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  • Under the Tuscan Sun & A Hot Fiery Rescue

    Gmail Carey Anthony 

    Re: July Party in Tuscany
    1 message

    From: Sabine Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 5:50 PM
    To: GLY Friends

    Hello friends!!

    In case you guys have no idea what to do the first weekend in July (yes, I realize that Carey might actually be the only person to think so far ahead but I am still giving it a try), I have an idea what you could do:

    Alan and I always talked about having a wedding party later on and this is what is going to happen. A friend of mine has a house in Tuscany, which we can use. So in case you want to join us for this event (3/4/5th of July) then you all are more than welcome.  Massi told me that the house is 50 min. away by train from Rome. The house has 5 bedrooms one bathroom (there is always the sea) and lots of floors. Massi also told me that there should be more or less cheap accommodation close by. So, as soon as you have any idea if you can make it, let us know.

    Please remember: We expect a significant amount of people to be there during the weekend, so please bring sleeping bags and sleeping mats as we are for sure going to run out of beds or just don’t sleep, which might be an option, too. Everybody arriving from Europe: If you can bring a tent, too!
     
    Looking forward to seeing you guys in Bella Italia!


    Bine & Alan


    Here’s where we’ll be staying.  I’m not sure where we’re all going to sleep.  About 25 have already RSVP’d!!  Hooray for Frequent Flyer Miles!



    Gmail Carey Anthony

    Your E-Mail Confirmation from United
    1 message

    From: United Airlines Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 9:16 AM
    To: Carey Anthony

    Travel itinerary Confirmation no.: ******


    Passenger information Number in party: 1
    Name: CAREY A MR

    Travel itinerary Confirmation no.: *****
    LOS ANGELES to WASH/DULLES departing Thursday, July 2
    UNITED  946
    Depart:
    LOS ANGELES 7:55 AM
    Arrive:
    WASH/DULLES 3:46 PM
    Seat(s): 1A
    NONSTOP
    Equip: 777
    MP miles: 2288
    UNITED FIRST
    In-Flight services:
    Meal: BREAKFAST
    WASH/DULLES to ROME/FIUMICINO departing Thursday, July 2
    UNITED  966
    Depart:
    WASH/DULLES 6:18 PM
    Arrive:
    ROME/FIUMICINO 8:50 AM
    Seat(s): 11B
    NONSTOP
    Equip: 777
    MP miles: 4505
    UNITED BUSINESS
    In-Flight services: MOVIE
    Meal: DINNER, SNACK
    ROME/FIUMICINO to LOS ANGELES departing Tuesday, July 14
    UNITED  967
    Depart:
    ROME/FIUMICINO 11:20 AM
    Arrive:
    LOS ANGELES 7:08 PM
    Seat(s): 8D/ 1B
    STOPOVER
    Equip: PLANE CHANGE AT IAD
    MP miles: 6354
    UNITED BUSINESS
    In-Flight services: MOVIE, MOVIE
    Meal: LUNCH, SNACK


    And from the “Only in West Hollywood” Department, comes this story:

    West Hollywood, California (January 19, 2009) – West Hollywood firemen doused an apartment fire that destroyed one unit and made five others unlivable Sunday, reviving two lifeless pets in the aftermath.

    A plugged in laptop left on a carpet while the tenant walked her dog exploded into flames at 1169 Orange Grove Avenue in WeHo around 5:00 pm Sunday evening, said Station 7 Captain Ric Brandelli.  He told WeHo News that his men located a yellow lab and black tabby on their secondary search of the premises, both apparently overcome with smoke inhalation.

    After removing the pair to the street, paramedics began what seemed, initially, to be futile efforts to revive them.  “We worked on them for quite a while, and it didn’t look like they would make it” said Capt. Brandelli, “and then the cat began breathing on its own and ran away.”

    He said his cohort turned its attentions to the dog, a 16-yr old, again with no results to show for precious minutes.Then, to everyone’s relief, “the dog started breathing on its own and stood up to walk around,” he said.  The cat and dog resided with the woman whose laptop began the conflagration.  Capt. Brandelli said that she was not present for the cat’s resuscitation, but witnessed the dog’s.

    “No words can describe the relief in the lady’s expression,” he said. As a pet guardian and animal lover himself, (see Firemen Of The Sunset Strip 2009 Calendar Benefits Animal Rescue – Monday, December 22, 2008 for more) he said he and his fellows got a special thrill out of the experience.  “We were all relieved and glad,” he said. He reported no other injuries.  Read more…


    Yep, the fireman from the “Firemen Of The Sunset Strip 2009 Calendar Benefits Animal Rescue actually rescued the dog & cat!  LOL 

  • A Heartbreaking Dancing Queen & A Picnic at the Beach

    I’m back in LA and preparing for the next round of guests at the Hotel CareyforniaClaudio and Ryan are coming Thursday to drop off Chazz before leaving for DC for a week.  David & Hyun Ju arrive next week, and after then next weekend I’m heading to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah with Christine & Drew and their new baby!  January is going to be a very busy month. 

    Here’s a video montage of the best of little Patrick over New Year’s.  It’s a great example of why middle aged, overweight white men shouldn’t dance, sing or even clap! Despite my abysmal lack of rhythm, Patrick enjoyed dancing to Elton John & Abba. He also played soccer in his oceanfront backyard and even went fishing in the house!

    Saturday Steve brought Lucie, Jack & Roin over and we went to Rockaway Beach for a picnic.  Afterwards we went bowling and I actually won twice.  (That has never happened to me.  Roin, who’s 9 years old, kept saying that I hustled him!  LOL.  I honestly have no idea how I won, even against the adults!)  At any rate here are some photos from our outing. 


    Surfing lessons


    Carey & Lucie


    Jack, Carey & Lucie


    The notoriously camera shy Roin and kids on the beach.


    Patrick, Cathy & Lucie


    Jack took this.  Not bad for an 11 year old!


    Patrick loved bowling!  Jack also took this one of me.  He likes these angles I think.
     

    Roin saving the world

  • All is Quiet…A GLY New Year

    Update:  It’s 8 AM January 1st and everyone is still fast asleep.  I stayed up until about 4 AM uploading pictures, and have added them to the slideshow below.  In those four hours of sleep over 600 people viewed the pictures!  Last night was a blast, as usual.  And as usual, I spent more time with (and took more pictures of) the kids.  Hope the adults didn’t mind too much!  Happy 2009!

    December 31st, 4 PM:  Happy New Year from San Francisco, CA; Pacifica, to be exact.  Our 12th annual gathering of the GLY Gang is in full swing, with people still arriving from all corners of the globe.  It’s hard to believe our far flung group of friends started this tradition in Brazil 11 years ago, and have celebrated New Year’s together all over the world ever since.  As our GLY family continues to grow with marriages and babies, I’m thankful for such wonderful friends.  Let’s hope 2009 and our new president ushers in a new era of change for America and indeed the world.  I won’t have much time to blog over the next few days, but keep checking this website for new pictures, the slideshow below will also be updated.  Happy New Year!  –Carey

    Some favorites, thus far:


    Love birds on the pier, next to Tom & Cathy’s back yard.

     

     

     
    Patrick, being a big boy in his Tigger tail!

     
    Joaquin, fireside

     
    Another Joaquin!

     
    Jack, Carey, Roin & Mariana

       

    My Windows Movie Maker is broken, so until I can process the new videos, this will show you where we are:

  • Deadly Sushi & High Heeled Goats

    blowfish

    We went to Blowfish Sushi To Die For for dinner tonight and had a decent (if overpriced) meal.  The name of the restaurant is a take on Fugu, a  type of pufferfish that, if not prepared properly, will kill you instantly.  From Wikipedia:

    Pufferfish contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the internal organs, especially the liver and gonads, and also the skin. Therefore, only specially licensed chefs are allowed to prepare and sell fugu to the public, and the consumption of the liver and ovaries is forbidden. However, a number of people die every year from consuming improperly prepared fugu. The poison, a sodium channel blocker, paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious, and eventually dies from asphyxiation. There is currently no antidote, and the standard medical approach is to try to support the respiratory and circulatory system until the effect of the poison wears off. Non-lethal quantities of the poison remain in the flesh of the fish and give a special desired tingling sensation on the tongue.

    I’ve never been a huge fan of this place.  It’s overpriced and too loud, but it’s where a couple of friends were meeting, so I went since it’s so close to my house.  Coincidentally I’ve been reading this book on the history of sushi called The Sushi Economy by Sasha Issenberg.  He’s a bit of a sushi snob, but the book is fascinating as it traces the provenance of different types of sushi and how they affect the global economy, especially in light of the popularity explosion of sushi in in the West in the past 20 years.  It educates consumers on the effects of overfishing and the individual bacteriology of different types of sushi.  I just finished reading about how tuna fish are really too smart to be farm raised.  Who knew that tuna was so smart? 

    Another thing I learned from the book is just how endangered Tuna are.  In fact:

    tunaroll

    A study released last year found that all seafood populations face collapse by 2048 (Science), meaning “clambakes, crabcakes, swordfish steaks and even humble fish sticks could be little more than a fond memory” (WashPost)Read more…

    So I may not be having any big sushi parties any more at my house, like this one.  Daniel and Beate were our sushi chefs extraordinaire, and amazingly, they created this entire feast for 21 people, in my tiny little kitchen.  I hope we can do it again before too long you guys!!!  Love ya’ all

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    Can you believe they made enough sushi to feed this motley crew?  And that my house held this many people!!??

    I find these cultural shifts in tastes and trends fascinating.  Last year there was an excellent series of reports in the Chicago Tribune called “China’s Great Grab” about how China’s exploding appetite for natural resources is reshaping the the world.  In one feature, “Your Cheap Sweaters Real Cost“, we learn that America’s desire for cashmere has increased exponentially in the past 10 years.  The effect of this cashmere demand has produced dust storms that travel to the United States.  In fact some estimates say that up to 60% of the dust in Los Angeles originated in China from high heeled goats with “stiletto like” hooves, trampling the land:

    The country’s enormous herds of cashmere-producing goats have slashed the price of sweaters. But they also have helped graze Chinese grasslands down to a moonscape, unleashing some of the worst dust storms on record. This in turn fuels a plume of pollution heavy enough to reach the skies over North America.  

    cashmerewinds

  • Weekend PhotoVlog

    Best of the rest…

    Claudio’s brother Cris and his wife Valesca are visiting with their two kids Victor & Isabella, so we drove up to Santa Barbara to meet up with Eva (who just returned from Bine’s wedding) and Bassam.  It was a rare rainy day in Southern California, and at first the kids were a little hesitant on the beach.  But soon, the clouds dissipated and it ended up being a gorgeous day!

    Soundtrack courtesy of Vienna Teng.
    Song:  Lullaby for a Stormy Night from the album Waking Hour.  Check it out on iTunes!

    Little child, be not afraid
    The rain pounds harsh against the glass
    Like an unwanted stranger
    There is no danger
    I am here tonight

    Little child
    Be not afraid
    Though thunder explodes
    And lightning flash
    Illuminates your tearstained face
    I am here tonight

    And someday you’ll know
    That nature is so
    This same rain that draws you near me
    Falls on rivers and land
    And forests and sand
    Makes the beautiful world that you see
    In the morning

    Little child
    Be not afraid
    The storm clouds mask your beloved moon
    And its candlelight beams
    Still keep pleasant dreams
    I am here tonight

    Little child
    Be not afraid
    The wind makes creatures of our trees
    And the branches to hands
    They’re not real, understand
    And I am here tonight

    And someday you’ll know
    That nature is so
    This same rain that draws you near me
    Falls on rivers and land
    And forest and sand
    Makes the beautiful world that you see
    In the morning

    For you know, once even I
    Was a little child
    And I was afraid
    But a gentle someone always came
    To dry all my tears
    Trade sweet sleep for fears
    And to give a kiss goodnight

    Well, now I am grown
    And these days have shown
    Rain’s a part of how life goes
    But it’s dark and it’s late
    So I’ll hold you and wait
    ’til your frightened eyes do close

    And I hope that you’ll know
    That nature is so
    This same rain that draws you near me
    Falls on rivers and land
    And forests and sand
    Makes the beautiful world that you see
    In the morning

    Everything’s fine in the morning
    The rain will be gone in the morning
    But I’ll still be here in the morning



    Couldn’t resist this

  • A Hymn To Her (and Him I Guess ;-)

     

     
    And she will always carry on, something is lost but something is found.
    They will keep on speaking her name, something’s change, some stay the same.
    The above video doesn’t work on all versions of Firefox, so if it doesn’t play, try Internet Explorer or click here.
     
    Regular readers of this space know my friend Sabine, or Bine for short.  You know about her resilience, her charm and her joie de vivre.  You might also remember what a tough time she had last year at Virginia Tech.  You know that her inimitable style and always positive attitude have gotten her, and indeed our entire group of friends, through the best and the worst of times.  She is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise polluted world.  She approaches everything she does with passion and fervor, and is the glue that bonds our international family of friends together.  

    What you may not know however, is that she is my wife!  Yes, it’s true.  We were married in a small civil ceremony in Italy on August 19, 2000.    The ceremony was officiated by the great great grandniece of the Red Baron.  Her name was Baroness Andrea Von Richthofen (no kidding!).  Mick was the maid of honor, Miggl the best man and Eva the flower girl.  Now, some background:

    I met Sabine at Marcelo’s house in Piracicaba Brazil in 1997.  That Christmas many people had converged on Marcelo’s family home; both friends of Marcelo (like me) and friends of his sister Adriana.  Many of us did not know each other, but we all soon became great friends, and began our tradition of traveling together for New Year’s each year.  I was “homeless” at the time, traveling the world with my job, all expenses paid.  One day, we were all sitting by the pool in the backyard eating mangoes, and I was telling this assembled group of new friends my life story.  At the end, Sabine said, “Honey, I should marry you.  What a great life you have!”  To which I responded, “Honey, the only way I would ever marry you, is if we were in Florence Italy, at San Miniato at sunset, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio!”  We all laughed.

    Well, as luck would have it, wouldn’t you know that three years later we all found ourselves in Florence, Italy at San Miniato at sunset, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.  Our friends had bought some truly rinky dink rings on that same famous bridge earlier that day, and as the sun sank into the horizon, we said our “vows“.

    weddparty
     
    LOL, so there you have it.  The story of my phony wedding in Italy.  Today, Sabine, the two timing tramp, got married to Alan.  In all honesty though, I can’t say that I’ve been entirely faithful in this marriage.   So here’s to you Bine, on your wedding day.  I wish I could be there with you in Denmark to celebrate, but as you know I’m in Orlando all next week on business.  I know that you will have a wonderful day.  You always do.  You il always carry on, and I will always love you.  GLY! xoxo
     
  • Got Crabs?

    I’m a total wuss when it comes to anything remotely athletic or dirty as this video will attest.  We did have a great time, and though the crabs weren’t really biting, the dinner was delicious!


    Not quite heaven, but you get the idea!


    Talk about a fish out of water!


    Are my hands going to smell?


    Eva could beat me in anything.  LOL


    This little seal kept eyeing us (or was it the Loch Ness monster??)


    Taylor made a surprise visit this morning.  I stood on a rock to prove I was still taller than him. 


    New friends Jay & Darlene!


    Astoria, Oregon

    Click the pic for best of the rest.

  • Cheesy Anniversary

    We celebrated Christine & Drew’s 7th Anniversary today with a trip to the Tillamook Cheese factory; the most romantic cheese factory on the Oregon coast.  LOL.  A fun time was had by all!  Lunch at the Pelican Brewery followed by sunset with Eva & Yolanda who had since arrived at the beach house.  Talking and laughing into the wee hours again.  Good times.


    Click the photo above for the rest of the pictures.

  • Connected in Cannon

    Good news!  The Front Desk clerk at the Blue Gull Inn which is across the street from the house we’re staying in succumbed to my flirtations and gave me their Wi-Fi password!  So we’re wired this weekend.  Here’s the first batch of photos.  Sunset was gorgeous.  Eva & Yolanda arrive tomorrow along with some other friends.  Should be a nice relaxing weekend.  My friends Todd & Laura, whose house we’re staying in, are the absolute greatest people in the world.  Their home is beautiful, and 1/2 a block from the beach.  Thank you guys SO much.  This is really a treat.  GLY!!


    Our home away from home for the next few days!


    We can see Haystack Rock (third tallest monolith in the world) from our living room!


    Footprints in the sand, courtesy of Marcelo.


    Old friends!


    Drew & Carey


    I always get nice silhouette pictures of Drew!  The weather was nicer today though than in November!


    Livin’ it up at The Hotel ToddLaurafornia!


    Click the photo above if you want to see the rest!

  • Information Underload

     
    I woke up today feeling much better.  Let’s hope this nasty flu has just about run its course.  I do need sleep however, and seeing how it’s 4 AM, I’ll make this short.  The flight to Portland (PDX) was uneventful.  Smooth trip to the airport, no delays and a gorgeous sunset over Mt. Shasta (photos below).  Christine & Drew arrived about 45 minutes before I did, and Marcelo & Emily were already at the airport to pick them up, so they all met me, with bells on.    We’re having a mini GLY reunion this week.  Eva arrives tomorrow.  In the morning we’ll head to Cannon Beach where we’ve rented a beach house from Todd & Laura thru Sunday.  Should be nice and relaxing.  One thing I just found out however is the beach house doesn’t have Internet!  HORRORS!!  LOL   I’m sure I’ll figure something out, but if you don’t hear from me by Monday, send a search party to the below address.  I’ll likely have died of information underload.  Have a good weekend everyone!


    Mt. Shasta peaking thru the clouds.




    Emily the blur is saying Christine is 7 months pregnant!