First of all, let me just say this about her: Homegirl can sing. For a 62-year-old, she has the vocal stamina of someone a quarter of her age, and she wails with nary a sign of strain (at least none that’s detectable on her hyper-Botoxed face).
Thanks to Alex’s connections to the venue, we were sitting quite close to the stage, and I’m happy to report that her boobs are just as perky, her waist is just as tiny, her hair is just as big, and her bigger-than-life-but-as-wholesome-as-a country-walk persona still intact. In short, even though she’s older than my parents, the original Dixie Diva is still a bad ass.
One of the songs off her new album, “Backwords Barbie,” is the aforementioned “Better Get to Living,” and I have to say, this weekend was one of those times that I really felt I was doing just that. Not only was it packed with a variety of fun experiences and good company, but it was also chock full of VIP moments that made me feel quite diva-like myself.
On Friday night, I went out to celebrate the 4th of July with my new friend Megan and her friends. Ten of us headed to Chelsea to a bar with a great outdoor patio (and ample American flags hanging from the rafters), and then to a place called The Big Easy for red, white and blue margaritas and a ridiculous amount of ribs, chicken, seafood, and other Louisiana fare. Despite the fact that it’s the sort of place that I generally avoid like the plague in the States, it was a great time, and I left satisfied I’d had my fill of Americana (and junk food) for this Independence Day.
On Saturday, Alex and I slept in (for once) then donned a suit and dress (respectively) and headed picnic gear in tow to the Henley Regatta. An hour outside London, this annual event draws competitive rowers, far-flung spectators, and thousands of England’s young, boisterous revellers looking for any excuse to sit outside and drink.
We arrived at the event only to discover that Alex’s friends were moored in their rented boat at the start line, so we set off on the mile-and-a-half walk to find them. Two hours, tons of people-watching, a half bottle of champagne and a Pims lemonade each later, we arrived at the start, a little worse for the wear but no less enthusiastic to be finally through the throngs of people lining the riverfront. Then we discovered a problem: the boat was moored on the other side of the river.
Despite pleading with the lifeguards to row us over there in their little boat, we seemed to be out of luck. Fortunately, we discovered a turn-around point and our friends in the boat came to get us. The rest of the time was spent luxuriously sailing up and down the river, looking down (literally) on all of crowds we’d left in our wake (also literally). The icing on the cake was this—two of the six people on the boat were a couple named Emma and Mark. Once they’d heard I was from the States, they asked me, “Did you watch the recent Bachelor?” Did I. Turns out their best friend and best man in their wedding was none other than Matt from The Bachelor London Calling. Best. Day. Ever.
Continuing the VIP trend, Alex and I went breakfast at The Woleseley the next morning, where we’d had brunch one year earlier. Not only was it delicious as usual, but it also involved a star sighting…Mark Almond of Soft Cell, singer of "Tainted Love," was sitting near us, as he had been exactly one year earlier.
The rest of Sunday was filled with Dolly—bookended by special trips to the 02 VIP Lounge, naturally. All in all a great weekend! Hope you all enjoyed yours as much as I did. Now it’s time to get back to working 9 to 5.
1 comment:
I love that you met the best friends of the Bachelor and took a pic of his pic. Classic! Is he still with that chick? I wish I'd watched that season more.
Post a Comment