around 6:15 (as instructed) only to find 3 guys laying new flooring, no hosts - no instructions, so we waited ... outside. Did I mention it was raining?

20 minutes later we were informed that we were all supposed to be over at the Rim Rock parking lot where a shuttle bus would pick us up. We all caravanned over to Rim Rock and circled aimlessly around looking for a shuttle which never appeared. There was however a tiny chinese restaurant with a brightly lit "COCKTAILS" sign so about 15 of us invaded the normally quite place and had a drink while this all got sorted out.

Pet Peeve Number 478:
People who try and get out of paying for drinks.
Just as we were served our cocktails, we were informed via cell phone that we needed to be at the OTHER end of the parking lot. As we hurried to leave, I realized that no one had paid the bill. When I mentioned this, one gentleman whom I do not know very well said "Sshh... Now why would we want to do that honey?"

I curtly replied "Because it's the right thing to do, asshole" (the asshole was silent). This poor couple that ran the tiny restaurant had graciously gotten us all drinks in a very orderly and timely manner and we were treated very well. Don't try the Drink & Dash maneuver with me around. So I had to be the bitchy lesbian and make everyone cough up cash. 2 people still did not pay. Grrr. Back to the story at hand...

As all 40 of us loitered in front of Vons for another 15 minutes, much to the amusement and confusion of the supermarket's employees and patrons, it's now 7:45 - an hour and a half after we first assembled. Mishell finally drove down to meet us and we all followed her up, car pool style. Let the glamour begin!

The Elrod House

Palm Springs is the Mecca of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Nestled up on the rocky southridge, the Arthur Elrod House, designed in 1968 by John Lautner, is a true masterpiece. I've been dying to get inside this place since we moved down here. Some of you might recognize it from the 1971 James Bond movie "Diamonds Are Forever" in which Bambi and Thumper dropped from the ceiling and attacked 007. It's also been the location of many a photo shoot. Seeing as I only had my camera phone and the pictures turned out awful (except this snap of Ruby and Josh), I'll point you here to see some more professional photo's of this truly amazing structure.

It really was like being in a movie. Everyone looked dynamite, the cocktails were flowing, the city twinkled below... this is Palm Springs Fabulous. And it can all be yours for about 9 million smackers. The current owners do rent the house out (as they did Friday night) for about $3000 a night.

After the party our gaggle of 15 sauntered over to The Parker for more drinks and some light fare. We lounged around the fire pit, having forgiven and forgotten the debacle of how the evening started, and toasted to how goddamn lucky we are to live in this most beautiful and magnificent place, Palm Springs. Life is good. Many thanks to our hosts for such a fantastic evening.

*Update: And I totally forgot to mention that Charles Hollis Jones almost walked off with my damn cell phone. Thanks to Jamie for getting it back for me!