After two years, Nathan’s path finally crossed mine again. When we last met, it was in November 2002 in Paris. We actually met up twice (it would have been three times, but the day I arrived, I was on a train when they suddenly told everyone to get off and then I was stuck in that station for 45 minutes. By the time I made it to the rendezvous, Nathan was gone.) and had a great time as usual. Now Nathan lives in Boston and was on his way to Australia for a nice long holiday. He had a 1-night layover in LA, so we decided to make a night out of it.
I picked him up around 5pm at his hotel in Lynwood. (They claim it is close to LAX, and it is – sorta) We then proceeded up the 405 and various side streets to Joan Crawford’s former house (you can visit Nathan’s site for more on his interest in her career and life). When we pulled up in front, we got out and he started to snap a few photos. I noticed some people walking our way, and my mind raced with stories to explain our presence in this uber-swanky section of Brentwood. The best story I came up with was that I was in the process of remodeling my own home and was told to check out the work the company was doing on this house. Fortunately, the people wee just out for exercise and after a quick glance in our direction (Ugh, they drive a CR-V, how common!) they were on their way.
It had only taken us about 40 minutes to make the trek their, and we then decided to eat over in Beverly Hills at the Stinking Rose. Little did we know just how brutal cross-town traffic could be. It took us almost 1.5 hours to get to the restaurant, which was barely 5 miles away. We left Joan’s at 5:45 and did not make it to the restaurant until 7:20. Oy. Makes me glad I don’t live in West LA.
After a nice dinner (mmmm Filet!) we headed up to WeHo for some after-dinner drinks. Nathan had 3 cosmos and I had 2 Wild Berry Martinis and 1 Pineapple Martini (Pineapple wasn’t very good, but it was my clumsiness that knocked it over when I was only half way done. Really. Clumsiness. I Swear. We then shared a “Joan Collins” which Nathan invented in his Bar Tending Class. It’s a Vodka Collins laced with Chambored (I don’t think that is spelled right). Sadly, the bartender mixed in a ton of it making the concoction too sweet.
Between drinks we managed to walk down the streets a bit. After we were done with the last drink, it was time to go home. Thankfully, the traffic was all done and we made it back in one piece (no thanks to me doing an impression of Joan Crawford’s Freeway driving). After a nightcap of Jack in The Box, it was time for goodbyes.
The whole night was full of catching up, reminiscing, and general goofiness. It might not sound like anything special to most people, but to me it was. Now I just need to return the favor and visit Nathan in Boston and all the other friends I haven’t seen in a while.