NYC

I am alive and I am well. It has been two very active days for me here in the city that never sleeps. I have been able to prove just that, considering that I've hardly slept. I must admit that traveling with someone is quite entertaining, gives you endless stories to tell.

After changing our flight plans several times to accomodate my schedule, we decided to leave early in the morning, since we had various things to do that same night. Customs was fine, the first class seats were fine but obviously Michelangelo wasn't fine. He had somehow memorized all this useless (equally frightening) trivia concerning the probabilites of a plane falling. Exactly what you need to hear on a six hour trip to New York from London. I practically forcefed him the pill and after two minutes of pure blabber and the occasional whimper for Thierry, he fell asleep. After that the flight was blissful. I watched Casino Royal and some news highlights. We then landed and arrived after 45 minutes to The Pierre Hotel right next to Central Park. The hotel is lovely but a bit too classy for my taste. And by classy I mean classic.

Michelangelo went off to his shoot in Central Park and I went to some meetings. We met up in the Majestic Theather to see the Phantom of the Opera. We arrived just in time to see the chandelier go up. It was fun, enthralling and quite breathtaking. I now owe him 250 dollars, since he bet that I'd like it. After that his photographer made reservations for us in Buddha Bar. I loved it. The music, the decoration, the beautiful people... everything. I knew that we both, as we chatted, would rather be with our respective others. Ahem. Well, he with his boyfriend and me with my....... Caterina.

Anyways... we danced a bit then we went back to the hotel around 3 in the morning. And let me tell you, sleeping with Michel... is quite unnerving. I admire Rink for it. He kept clinging to me, believing I was Thierry and whispering his name. So I was forced to sleep on the couch (which is something I am NOT PARTIAL to) because he was so annoying. Though trust me, that was the last night I slept on the couch.

The next day we had a delicious breakfast. I ate my traditional English breakfast plus some Belgium waffles. Absolutely delightful.

After that, Michelangelo went to his other shoot and I went to the American Museum of Natural History to see the Planetarium, the GOLD display and the Butterflies. I actually interacted with about a thousand butterflies. Caterina Maria... would've loved it. The museum was far too big for me to actually see it in it's completion (four FLOORS) but I quite enjoyed it. Then I went to see some of my friends in Queens. Olivia and Victor, they've been married for our two years now and I hadn't seen them since. I realized how much I missed them after spending a few minutes with them. It was minutes because I got lost using that wretched, DIRTY, FILTHY subway system. That smell... how can people USE that on a daily basis!?

I went to the theater again where I met up with Michelangelo to see Mamma Mia! That was a very fun musical. The music of the entire show is from ABBA and I could find myself singing a few songs without intending to do so. After that, Michelangelo went to another photoshoot and I went to a business dinner in a restaurant whose name escapes me.

Then I came back to the hotel, Michelangelo was already sleeping on the couch much to my relief. So I had a good night after all. Big bed all to myself.

Off I go now.

Hours prior to NYC

It's too bright for me to be coherent. But Michelangelo has been calling me nonstop. It's no joke that he gets anxious before traveling. I was just printing our electronic tickets and hotel reservations, trying my best not to wake Caterina Maria. She has a very deep sleep, luckily for me. She's really adorable.

I'm checking... and everything seems in order. Now I will bathe to see if I can recuperate my motor skills and then continue unto my breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages,mushrooms, hash browns, and half of a tomato. Specific I know. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water, which can be a distracting thought since I'm fretting the fact that I'm leaving Caterina Maria.

Yes, I will stop talking like this soon. I promise. As soon as I wake up. Good Lord, I'm most definitely not a morning person.

And all because of a glossy lipstick...

Unfamiliar to many apparently, the code is my way of life. I suppose it does sound surprising to some people but I did attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. I served my rightful time and learned quite a few things. In them, I learned honor and respect. I'm also well aware that today's youth is being raised in a world filled with over the top liberties, they fail to grasp the concept of deference as it seems they were raised in the wild by a pack of wolves. I have managed to sail my way through all kinds of situations, people and scenarios; more often than not I am succesful.

But there's no need for me to rant and mention no names. Or maybe there is. Maybe I'm being ridiculous and childish by mentioning them both. Him, for ignoring the fact that you have to maintain some sort of decent distance with the woman that, you are consciously aware, is being courted by another man. Her, for provoking a needless and rather dangerous encounter between two men, one who is at a clear disadvantange. Though I suppose that it IS normal after all, most people love to ruffle the feathers of the quiet hawk, waiting to see if he'll react and finally poke their eye out as they have been so anxiously waiting for.

We all know that you, noiseless watchers of our little drama, are waiting for the big fight. Why wouldn't you? Two grown men after the same awe-inspiring woman. Only one gets to keep her. As the old saying goes "let the best man win" and we all know who the better man is.

Alas, it is partly not his fault. I suppose we'll label him as an unfortunate victim of circumstance. I'm not as mad at him as I am at her. It is her I like. It is she the object of my affection. It is she who looked positively ravishing with her new look and tempted me to take her right then and there. I suppose it is my fault for not being fast enough or with a quick tongue to sample her glossy lips. Yes, I am guilty of being slow in that sense. I can't express myself as eloquently as I would've liked. I would've loved to take him away and be with her alone. We'll call it my payment for taking a trip on a whim to another continent to see her. I will admit I am very sorry I couldn't stay longer with her, whisper to her ear how splendid she looked and steal a kiss or two.

Though I cannot let her go unpunished. It is not in my nature. We'll blame my anger. And my pride.

E-Cards have special powers

Who would've thought that an e-card could do that? ;) She is certaintly the most original and entertaining person I know. And such a darling. I'll be on my way to plan an entire agenda just for us. Can't wait.

Michelangelo is coming with me to New York. That sounds pretty good, I am not usually fond of traveling alone. Though with Michelangelo that is usually the case, he's not exactly very awake during the flight. He's scared of planes and heights you see. So I can only talk to him while we're at the gate then he slips on a pill and slips into sleep. Quite amusing to watch actually.

I ate sushi today. I felt I needed to vary my menu at least for ONE day, after a while you get sick of cous-cous, kedgeree and salmon filet. And also, Eleanor dared me. She suddenly feels superior to me because she can enjoy raw foods. I tried, and for the 10th time I failed. I cannot find any kind of enjoyment in something uncooked. Though I must admit, like my good friend Thierry said, there is nothing par to the french cuisine.

Happy Earth Day to you all. Time to think green and plant some trees. Me? I'm in dire need of good weather. My flowers need some sun, desperately.

happy birthday jean-luc bellay.

Long days and phone calls

I have been exposed to torture today on so many levels, it's not even fair. First, my Polo match (against Doctor's orders) didn't go as I planned, mostly because I didn't win. The pain in my wrist didn't allow me to swing the mallet freely. I think I must've broken it or at least made it worse. Doesn't hurt though, probably because it's numb.

Before that I was my father's escort to some assemblies that are in charge of our multiple charities. It's that time of the year where we review costs, funds and other idiosyncrasies. I myself have a mountain of paperwork I need to review/sign and trust me, I am surely not inclined to do so. I'm dying for a change of pace... alas, my 'physical' change of pace is far away from me at this moment.

I went shopping today. Strange, I know. I bought something for me and a gift but I don't feel like sharing what it is just yet. Heh.

Caterina Maria and I talked on the phone on this very night. It was remarkably relaxing listening to her on the other side of the phone. Yes, I know that by now, you must be tired. Well, for me, it was delicious. The relaxation I was desperately yearning for. I'm afraid to believe that I am inclined to have a bit of a dependency problem. Though it's ridiculous to entertain such a thought... I can't deny that I get a satisfaction par to none when she laughs only for me.