Charade...Pt 2
Now Playing: Toots Thielemans : "As Time Goes By" with Stephane Grapppelli
OK, where was I... oh, there's a slight change of plans. I'm going to try to stop by the set today, it's the last day of shooting. I really want to see Norma's place. I guess I'll just have to be a well adjusted adult and politely ignore the "boobs". Of course topless "actress" would be on set the day I visit.

So, I guess it's time for the medicine, more sugar tonight.

Norma and her companion's arraignment got me thinking about celebs and their employees, specifically, the Personal Assistant. These PAs run errands, take & pick up children from school, fix meals/snacks for said children, schedule deliveries, maintenance calls, health care appointments, and other personal services for the Celeb.

I'm sure many of these celebs pay well. But the pay I've seen listed in some ads for PAs is ridiculously low. I know everyone is on some kind of budget, but shouldn't one pay a fair wage if one can afford to do so?

I was watching a true reality show the other day, a PBS/OPB(Oregon Public Broadcasting) co-production called "Back To The Floor". No prize money, no winners or losers. The company owner/CEO/Big Boss has to work the low level jobs at his or her company. The episode I watched had the owner of the Carnival Cruise Line working as a drink server, a waiter, and a steward on the least expensive cruise Carnival offers.

These low level positions pay peanuts - $45/mo. YES!!! $45 a month salary. That's less than $1.50 a day! Now, they get room & board while working aboard, but they still have to pay for a "land pad", like a flight attendant. These workers rely on tips to...fill in(ha) the balance. Remember, this is the cheap cruise, catering mostly to vacationers on a tight budget.

Many of the stewards and stewardesses pay a deck hand to help them clean all the rooms to the level expected by Carnival. One stewardess pays a deck hand $800/mo. to assist her. Remember, the stewardess has a $45/mo salary. She may make up to $150/day in tips, she may make much less.

What does that say about the people who've "made it"?

Why is it we(generalizing) don't want to pay a fair wage to the people who do the work that we don't want to do? Again, I'm not saying that everyone is guilty of this, but a lot of us are.

Announcement - bartenders and wait staff are getting a .25/hr raise, chef gets .50/hr raise. Re-evaluation in 10 weeks. The Nut House is NOTHING without good help.

Let's see... who else needs a raise?

Chinquapin
(the password is... gilt)

P.S. In honor of the great Audrey Hepburn, tonight's attire will be "casual smart". Thank you Belgium.

Charade...Pt.1
Now Playing: Jean "Toots" Thielemans - Random selections
This week, Mr.Man is shooting a...low budget feature at the residence of a former star of silent and Early talking pictures. He was describing her home, overly decorated, lots of chintz(Mr.Man's mom was an antiquer, which is why he knows the word "chintz"),iron scrolls...I kept waiting for the words,"Sunset Boulevard", and waited... and finally I had to say,"like in Sunset Boulevard?" Mr.Man said "yes", but all that stuff in a much smaller house.

Just for consistency, let's call the former star/homeowner Norma. Norma also has a male companion. He's nothing like Max, nor is he anything like Joe(Holden). Norma never has to worry about unwanted sexual advances from her companion and I'm certain they're both happy with that arraignment.

Mr.Man just got home from the shoot, so I'll continue Charade later today, sorry for the interruption.

Chinquapin
(P.S. Don't forget "Belgian Treat" Happy Hour tonight.)

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