Why am I doing this?

I have been asked "Why are you doing a blog?" "What are you going to write about?" and in fact I have had several people ask me to write about certain topics, such as dating, the social scene in DC, and tips for being single in DC.

The reasons why I have decided to start this blog are many.

1) Since I have such an "adventurous" almost "accidental tourist" type of social life, I have always loved to laugh and share my stories in an entertaining way to my friends and family. After each of the stories, I will almost always get a "you need to write a book!" comment. Now, I have yet to get to that point, but this is certainly creating some content, (and of course, there will be many many things in the book that I cannot write in this blog) and gets me in the groove of writing down the "adventures".

2) Through a blog, I can finally have a place where I can direct friends and family to the stories, happenings, people, places, things, humorous situations, without writing it through multiple emails or phone calls. Not that I don't want to socialize with my f/f, it is just easier to get everyone reading the same material at THEIR leisure.

3) There are so many philanthropies, events, and non-profit work I am involved with, so I wanted a place where I can promote and write about these wonderful people and organzations through personal interaction, not through canned media writing. I will have pictures and links to sites to help positively promote these groups that I love.
4) Since I am much more involved with clubs, restaurants, and events now - this is an excellent place to promote and write about my experiences with each. This is not a place to bash establishments. This is all about REAL, but positive experiences.

5) OK- the best part for last. Yes, I WILL MOST CERTAINLY be threading in my social commentary as a single, 30 something, professional woman in DC. I have to write about my dating experiences - and my past thoughts, my curiousness of the men vs. women in DC and my perspective on the whole dating scene here.

I hope you will enjoy, laugh, not take it TOO seriously, and feel free to comment in a nice way :-)

To Wine, Dine and ...

Enjoy the company of 8 awesome people on a Monday night at one of my favorite places (where I don't get to too often, need to change that!) Charlie Palmer's on Constitution. Last night I had the privilege to be one of the invitees of the WPAS Wine Tasting Dinner. Neale Perl, the President, and Tony Lewis, a WPAS Board member, President of Verizon for DC, incoming Chair for the DC Chamber of Commerce, musician AND wine afficianado, invited this small group of wine lovers to enjoy each others' company, the amazing cuisine of CP's and of course, the awesome wines that attendees brought. Big cabs were among the favorite. I am a total wine lover (as well as bubbly), however, I have yet to understand the intricasies of true wine tasting. I have a tendancy to be a bit more simpler than that. My motto is "if it tastes great - drink it!"

I was learning a lot as my once pearly whites were getting redder and redder and the night was going on longer and longer, and my tummy was getting bigger and bigger. I was learning a lot about the rest of the group, and as I was learning about the "nose" of the wines, the "legs" of the wines, and and silkiness, complexity and more. It felt like I was learning about a some fabulous fantasy woman!

I have to say thanks to Tony and Neale - it was one perfect way to start the week off - but now, the bar has been set so high, I may have to just go for McDonald's the rest of the week ...

The Simple Life ...

During the wonderful weekend up in the far away mountains of Western Maryland, farmland, and blue skies, fields, and Ford and Chevy trucks, I had some really nice moments to spend with family, nature, and reflection. It is truly amazing how once you remove yourself AWAY from the cliche' of hustle and bustle, you really can decompress and sort of "figure things out" so to speak.

I really realized how important it is to take time to spend with your family. I cannot believe how amazing it is when I look at my parents, I can't believe how they are now really older. And how each day, is a day that I should think about them, be happy that they are still alive, be happy that they are in my life still, and really really value them. Same for my brothers and sisters. I laugh at how we all act the same towards each other STILL, but yet, we are all so much OLDER! When did we turn into real adults? or have we yet? In any case, I am really glad to have the opportunity to have a super family - which I truly value.

Now onto the great stuff - was able to head up to Fallingwater up near Nemacolin PA. That was an incredible experience. Frank Lloyd Wright was SO way before his time. I had always thought that building was designed and built in the 60's - but no, the 30's. And during the Depression. The facts on the numbers and dollars that were given during the hour tour, were stunning. Both the main house and guest house are in great shape, however, the main house went through a major foundation renovation a few years ago (it was entrusted by the only son of the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.) because it was starting to fall. I learned a lot about architecture. I totally suggest getting up there to check out the gorgeous historic landmark home. And while you are up there, why not check out the well-known spa and resort, Nemacolin. That whole area is so beautiful and easy to get to from Washington.

Viewing the calendar for next week ...

Since this is a slow week, I thought I'd look into the calendar for next week to see what wild things lay ahead. (and since I am going to see my parents near Deep Creek for Thanksgiving and will be going through a much needed detox and breathing in the fresh country air, I KNOW I will be ready to play and be busy next week!) I think we are trying to go to the Redskins game with friends at their suite on the owner's level. That in my humble opinion is THE best way to view the game. Oh sure, you may feel like - "I could be doing this from the comfort of my own home, why the hell did I drive all the way out to BFE for THIS?", (and yes, Snyder takes a helicopter - we can't all own a losing football team and be buddies with TomKat.) BUT the fun thing is, seeing all the interesting people (my friend's suite is next to the Kimsey/Ramsey/Rales/Robert suite, and they ALWAYS have fun people). Plus, there is heat, so in the cold, you are not freezing your rear end off. And then you can go suite hopping - and visit other friends. And hey, V physically ran into cutie pie Troy Aikman during the Dallas game. There are always celebs running around (the dude who played the Pres in 24, who is in the Unit and Allstate ads and my bud LR).

Then Monday - I think I am headed with some WPAS friends to Charlie Palmers for a major wine tasting YUMMMM! Cannot wait for that! but prior I know I am supposed to hit Pizza Paradisio on M to tape their beer tasting event for DC Compass. That should be fun!

So Tuesday - L-1 Identity solutions has some event at the Spy Museum that I RSVP'd for - I have to relook at the invite again, but the list on the committe was quite impressive. Robert LaPenta and Joe Paresi are big corporate successes. I know JA is having their big event, but didn't RSVP for that. So hard to be in 2 (3, 4) places at once.

Wed night is our Famoso (Chevy Chase Collection, above M Cafe) cocktail reception. 6 -7:30, V and I are hosting about 100 or so of our dear friends to introduce them to this fabulous Italian restaurant. Our buddy who used to Maitre D' at Cafe Milano is now there. Carmelo I think his name is. He is a sweetie pie. Funny, he always puts his glasses on top of his head.

And finally Thursday night is the Capitol File 1 year anniversary party. I checked the host list for this event (that Iman will be attending) and I want to know WHO WASN'T (besides me) on the host committee!?! Very impressive - National Portrait Gallery - should be a show! and Friday is World AIDS day - I know Kate Roberts has something awesome planned for this ... more to come as I get DETAILS!

A very successful evening!

So - last night, thanks to the sponsors GrantThornton, Holland & Knight and MorganFranklin AND to our buddies from Lincoln Holdings - Jack Davies, and Raul Fernandez, and of course, the Brian Muir, (SUCH A HOTTIE! too bad he is MARRIED!) and the Mystics Curtis Symonds and player Nikki Teasley, the ExecutiveBiz ExecutiveConnect Happy Hour was a SUCCESS! We had around 180 people - I think the "pre-holiday" spirit and the fact that Tysons Corner is a nightmare to get out of, certainly didn't hurt! Jack is hilarious - first, I cannot even believe he made it there. He told Raul and me he had been on a major bike ride to Mount Vernon, then had to come back to Georgetown and then back into the black hole of Tysons Corner. I was totally impressed that both he and Raul stayed for the long haul too! they are such great guys.

Of course, we had to continue the party (yes, in Tysons Corner) headed to the Palm (best Happy Hour place to get rowdy in Tysons) and some of continued to cocktail, eat and make merry. Luckily, I had enough sense to get outta there by 11 pm - as did the rest of the crew. However, my wild hair wanted to go out more - and unfortunately, none of my crazy friends were to be found! H was a date with some girl and they were out whooping it up at Fly (got the lowdown today) and the rest of my friends were either on their way home (hence the comment - you should have called me 20 minutes ago!) or they were AT home or they were in a place of fun that I could not catch up to, which is all for the best. And you know - once at home, it is SO hard to go back out, so that was a blessing in disguise to throw some jammies on and snuggle in bed. and YES alone AGAIN! With V out of town, my fun degree has suddenly shot down - but at least I am getting sleep!

My well needed spa experience ...

So my dear friend Brian Williams of Viget Labs, gave me some super advice on blogging - thank you Brian (note, Brian's clients include entertainers like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain and more -his web company is awesome) - we shall see how I develop this blog! One tip was pictures pictures pictures ... oh boy! don't worry - I will be sure to post many pix - these adventures are best recapped with photos, all though, some may be a bit much for THIS site ;-) will have to wait until my "tell all" book ... ha ha.

Yesterday I had the most awesome experience at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa. I had been chosen to be one of a group to try out the new treatments at the Spa. Wonderful Spencer Yeo (director of marketing) had put me on the invite list and I was treated to 2 hours of the "Taste of Traditions" experience. WOW. first, the spa itself is beautiful and very orientally inspired (wonder why) and very serene and soothing. My girl came to get me and the experience started with us in private room and she was kneeling in front of me doing the foot cleansing relaxing treatment while I sipped tea in my comfy robe. I was kind of laughing to myself - here is this lovely blonde girl doing the Asian submissive act on here knees in front of me, while here I AM THE ONE WHO IS ASIAN. Very ironic. Now that would have made for an interesting picture. Then was the fully body scrub, followed by a shower (in the room) that she drew for me (can you draw showers? or just baths? anyway, she started it for me) and then after drying off, it was back on the table for a full TO DIE FOR body massage with these gorgeous scented oil. I chose the Oriental oil flavor. They have Arabian, Mediterranean and something else, can't remember. All smelled wonderful, but I liked the jasmine in the Oriental.

Trust me, after the weekend I had over the past few nights - I NEEDED to get rid of my toxins! I was like jelly after she finished me with a mini-facial. yummmm... totally recommend - here is the link to check it out ... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/535000004.asp
Thank you Spencer! I am a new woman ... for now...

Week of November 13th 2006

Since this is my first attempt at blogging, I may be a bit conservative. Basically, I am building this site to talk about the "adventures" that my friends and I experience on a daily, nightly, weekly basis. I have been told numerous times that my life should be turned into a book - have a true tendancy to write my friends in email form of my "adventures", so now, this is an even easier way to get the fun out. Some names will have alias' to protect the innocent (and not so innocent!)...

Last week, the fun really started on Tuesday night, met my friend G up at the new spot at the Collection at Chevy Chase, Famosa. V and I will be helping to promote this new "hotspot" which is really a nice establishment. Because the location faces the parking lot away from Wisconsin Ave (next to Bvlgari) it needs more visibility and exposure through parties and promotions. Actually, we are hosting an event next Wed the 29th, a nice cocktail event for friends and business executives. G left after a martini (or 2?) and V and I headed next door to the Bvlgari event that was benefiting the Museum of Women in the Arts. Now that was an interesting and different crowd. Gorgeous pieces of course, and ran into some fun people from my past and maybe my future ... more to come on that ... Didn't stay TOO long - V and I had to get all the way back to Arlington for my dear friend C's party. C is hosting a party every month on a Tuesday for invited guests only. I was sure it would be quite the INTRIGUING crowd. And when I say intriguing, I mean pretty much all "hottie" girls and women that he knows. What do you know!?! I was right - well, at least in the beginning. And it was funny - I was the only loser in a business suit. The rest of the ladies were in jeans and cute exposed skin tops - with some exceptions of course. It was a pretty crowd - catered, lots and lots of the right kind of drinks - BUBBLY! my favorite ... can't get enough of the VC :-) By the time C finally got out of the shower to greet his guests, there were about 50 people there I think - the music was pumping and the crowd was starting to get rowdy. Some people were holding issue with the music - it came from C's play list, which included some not so "hip" pieces. aka 8-6-7-5-3-0-9 - JENNY! Then one friend decided to do some breakdancing in the bar room and his drink went flying - luckily, there was someone there to clean it up ... this IS a brand new condo for goodness sakes! To our happiness, more hot guys came in - smokers were on the balcony in the freezing cold, I think I had way too many glasses (or cups) of VC and next thing you know - we were off with 2 girlfriends to Play ... got there, no one was there. Well, no one too interesting - so we decided to hitch up with a guy friend we knew and head to Fly ... seriously, the 2 of those places should have either a shuttle or a tunnel to each other! The crowd goes from one to the other all of the time ... or, I particularly stay at one, versus the other. Depends on how I feel or who is there that interests me.

So, off to Fly - one of our girlfriends was going to meet her male counterpart of the moment (I guess, I never can keep up these days) and we run into him on the street with 2 other girls and his friends. Nonetheless, that was quite the moment of uncomfortableness. V and I and 2 other friends (male) decided to head into the depths of Fly - where we ran into P, our friend who works with models. He had a table, (seriously, that place, you need to either have a table to sit and not have to be run into by RP's or, you can stand by the bar and be protected, but otherwise, on a super crowded night, if you stand in the middle, and why would you do that, you run the risk of being burned by a ciggie or having some drunk spill on your designer label clothing, or even worse, being HIT on by some nut, who you told last week to go to H-E double hockey sticks) and was with other girlfriends of ours.

Now that was a fun night and NO, I went home ALONE as usual ... (the theme of my life!) only to be topped by Thursday evening - started by attending a DC Scores event at the Dodge Mansion in Georgetown. THat was so sweet, was able to get a photog from the Georgetowner there. Great organization, met some cool people. Then V (my partner in crime) and I headed to the Four Seasons to get some nourishment and vino ... then a dear friend F and his partner came and picked us up to go back to Play (are there only 3 places in town? Play, Fly , Blue Gin!) for a girlfriend's birthday party. Craziness ensued ... I promise ... that was a nutty night. Activities of shots (ok, only ONE for me), bottles of VC, and dancing on those benches - thank goodness they are hard and can take the heels of my boots and spikes. That place was SO crowded. I am sure the fire code was violated 100 times over. With that, I had to give myself the hook and take myself off stage right. Once outside, I was like ... hmm... now what? So - I called my buddy P, who was a bit tipsy, enough to think he could take his glass of champagne out - which I told him he certainly couldn't - and we headed to- guess where!>! Fly ... where we danced and closed the place down. Now that was another adventure b/c of conversations there, but will remain for now, undisclosed - but again, got in a cab and was HOME in bed at a decent hour :-) I say, any night I am in before the lights come on in a club is a GREAT NIGHT.

Friday night - met friends at District Chophouse before meeting P at the Verizon center. C had awesome seats for the hockey game. they were playing North Carolina - and were losing when we left at the end of the 2nd period. But we had PLACES to go! First, had to run to Zola for some sustenance (again) and then cabbed it to BLUE GIN. Why? b/c we were on the list for the PRIVATE JOEY DEGRAW and CHRIS BARRON (from Spin Docktors) concert! When we got there, there were about 10 or 15 people - we of course jumped on the best spot - right where the band would be playing. C had purchased a table (with lotsO bubbly!) ... they had set up the bottom part of BG for a comfy concert. I was totally impressed. More people started coming in - they were being super strict, as it was for a small private concert. When it was all said and done, there were probably about 75 people there.

So, we are sitting there, and I kept having to tell people that our table was taken, but these seats were open. Next thing you know, these dudes come over and just sit down. C and I were like - hmm. I have a feeling they may be "roadies" or something, b/c one guy had a crazy hair cut and a hat - and they were a bit comfortable with themselves. Plus, I was checking out this one guy, he was older, had some scruff, and was wearing this crazy outfit. He was wearing a pink button down with a gray tie, bleached jeans, WHITE WHITE tennis shoes, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up. I was like - who the heck is that? And they kept ordering red wine, which hey - no roadie orders that. or do they? anyway, yes, turns out the HOTTIE sitting next to me was JOEY himself... and I was chatting away with him. He was so cute. I had asked him why they were drinking red wine (actually, I said, you are the most sophisicated band I know) and he said, "Everyone gives me vodka and shots - it is great when I stick to red wine!" With that comment, I had to give him and his band some champagne! Pink Oxford was Chris Barron, who was the original Spin Docktor. He was AWESOME. Got a standing ovation - it was all acoustic. They are SO talented. The band smoked and drank while they played, it was totally cool. (I wonder, how can you maintain your voice when you chain smoke? and also, Joey told him he does VOICEOVERS for A&E channel ... how does THAT work? isn't it a bit gruff ? mmmm ... must do some recon work).

The bad thing is - the crowd TALKED AND TALKED while they were playing. So rude... what can you do though. F got up and told everyone to SHUT UP! but no one listened. of course. The funniest part of the night was when F told me that Chris and Joey asked if the 2 "groupies" up front had been planted. I said What groupies? and he said my friend and me. I was SO offended - seriously MOI? a groupie? for a group I had never heard of? maybe now for LR, but that is IT! geez ... so after they were done, everyone got up and danced and drank more and had an awesome time. I have to give it to Blue Gin - they did a bang up job for this concert!

Saturday night - oy - I am exhausted now ... was part of the wonderful private dinner that Joe Robert had for his son Joey who has come home from 4 years serving our country as a Marine and grueling tour in Fallujah. That was at Cafe Milano, (where I lost my new silver hoop earring, pisses me off!) and it was for about 75 people or so. Soooo nice. Really beautiful and touching, lots of toasts, wonderful food and fun company. interestingly, everyone was at long tables, and we were kind of split -if you looked at the dynamics. I was at the Girls table, (there were a few boys with their girlfriends) and the BOYS were at the Boys table, then there were tables of mixed groups, and the Head Table - but it was funny to see how everyone sat. pretty much the same crowd that I had been seeing for the past few nights. Then Joe had rented out the top level of Blue Gin for the group plus more and it was SO nice. He paid for open for 10 - 2 am. That was so generous of him - it was really a fun and great event. It was decorated and had a nice crowd - a lot of whom I had no idea who they were. With that - I gave myself the HOOK again - and grabbed a cab home. Where I then decided it would be a super idea to heat up left over pizza and eat it ... ugh! more to come ...