If You Can't Make It Good...
What the hell is wrong with us? I mean the "civilized" world? Why is bigger, better? What's with all the conspicuous consumption?

When I was at Art School, there was a "joke", a misplaced philosophy regarding artwork.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT GOOD, MAKE IT BIG.
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT BIG, MAKE IT RED.

Would you trade you great-grandmother's cameo for big diamond ring?

Would you rather have a 20oz Hershey bar or 1oz of fine Belgian chocolate?(OK, 2oz of fine Belgian chocolate.)

Speaking of small good things, the country of Belgium will celebrate it's Independence Day July 21. I had no idea how many different beers the Belgians brew. Check this out... http://www.visitbelgium.com/ click on Introduction to Belgium, then the red word "beers" in the 2nd paragraph.

25 varieties should arrive tomorrow. I think the quality will overcome the lack of quantity.

Vive la Belgium(is that correct?)

Chinquapin
(The password is... Belgian fries.)

Bloody Punch
Oh my... the one two of Bloody Maries and Champagne Punch is proving to be too much for this little nut. Ah, to be in my early twenties, when a can of Coke(not New Coke mind you)and a greasy breakfast was all I needed to get started on a Sunday morning.

Another of my Sunday rituals is listening to Le Show, Harry Shearer's hour long music, political satire, comedy...what else?...just funny and sometimes poignant radio program. In my flyover home state, it runs live at 1pm(after breakfast). In L.A., it's on at 10am - just about wakeup time.

Anyway, I mention Le Show as an example for Rance. This will be the final mention of Rance, unless some drastic event or information surfaces. See, Harry does not get paid for Le Show. It's his "hobby", his release, it keeps him sharp...I imagine. Check it out Sundays, it's informative, and a lot more entertaining than the Sunday morning talking heads.

Now it's time for the Francophile chapeau to go into the hat box for another year. Thank God the Anglophile hat is tall enough for an ice bag to fit underneath.

Afternoon Tea begins at 2:30pm,PDT.

Au revoir/Cheerio,

Chinquapin

Safe topic: Au Revoir to Rance
Mood:  blue
Now Playing: Karrin Allyson's "Azure Te"
Well folks, looks like the shrimp's on the house. Dig in.

Sittin' here sippin' an Absolut Bloody Marie. Sorry to say , I'm not in a chit-chatty mood. So here's a transcript of a message I left for Sass a couple of hours ago.

Sass, it's chinq,

I just don't know about Rance. My 1st comment was posted yesterday, I've only sent 4, and one was this morning. Looks like he, or the A.S. are giving all posters atleast 1 shot, not a good sign.

Why can't Rance write monthly, like Dominick Dunne. Well, like a younger, hipper(are we still using that word)version. If he could post "BLOGGITY FAIR" 2 weeks after Vanity Fair comes out, that's 2 fixes a month for me. God, I'll have to start reading Countess Esterhazy(sp) in W again... I'll cheat at the bookstore. OK, that'd be 3 out of 4 weeks a month... WHERE AM I GOING TO FIND ANOTHER SOURCE???

Sorry. I guess we'll have to look to eachother for support & Tales Of The City - South.

I'll say this, bloggin' has released something in me. I was never a writer, not even a journaler(sp?). I couldn't even keep a diary as a girl. I hate for anyone to read what I write, but this anomymous blogging is so freeing...BEEP

So, the King is dead, long live...what the hell, ME! I'm not applying for the slot, I'm just wishing myself the best. Vive la Nut House!!!

OK, the Blues are lifting, but Mr. Man needs the computer. We'll chat later.

Pas la fin,

Chinquapin

Grand Opening: Part Deux
Mood:  celebratory
Almost through the 2nd night, and still going strong. I was a little worried at first, but Dr. Cat helped me out -thanks Doc, check's in the mail.

Friday is the last day for the seafood shipment, so if Rance doesn't show, it's shrimp on the house 'til they're gone. And if this heat keeps up, it's bouillabaisse out, vichyssoise in(I know, vichyssoise's as French as Chop Suey is Chinese).

Tonight's V.V.G's. are a mixed bag, so all may not be as it seems.

Tonight is also the Grand Opening of The Back Room at The Nut House. It's our homage to the "speakeasy", ask for the password at the bar. There's a "don't ask, don't tell" policy with The Back Room, but it's stocked with chips, a table, private bar, and it's ventilated to the outside. If the lights flash twice, then once more, flip the table and toss your smokes in the monkey's barrel.

And if I see any butts layin' around, the whole group goes(Rancelot, it's my gift/my curse).

OK, last call's comin' up -unless you're a private party.

Merci tout pour venir(I think),

Chinquapin
P.S. I don't know why, but there're alot of gay overtones tonight. Maybe because Gay Bars are so much fun.

**************************************************************************************

Holy West Hollywood(not)Batman!

My topics all week are full of Gay(as opposed to homosexual?) overtones. It's that damn "in defense of marriage" constitutional amendment proposal. This is what happens when my subconscious gets pissed off. Thank God I snuck into the employee lounge to watch NOW, with Bill Moyers.

I'll save the rest of my rant 'til the Grand Opening is over. Who knew avoiding topics of politics, religion & money would be so difficult?

Chinquapin

Welcome to the Grand Opening of The Nut House
Mood:  suave
Welcome!

Those of you new to The Nut House, take a look around. We are decked-out for Bastille Day, but this is really just a local joint, a place to hang with friends.

As the Hostess, I will keep off the topics of religion, politics and money. You, the guests/patrons, may discuss any or all of the above.

Rancelot, I hope you didn't leave the Valley Valet Girl in the dark ... regarding your tip.

Along with the Bloody Maries and Champagne Punch, I have a lovely selection of French wine by the glass or bottle. I got an unbelievable deal by the case last year...oops, no politics.
Anyway, I got the wine for a steal, so Vive la France!

Officially, The Nut House is open to everyone. No restrictions. But aren't most things more fun if you have special entree? Being pulled out of line, or by-passing the line altogether does wonders for the ego. Perhaps we could revisit the "Speakeasy" at The Nut House? A password at the door, booze out of tea cups(except during Sunday High Tea), escape passage to boats under the pier. Doesn't that sound exciting?

Ah, the glamorous days of the roaring twenties. Would we miss the "Gangster" movies if the 18th Amendment had never existed? Were Cagney and Bogart worth restricting the rights of citizens of the USA? That's a toughy.

And without Gangster movies, no Film Noir, and consequently, no French New Wave.
No Truffant? NO NO NO!!!!

OK... I tested the Champagne Punch too many times.

So, we made a mistake with the 18th Amendment, but we fixed it with the 21st. And admittedly, some very good things came out...flourished because of it.

Looks like I slipped again.

Drink up, have some bouillabaisse. If you must have a beer, just ask. It's too hot to crank up the nut roaster, so ask the bartender for a bowl, we've got more nuts that you'll ever need.

Enjoy!!

Chinquapin
(the password is..."French fries")

Merde!!!
The Can-can dancers' bus broke down. Wonder if I can get Colin back to reprise his "YMCA"?

No worries, the jukebox is loaded with French ditties and ditties in French.

Chinq

Bonjour!!
FedEx on it's way...we will have bouillabaisse!!! I hope I don't regret holding back the best shrimp for Rance.

We're going for a Marseille/Bar de la Marine thing, so don't show up in "Couture".

Chinquapin

The Countdown Begins
Less than 19 hours to go until the start of the Grand Opening of The Nut House. This is a 4 day event, so don't blow your whole wad Wednesday night.

I'll see you all tonight. I've got to check on my Fed-Ex seafood shipment, Eiffel Tower punch dispenser, and the Can-Can dancers.

Bonne nuit,

Chinquapin

Tea and Sympathy
Mood:  caffeinated
Please forgive my inattentiveness. Setting up a high tea at The Nut House proved much more challenging than I'd thought. The only experience I've had planning a similarly formal event was my wedding some years ago(upon their arrival at the hall, the wedding reception caterers thought I was the wedding planner).

Very odd having high tea on the coast of southern California. It was quite warm out, and I imagine it was very much like Gibraltar.

The formal tea has gotten me thinking about wealth and class, especially after small-fry0 broached the subject at "Bloggers Paradise". I've seen a great deal of wealth out and about the "Greater Los Angeles Area", but the level of class has not kept up.

I'm not talking class structure, but class as in grace, charm, civility, manners, etc.

Sadly, even common politeness is absent among a group of "sales help". The incident a few weeks ago with that lovely full-figured young woman from "Hairspray, The Musical" is a perfect example. Rude and inconsiderate behavior is epidemic in the "civilized" world. It's as if rudeness confers some sort of elevated status upon the offending party.

Oh... the Sunday night crowd is rolling in.

So, off with the Anglophile hat and on with my Francophile chapeau in preparation for...
BASTILLE DAY!!!

Hope to see everyone at the Opening Night Celebrations.

Bloody Marie Antoinettes and Champagne Punch will be served. Any suggestions for the menu?

Chinquapin

HOLLYWOOD FOREVER
No folks, chinq hasn't gone out(or stayed in)on a bender and gotten a tat.

Hollywood Forever is a cemetery in Hollywood, CA, which happens to share it's southern border with Paramount studios. Douglas Fairbanks Sr. & Mary Pickford have huge, beautiful neo-classic monuments, it is truly a memorial park. I know this, because I would drive there on my lunch break and have a little picnic in my car. It's the nicest park in Hollywood(check out their website).

You don't even have to be famous to be buried there. And the fun thing is, you or your family can bequest/request(for a fee) graveside remembrance screenings on video. Hey, it is the 21st century.

So, I was thinking that if we can take "entertainment" to the gravesite, what's the next step? Where would you like to be "laid to rest" if you could pick anyplace on earth(we'll save "the moon" until the mid-21st century)?

-The things the bartenders and I talk about while we close.

Chinquapin