HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!! WAS BACK IN LA FOR A SECOND---NOW ON TO LONDON!!!!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, AND HERE'S TO A GREAT 2014. 

2013 TURNED OUT TO BE A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR ME, THANK GOD. I AM VERY GRATEFUL.




CUNARD'S QUEEN MARY 2

I am so blessed to be boarding this ship to lecture on the cruise to Southampton, England.   I can't wait to revel in the elegance. Naturally, I'll have to stay in London a few days as well. I'll take good pictures of the adventures. Don't worry. There won't be any of Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London. No tourist things for me. I've spent a lot of time in London over the years.

I'll say hello to her for you.  

Think I'll pop off to Cambridge, etc. 

It's going to be cold and wet.. God Bless North Face in Beverly Hills.

AND, AS USUAL, THERE ARE GUARDS AT MY HOUSE WHILE I'M GONE.

BEEN BACK IN L.A. TWO HOURS--OFF TO SEE JANE MONHEIT

I literally flew in early from the Caribbean so I could see Jane on both the 30th and 31st at Catalina Bar and Grill before I leave for NY and London on New Year's Day.  Maybe we should call ourselves the "Monheit-ettes." Lesley Ann Warren is going to see Jane, too. Can't wait!!!

GREETINGS FROM THE CARIBBEAN!!!!! HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS GOOD.

THE CELEBRITY EQUINOX IS  gorgeous ship. The highlight of the holidays for me was to volunteer to be the gospel reader at Midnight Mass. Who knew? From bathing suits to vestments !!!

After docking in St. Thomas I immediately took a taxi to the ferry to St. John. I wanted to have lunch at Caneel Bay, the Rockefeller resort built on his land. It is so beautiful there.

Me at Caneel

My lunch guest, a humongous iguana



I originally couldn't decide whether to go to Tortola or St. John, and I picked St. John.

Literally, the minute I was on the ferry back to St. John, and Lynda Carter returned my Christmas text telling me SHE WAS ON TORTOLA with her husband Robert Altman and our friends John and Kimberly Emerson. John was just named Ambassador to Germany. If I could have jumped off the ferry and swum to their yacht, I would have.

Tortola

The Emersons

It rained the next to days at St. Kitt's and Barbados. Not so much fun. Had I been able to really see Barbados, I would have been here at the Sandy Lane Resort. Darn.

TRAGIC! Next time. I'll be back in March.

Sandy Lane Beach

Sandy Lane Resort



So….it was on to Dominica, the Nature Island. If you like rain forests, jungles and waterfall, this one's for you.

Looking down at the ship

Rain forest.


NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THE BARK OF THIS TREE.

The people of Dominica use it as natural VIAGRA! SERIOUSLY. There were signs all over saying, "Don't take the bark off the trees." It's a big business down there. You put the bark in a glass with water and drink it, or if you're desperate, you eat it straight. Yep.

And now it's on to St. Maarten for a day of catamaran sailing, with a stop at Marigot, the city on the French side of the island.

Then it's two last days at sea, and two last lectures for me. What fun this has been!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND ANCHORS AWEIGH!!!!

 

YES, IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I AM OFF TO THE CARIBBEAN AGAIN. THIS TIME EVEN MORE ISLANDS----

Barbados

 And, of course, the usual suspects like St. Thomas and St. Maarten and more.

I will try to blog from the ship in between my lectures!

I rush home for New Year's and then I'm off again.

For New Year's--Don't miss my favorite singer in the world (who's still alive)--JANE MONHEIT.

 

She will be at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Los Angeles from Dec. 27-31st.

WHAT A NIGHT AT PIERS MORGAN'S SHOW !!!

IT WAS A WHO'S WHO OF CURRENT STORIES-----


Carol Burnett, a dear friend of umpteen years, was there with adorable Tim Conway to talk about his new book.

Dear Tim

It was a heckuva green room. In walked Sam McNair, the young man who hugged his teacher and his been suspended for one year.. That's completely insane. I spoke to him and his mother, April.
"He's a good young man. We show compassion and feelings at home. He hugs everybody," said April. And with that I got up and hugged Sam AND his mother. This world is in big trouble of a kid gets suspended for hugging. "I never did what the teacher said about kissing her cheek or neck," said Sam. "That's just not true."

AS IF THIS WEREN'T ENOUGH, Casey Kasem's children, Mike and Kerry, then entered the room. They are trying to see their dying father and have had to resort to legal means to do so. I told them that I'd known Casey for years and what a great guy he was. I wished them well. They looked very sad. 

Casey and Kerry

And, of course, Mallika Sherawat knocked it out of the park. Her standing up for womens' rights in India had put her in danger. Piers called her a heroine and was delighted to meet her and encourage her work.

In the green room

WATCH BOLLYWOOD STAR MALLIKA SHERAWAT ON CNN'S PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT

She's going to talk about about her viral video criticizing India for its treatment of women. This top Bollywood movie star's campaign for women all over the world is catching fire in the U.S. now.
There was already one assassination attempt on her life in India. Now she travels with six bodyguards.

A DISTURBING MOMENT---IT'S CHRISTMAS! LET'S ALL BE HAPPY

TODAY I WENT TO THE VET TO PICK SOMETHING UP. When the transaction was done, the young lady at the computer looked at me and started to wish me Merry Christmas, but she stuttered on it, not know whether to say Happy Holidays or what. She then sadly said to me, "I don't know what to do anymore."

What kind of country has America become when people are literally afraid to say, "Merry Christmas?" This is America. We were founded as a Christian nation and we can say Merry Christmas every day if we want. For people from other countries who move here, we're happy to have you, but DO NOT try to make America accommodate your traditions. You chose to live here. If I choose to live in another country, I would, out of respect, speak their language and embrace their traditions, while celebrating my own. I would not try to change that country through guilt. I'm sick of America thinking it has to keep apologizing for things.

And don't get me started on the Santa thing.

    SANTA!

 

GIVE RYAN O'NEAL THE PAINTING. IT'S HIS!!!!

             

My sources on this are impeccable. Warhol did two paintings, one for Ryan and one for Farrah. That was what Farrah wanted.  

Yes, he gave it back to her "temporarily," but it was not as a fight. It was always going to go back to Ryan's house, but when she got sick he was more interested in being with her than he was in transporting a painting. The Texas people who are claiming it's part of her estate let to them are just plain WRONG.

WHAT HAPPENED TO "THE BUTLER?"--YOU MAY NOT LIKE MY ANSWER

 

THE BUTLER was the talk of the town when it was released. Everybody was talking about an Oscar sweep...look at Oprah!...script, direction, etc. etc. But when exactly was The Butler released?
Way.....way too early for Oscar voters to even remember it clearly. IF YOU WANT AN OSCAR, SAG AWARD, GOLDEN GLOBE.....MAKE SURE THE RELEASE OF YOUR MOVIE IS TIMED CORRECTLY. And, the actors in The Butler were very "American Hollywood."

Forest Whitaker

Oprah

Second Reason---HERE'S WHAT NO ONE IS SAYING IN PUBLIC---

Hollywood can only deal with one "black" movie at a time. Forget about all their pubic proclamations about diversity, honor, etc. Their quota is ONE.

 And 12 Years a Slave is "blacker." Sorry. But I'm saying it. It's more politically correct for Hollywood liberals. I can't wait to hear the awards presenters try to say the names of the stars of it. But that's all part of the build. Mea culpa, mea culpa.


Both movies were excellent, but just wait and see what happens.

PETER O' TOOLE--BEAUTY AT ITS FINEST

JUST LOOK AT THIS FACE.     

He was one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen. His acclaimed acting talent was a given. By the time I met him, the ravages of time and drinking had taken over, but those incredible blue eyes were the same.

 Remember that blond shock of hair he kept putting behind his ear in "Lawrence of Arabia?" I never have stopped thinking about it. Let other people go on about his wit and artistry. I don't care if I'm being shallow right now. He was the God of Handsome and Beauty.

Thank you, Peter.  

LEAVE BRUCE JENNER ALONE!!!!

Please leave him alone and let him live his life. It's HIS business, NOT YOURS.

MEDAVOYS' PARTY DAZZLES FOR ANJELICA HUSTON AND TOWN AND COUNTRY'S JAY FIELDEN

WHAT A PARTY LAST NIGHT IN BEVERLY HILLS!!!!!

Irena and Mike Medavoy threw a big one to honor Anjelica's new book (Part 1 Autobiography)

and, also a big Hollywood welcome to the new editor of Town & Country magazine, Jay Fielden. I have been reading T&C for decades, and since Jay took over, I think it's going to give Vanity Fair a run for its money.

Wendy Goldberg, Anjelica, and Jay

It was also a house-warming party for Mike and Irena's new home, which looked like Christmas in Connecticut...so beautiful, with such warmth.

Goddess Irena

Anjelica and Jack

Where would you find a party that included Joni Mitchell, Jane Fonda, former Senator Chris Dodd,
Eric Idle, and Helen Mirren--just to name a few?

Anjelica's friends were so happy to celebrate this first book, and it was an evening of long-time friendships and love.  The pictures tell the joyful story........

Lauren Hutton and Jane Fonda hold up a note that says KIM to say hi to Kim Novak

Linda Thompson and Eric Idle share big laughs

Carol and Frank Biondi

Alexandra Dwek and Danielle Del just returned from a Caribbean vacation with their husbands and children.

Dagny Dubelko and Cheryl Woodcock

This party, by the way, went on for hours. The late night folks
went to the heated areas in the back yard where there were couches
and another bar!

Whose hands are these?

Joni Mitchell and Kenny Solms

Taylor Hackford and MPAA's Chris Dodd

Dame Helen Mirren

Mike with Julie Araskog

Richard Perry having a quiet moment

Charles and Danica Perez

Mike was in such a great mood last night. So happy

George Schlatter, I'm sorry you're fuzzy--Kenny Solms and Suzanne DePasse

Cheryl Woodcock is back on Entertainment Tonight!

Danielle Del and Alexandra Dwek

OK. So later a few of us ended up at Mr. Chow. This has been one of the best, most festive holiday seasons EVER!

Let's put it like this--this one day started out with lunch at the Peninsula, followed another lunch at Neiman-Marcus with Linda Thompson and Julie Araskog, followed by Irena and Mike's, and ending at Mr. Chow. Now THIS is living!!!