MY...... (English quiz)

Insert your hometown here...
MY<<LONDON>>
Where do you live and why?
<<I live in South London, between Herne Hill, Brixton and Tulse Hill. I moved
to Brixton when I first arrived in London and I loved the energy and edginess
of it. I moved to my current address when I bought a flat, across the street
from a beautiful park and around the corner from my school, where I work.>>
How long have you lived there?
<<I've lived in South London for six years and at my current place for one
year.>>
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
<<Last Easter I went to Rome with Brit husband and then for summer holiday I
managed a whistle–stop tour of Washington DC, NYC, Boston and then KY to visit
friends and family. This past October half term we went to Devon to visit
in–laws.>>
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
<<Don't be afraid to get off the beaten path and visit the vibrant, ethnic
neighborhoods that London offers. Also, don't forget to explore at least one
of the many stunning parks in the city>>
Who is in your secret address book?
<<Dr Mackie on Harley Street for Botox (well, this IS alt.fashion!) Sangham
Yoga studio in Clapham, Food for Thought Vegetarian cafe in Covent Garden.>>
What do you miss most when you're out of <<LONDON>>?
<<Everything! But mainly the media––radio stations, English newspapers and
magazines. I even miss the weather.>>
What are your favorite home comforts?
<<I love my husband's amazing cooking and I adore REN bath and body products in
the bath.>>
What is your life philosophy?
<<Sorry to be so trite and cliched but Carpe Diem (seize the day) really
describes me as well as anything.>>
What are your current projects?
<<My projects all revolve around shows at school––now beginning work on a
faculty Christmas panto where all the teachers will perform for charity right
before Christmas holiday.>>
What was the last book you bought?
<<An Artist in A Floating World for my monthly book group.>>
What are your extravagances?
<<Plehh! Don't get me started! Organic food, expensive hair color and cut,
skin treatments of all sorts, makeup purchases, etc..>>
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
<<Last one was my own at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon.. we took part in a
London festival of Shakespeare plays. My school did The Tempest, and there
were three other schools doing versions of The Winter's Tale, Macbeth andTaming
of the Shrew.>>
What was the last CD you bought?
<<Donna Summer's Greatest Hits (in anticipation of using many of the songs in
the staff pantomime.>>
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
<<Depends on the day and my mood. I have really enjoyed Clinique's Happy Heart
lately.>>
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
<<Outlaw cars and make all of London walkable!>>
What has been your most memorable <<LONDON>> meals?
<<Too many to count, but I really love Tsunami in Clapham. Fantastic, superb
quality Japanese food. Also love the Ivy––we try to go there at least once a
year for our anniversary/birthday celebrations.>>
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
<<Cashmere jumpers and wool trousers.>>
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
<<As a general rule I hate pubs as they are terribly smokey and bloke–y. I
adore cocktail bars, unusual in London and very expensive once found.>>
Next!!
Maurey (remove "no junk" from my address to email me)
____________________________________________________________________
"Home is within me. I carry everyone and everything I am with me wherever I
go"
~Suheir Hammad, Palestinian/US poet

MY<<LONDON>>
Where do you live and why?
<<I live in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, FL>>
How long have you lived there?
<<Since I was 11, not counting spells away to go to college.>>
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
<<Phoenix for buying an amazingly impractical car that was built a year before
I wrapped up college. Chicago, to catch up w. Trilby and TSMSM. Disneyland, to
catch up with Trilby et Cie.>>
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
<<Start going to the sauna a month before getting here, if traveling in the
summer. English is spoken widely here. Meander through the nooks and crannies
of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.>>
Who is in your secret address book?
<<Jim McLean at the Doral Resort for golf, Matsuri for sushi, Autovolante for
the inevitable maintenance and repairs to the amazingly impractical car that
was built a year before I wrapped up college.>>
What do you miss most when you're out of <<Miami>>?
<<The mish–mash of pan–Iberic culture. The weather...sometimes even the
humidity.>>
What are your favorite home comforts?
<<My kitchen (in spite of its SCREECHING need of renovation), the foliage.
Picking ripe tomatoes from my garden in February. Not needing to layer.>>
What is your life philosophy?
<<"The only duty of the righteous is to stand firm between evil and the
innocent." And no artificial fibers.>>
What are your current projects?
<<Setting up a Concours d' Elegance for classic sports cars to raise money––I
hope huge money––for charity. Setting up a REIT for some clients.>>
What was the last book you bought?
<<True Believers, by Joe Queenan.>>
What are your extravagances?
<<Suspenders. Heirloom veggies. Pens. Watches.>>
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
<<You Can't Take It With You by George S. Kaufman. Infinitely better than the
movie.>>
What was the last CD you bought?
<<Puccini's La Boheme and The Jam's Greatest Hits.>>
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
<<Polo Blue, but whenever I feel like something different I let Sandalwood take
a stroll in the autumn breeze.>>
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
<<Make the license plates of cars the cell number of the car's owner, so I can
call and say..."MOOOOVE! The light is green! Just GO!">>
What has been your most memorable <<Miami>> meals?
<<Matsuri for inasanely fresh sushi. Trattoria Sole for ferociously authentic
Central Italian food. And Celeste, for the most amazing Argentine grill.>>
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
<<The same thing as summer, only in darker shades.>>
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
<<Meridian Bar at the Biltmore Hotel. Rusty Pelican for a certain
slumming–preppy–meets–Jimmy–Buffet thing>>
–Joe in SoFla
"Avanti, Commendatore, la vittoria e nostra!"

<<< My goodness. I sure hope your aunt(s) on your mum's side don't lurk
here:–)) >>>
We spend Easter with my maternal Aunt...she's a good cook as well, but
Thanksgiving is always memorable because my paternal aunt cooks SO much and
it's all delicious ;)
––Laura

Maurey Lancaster wrote:
I live in the suburbs during the week and in the Streeterville
neighborhood of the city from Friday to Sunday.>>
I've lived somewhere in the Chicago area for 17 years.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Portsmouth, NH in October for Columbus Day weekend
Miami for Easter/Joefest, also Miami/the Florida Keys in January for a
weekend getaway with TSMIM
WDW in March for Spring Break
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Don't just walk up and down Michigan Avenue! Hit the Museum Campus area,
stroll up State Street through the south loop, check out Oak Street and
the Gold Coast. Further afield, visit Hyde Park, Lincoln Square, Old
Town, Lincoln Park, Chinatown ... all vibrant and fascinating
neighborhoods. ;)
Who is in your secret address book?
Skin One at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive for Simple Solutions products at
great prices
Dillon's Custard Shop and Mr. Kite's Chocolates on North State St. for
great home–made treats
Pascal Pour Elle in Glencoe for cut (Dmitra) and color (Priscilla)
What do you miss most when you're out of <<Chicago>>?
Excellent big–store shopping. If a store exists in the U.S., chances are
there's a branch in Chicago. On the other hand, when I travel I
specialize in cute little boutiques and steer away from department
stores and chains because I can get that stuff here.
What are your favorite home comforts?
Perfectly made tea with the right amount of milk and sweetener
A deep tub loaded with my favorite bath salts
A fireplace with the shades drawn on a chilly winter's evening
A cozy place to curl up and read
Scrambled eggs with chevre
TSMIM's wine collection ;)
What is your life philosophy?
Leave the world a better place than you found it.
What are your current projects?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. South Beach Diet. Flylady. A doctoral dissertation. Two
children. A house that needs major improvements, routine maintenance,
and new landscaping. An apartment that needs decorating. Christmas. a
pile of books to read. Several unfinished needlepoint canvases.
Oh, and I have to take the Volvo in for emissions testing.
You know. The usual.
What was the last book you bought?
A bunch of books at the book fair at my children's school ... some for
gifts.
What are your extravagances?
My hair costs $175 every couple of months. I buy bridge–line priced
clothes, and not that many, but definitely more than I need or can keep
track of. I also buy a lot of Hermes scarves and high end makeup.
Skincare can get up there, too. But I save money on spa treatments––I
don't enjoy them.
Last night, The Merry Wives of Windsor at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
It was fabulous.
A couple of Marilyn Horne recitals.
Mostly I stick to Chanel #5, with Jean Louis Scherrer for evenings and
Fidji for warm weather.
Make public transportation free on Saturdays.
Dinner with AJ and Mr AJ at the French restaurant in my building. But I
can't remember what we ate. It wasn't about the food. ;)
New stuff includes tweed suits and skirts, an argyle cashmere cardigan,
a few pairs of round–toed pumps, and some new–to–me vintage jewelry.
I like the bar at the Ritz for its well–made drinks and yummy
snacks––Thai chicken wings with cucumber dipping sauce, cold shellfish
appetizer platter, and blue taco chips with guacamole are all great. I
also adore the Coq D'or at the Drake for an old–fashioned and a club
sandwich.
Priscilla
–––
p...@midway.uchicago.edu "Here comes the most beautiful woman in puppetland!

x–no–archive: yes
New York City. It's one of the few places in the US that's designed
around people rather than cars. (And where else can you get scotch tape
delivered at 3 am?)
When you get to the top of the stairs leaving the subway, KEEP MOVING.
Do not stop there and block traffic.
Go to the top of the Empire State Building. Go to Central Park (or
Prospect Park) on a weekend day. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. In summer,
go to Coney Island.
Understand that Manhattan between, hrm, Lexington and Seventh, Central
Park South to Houston (plus parts of Soho) is essentially a very big
shopping mall just like the mall in your home town.
Public transportation and sidewalks with people on them.
Kill the Bruce Ratner stadium developement plans. Ban cars from the
parks. Remove Rudy's leftover cattle gates at midtown crosswalks.
–S./NYC

On 11/7/04 8:46 PM, in article
MPG.1bf8c6d4d483a544989...@news.west.Earthlink.net, "S./NYC"
<guiltyTAKEpleasureT...@hotOUTpop.com> wrote:
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
AHHAHhahahahhahaha my gosh, I miss NYC. I forgot all about that, but when I
lived there it was one of my major pet peeves! Once, while in a very cranky
mood, I screamed at a family of tourists to "get the f*** out of the way!"
They looked at me in shock and I kind of felt bad... I know I contributed to
the image of the rude New Yorker. But for crying out loud, it's called a
sideWALK.
Jennifer

moira <moira...@cox.net> wrote on 07 Nov 2004:
I agree! DH's half–brother lives in that general area and it's one of my
favorite smaller Midwestern cities. It's beautiful country there, great
boating and friendly people!
(I hope to find some time today to finish replying to the questions.)
––
Poetic Badgers
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
–Coco Chanel

MY (Phoenix)

We live in Scottsdale which borders Phoenix, husband was transferred here 5
years ago and this is our final move.
5 years in July.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Kauai, the big island of Hawaii, Coronado/San Diego, California
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Visit the Heard museum, the art museum, the Desert Botanical Garden, if time
permits: Sedona and farther north to the Grand Canyon. And try a prickly pear
margarita and black bean soup.
Who is in your secret address book?
Pinnacle Peak Physicians for skin care treatment
What do you miss most when you're out of
(Phoenix)?
The desert landscaping and mountains. Many people do not care for this
look...I love the cacti, particularly the silhouette of cacti against the
beautiful sunsets.
And my dogs.
What are your favorite home comforts?
Sipping a margarita or a glass of wine outside either on a very warm day or a
cooler day. And happy to say that the cooler days and nights are upon us.
What is your life philosophy?
"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they
just make the best of everything that comes along their way."
(borrowed from my friend, Patti)
What are your current projects?
I am trying very hard to exercise more and lose some weight.
Continuing with volunteer work for two different groups in the
Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
Read more..my stack of books is getting higher.
What was the last book you bought?
Coyote Dream
What are your extravagances?
Skincare treatment, appt. for laser soon.
Handbags, but trying to curtail spending in this area a bit.
Vacations
hmm, may have been Les Miz last year. Have tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar
in early December though.
Renee Olstead
(heard the song "A love That Will Last" on the radio and searched for her CD)
Angel, Pleasures Intense by Estee Lauder, Chic by Carolina Herrara are at the
top of the list
Hand out free boxes of See's one pound chocolates at the Fashion Square Mall
Dinners at LaHacienda, Convivo, Lons at the Hermosa and many lunches with gal
friends at Arcadia Farms
Two boucle jackets, suede jackets, more brown items, and a few new handbags
The bar at LaHacienda restaurant and Houstons. (waving to Jeanne!)
Also the Happy Talk lounge in Kauai for maitais, excellent drink and
outstanding view.
Carol

On 06 Nov 2004 17:36:20 GMT, Maurey Lancaster wrote:
suburban Houston, TX (USA)
Suburban Houston.
That's where the work is if you want to do rocket science and you
don't want to work for Burt Rutan. Nothing wrong with Burt Rutan but
(after all) he is out in the middle of nowhere.
Also, the "winter weather" (if you can call it that) is nice. The only
gotcha is that air conditioning may be required any day of the year.
Since August 1994.
Usual destination is visiting family, and they're mostly either in
metro Kansas City or fairly close.
If you want to see space artifacts, go to the Alabama Space and Rocket
Center and skip Space Center Houston.
The latter is subcontracted to Disney and it pales in comparison to
what the State of Alabama has.
I think I only have one.
#1 – Whatever I'm driving at the time invariably has the controls in
the wrong places. The only place I've ever gotten a Toyota Corolla as
a rental car is Houston. Most places you get GM trash. If you're lucky
you can get a Ford or Mopar product.
#2 – Connectivity (or the lack thereof).
All rolled up in a blanket watching vintage TV.
Hang in there, it's all going to be set to right someday.
I think it has something to do with tossing all the accumulated paper
stuff in my apartment... I'm seeing larger areas of floor lately.
I've got a 2.5 GB MPEG video capture of a videotape of family members
that I'm eventually going to turn into a DVD. I've burned some "proof
of concept" stuff but I want to take out all the garbage before I call
it a done thing.
IRC, the Windows XP Resource Kit (a very thick technical book about
tweaking the OS).
Big–screen TV.
Even though rear–projection CRT isn't as sharp as other technologies,
it still can show off the warts of the source material coming into it.
It's too long ago, but I undoubtedly did.
Brian Wilson's "Smile" (in the vaults for 30+ years).
Can't stand being fragranced.
Tell the police to strictly enforce the speed limits.
Drivers around here think the word "LOWER" is written above the words
"SPEED LIMIT" on the official road signs.
I think the most memorable restaurant one was when I ordered an
appetizer of cheese–covered potatoes. They brought out a platter of
them. Most of them went home in a doggy box.
Add a jacket and that's about it.
Not particularly... although the Mexican place between me and the
street gets visited frequently enough all the help know me. (I've had
them say that "you're a very easy customer to serve, you just sit
there and eat and drink iced tea.")

On 06 Nov 2004 17:36:20 GMT, maur...@aol.comnojunk (Maurey Lancaster)
wrote:
MY<<Haymarket, Virginia>>
Haymarket is a somewhat distant suburb of Washington, DC. It is
rather rural and horsey, though less so each year as suburban sprawl
creeps out this way. We chose this area because it's not too bad a
commute to work while still being (more so when we bought the house)
out of the massive northern Virginia perpetual traffic jam. And we
are able to have more land out here.
16 years.
Lately we have just visited DH's mother in Pennsylvania and my mother
in North Carolina –– occasionally taking our mothers to nice inns for
long weekends. They are both well into their 80s and are needing us a
lot. Our last three just–for–us holidays were a winery visiting /B&B
weekend, a Caribbean cruise, and an Alaska cruise.
Well, to visit DC, not Haymarket :–). And also to see some of the
gorgeous Virginia country, especially the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah.
My massage guy :–). And a special Italian restaurant.
My gym. And my friends, of course. And my massage guy :–).
Hot baths, reading gossip and fashion mags, watching decorating and
makeover shows on TiVo, eating poached eggs, watching movies with DH.
The prayer "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace" –– all the
lines.
Well, my job, of course. Other than that, training for spring
weightlifting competitions, trying to organize my clothing (getting
the too–big things off to charity, getting summer things put away
"offline", organizing what's left, buying more :–).) I used to do
serious needlework but don't seem to be finding time for it.
Just arrived from Amazon today –– Keeping Watch by Laurie R. King. I
recently listened to this on tape, and bought it for one of my lifting
coaches, who I know will enjoy it.
My lifting coaches, my massage guy, buying too many clothes, buying
and reading gossip and fashion mags, going to nice restaurants.
I rarely go to plays –– last time was Romeo & Juliet downtown at The
Shakespeare Theatre last year. I do go to opera regularly –– most
recent was Turandot last month –– and other sorts of concerts –– most
recent was The Four Bitchin' Babes last night. I enjoyed both of
these concerts, but the play was weird. They did it in more or less
contemporary clothing, which seemed odd.
Also in today's Amazon package, the sound track from De–Lovely (Cole
Porter biography).
Depends –– lately mostly Lancome's Attraction.
Well, if I were mayor of Haymarket, I'd do away with a silly "make the
town look more quaint" ordinance that is making small businesses buy
needlessly expensive new signs.
Too many to count. The most amazing from the food perspective have
been at The Inn at Little Washington, but I've had many other
wonderful meals. I belong to a group called Knights of the Vine that
has private dinners a couple of times a year –– with wonderful food
and incredible wines. And many other meals are memorable because of
the company and the overall experience.
Well, it's all new, as I am much thinner than I was last autumn. I'm
favoring corduroys and tweeds in golds, greens, and burnt oranges ––
also preppy sorts of sweaters layered over striped or print shirts.
I don't really ever go to such places –– unless you'd count my
friend's Chris's winery (Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, VA).
Chris

In article <BDB59D26.DE40%dellap...@netscape.net>,
Jennifer Dellapina <dellap...@netscape.net> wrote:
It doesn't need to be in a big city to run into those idiots. Just going
up or down the escalator in a department store can be risky if the
couple at the top or bottom of it step off and decide to try to map out
the floor without regard to others behind them. "Get the f*** out of my
way!" isn't rude in this case. It's expression of my desire to get off
the escalator with no injuries!
Stacy

In <20041109222614.12369.00000...@mb–m28.aol.com> Hazelnut583 wrote:
My goodness. I sure hope your aunt(s) on your mum's side don't lurk
here:–))
––
Cheers
Dennis
Remove 'Elle–Kabong' to reply

" it's actually the town where I was born but have lived many other places
besides this. My SO works for one of the colleges near here. We have moved
about 8 times since we have been together and anticipate another move in
about 5 years.
off on and all my life.. I come, I go. It's a love/hate relationship.
the schools are great. The atmosphere is still small town. it's centrally
located 1/2 between LA and the places I go to in OC
Kauai, Monterey, and Kauai/Hawaii... ( I think...) next one is going to
Mexico on a cruise
there's a lot to see in So. CA. don't just stay in LA, venture farther
south to see great beaches, great little towns and some of the best shopping
without having quite so much traffic and a lot of friendly people
no botox here! I do have a massages occasionally, a stellar
stylist/colorist at Juan Juan on Wilshire (Barry is the guy.. he is
AMAZING!); a great accupuncturist and someone who does myofascial work. I
need to hit pilates and gyrotonics again.
I miss my dog, the sound of the fog horns or the squeal of the birds
wheeling in the air currents. I miss my friends
3) going to SCP and LA both for events and stuff. (sounds silly huh)
4) going to a tiny French restaurant for crepets
5) hitting the outlet stores. and the local haunts
treat people as you wish to be treated. I really try to do that (not always
successfully but usually do) be good to my friends because my close friends
are my family. (that saying, you can't choose your family but you can choose
your friends and you can build your own family from friends) realize that
there is a higher power
finishing deadlines. getting more clip books out there. getting the
deadbeats out there off my books.
I share books with a good friend. I have a stack of magazines to read and
stuff from LAFW
lately, cashmere of all things! (never was into it much) good hair color;
buying things in better quality and making sure they are altered properly
stuff. and I have eclectic tastes.
Frederic Malle's Eau de Therese'; Susanne Lang custom blend
Emanual Ungaro's Apparition (spray lightly. this is potent)
get the port open and running 16 hours a day and get the ships cleared from
the harbor. also get people to realize that they are equally responsible for
their lives and the services provided to them. improve the school budgets
for text books and supplies!
a great one at the Ritz in Newport and also Pascal. A very nice one recently
(a string of them actually) at a little seafood place that we have been
frequenting
a great meal shared with friends at the Luxe hotel!
also one with 2 friends at this little place across from Barneys NY in BH
skirts (need more shoes!) knee high boots.. taupe wool twill suit
well I love to go have coffee with my friends. I love to hang out and have
martinis..
Peets and Starbucks are the former.. the latter. hmmm?

Up north in the 'burbs, outside the city limits, because the schools are good.
Not including college, 25 years.
Eesh. We took an extended cross–country trip this past summer that took us to
and/or through Shreveport and Monroe LA, Jackson MS, Memphis and Nashville TN,
Louisville KY, Cincinnati and Columbus and Canton and Barnesville OH, and a
bunch of places in Arkansas that I don't remember because it was dark and boring.
Eat out every single meal of every single day you're here. You can do this quite
easily, staying within a 5–mile radius of wherever you're staying no matter
where that is, and never repeat a restaurant. Also, be sure to visit the hill
country.
Nature's Healthcare for awesome holistic fibromyalgia treatment, Artist's Hair
Studio for my fabulous stylist (Miss Virginia), Mesa Rosa for Mexican martinis,
Hillbert's for hamburgers and chocolate shakes, Nau's for sodas and sandwiches,
Herbert's in San Marcos for Tex–Mex, Luxe for gifts.
Everything. The people, the food, the weather, the smoking bans. Every. Damn.
Thing. I never want to live anywhere else.
Dirty vodka martinis and 350 threadcount sheets.
When you're chewing life's gristle, don't grumble; give a whistle.
Trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and dismantling the
flowerbeds that the previous owners of this house planted in puzzling and
inconvenient locations.
_Something from the Nightside_ by Simon Green, but I haven't read it yet.
Grey Goose vodka, various expensive skincare products, massage every three
weeks, very dark chocolate.
I think it was "Caillou's Big Birthday Party". We buy season tickets to the
children's series at the Paramount every year. The last "adult" play I saw was
probably one of the Tunas, I don't remember which.
I have no idea. I've mostly been burning my own lately.
I'm a total fragrance 'ho. Current favorites are Child, Ebba Miss Danielle,
Geisha Noire, Glow Sandalwood, YOSH Ginger Ciao, YOSH Stargazer, Loree Rodkin
Gothic II, Regina Harris...the list goes on.
Try to get free meals at my favorite local restaurants. What?
DH proposing to me over dinner at The Emerald Restaurant, a lovely dinner at
Paggi House shortly before we married, a really unbelievably phenomenal
multi–course dinner at Jeffrey's, molé enchiladas with a former work pal at
Mother's just before I gave birth to DS, the fried mushrooms and french fries at
Hyde Park, many many happy hours at Pearl's and Trudy's North Star, many many
burgers and cherry cokes at Huts, many many late–night breakfasts at Katz's and
Kerby Lane and Magnolia, many dinners as a teen at the now–defunct People's,
many lunches in high school at Reale's, the first times I ever at at Nighthawk,
Dan McClusky's and San Francisco Steakhouse, a really crappy meal at Ray's,
awesome sandwiches on a lovely spring day at Shady Grove, drinks on the patio at
Oasis at sunset, celebrity–watching at Manuel's...the list goes on and on and
on. Austin has the most kick–ass restaurants ever.
Jeans and cotton sweaters.
Fadó for intimate gatherings, Scholz's for big shindigs.
–KMS

Insert your hometown here...
Catoosa is a suburb on the northeast edge of Tulsa. It has better
schools while still being close enough to town for easy commuting.
Plus we bought a house with a huge pool for way less than we could
have ever found in town.
How long have you lived there?
18 years.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Nowhere, nowhere, and nowhere. No vacation in about 10 years.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Go somewhere else:) Seriously though: fishing, and camping are nice
around here.
Shopping is so/so. We do have a nice ballet company, some theatre, and a
live
comedy club. Tons of bars/clubs (and churches for the morning
after,lol). If you
like art deco architecture, there is plenty to see in Tulsa.
Hot baths, reading (especially fashion mags and catalogs), watching
decorating and
makeover shows, watching movies with family/friends.
What is your life philosophy?
Are we there yet?

Maurey Lancaster wrote:
Insert your hometown here...
MY<<Pittsburgh>>
Where do you live and why?
I live on the South Side of Pgh. Why? Because I love my place. The
building was built in the 1880's but was gutted/restored last year. It's
very open with a nice mix of old and new, the original wood work on my
fireplace was restored but works nicely with my new kitchen cabinets.
Plus it's only a 10–15 commute to work.
How long have you lived there?
8 months. prior to this I've lived my entire life in the suburbs of Pgh
(Baldwin/Whitehall).
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Florida, North Carolina and the Bahamas.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Hit the museums! From the Carnegie Museum of Art/Natural History to the
Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory. Walk around Shadyside to see
some gorgeous old homes and churches, (don't forget Walnut Street for
some good shopping). Go boating (in season). However, I do not recommend
that you eat any fish that was caught in the rivers ;). Drive out of
Pittsburgh and go hike around Laurel Caverns and see Fallingwater. If
you can go to a football, baseball or hockey game. I could go on and on.
Who is in your secret address book?
What do you miss most when you're out of <<Pittsburgh>>?
Everything! It's nice to travel, but I always want to come back here.
What are your favorite home comforts?
My family and friends, my bed, a good hot bath.
What is your life philosophy?
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming,
swimming..... :)
Seriously, my thoughts to live by – always be nice to people, organize
and prioritize. Always do what's right – in the end you need to live
with yourself.
A good quote from a friend's sig file – Life is too short to be bored or
mean. You don't always get to do what you didn't, and you don't always
get to make up for what you did.
What are your current projects?
Organizing old pictures, helping the SO remodel his house, a stack of
books on the "to–read" list....
What was the last book you bought?
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible for a gift.
What are your extravagances?
Gifts for others (I really do tend to go overboard, but I don't care :)
), quality kitchen items, in the past it was high lights, but after a
dyeing disaster it's now hair color back to my natural color with a few
high lights.
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
I honestly can't remember! We are going to see The Chief at the O'Reilly
Theater soon.
What was the last CD you bought?
Hmm, don't really buy cd's. I think it was a Johnny Cash box set for a gift.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
Most perfumes make me sneeze, I do pretty good with a few of the bbw
lotions so I stick with those. Whatever I'm feeling like that day.
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
A ton! Pittsburgh is having terrible financial difficulties.
What has been your most memorable <<Pittsburgh>> meals?
Sitting on the grass at Point State Park during Arts Fest (SO), late
night/very early morning breakfasts (parents), Red Lot 5 before
Steelers/Panthers/Pirates games (SO, friends and family). All of these
have been memorable because of the people, not the food.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
lots of sweaters, long sleeve tees, jackets, fun scarves and gloves.
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
I don't really have one, but I do have different places I like in
different parts of the city.
Melissa

On 11/6/04 9:36 AM, in article 20041106123620.05904.00000...@mb–m19.aol.com,
"Maurey Lancaster" <maur...@aol.comnojunk> wrote:
Well, I live near Los Angeles but there are surely far more qualified
respondents on that subject. So I'll speak on my suburb.
Marina del Rey. When I moved here it was November and my company put me up
in corporate housing. It got dark around 5:15 p.m. so looking for an
apartment after work was really difficult. So I just walked to the
apartment complex next door to corporate housing and signed up.
Six years. I'll be here until June of 2005, and maybe longer.
Oy vey... The year flew by and it was mostly all WORK. I did go to San
Francisco for a weekend, Cabo San Lucas for a few days, and the old standby,
Vegas.
Walk around the marina basins as much as you can, they are all very nice and
calm.
Well I can't tell you that, can I?
The weather, which is rarely foul. My Ralph's (grocery store), which is
small and dingy but very comfortable.
My ratty pajamas.
Beauty is pain?
WORK WORK WORK. Lots of eBay (want to get it all out by Christmas). Secret
Santa. Learning to <gasp> COOK! (The way to my boyfriend's heart, indeed.)
Fighting Apple, in an effort to get my money back.
The Voice of Knowledge –– the newest book from the Four Agreements author.
Like a junkie who cannot say no, I pay a stupid amount every few weeks to
have my nails done.
Hahahaha
The last CD I acquired was the debut by Dierks Bentley. It's truly great.
I change very often. The closest to a "regular" is Mariella Burani.
I would stop all of this crazy construction that is going up –– they are
actually putting in so many new buildings in one area that they will have
their own zip code and town name. All of which will disrupt the water fowl
habitat.
There are so many great restaurants here, including some of the best Italian
in the area at C&O Trattoria. I am lowbrow though, and I love the fries
with ranch dip at Brennan's. Go when the turtle races are running.
Autumn isn't that much different than summer but I add boots.
Yep, the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth. It's a 40 minute drive but worth it.
It's the same bar in the Toby Keith video, "I Love This Bar." And it's
where I met my boyfriend. They never play anything but country, there's
never a cover, and on Sunday they have a free barbecue buffet. What's not
to love?
Looking forward to reading others' responses to this fun thread.
Jennifer

maur...@aol.comnojunk (Maurey Lancaster) wrote in message news:<20041106123620.05904.00000...@mb–m19.aol.com>...
I live in the Maryland 'burbs north of DC about halfway between DC and
Balto. I live here because it's halfway between where my DH worked in
Balto and where I work in the DC 'burbs. However, since he's no longer
working there, and my 83 y.o. mom wants us to move in w/ her, we'll be
moving in w/ her in Northern Va. next spring.
In the area my entire life but in this house just over 2 years.
This past weekend we went to Gettysburg. Last month we visited family
in Southwestern Va. and hit Natural Bridge and Charlottesville on the
way there and back. Before that, Ocean City Maryland.
PLEASE come to the DC area any way OTHER than by driving, train,
plane, bus, whatever. Our traffic is horrendous and most of us have
at least an hour commute to work EACH way.
Don't miss the Capitol and monuments and spend time on the Mall at
night if you can, it's gorgeous.
In these times Arlington Cemetery's a must. It's not easy to see a
hillside of tombstones but IMO necessary.
Hugo Salon in Kensington MD, and Bethesda. Abrielle at Foxhall Square
in DC (New Mexico Avenue near AU)for various indulgences like
Cosabella underpinnings, Votivo candles, Molton Brown, Thymes products
and more.
The house I grew up in and my Mom. Fortunately, we'll be back there
for good next spring :–). Rides through the horse country near my
current and future houses.
My DH's home cookin' and having laundry done and folded when I get
home. THAT is unbeatable.
Better to have tried and failed (or loved and lost) than to have never
bothered in the first place.
De–fleaing my cats and getting the house de–cluttered in preparation
for the move. After I settle in, AFDC 2005 (wooohoo!) and more
political happenings since I'll have a nice house I can offer up for
fundraisers and meetings.
For DH "The Gettysburg Encyclopedia" and for DD the pop–up Grinch. For
me, Kitty Kelley's "The Family"
Earrings, real silver, Prada skincare, high end makeup (coveting the
new YSL holiday palette)
Othello at the Royal Shakespeare in London this past June. It was
amazing. By coincidence we ended up in the Royal Box and it was
comfortable and fun.
For me, Dido's "No Angel". For DD Baby Einstein Lullabies.
I have many in rotation but the current fave is Burberry Brit.
Get WAY overdue statehood for DC.
Many. Thanksgiving a few years ago at L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great
Falls near my Mom's house, any lunch at Melrose in DC with my Mom,
dinners at I Matti, now gone, from Adams Morgan. Tex–mex at Rio Grande
Lots of jeans, moleskin separates and sweaters, LeSportsac handbags
and totes, clogs and ankle boots.
The Brickskeller in DC, over 250 kinds of brews. Wish I could get
there a bit more often, perhaps after we move we can.

MY <<Chicago>>
Where do you live and why?
Chicago, because that's where I attend school and where a good portion of my
family lives.
How long have you lived there?
My whole life!
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Washington D.C., Nashville, and Lake Geneva.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Don't *just* do Michigan Avenue & State Street...check out the boutiques on Oak
Street and in Lincoln Park...see Water Tower Place and the Sears Tower...eat at
99 at the top of the John Hancock building...see a concert at Ravinia Place in
the spring or summer...go iceskating in the winter...see the windows at
Marshall Field's on Michigan Avenue...bring gloves/scarves/earmufs/hats/warm
coats if you'll be visiting in the winter!
Who is in your secret address book?
Nobody is really secret.
What do you miss most when you're out of <<Chicago>>?
The familiarity of the city & surrounding areas, my bed, my shower/bathroom, my
dog (!), and my friends.
What are your favorite home comforts?
My mint green & white soft duvet on my bed, small watercolor paintings above my
dresser of couples running in the rain & a French cafe scene with a bridge in
the background, and the fireplace.
What is your life philosophy?
* Carpe Diem– seize the day.
* Think positive and everything will turn out better than if you had a negative
viewpoint in the first place.
* What's meant to be will be.
What are your current projects?
I think I'm going to make a Lulu Guinness–esque bag for my fashion savvy
grandma. I'm going to buy a straw handbag from TJMaxx or Marshall's and head
over to Target and Hobby Lobby for paper doll kits + glue. I also want to make
personal holiday cards for close friends and family since there's an amazing
paper store a couple blocks from where I work.
What was the last book you bought?
The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I would have bought
Shopaholic & Sister, but I read the back copy while I was in Border's a while
back, and it didn't look as good as Kinsella's previous two books, so I passed.
I want to go to the library sometime soon and get Bergdorf Blondes by Plum
Sykes...
What are your extravagances?
Outerwear (I like to have a lot of coats since I'll be wearing them
November–March!), pants (I have long legs and love to wear heels, so Express or
more expensive brands are the only ones I have luck with), & bags.
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
I can't even remember...I went to an amazing jazz concert with DB the other
week and that was really enjoyable. Last winter, I saw Riverdance, Lord of the
Dances with my family since we have a lot of Irish background.
What was the last CD you bought?
Alizee "Gourmandises"– it's in French.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
I usually wear Givenchy Very Irresistible or foodie scents (Thierry Mugler
Angel, CSP Amour de Cacao, BBW Rich Chocolate Fondue, BBW Toasted Hazelnut, and
Jaqua body lotions/creams) depending on the season. I have a couple other
perfumes that I don't wear as often like Hanae Mori Butterfly, Stila Creme
Bouquet, Lolita Lempicka, and Ralph Lauren Romance.
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
I would ask the public to *not* drive in the far left lane on the highway
unless you are going over 65 mph with the exception of big semi–trucks, who
should always stay in the right lane.
What has been your most memorable meals?
Whenever my grandma cooks or Thankgsiving at my aunt's house on my dad's side.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
Oh, G–d...pointy boots with thin high heels, tweed blazers, just above
knee–length skirts, black/gray/pink/camel solid trouser pants, Seven and AG
dark denim jeans, tweed & herringbone prints on skirts or pants, basic crewneck
& turtleneck sweaters, tops & skirts with feminine details like bows/lace
details/shirring/ruffles/tiers, ivory cropped wool–blend pants to wear with
slingbacks or pumps and a black sweater, closed–toe high–heeled shoes with
ankle straps, lots of burnt orange/pink/camel/black/emerald green, and the list
goes on...
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
Tropics, a tropical–themed bar with a dance floor on Lake Michigan in one of
the far northern suburbs. When I'm in the city, I like Irish Eyes in Lincoln
Park or Charlie's when I'm with my gay male friends from work.
––Laura

We moved here 10 years ago – it's my husband's home town and he's always wanted
to get back here. I was happy to move here as well.
Phila/NY/Boston, Hawaii, Wisconsin
Come in the summer – it's perfect between June & October. Rent a car so you
can visit Mt. Hood, Canon Beach & Multnomah Falls. There's streetcars, light
rail and buses to take you all throughout the town.
It's filled with names of magnificent painters, plumbers, handymen, and other
experts who help my clients in a hurry!
Besides the obvious (family, friends) I miss the beautiful gardens, the clean
city, the bookstores, the coffee.
A cozy bed, wireless network & a laptop (in the cozy bed) a fire in the
fireplace and a little glass of vino....
Every day should be fun. Laugh! Everything always works out.
..
Coming up with a fabulous invitation for our holiday party, holiday shopping, a
bit more interior painting (and wallpaper peeling) and taking care of my
clients.
The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe by Stephen W.
Hawking
shoes, black pants, cashmere sweaters, wine, eating out & wasting time on the
phone with friends.
My client is a drama teacher, and I saw his HS version of Footloose. It was
pretty awful.
I bought a jazz CD at a benefit –
Favorites are: Escada collection, Herve Leger, Bulgari Green Tea, Lolita
Lempicka, Chanel Chance.
Expand the urban growth boundary to give the city a little more land to
develop.
Family dinners with just the 5 of us – all we do is laugh.
Lots of pairs of new bluejeans, high heeled boots, several tweed jackets, a few
beautiful blouses, and some satin sashes to wear as belts.
I have several – a little contemporary italian restaurant with handsome
waiters, a smoky golf course restaurant/bar & another smoky fish restaurant bar
with a big stone fireplace – I like the little local places, even though
they're smoky – the ambiance is one of friendliness & comfort.
cheers,
cary

Insert your hometown here...
Fresno, CA
Where do you live and why?
house on 1/3 acre in the northwest part of town not far from the river
It's a beautiful, quiet neighborhood.
How long have you lived there?
20 years
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Los Angeles, Phoenix and Denver (part business, part pleasure)
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Yosemite is awesome but don't miss the overlooked Kings Canyon
National Park, sixty miles from my house. The giant sequoias are
breathtaking.
Who is in your secret address book?
I keep a very tiny white address book in my handbag with the names,
addresses and phone numbers of family and friends. There are lots of
people I've met through alt.fashion in it and perhaps the hottest
address is Serendipity in New York.
What do you miss most when you're out of Fresno
I miss my cats.
What are your favorite home comforts?
an absolutely huge variety of fruit and vegetables
What is your life philosophy?
Try to live your best each day and always think of others
What are your current projects?
finishing the computer room that was painted yesterday. I'm doing the
carpet cleaning today. I'm beginning a kitchen remodeling project.
I'm also knitting two scarves.
What was the last book you bought?
Plainsong by Ken or Kent Haruf
What are your extravagances?
shoes, handbags and cosmetics
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
The Producers in New York yes
What was the last CD you bought?
Rod Stewart singing ballads I've never been a huge RS fan but I like
his renditions.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
06130 Yuzu Rouge
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
work to bring businesses to my community
What has been your most memorable <<DC>> meals?
dinners at the Commander's Palace and Chez Panisse
What items are in your fall wardrobe?
cashmere and lambswool sweaters and skirts
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
Not really though we have a wonderful pub less than a mile away. My
son goes there.

Insert your hometown here...
MY <<Imagination>>
Where do you live and why?
I live in my imagination.
I live here because this way I can pretend that everything is perfect. Because
it is!!!!!!
How long have you lived there?
For about 2 years.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Atlantis, the North Pole, and the Moon.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Well, you can't visit my imagination, but you can read my posts, and that's
just as good as being there.
Who is in your secret address book?
All of my friends and all of the permuations of my fabulous family up to my
maternal cousins' step–sister's aunt (twice removed), of course!
What do you miss most when you're out of <<My Imagination>>?
Oh, just everything! Nothing's as wonderful as it is in My Imagination.
What are your favorite home comforts?
Rugs made from virgin sheep, welcoming people to my imagination, rearranging my
Colorform living room, and strapping myself into suits.
What is your life philosophy?
"Let's pretend!"
What are your current projects?
Saving the world, practicing my queenly wave, making memorial hair lockets, and
raising carrier pigeons.
What was the last book you bought?
I don't participate in such mundane and possibly dangerous rites; I send my
Personal Assistant to do it for me.
What are your extravagances?
I have no extravagances only necessities.
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
Whatever I read about on the New York Times homepage that seemed like it might
be impressive and yes of course I enjoyed it because it was impressive.
What was the last CD you bought?
See book answer above.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
Anna Sui Dream
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
Remove the plebians from the streets.
What has been your most memorable <<My Imagination>> meals?
A picnic with the Queen, drinks with Audrey Hepburn, and a weenie roast with
John Wayne.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
Everything, in every color. In duplicate!
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
The bar at The Sands (when The Rat Pack is in town).

In a primarily residential part of San Francisco overlooking the east part
of the city and the Bay. I live here because it's quiet, beautiful (the
bridges, the bay, the surrounding open space), has decent air quality,
cultural amenities, close to outdoorsy things and an airport, has GOOD FOOD,
doesn't get very hot or very cold, has all sorts of
interesting/educated/creative people, and is generally very livable as
cities go. My father's side of the family has lived here for 100+ years. But
I live here mainly because I feel at home here and I just like it.
Well over a decade.
The last three times I went on holiday it was to Paris.
Narrowing it down to a few choice items that would apply generally:
*See Fisherman's Wharf/Pier39/Ghirardelli only if you MUST and/or have a
hankering for looking at or buying tourist crappe and spending your time
with other tourists. Nobody who lives here goes there except for maybe every
5–10 years, or when visitors want to be taken there.
*People usually find the cable cars are worth doing.
*Eat at one of the many good restaurants out the neighborhoods in instead of
only tourist traps, chains, famous name reataurants. That's what we who live
here do.
I didn't realize there was such a thing.
It used to be that I missed our tap water, which was wonderful (!!!) until
the treatment plant switched to the very horrible CHLORAMINE, grrrr. (Now we
are guinea pigs.) Probably I miss good black coffee and the diversity of
good food we have. And maybe the vibe or our unique parochialism. At least I
know I'll be coming back. I always love coming back here, even if I've loved
being away.
Just chillin?
My personal philosophy is explore, stretch, seek balance and moderation, be
mindful and fair. Don't ever stop expanding your personal universe.
Right now it's only personal projects: improving my fitness level, working
on my yoga practice, some things for a family reunion, closet cleaning,
looking for the next "big" project.
Hmmm, I have been trying to avoid expanding my book collection so it's been
the library for me.
Highlights, massages, pilates trainer, spa vacation weeks, occasional dinner
splurges, the occasional
Noises Off. Immensely.
Gah! Honestly, I cannot figure out which one was the last one! Last week I
dl'd a bunch of Gotan Project, some Pink Martini, and a few Eddie Vedder
things.
Various, depending on current or desired mood.
I'd rather be governor for a day and do something to get started rectifying
a little pet peeve of mine, the poor excuse for a recycling redemption
program we have in our cities where, in order to redeem bottles for the
recycling redemption refund, one waits in a line in a stinky lot for
anywhere between 15–30 minutes along with very curious bottle scavenger
types and people of varying mental states. I'm sure there are bigger and
more important things to do, but I use a lot of bottles and this is
currently bugging me ;)
I give up. This must be a trick question. I could not possibly choose one.
It's very limited right now because I'm in between sizes. Cargo pants,
cords, sweaters, scarves.
Not really, just favorite neighborhood casual restos for breakfasts/lunches.
Claire

I live in an exurb of NYC and in NYC.
We moved here this summer, but I lived in NYC & CT for a good part of the
time I was growing up and I attended college in the area.
Mason Neck (VA) & Bethany Beach (MD) the same weekend, Boston, and Pine
Plains.
If one's flying commercial, use FedEx for luggage.
It's not a secret if I tell.
I love *everything* about our houses, and am especially happy when we're
at home together for a quiet evening.
Tikkun olam. To care and to make the world a better place. Take risks &
enjoy every minute.
My number one personal project: starting a family.
It was either an old first edition of _Mr. Baruch_ by Margaret L. Coit or
it was an original Modern Library 1935 hardback edition of Dostoyevsky's
_The Idiot_ illustrated by Boardman Robinson. Both were purchased around
the same time.
I don't consider them extravagances (though some NNON will): Fine art and
accessories such as handbags, shoes, jewelry.
A revival of _'Night Mother_ with Edie Falco. Yes, I enjoyed it. Falco is
a very good actress.
_Come Away with Me_ by Norah Jones
Hmm. In the city, for starters, I'd do away with at least 90% of the
nosie and pollution. I'd say 100% but most city dwellers might freak out
at the sounds of silence.
Fried fish sandwich at Sunshine's on the beach in Nevis (though it could
have been the Killer Bees that made me think so), and the evening DH
proposed to me at the Four Seasons in Nevis.
––
Poetic Badgers
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
–Coco Chanel

MY<<ST. LOUIS>>
Where do you live and why?
<My West County suburb is a comfortable mix of older and newer
housing, with retail and office space sprinkled in. Though it's
trending a little older, this particular 'burb is also diverse thanks
to an influx of Russian, Chinese and Indian immigrants, a mix
reflected in the restaurants and shops in the area. Metro St. Louis
is a driving place, though we have an excellent, still–limited–reach
light rail system (Metrolink). Though we're an easy 2 miles from the
interstate, my husband and I are on it less now that we are fewer than
5 mi from our respective offices (with the little dude's school smack
in between).
How long have you lived there?
17 years in St. Louis, a year and a half in my current house.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
WDW/Sea World, NYC, Montreal. Looking forward to a third visit to
Copenhagen in May 05!
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Chuck the diet. Though there are healthy options at most places, this
is the land of frozen custard, mostaccioli, toasted ravioli,
sauerbraten and, from what I hear, brains. (Not sweetbreads.
Brains.) Take the tram up the interior of one of the legs of the
Saarinen–designed, stainless steel–skinned Jefferson National
Expansion Monument (aka the Gateway Arch) and feel yourself gently
sway 630 feet off the ground. If you're driving, be prepared for the
street names to change without warning. Go to Blueberry Hill for a
cheeseburger (a veggie one if you prefer), darts and maybe a Chuck
Berry sighting, then to Ted Drewes for people–watching and a concrete
(frozen custard so thick the server turns it upside down before
handing it to you). Visit the City Museum and marvel at the
imaginative fancies people create from bobbins, broken mirrors, giant
propellers and discarded Ferris wheels. Tour the breweries: the big
one (Anheuser–Busch) and the little ones (Schlafly is the best–known
of the smaller fry) and sample the various products if you're of age.
What do you miss most when you're out of <<ST. LOUIS>>?
Other than home, I miss Imo's Pizza, which is so flat and thin you can
practically read text through it. Out–of–towners either love it out
of fascination or are repelled. ("You call THAT thing a pizza?!") But
the meltiness of the provel cheese and crunchiness of the
cardboard–thin crust do it for me.
What are your favorite home comforts?
Playing a game with my family while something's baking in the oven now
that it's cool; hanging out in the back yard when it's warm. If I
have the house to myself, I like to get lost in a book or a magazine
over a glass of wine (and a mushroom Imo's pizza) with music in the
background.
What is your life philosophy?
As ye give, so shall ye get.
What are your current projects?
Preparing for various holiday festivities and the 5 B. family December
birthdays.
What was the last book you bought?
"A Man A Can A Plan" for my nephew who hates to cook
What are your extravagances?
An occasional high–end item (shoes/jewelry/clothing) and salon
highlights once a year
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
A local production of "Schoolhouse Rock" with my son at a local
community center. It wasn't that great...some things are better left
animated.
What was the last CD you bought?
Neko Case––Blacklisted
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
Chanel No. 5 most often
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
Bring on the street performers!
What has been your most memorable <<St. Louis>> meals?
St. Louis has many excellent places to eat. Italian restaurants are
plentiful, particularly on or close to the Hill. My favorite casual
Italian is LoRusso's, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal with the
userb3s several years ago. I took Miss Dellapina to another favorite,
Riddle's Penultimate in University City, which has an amazing beer and
wine list, an eclectic schedule of live music and a menu that makes
excellent use of Missouri agricultural products. Other memorable
experiences: Crown Candy Kitchen for burgers and truly old–time ice
cream specialties, Yemanja Brasil near downtown for feijoada
(Brazilian stew) and caipirinhas (the potent rum/lime potion), Remy's
Café and Wine Bar in Clayton for the wine flights and Club 54 on the
North Side for fried fish and B.B. King live in concert. And, for a
special occasion and a memorable, elegant meal (no matter what you
choose from the menu), Tony's in downtown St. Louis is magnificent.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
Wool pants, lightweight sweaters, boots, brooches, black overcoats,
black velvet pieces
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
The 1860s Hard Shell Café in Soulard, the Pageant in University City
and the Broadway Oyster Bar downtown are my favorites for drinks and
live music when a going–out opportunity presents
itself..........Laurie B.

Fun thread!
<<San Luis Obispo, CA (Central Coast)>>
Where do you live and why?
I live in town and I love it! The weather is perfect, the people are nice,
it's upscale in general but without being snooty, the area is large enough
that it has good shopping, etc., but it's not so big that there is a lot of
traffic or crime. It's also halfway between LA and SF, so it's easy to get
to a big city within a few hours.
My entire life and I don't plan to move. I did live elsewhere for awhile
when I was in college though. I love SLO too much...it's paradise.
*Las Vegas in April
*LA (Beverly Hills/West LA) in May
*Northern CA in July
There are many things to see and do.....Hearst Castle 45 minutes away, the
famous Madonna Inn in town, the wineries in Paso Robles (what they are
calling the new Napa) and other areas on the central coast, downtown SLO
boutiques (great shopping and the downtown has won several awards), Pismo
Beach (gorgeous ocean views), Cambria (cute and artsy, like a mini Carmel),
Montana de Oro state park for the great tide pools, Morro Bay and the big
rock, a movie at the Fremont Theater (an old art deco theater that usually
shows the most popular movie of the week, and all the wonderful restaurants
in the county. I'd recommend lodging at the Apple Farm Inn, a quaint four
star hotel in town. I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. Email me if
you have more questions for SLO county recs.
I have an address book, but not a secret one.
The small town feeling, the easiness to get around (not much traffic on the
roads except in the city during rush hour at night) and of course my dog.
fire in the fireplace, curling up to a great movie or book while wearing
comfy pjs or loungewear, the smell of cookies/cakes baking, bubble baths,
using foody scented lotions and potions, etc.
I like what Caryperk said! :)
Thinking about what to buy family and friends for the holidays! :P
Shopaholic and Sister, which I haven't even had the chance to read yet!
Handbags (currently looking for a high quality black leather one), clothes
(expensive designer jeans (Sevens, CoH, PD&C, etc.), cashmere sweaters and
soft sweaters in general, coats, etc.), shoes, fragrances, jewelry, etc.
The Lion King at Pantages in LA. It was wonderful.
The latest Avril Lavinge CD.
Faves these days are CSP V. Abricot, AdC, V. Cannelle, V. Banane (well
anything CSP Vanille based), BBW Tutti Dolci Lemon Meringue, Serendipity
Serendipitious, and JS Dessert Beauty Taste (smells like Buttercream).
I'd bring a great new dept. store, such as Nordstrom, to town. Of course,
along with that I'd bring other favorite stores such as Banana Republic and
Sephora. I am pretty sure we are actually getting a Sephora next year
though! Woohoo! There was also a rumor that BR may be coming in the future
as well.
Meals at Cafe Roma (my favorite local restaurant), McLintock's (a fab steak
restaurant I'd recommend to anyone visiting), Novo in downtown SLO (they
have awesome desserts too), and Windows on the Water in Morro Bay (gorgeous
views).
Casmere and soft wool sweaters, Express Editor pants, soft cord pants, knee
length skirts worn with tall boots, jeans on weekends, and cute coats.
I don't go to bars too often (would rather drink at a restaurant), but I
like this place called Blue that is located downtown, but I haven't been
there in quite awhile. I hear they have improved and have great meals too.
Laurie

Insert your hometown here...
In one of the outer boroughs of NYC. Why NY? Its a long story. Why
we chose this area? Ease of commute, open spaces and greenery,
diversity, good schools, proximity to houses of worship, affordable
housing costs (by NY standards, anyway), parks.

MY Washington, DC
Washington, DC (in the city limits). I moved here to do my PhD and never left.
I live on a street lined with gorgeous old trees, and within walking distance
of regular and gourmet grocery stores, independent coffee shop/bookstore/toy
store/antique store, good restaurants/watering holes/liquor stores, a quick
trip to the airport or downtown or Georgetown or Bethesda, etc.
15 years.
Lately I've been traveling to the mountains just about every weekend, but on
real trips I've been to Bermuda, Miami (for JoeFest'04), and Martinsville, VA
(for a NASCAR race).
Get off The Mall and visit things outside of the city proper if you can––there
are gorgeous natural sights which are also historic; Georgetown is now really
just a big outdoor suburban mall so unless you're going to do some historical
sightseeing you can easily skip it; stand to the right on the Metro escalators
unless you are walking up or down the stairs.
My hairdresser and my spa saviors.
The diversity of the city where you can hear any language spoken at any
time in any place.
A comfortable chair with ottoman for reading, peace and quiet, and, this
weekend, not having to live out of a suitcase.
You can't stop the music, so you might as well dance.
Trying to find the time to write again.
_The New Best Recipes_ (from _Cook's Illustrated_; a birthday gift for my best
friend).
Half–and–half in my coffee, butter on my toast, and Snood.
The revival of _Oklahoma_ with most of the original cast still intact, and yes
b/c it's my favorite musical.
Music by Nicolas Gombert (his eight part Credo and a collection of his motets)
and Loretta Lynn's _Van Lear Rose_.
Varies from day to day.
Make sure we get this baseball deal wrapped up.
An impromptu dinner at the dining room at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson's Corner;
lunch at Pesce this summer; a tryst over tapas at Jaleo; celebratory dinners at
Mrs. K's Tollhouse and The Bavarian Inn; many simple meals at Cafe L Ruche...
The same ones I've had for the last 2 years, only slightly to much looser on
me; I'm on a shopping moratorium as I've started losing weight again.
The rooftop bar at the Hotel Washington (in season, of course); the Zebra Room;
the patio at Chef Geoff's; the bars at Cafe DeLuxe, Sam and Harry's, Clydes in
Friendship Heights (RIP).
––
Julie P.
"MADE FOR TELEVISION."––Owen Meany

On 13 Nov 2004 03:19:26 GMT, Michele317 wrote:
Then, there's Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning."
Good thing you didn't say the 90's.... or I'd be accusing you of
living in a place named after an ex–President's daughter. <grin/duck>

On 13 Nov 2004 07:22:53 –0800, kayper wrote:
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
There's a lot of stuff to see in Big D.
And please don't forget the outlet malls in Allen.

http://www.ardice.com/Regional/North_America/United_States/Washington,_DC/Neighborhoods/Adams_Morgan/

<<I currently live in Richmond, VA>>

Where do you live and why?
I moved here with my ex when he was promoted, and have to stay because
of the kids being in school.
How long have you lived there?
A little over 3 years.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
I don't even remember, since it's been so long since I took a
vacation. The last true vacation was a trip to Daytona Beach in 1998.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
Go somewhere else.
Who is in your secret address book?
These aren't secrets because I'm more than willing to share the info
with anyone who asks: my hairdresser, my manicurist and the best
chinese buffet with all you can eat crab legs.
What do you miss most when you're out of Richmond?
Nothing. Maybe my kids if they're not with me.

What are your favorite home comforts?
My bed, with nice sheets and bunches of pillows.
What is your life philosophy?
I don't really have one. Or if I do, I can't think of it today.
What are your current projects?
Trying desperately to get the middle bedroom turned into a bedroom,
rather than a box room. Trying to get back to writing fiction stories.
Trying to stick to a low–carb diet because it makes me feel so much
better.
What was the last book you bought?
Not that I bought, but someone else gave me 2 John Irving books: "The
Fourth Hand" and "A Widow for One Year." I'm most of the way through
the first, and had started the second but will finish that second as
well.
What are your extravagances?
Getting my nails done.
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
Some play one of my kids was in, I'm sure. I probably enjoyed it.
What was the last CD you bought?
The Mavericks, Super Collosal Smash Hits of the 90s.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
RL Blue, most of the time these days.
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
Let someone else more qualified make all the decisions and go back to
bed for the day.
What have been your most memorable meals?
Can't think of any right now.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
Turtleneck sweaters. Absolutely necessary for me when the weather
starts to get cold.
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
Not really. I rarely drink and as I get older I have little patience
for the bar scene.
Tracy

I live in a suburb of Seattle, in the house I grew up in. It's a big house, a
good–size lot, and holds lots of memories – of growing up and of raising my own
family. The house was too big for mom and hubby and I were in a position to be
able to buy it. We've put a lot of work into it to make it ours.
I've lived in Seattle my whole life, and in this house for 12 years.
Paris in the fall, Oregon (camping) in the summer, and Washington DC in the
spring
Rent a car, go to Ballard and wander through some of the cool new shops. Drive
up to the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest outside of Granite Falls. Take the
North Cascades highway and look at the old growth forest.
I have no secrets :)
Family, the puggies, the views of mountains and water
Sitting in the hottub on the deck with hubby, cuddling with the girls in the
morning, the towel warmer in the bathroom, the puggies greeting me with squeals
and the circle dance in the morning.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
Cleaning out the storage area, running the food drive at school, figuring out
what to do with the kitchen
Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart and Absent Friends by SJ Rozan
Books, books, and more books. My kids.
I honestly can't remember.
Live From the Mountain Volume 10. 2 disk collection of accoustic performances
put together by a local radio station.
Coco Mademoiselle
Turn 15th back into a 4–lane street and get the cars off of 10th.
Dinner at The Met on the day #1 Daughter was due and happy hour(s) in a bar on
Friday of Labor Day weekend with all of the adults in the family. We laughed, we
cried, we disturbed everyone in sight. The last birthday dinner I had with my
dad in 1980.
Tweed suit worn as separates, tweed shoes (not worn with suit), black trousers,
patterned tops.
Wherever I can go with hubby. No place in particular.
––
Pam K
For all you right–wing conservatives or whoever is slurping the Bush koolaid...
my2p...@yahoo.com

In <e3tcp0hlmr7csb4c2qne26vheg6ram9...@4ax.com> Charlie Perrin wrote:
There was a program about the TV series Dallas and they mentioned tours
of Southfork.
Any really big malls like in Minneapolis/Edmonton?
––
Cheers
Dennis
Remove 'Elle–Kabong' to reply

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 00:51:16 –0000, Ruddell wrote:
On 13 Nov 2004 07:22:53 –0800, kayper wrote:
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
I have no idea; I can't imagine anyone deliberately
touring Dallas, much less Garland.
From what I've found, the Dallas Galleria is bigger than the Houston
Galleria... and I can tell you the Houston Galleria is enormous.

thank you maurey for another fun poll!!
i live in chelsea, in manhattan. why do i live here? the stones and elvis
costello mention chelsea in songs, and although they mean london's chelsea, i
couldn't resist. when i moved in it was slummalicious, and now it's a bit too
fab.
this neighborhood since the eighties. new york, all my life, save for
university and a couple of years in london.
boston, sofla, london.
when you leave your hotel, walk to the nearest subway station. buy an unlimited
weekly pass, and go 4 stops on whatever train comes first. get out and explore
wherever you end up. that lame applebee's will still be in times square if you
simply must eat chain, but wouldn't it be cooler to have vietnamese noodles for
3 bucks? a chinese/spanish lunch for 5 dollars? an indian/vegetarian feast
using the world's best bread instead of a fork? explore a restaurant that
serves only rice pudding? of course it would. and skip the stores that are
already in your home mall. head for the fringes. oh, and don't bother dressing
like a sex–and–the–city character. we don't.
phone numbers for certain restaurants so i can bypass the 'we're booked til
2010' message... that would be the most secret info i've got.
crowds. friendly, open–minded people. the freedom to bring my dog everywhere.
real food delivery. public transportation. the ability to buy carrot sticks at
3 a.m. the kindness of strangers. the mets. the met.
curling up on the sofa with the fella and the pooch, some thai food and 'sealab
2021'... doesn't get much better than that!
no one else is looking at you.
i'm knitting again.
another fitzgerald collection. i'm a bit of a 'gatsby' fanatic; i'm fascinated
by the idea of coming to new york from the midwest, completely reinventing
oneself and surrounding oneself with accolytes. it satisfies that teensy part
of me that's not just a new yorker, but an american.
i consider my expenditures to be necessary.
i'd rather not say in case one of the participants lurks here. suffice it to
say it was a nightmarish 'modernization' of a classice.
'london calling' special edition.
today, dior addict. yesterday, passage d'enfer. tomorrow, vivienne westwood
boudoir. anything heavy/spicy/sexy in the cccccold we're having lately.
kill the freaking stadium plan. keep metrocard prices the same. get rid of
those idiotic gates that are meant to prevent jaywalking in midtown. jaywalking
is my birthright, dammit!
omakase at nobu for overall deliciousness and splendor. whatever happened after
the fourth margarita at the late, lamented gulf coast most sunday nights.
thanksgiving brunch at the plaza right after my mom died, my and my bro
figuring out a way to make our dad eat again. a huge bunch of us at bolo, being
able to try about half the menu.
groovy tights, minis, boots, sweaters, puffy coats, jeans. i'm boring!!
it's in the east village and has no name. it's a dump with a kickass jukebox,
cool patrons and cheap drinks. i like to call it heaven. :)

maur...@aol.comnojunk (Maurey Lancaster) wrote in message news:<20041106123620.05904.00000...@mb–m19.aol.com>...
MY Garland (suburb of Dallas)
We live hear because DH's industry is here.
on and off (we've moved around–and–back several times)
about 12 years or so.
Disneyland; Austin, Tx; Atlanta, GA.
I have no idea; I can't imagine anyone deliberately
touring Dallas, much less Garland.
I can't think of any addies that are secret.
Knowing where everything is.
my computer, my bed
Phil. 4:4 – 7
holiday survival
A collection of Shel Silverstein stories and poems;
"Life After the White House" by Barbara Bush
skincare, including prescription–only
For Myself, "Under Rug Swept"; as a gift, a Hilary Duff CD
I don't remember the name of (for The Child.)
Lately, Avon's Peony Mus, but it's "Creme Bouquet"
weather so I'll be digging that one out soon.
QDoba's burritos.
white sweaters, white l/s T's and white sweatshirts.
kpr54

I live in a small hamlet outside of Thetford, Norfolk. There are about
30–40 homes, no grocery store, PO, etc. It is a lovely country setting and
the air is always fresh and clean. We live here because my husband is in
the AF and is stationed at RAF Mildenhall.
How long have you lived there?
We've lived here for about 16 months and are due to leave this summer.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
We recently went to London and acted as tour guides to family. Before that
we went back to the US to NY and Illinois to visit family before I had the
baby. Before that we went to Provence and stayed in a self catering
apartment and toured the area at our leisure.
What advice would you give to a tourist (visitor)?
I would go and visit some of the National Trust and English Heritage sites,
like Grimes Graves, Oxburgh Hall (Mary Queen of Scots was kept under lock
and key here for a bit and her embroidery is on display), scoot out to
Sutton Hoo, the biggest treasure found in the UK as of yet. Sandringham,
one of the Queen's residences, is a very easy day trip.
Who is in your secret address book?
I usually go to London :) I get my hair cut right off of the Sloane Square
tube station at Moreno's. Wonderful cut, expensive, yet worth it.
Excellent sushi is to be had at Hazuki's 43 Chando's place. For a more
local secrets, I usually head to Bury St. Edmunds for the day. They have
the typical stores, but it is nice to just walk and do some pottery at
Amazing Glaze.
What do you miss most when you're out of the UK?
Just being in the UK. Like Maurey, I love the newpapers, they are a bit
more racy than their US counterparts. I miss the weather as well. I like
cool weather, either dry or wet. Now I know why there is something called
the English rose complexion.
What are your favorite home comforts?
Looking out our big window into the field in back of our house and the
horses next door. I love the glider/rocking chair and nursing my little
guy.
What is your life philosophy?
To thine own self be true–Shakespeare
What are your current projects?
I'm doing some cross stitch sachet bags for my girlfriends.
What was the last book you bought?
Trinny and Susannah's What not to Wear
What are your extravagances?
The London haircut
What was the last play you saw and did you enjoy it?
Jerry Springer–The Opera at the Cambridge Theatre in London. It was pretty
funny. Gorgeous voices singing cuss words was very amusing.
What was the last CD you bought?
Lullabies for the little man.
What fragrance/aftershave do you wear?
I have a plethora. Ysatis de Givenchy has been a mainstay since I was 16.
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
I don't think my hamlet has a mayor!
What has been your most memorable <<UK>> meals?
We love Indian food so basically trying that cuisine in the different areas
of the UK is fun.
What items are in your autumn wardrobe?
Same as last year...I'm trying to lose the pregnancy weight to fit back into
what I have.
Do you have a favorite (Pub?)/bar/watering hole?
Nope.