'We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who
begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at
once, before a word has been spoken.' ~ Dostoevsky
After a 45 minutes ride, which went by in a flash, I arrived
at my destination, 'The Food Porn Palace'. The anticipation had
been palpable for the past seven days, in part due to the fact
that this night had been in the pipeline for some time, on account
of some of the ladies that inspired this shindig were unavailable,
but ultimately, they did not even attend. Live and learn!
'Your primary purpose is to be here fully, and to be total in
whatever you do so that the preciousness of the present moment
does not become reduced to a means to an end. And there you
have your life purpose. That's the very foundation of yourè
life.' ~ Eckhart Tolle
A couple of decades earlier, on such a journey, on such an
evening, in the back of a limo, a young man reclined like a
Master of the Universe. A new friend I had met, in of all places,
a restaurant club in Ft.Lauderdale named 'Yesterday's', but who
actually lived on the South Shore of Montreal, in a tiny, very
Nationalist enclave called St.Jean-sur-Richelieu.
This man, let us call him Gaston Paradise, was the largest
builder of government subsidized housing, military barracks,
warehouses and office buildings in that town. He was the biggest
fish in a small pond. Gaston liked limos, blue ones, so he could
drink to his heart's content. Whenever he came down to Montreal,
either to party or dinner, it was always in a long, blue
limousine. In all the time I knew him, it was always the driver.
I would arrange outings, dinners, and the like with very
attractive, successful older women. He had confided in me,
back in Ft.Lauderdale that he had been observing me for some
time from a distance, within my entourage, and loved the way
I operated. He offered to bankroll me if I would include him
and his good friend in my circle. And that was the beginning
of a long, very interesting and fruitful friendship.
In the setting sun the striking skyline glitters, alight with
promise, dripping with possibilities.
For a while my neighbors did not know what to make of this
seemingly regular, clandestine visitor in this big blue car
picking up the kid down the street.
At first it seemed we were going to have one of my famous dinners
of seven, then a funny thing happened, people commenced trickling
in and before you knew it we became an ensemble. What began slowly
and with very little fanfare culminated into a most enchanting
soiree.
'Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born
until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world
is born.' ~ Anais Nin
The motley group of fellow party diners soon gathered to party on.
We were able to amass quite a montage of bon vivants! The sparkling,
flashing, neon, lights twinkling brighter than the early-evening
stars.
'We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at
least once. And we should call every truth false which was not
accompanied by at least one laugh.' ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
I'm back to verbalize my reflections and laud the virtues of
our latest culinary tête-à-tête. As is customary let us welcome
the nubile Nicole, Linda, and that delicious birthday girl Teresa,
as well as 'The Lonewolf'. New male members of our cortege are
few and far between. Renato was a formidable addition as well as
a gentleman. I hope he along with those delightful dames continue
to grace our table.
I'm a big proponent of evolution, and this group has definitely
evolved. It was different and unique, as they always are. As is
the case with each gathering, the dynamics and especially the
landscape changes, and this time the changes were subtle. I mean
the splinters seemed to be grouped as though it was preordained
by affiliations, desires, wants and needs.
It's similarities to an ever-changing living organism that grows
as it absorbs particles it picks up along its journey like Teresa.
There's a fresh particle. She had had a working relationship with
'Madame Sotheby's, in the carriage trade, so it was a seamless effort
on either part. They hit it off. Along with Madame's beau, 'Monsieur
Arbitrage', both had recently flown in from down south. They are
so precious! Love them both. The lovely and effervescent 'Ivana',
who made her second trek to one of my dinners in recent memory.
What an exquisite and smooth accent. It plays off the ear like
its namesake.
'The Cat', to whom I shall add the prefix 'Sultry' from this
date forward, maybe because it had been so long we had not seen
each other but she exuded sensuality to a whole other level.
Speaking of sensual levels. Hilda, who from this moment on shall
be forever known as 'Boobs'. WOW! In all the time I have known
her, had never noticed the curvaceousness of that kitten. Also
in that corner was the always bodacious 'Biker Babe', Patricia
and 'The Lonewolf'.
Next to me sat the always constant in a sea of change Doris
and Patrick. Facing them, the 'Prodigal Son' returns, the always,
gregarious Frank Manzone. 'The Photographer' dazzled the ladies
with his Beatlesque look and who's attention was directed solely
at the delicious and vixenish 'Meryl'.
In the other wing, of this long train, there was Anna, 'The
Attorney', being amused by 'The Printer' and 'La Regina' holding
court. And I smiled!
'I have gotten to a point in my life where I don't want to have
dinner with someone I don't like.' ~ John Frankenheimer
There was a sweet smell of sensuality emanating from our mostly,
female coterie. I enjoyed that most of the ladies wore skirts, except
the ones that slipped through the cracks and I forgot to mention it
to, failed dramatically but for the most part I was privy to a bouquet
of stems. I relish in and appreciate the infinite beauty and exquisite
curvature of the female form. Show it, flaunt it, admire it and allow
it to blossom.
A special mention to 'The Attorney' who looked every bit une 'Femme
Fatale'... 'Camminando le donne può tutto mostrare... ma niente
lasciare vedere! (Sensual women can show everything, without revealing
anything!).' ~ Marcello Mastroianni
I feel it remiss not to thank Gianni and the personnel at Cavalli,
for consistently making us feel special. Our very own and personal
assistant Audrey, who time and time again as shown great stamina, in
the face of a constant barrage of requests from a spoiled bunch (or
maybe that's just me?). Kudos to the chefs, Frank and Nick, the dishes
were remarkable and sublime. The Swordfish with a smidgen of squash
concoct was exquisite, moist and mouth-watering. The Salmon Tartare
was devilish. The Filet Mignon was rich and rosy. Inspirations!
They say the measure of a great restaurant is the consistency of its
dishes. Once again, 'The Food Porn Palace' as proven that dictum,
and its King's altruism never cease to amaze me.
During the evening someone asked, "Are you going to mention me in
your 'Observations'?" To which I replied, "I don't feel inspired."
Well, what do you know here I am, again!
Love the music, love the sunshine love the whispering winds that
deliver fresh petals, to far away places. Adore subtle hues, the line
of a suit or an historic house draped in springtime. Nestle into
a trusting arm, on a cozy floor from which to gaze above at possibilities
in life, at stars that beckon dreamers all the while listening to
the whispers of friends' hearts and lovers' lips.
'I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning
and that's the best they're going to feel all day.' ~ Dean Martin
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who
treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything
happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both
hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy,
they just promised it would be worth it. Life is short, Break the rules,
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and
never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party
we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.
'A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to
us. To live is to be slowly born.' ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather
to skid in sideways, cigar in one hand, wine in the other, body
thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "Woo! What a ride!"
* From Where I Sit! *
January 14, 2011
