A Rum Runner Christmas!

Cocaine Princess here.

Back in October Valentina and I made plans to celebrate Christmas in Cartagena but she changed her mind and decided to relocate the plans someplace else. My flight was scheduled to take off early on December 24th at 6am. It was after midnight on the 24th and the high winds had knocked out the power but this time there was no need for flashlights. We had the reactor lights in place giving us the much needed light. I kept looking out the window making sure the weather wasn't getting any worse. Another storm was heading our way and I was hoping to be long gone before its' arrival and not get stranded on the way to the airport. Luckily an hour before I left the power returned.

My flight landed by lunch. Stepping out of the plane and making my way down the portable stairs I was not only assaulted by the dry and burning sun (a welcome change from the frigid weather I left behind) but by Valentina who was waiting for me with her arms wide open at the bottom. She gave me the biggest and longest embrace probably on record and kept on saying over and over, 'oh My God, oh my God! You're here, you're here! I've missed you so much!' She put her hands around my waist.'You've gotten thin.' 'Thank you,' I replied. 'Daddy's waiting back at the villa and can't wait to see you.'

At the villa I received an even longer embrace by Valentina's daddy. Then Valentina decided to sandwich herself in by squeezing in between the two of us.

Valentina's bedroom was right across from mine. After changing my clothes and trying to pick which stilettos to wear Valentina came into my room holding a Collins glass. 'Look what I have for you,' she said in a sing-songish voice, 'and before you say no there's only a smidgen of alcohol in here. 'I leaned in and took a whiff. 'Oh God it's loaded with nothing but alcohol.' 'Well of course it's a Rum Runner, our customary Christmas Eve drink.' I looked at the clock. 'It's not Christmas Eve. It's only Christmas Eve afternoonish,' I replied. 'It's Christmas Eve somewhere in the world. Please have a drink....Please, please, please for me?' 'I want to be wide awake during this trip and not asleep,' I explained. 'One teensy tiny sip for good luck and I'll drink the rest,' she said putting the drink in my hands. I took only half of a teensy tiny sip. Mmm, it was good. I handed the drink back to Valentina who was more than glad to finish it. She asked, 'you ready to hit the town?' 'I am but there's something I want to do first,' I replied.

And what was that one thing? I went out back and sunk my feet deep in the sand while letting the sun hit me in every direction.

In town we were accompanied by Semper-Fi and a few others. The downtown area was bustling. A cruise ship had docked and was swarming with tourists who were all dressed in standard tourist uniforms:

Knee length shorts
Cruise ship logo t-shirts
Sun visors
Fanny packs
Birkenstock sandals with socks
Cameras around their necks

All were busy watching the posada procession, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Teens were dressed as Mary and Joseph with a few shepherds following behind and one was wearing Nikes. They went from store to store seeking refuge only to be rejected. And in the middle of all this was some guy handing out flyer's to everyone advertising happy hour at one of the local night spots. Everyone including the locals seemed pretty interested in the posada all except for one. 'Look at them (tourists),' Valentina said. 'It's almost as if they're dying to find out the ending. It's the same ending as always. Mary and Joseph find a place for the night and then all the angels sing glory-hallelujah. End of the story. Like there's going to be a different ending?' 'Maybe they've never witnessed this before,' I commented. 'They've never seen a nativity pageant?' 'Sometimes it's a different experience when you observe it in another country,' I said. I was about to take a picture but Valentina put her hand out in front. 'Don't waste your memory stick on this. Come on let's go,' she said taking my hand. 'The jewelry stores are waiting for us.' It felt so incredibly good walking around the cobblestone sidewalks in heels and shorts instead of wearing a heavy coat and winter boots.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Dinner on Christmas Eve was served on the lanai. The table was elaborately decorated with a feast fit for the Gods. We hadn't even started eating yet and Valentina was already halfway through her 2nd Rum Runner. Mine was still full. You haven't touched Senor Rum,' stated Valentina. 'Before this night is over I promise I will drink our traditional Christmas Eve drink,' I replied. 'You're not just saying that are you? You're not going to dump it in a potted plant and and say you drank it all?' she questioned. I giggled because she actually once caught me red handed doing that. We were still waiting on daddy, he was inside on the phone. 'Leave it to the fat, balding Panamanian to call on Christmas Eve, and leave it to daddy to take the call,' she complained. I was curious and asked how she knew who he was talking to? 'I was walking by when he took the call and I heard him say his name,' she answered taking another drink. 'You just happened to be walking by?' 'I can't help it if my timing is perfect.' 'Is the Panamanian still married to that smoking hottie?' I questioned. 'So far but he needs to be seeing another woman by the name of Jenny Craig.' And then made this remark. 'The guy sweats bacon grease.' Valentina pointed her finger to my drink and demanded, 'drink up.' 'Let me get some food inside of me and then I'll start,' I said. 'Just so you know I plan to watch you drink every last drop,' she commented. While waiting I wanted to know why she nixed Christmas in Cartagena? 'Two words, BUG LADY. She's holding a dinner party on Sandbox Island right now as we speak. Cartagena is a 15 minute flight to the island so what possible reason could we have come up with in not wanting to go? Where would you rather be, here or there?' 'Here of course,' I replied. 'If we had gone we'd be sitting indoors listening to a violinist and a harp player and you would have probably fainted or gotten a serious sinus infection from Bug Lady's perfume.' Valentina continued. 'Did you know 'L' is there at the party and all 3 wives of the brothers?' I nodded yes. 'You spoke to her?' 'A week ago,' I responded. 'And did she mention who else was going to be there because she told me. After all the host is the one who hired 'L' to plan the party again-...' I cut her off before she could say another word. 'I know where this conversation is heading Valentina and it's a conversation I'm not interested in having, ever.' 'Then take a drink,' she demanded again, 'otherwise I'm going to reopen the forbidden topic.' I picked up my glass. 'And no old biddy type sips. Take a full drink.' 'And so I did. And as I did she snuck a little something in. 'In case you're wondering he declined the invitation.' 'You just couldn't resist could you?' I asked setting my drink down. Instead of answering she said, 'daddy!' I looked back. I thought she was faking. She wasn't. Before daddy sat down he made a little toast. 'To my favorite girls. Nothing but the best for you both. I love you. Salud'. 'Salud!' all three of us said clinking our glasses. 'Daddy what is it that you want for Christmas?' Valentina asked. His reply? 'Lo único que quiero en este mundo es ver a mis muchachas felices y sanas.'

ESPECIALLY 4 U

Dessert time was extra special. Even though there was every type of pastry imaginable that would even awaken Marie Antoinette from her grave I was told something extra special was being brought out for me. Valentina couldn't stop smiling. 'You're going to love it princess,' she said. One of the cooks came out with a silver dessert tray, placed it in front of me and removed the lid. There was a rectangular shaped plate and on top of it a slice of chocolate cheesecake. 'Especially 4 U,' said Valentina. I picked up my dessert fork and when I took a bite my palate could not believe it. 'Is this what I think it is?' I asked her. 'Your favorite chocolate ganache cheesecake? Yes,' she answered. 'Daddy had the cake flown in just for you. It arrived this morning. And don't worry there's plenty more where that came from. The freezer is fully stocked.' I looked over at him. He gave me a loving smile and a wink as I got up to hug him.

The blessed skies and their diamonds were dazzling brightly above us, the ocean waves were crashing on the shoreline and because we were on the Pacific side a cool and tender breeze hit our faces. It was the perfect tropical Christmas Eve night.

Afterward me and Valentina spent the rest of the night on the beach lying in the hammock talking and drinking Rum Runners. I was finishing the one from dinner while Valentina was finishing number 3.

'There's been something I've been meaning to ask you.' 'And that is?' I asked back. 'What the hell is going on in that neighborhood of yours? A cookie exchange party?' I began to laugh and explained, 'it's not uncommon. People apparently do it all the time.' 'Where? In the land of Mary Poppins?' she replied back. 'Cookie exchange parties....U.Station....You getting sick with the chicken pox....missing out on our Fall trip....traffic court....It's a good thing you came out when you did. This trip was an absolute necessity for you.' 'I know,' I said agreeing with her.' 'You really needed this trip to get your groove back.' 'You think I've lost my groove?' I questioned. She looked right at me and nodded no. 'I can tell by just looking at you, you haven't lost it. How can you when it's embedded into your DNA. But you know that person who lives with you.....' 'I take it you're referring to my sister.' 'Look until a blood test proves otherwise I'm going to call her that person who lives with you.' 'What happened to calling her S.A.B.S?' 'That person who lives with you sounds much better.' 'What about 'A'?' 'Isn't her broken bone healed and if not why is it taking so long?' 'It has healed,' I said. 'Then why isn't she back at work?' 'She'll be returning back in the New Year, Valentina.' 'When in the New Year, like January?' 'Yes in January,' I replied. Valentina looked up and mouthed the words thank you. 'Now she won't be hanging around you 24/7. I sometimes think she's trying to steer you away from all this.' 'No Valentina, why would she? A is who she is and I am who I am. That was established long ago, so no worries,' I assured her. 'You promise?' 'Yes I promise.' 'And you swear it?' 'Yes I swear it.'

We continued talking into the wee hours of the night and reminisced about past Christmases. When the two of us were little we would stay up late on Christmas Eve determined to catch Santa in the act. We never did because we would always fall asleep although one year Santa's hat was left behind. As we got older the tradition somehow shifted from waiting up for Santa to drinking rum.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

All the presents were nestled by the poolside Christmas tree with care....

As Valentina and I were opening our gifts my head was spinning and I was feeling a little drowsy. Soon after stepping off the plane I had gone into town, came back, had Christmas Eve dinner and stayed up practically all night drinking and talking so I believed that must have been the reason for feeling the way I did. I was drinking a delicious smoothie. It was a blend of strawberries, bananas and pineapples. As delicious as it was it had a peculiar zingy taste to it. 'Valentina take a drink from this,' I said. 'There's a flavor in here I can't make out.' 'I don't have to taste it. I can tell you right now what it is. You're tasting the tequila,' she said calmly. 'Oh, okay. Wait, what?!' I exclaimed. 'Tequila,' she repeated. 'I told the chef to add a little bit in.' 'Why?!' I asked putting the drink to one side. 'It's our winter vay-cay princess. The New Year is almost here and you need to get yourself in a party frame of mind,' she explained. 'Keep spiking my drinks and I'll be in an unconscious frame of mind,' I warned her.

December 29th 2008

For the past 4 straight nights we have been partying in that neighboring and boisterous town. The same town The Red Rocker himself loves so much he even wrote a little song about it. We didn't get in until 5am this morning. I don't know what the name of the drink was I had a few hours ago, what I do know it was a swirly mixture of pretty colors and its' taste was highly corrosive. Because of it my throat is sore and my voice is hoarse. And the worst, it failed to put me to sleep. I'm wide awake. I haven't slept a wink yet. Valentina is still asleep. I showered and changed and I'm on the beach deck having a smoothie (alcohol free) while blogging. There's nothing like taking a trip that can help nourish and balance your soul. At some point we all need to break away from the daily routine of life and have some fun.

The New Year is almost here. It's a time where some of us quietly contemplate the many possibilities ahead and maybe even think of a resolution or two. A time where we spend more time than usual with our loved ones. A time that helps us set a new course. A chance to start fresh.

We all can look forward to promising and new opportunities. We see clearly the challenges that must be faced with strength of character. The kind of character that knows how to be civil and knows how to use important words like 'Thanks,' 'Sorry,' 'Can I help?'

We know that there's not a problem that can't be solved by being calm and rational.

We know that peacekeeping is more important than war.

We know that being open-minded and understanding is better than being confrontational and argumentative. (Well sometimes)

We know there are always two sides to every story.

And if some of us are still feeling lost in the New Year just know there are signs everywhere (if you are willing to look) to help us find our way. And sure enough you will be led into the mystery of your own heart where all the answers to your questions lye. (You just have to be willing to listen)

My loyal and dear readers have a Happy, Happy New Year!!

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

The Cookie Buffet

Cocaine Princess here.

On Friday a wicked blizzard came roaring in and we felt its' wrath. It was nasty and was suppose to have lasted for two days.

Yes we received a pounding. Yes we received a beating left, right and center. Yes there was zero visibility for hours but there was light at the end of the tunnel. By late Friday evening time the snow began to taper off and that was the end of the storm. If you could have only heard what some of the forecasters were saying you would think we weren't going to make it out alive. The weather remains cold, so cold there's a cruel bite to it.

Our Christmas display decoration in the front yard are totally swallowed in by the snow and can't be seen. I don't think we'll be seeing any of them again until the snow begins to thaw.

On Saturday the roads were clear as was the sky. Early morning all you could hear was the sound of snow blowers in unison. I had been told the driveway was completely clear and was on my way out when Mr. Plow Man drove down the street leaving a pile of snow in front of every one's driveway and delaying my evening plans. I ask, why does Mr. Plow Man do this at the most inconvenient time?

Sunday December 21

Sunday afternoon we had something called a 'Cookie Exchange Party.' A party I had never attended. Forget that! I had never heard of one and if it wasn't for the fact it was held at our house I would have never known such a thing existed. Moms from the neighborhood with their children came over with their cookies and recipes. I asked my sister a couple of questions and no, this wasn't one of those 'pestering my sister with questions on purpose moments.' This was for real. I had serious questions beginning with, 'what exactly occurs at a cookie exchange party?' I was in the family room watching The Lost Boys: The Tribe. (I've watched some pretty bad films but this was the most dreadful sequel to a movie I have ever watched) 'The title isn't self explanatory?' she asked back. 'Is it just cookies?' 'Yes darling otherwise it would be called 'Cookies and Something Else Exchange Party,' she replied. 'No that's not what I meant. I mean are there only cookie exchange parties or are there recipe parties for other type of foods? Like is there a chicken exchange party where people exchange chicken dish recipes.' 'Probably.' I went back to watching the disastrous movie for about five minutes until I thought of some more questions. 'I still don't understand the 'party' aspect of it. They're exchanging recipes. They can't do it over the phone or do an online search of different recipes and send it in one mass email?' I questioned. 'They could.' 'So then why throw a party?' 'Why do some of your friends throw parties?' 'All sorts of reasons. Birthdays for one,' I answered. 'Don't some of them throw parties for no reason at all? I recall asking you once and you said, 'no reason, just because.' 'That particular party was a get together. It had been months since any of us had seen each other,' I explained. 'This is the same thing. It's a chance for them to get together, talk and catch up on things before the holidays.' 'All while exchanging recipes and sampling cookies,' I said. 'You say that like there's something sinister about the whole thing.' 'Who came up with the idea?' 'One of the moms read it in a parenting magazine.' 'How long has this exchanging of recipes been going on?' '3 or four years,' she responded. '3 or 4 years?' I repeated. I was shocked to learn this odd custom of exchanging cookies was a yearly event. 'So there was one last year?' 'That would be correct darling.' 'Where was I?' 'Last year it was held in November. You were in the islands.' I thought back to last year and said, 'oh yeah I was. Why is it in December this year?' 'Everyone agreed on holding it on the winter solstice and then the invitations were sent,' she replied. 'Invitations? I had no idea so much planning was involved. How long ago was it planned?' 'Mid October,' she answered. 'Whose idea was it to hold it here at the house?' 'One of them called and asked. I said yes.' 'Is that why you told me to eat a cookie the other night?' I suspiciously asked. 'Yes darling. I was trying to find a way to break the news to you gently. You're going to have an enjoyable time, you'll see.' 'Like at U. Station,' I said quietly to myself. 'I heard that,' A said back.

There was an hour remaining until the exchanging of cookies was about to begin so I did a little redecorating before I got ready. And by redecorating, I put the remote out of sight since the two Hannah Montana fanatic girls were on the invite list.

The Cookie Buffet

And so the ringing of the door bell began. It was almost like Halloween but instead of giving out sweet treats the sweet treats were given to us. Moms came with their kids and all the kids looked like mini mummies with layers and layers of scarves around their faces. Once unwrapped they all shined in their Christmas clothes. Many familiar faces. Each brought a container filled with cookies and Christmas gifts for 'A.'



Everybody's cookies were placed on the kitchen table and along the counter tops. It was more or less like a cookie buffet with all the moms and their cookie monsters in line tasting cookies and oohing and ahhing the moment the delights touched their mouths. Just looking at them I could feel my arteries clogging up. I tasted a few. They were scrumptious, yummy, creative and some were too pretty too eat. My personal picks, the coconut lime cookies sprinkled with edible glitter and the chocolate pecan cheesecake cookies in the shape of ornaments. I tried getting a picture of those along with some others but they were all devoured in minutes.

The Return Of Froggie

Another familiar guest was invited, Froggie.

'Froggie my man I haven't seen you since Halloween,' I stated. 'I was eating an Aero and you said I was a cute frog but I was an evil frog,' he said. 'You have a great memory. Did you write your letter to Santa?' 'I faxed him my list a month ago.' 'He's got a fax number? How modern.' 'And I faxed him another letter.' 'More gifts?' No I had a question. I wanted to know what Rudolph and the other reindeer do in the off season?' 'Did he reply back.' 'No but the missus did. She wrote they have a summer home where the reindeer and all the elves stay. But the place is a secret,' he whispered. '

Guess What? You Know What?

Even though napkins and festive shaped plates were provided sticky little hand prints managed to still make their way around the house courtesy of the strawberry jelly-jam filled cookie sandwiches, including on both my arms. The little ones kept grabbing on to me saying, 'guess what, guess what?! or 'you know what?!' Some of the things I was told,

1. 'Guess what? I'm leaving Santa a ham sandwich and soy milk under the tree,' one little girl told me. 'He likes that instead of regular milk and cookies?' I asked. 'Uh-huh. Last time I did and he left me the toys I wanted.'

2. 'You know what? I lost a tooth. See?' A little boy opened his mouth and his front tooth was gone. 'Did you leave it for the tooth fairy and get money?' 'Yup,' he replied.

3. 'Guess what? I saw The Tale of Despereaux Mouse,' said another little girl. 'You did? And did you like it?' I questioned. I was expecting a yes or no answer. Instead what did I receive? A full synopsis of the film from beginning to end and in between the little one acted some scenes out.

4. 'You know what? I'm going to Mount Tremble for Christmas,' a little boy all excitedly told me. 'Mount Tremble?...Mount Tremble?...Mount Tremble?....Where is that?' I curiously asked. 'K-bec,' (Quebec) he answered. 'Oh you mean Mont-Tremblant.' 'Yeah that's what I said, Mount Tremble. Grandma has a condo and we're staying with her,' he explained. 'So you'll be skiing during the holidays. How fun is that going to be?' 'I don't like skiing. I like sledding more,' he replied.

And even froggie joined in.

5. 'Guess what I have a new joke. What did the dentist enjoy best about his road trip?' I thought about this one and gave a bunch of answers. They were all incorrect. 'Tell me,' I requested. 'The bridge work,' he replied. 'That's funny,' I said smiling. Your nonna tell you that joke?' He nodded his head. 'She has a book full of them. You get it?' 'I do. Do you?' I asked back. 'No but nonna said it was funny.'

As everyone continued consuming the sugary and buttery samples my sister was opening the gifts that were presented to her. One of the gifts came accompanied with a decorative tin and inside was red and green colored popcorn. It was half empty or half full depending on how you look at it. The little girl who brought this explained to A, 'I tasted some of them because I wanted to make sure they tasted good for you. They did.'

The Cookie Exchange Party came with entertainment. A few brought along holiday DVDs to watch while the moms were busy chatting it up and exchanging recipies. All the children had the animated specials practically memorized. They would say, ' watch what happens next,' or they would follow along word for word except for one, Froggie's holiday choice. Keep reading for his holiday DVD selection.

Here's what we watched.

A Charlie Brown Christmas


A Simpsons Christmas:
Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire

Shrek The Halls


Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Froggie's choice:

Rich Little's Christmas Carol

I had never seen this special before. It's quite funny. Because of some of the jokes and Rich Little impersonating different and famous people I had to question Froggie's mama if her son understood any of it. She answered, 'not really. His nonna is a Rich Little fan and during this time of year they watch it together which is at least a 100 times.'

My loyal readers, love, peace and happiness.

May the magic of the season touch you in a kind and positive way.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

XOXOXOXO
Cocaine Princess
XOXOXOXO

Giddy Up It's Nyquil Time!

Cocaine Princess here.

For the past couple of days I've been feeling a little under the weather. A stuffed up nose, watery eyes and a little cough. I picked up a bottle of the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, achy, stuffy head so you can rest medicine. It comes attached with a little plastic shot glass. I had one shot early in the evening. I was on the phone with Valentina and cut the conversation short. The cherry flavored syrup began to take effect. I told 'A' I was heading up to bed. It was only 8 o'clock.

I woke up in the middle of the night. The wind was howling
mad. I turned on my side to see the time but couldn't see the green neon numbers. Did the remedy for my cold cause a sudden and severe case of night blindness? Or did I move the alarm clock and not remember? When the lights wouldn't turn on I peaked through the blinds. The entire street was pitch black.

In the dark I cautiously went down the stairs, made my way into the kitchen and opened up every drawer while feeling around for a flashlight. (Not too long ago we bought a dozen reactor lights. You keep them plugged in the outlets and automatically they'll turn on when the electricity goes. Had we bothered taking them out of the package, I wouldn't have been walking around the house with a flashlight). I go into the family room and honest to God this is what I did. I picked up the remote to turn on the TV. It wouldn't turn on. I assumed the batteries were dead. I pointed the flashlight towards the TV looking for the power button when a little bell went off in my head. 'What's wrong with me?' I said out loud. 'If the power is off the TV is not going to work.'

I returned back upstairs. Quietly opening A's door and tip toeing inside I stood by the side of her bed shining the flashlight in her face. I did this for several minutes believing she would wake up. When she didn't I nudged her a little. 'A' opened her eyes and then quickly shut them. 'Is there a black out?' she asked. 'How did you know?' I asked back. 'Unless you're training to be a cat burglar the flashlight gave it away. Do you know the time?' 'No,' I replied. My sister leaned over to the other side and grabbed her wrist watch from the nightstand and put it in front of her face.' 3:30,' I said looking at it. 'I can hear the wind, how bad is it outside?' With the flashlight in my hand I looked out the window. 'The snow is coming down hard,' I answered. 'I see your medicine has worn off. Did you get any sleep?' she then asked. 'Almost a full 8 hours. I don't feel sick anymore. That medicine really lives up to its' name,' I responded. 'How did you sleep?' 'I was in a deep slumber until you woke me.' 'I did no such thing. I merely nudged you so you couldn't have been in a deep slumber.' 'Are you not at all tired?' she questioned, 'Nope,' I answered. 'What are you going to do now?' 'There's not much I can do. Although I am craving for something sugary.' 'Still?' 'What do you mean still? I never did have a chance to take care of it.' 'Have a cookie,' she suggested. 'Nah. I'm in the mood for a chocolate cupcake with pink frosting.' 'Tim Horton's is open 24 hours.' 'Don't you think they're affected by the black out too?' I questioned. 'Try calling them up and if they are open you can strap on a pair of skis,' she answered before falling back to sleep.

The power decided to make a comeback at 5am. We're not out of the clear. Another big storm is set to punch through this weekend with the added pleasure of ice pellets.

I'm all snugly on the couch with my feet up and the fireplace is crack-a-lacking. There is no satellite reception but I have a stack full of unwatched DVDs.

ONE DAY EARLIER

I had one very essential Christmas present to buy.

Since the last week of November I have been going to various holiday parties. I attended a dinner party thrown by a couple I am close friends with. They have a little daughter who I refer to as a little lamb.

I call her a little lamb because whenever they visit or if I visit them she follows me around like a lost little lamb and will do whatever I do. If I sit with my legs crossed, she will try to do the same but has trouble because her legs are plump and short. If I casually brush my hair away from my eyes or something she will too. It's cute. I questioned little lamb's mama what I should buy the little lamb for Christmas. I was told all she had been asking for was Little Tykes Giddy Up Horse and visited nearly every mall Santa asking for it.

Little did I know the degree of difficulty I would have finding this particular item.

I went to where else? Toys 'R' Us. They were sold out. I went to three others, sold out.

I wasn't panicking. There were plenty of other stores I had yet to visit so off to the mall I went.

The mall is anchored by 3 major department stores. I believed one of them would have it on their shelves. And did they? No of course not. Sold out. Sold out. Sold out. At each department store I approached the customer service counter and asked if it was possible for them to check their other locations in and around the city. Two of the three stores didn't have any left and the third, the customer service lady was on hold for so long that in the amount of time I waited I could have driven there to find the answer. While I was waiting 'A' called to see how the shopping was coming along. I filled her in on my pony dilemma. 'What am I going to do?' I said to her. 'I keep coming up empty handed. Am I going to have to go on the black market to find it?' 'Perhaps darling,' she replied. 'Why don't you make a little stop a U. Station. You're convinced human organs are being bought and sold so maybe cooler guy's best friend sells hot ticketed Christmas toys.' I put the phone away from my ear, took a deep breath and said, 'not funny. You're not helping.' 'I was only kidding. Look, don't worry. We'll figure something out and everything will be fine,' she assured me. Before I left the house I checked a couple of online shopping websites. The ones that were selling the pony weren't offering international shipping. Waiting at customer service someone ultimately took the call at the other end. Like everywhere else, GONE! It wasn't until little lamb's innocent face kept popping in my head I started to panic. Her mama informed me lamb chop had already picked out a name for the pony and even dictated a Thank You note for Santa to be left under the tree on Christmas Eve. I was convinced I was single handily going to be responsible for not only breaking a little girl's heart but ruining Christmas all together. There I was at the mall and for the first time not enjoying it. It was at that precise moment I fully began to understand why so many shoppers this time of year are so frustrated and cranky. I suppose I was to blame. Had I planned this better I would have realized what a popular item it was and bought it early. Leaving the mall feeling oh so yucky, on the corner beside the Hickory Farms stand a confectionery store opened up just for the holidays. I went in for two reasons.

Flake and Whacamacallit. They're two of my favorite chocolate bars that are next to impossible to find here until December rolls around.

On the way home I stopped in at the local drug store to pick some medicine for my cold. I walk towards the cold and flu aisle and there must have been some type of spill moments before I arrived because a worker was mopping up the mess. I was forced to go around the other way and when I did what did my eyes happen to see? Little Tykes Giddy Up Horse! It was on display right beside the enormous dancing Frosty The Snowman.

I don't believe in coincidence. I believe things always happen for a reason.

If it wasn't for my cold there would have been no reason for me to go inside the drug store.
If it wasn't for the spill on the floor I would have missed seeing the pony.

And to think all this time the very thing I've been looking for was right under my nose.

It's Friday! I'm off to take part in a couple more holiday festivities later on.

My loyal readers have a great weekend.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

DEER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Before you enter my neighborhood there are deer crossing signs posted along the road. The area is surrounded by a forest so it isn't uncommon to see a deer where I live especially this time of year. Once every so often they'll come onto the road. Residents have learned not to honk their horns because it doesn't scare them off. Instead they just stand in the middle of the road blocking traffic and taking their time to move away. When I came out of the house on Wednesday one of my neighbors alerted me about them. 'They're out and about,' she said. When I went to look they were over a dozen of us. I was able to snap a shot. They were staring right in our direction. See all the snow?

"Salt In The Rainbow"

Cocaine Princess here

It's been an active and exhausting last couple of days. With the holidays just around the corner I've been in the malls trying to check everything off my Christmas list. I was for certain if I went in the early morning during the weekdays there would be no shoving or pushing. I was wrong.

And so many different holiday parties, one right after the other and so many of them fell on the same day. I had the difficult task of choosing which ones to attend and which ones to politely turn down.

What else did I do last week? Let me see if I can remember.....Hmm, I recall making a trip into the city. Why? To see Duran Duran my favorite band in the world !!

The hours leading up to the concert was something I wasn't expecting nor can I ever forget. Even if I wanted to forget I wouldn't be able to.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 9th 2008

I had plans to stay in the city for a few days so A and I could settle in and relax before and after the concert but she wasn't in the mood to do any of that. She wanted to go into the city and return straight home after the concert.

'I'm only thinking of you. You really want to be waiting and hobbling around the city with a cane?' I asked in the car. 'I'll be fine. Don't worry about me,' she replied.

We arrived in the city by mid afternoon and were told ahead of time our tickets would be handed to us during check in time. I was hoping to get them early. I was anxious to see where our seats would be. I was only assured of one thing, the seats we had bought were within the first 3 rows.

I'm an open minded individual. I'm more than willing to try anything (within reason) once. I don't want there to be that moment in my life where I look back and say, 'I wish I had done or said that.' Keeping that in my mind, visiting one of the 7 circles of hell wasn't something I wanted to do but that is exactly where my sister had taken me. She took me to U. Station, the city's major inter-city rail station which is connected right to the ACC.

Within mere seconds of stepping inside the floor beneath us began to rumble and out of nowhere a village of people came running through as if there were about to be attacked. 'Oh my God what's happening, why are these people running?' I asked. 'To catch the train,' A answered.

It would be a lie to say the people were running. How can I best describe it? In the Olympics there is an event where athletes run and leap over hurdles. That accurately describes what I witnessed.

Having a couple of hours to kill we decided to grab a bite. To no surprise there were no sit down type of restaurants, only fast food counters. I first made sure the place we bought our food from had a big green check mark sticker from the health department. What came next? Looking for a place to sit since none of the 'restaurants' came equipped with tables or chairs, instead groups of chairs attached to one another where people sat waiting for the train. 'By the time we find a place to sit my fries and mcnuggets will be cold and soggy,' I commented. The universe must have been shining down on us that day because we saw 2 people gathering their things to leave and thank God otherwise we would have been forced to stand and eat like what so many others were doing.

I opened up my paper bag, all my fries had spilled inside. I took out another little bag containing my mcnuggets and said 'eww!' 'What's wrong?' questioned A. I told her to look down on the floor. Right near my left shoe was a creamy colored substance and nearby was a packet of mayonnaise. 'Did you get any on your shoe?' she asked. I looked. 'No. Why would someone do that?' 'I think someone may have accidentally dropped it and stepped on it causing it to splatter.' 'Doesn't this place come with a janitorial staff. Can't they clean it up?' 'If I see someone with a mop I'll make sure to signal them to come over here,' she said back. 'How are your nuggets?' Before I could answer her I had to take a bite....'Lukewarm,' I replied. I looked in the bag again. 'I forgot to ask for sweet and sour sauce,' I said. 'A' looked in her paper bag and pulled out a packet of ketchup. 'I have this. You want it?' I responded yes and held out my palm.

After a few minutes I turned to my sister and asked, 'you know what I'm thinking about?' 'Simon Le Bon,' she answered. 'No,' I replied back. She gave me a doubtful look. 'Okay, okay so I am,' I confessed. 'You know what else I'm thinking? I'm thinking we could be waiting in the comfort of a plushy hotel suite rather than this God forsaken place you brought me to. I ask you, did I do something to make you angry and by bringing me here you're getting revenge?' 'Of course not,' she replied. 'Then why?' I questioned. 'I thought we'd try something a little different,' answered A . 'And this is what you came up with? Wow. I'm impressed. It must have taken you weeks of meticulous planning.' 'It's not all that bad. It's like an airport.' 'Hardly,' I replied back. 'I don't see any duty free shops. Why did you do this to me? What was wrong with staying in a hotel?' 'We stayed in a hotel last time when we saw Madonna.' 'So? Is there some reason we couldn't have done it again? And need I remind you, you didn't have a problem staying in the city during the spring when I took you to see that bird group in concert you like so much. 'The Eagles,' she said. 'Close enough,' I responded. She looked at her watch. 'Just think in a short while you'll be blowing kisses to Simon. Just keep on thinking that.' 'It's much better thinking something like that in a hotel room,' I muttered.

While dining on fine cuisine I was busy observing people. There were so many from all walks of life. People dressed in business attire, briefcase in one hand with a folded newspaper under their arms while staring down at their phone and walking at the same time, shoppers in colorful clothing carrying a bag full of gifts in one hand while pushing a baby stroller in another, students in their hoodies and backpacks and for some reason a lot of musicians holding guitar cases. One individual, a construction worker holding a medium sized cooler kept passing by us every 10 minutes. And of course there were those who were running like there was no tomorrow. 'By the way some people are running I can't tell whether they're running to catch the train or practicing running with the bulls in Pamplona,' I remarked. 'Everyone is in a hurry to go home darling. If they miss their train they may not get another one until an hour or even later,' A explained.

PESTERING TIME

I decided this was a good time as any to pester my sister about the train and came up with a couple of questions.

Me: Can you reserve your choice of seat ahead
of time?'

A: It doesn't work that way.

Me: Are the trains comfortable?

A: Pretty much.

Me: What if you get seated with someone you
don't like? Then what?

A: No one pays attention to that darling.
Everyone is tired, all they can think about is
home and not about who is sitting next
to them.

Me: Is there a first class compartment with extra
wide seats and leg room?

A: It's not that type of train darling.

Me: So the passengers aren't provided with a blanket,
pillow and headsets like on an airplane?

A: No. But some passengers bring along a neck
pillow from home.

Me: Do they air a movie?

A: There are no movies.

Me: What if someone gets on the wrong train?

A: Tough break for them.

Me: Would they be eligible for a refund?

A: I'm not sure.

Me: It's only fair if they do, right?

A: I suppose.

Me: Is there food served on board?

A: As a matter of fact yes. A waiter wearing a
tux and white gloves passes around a menu and
behind him is a bartender with a mobile bar
mixing drinks for everyone.

Me: Now you're just making fun of me.

A: I do it only out of love.

When I couldn't come up with anymore questions I started craving for something sweet and asked 'A' if she brought anything along? She didn't. 'You packed a Snickers in your purse when we went to the courthouse,' I stated. 'If you go around the corner you'll find a convenience store,' she said pointing to the left. 'Will you please bring me back a bottle of juice?' 'What if someone takes my seat?' I asked getting up. 'I'll be sure to stop them with my cane,' she answered. I go around the corner and there was no convenience store. Picture if you can the following:

A woman sitting on a stool with a mini refrigerator filled with an assortment of cold drinks.
In front of her was a fold out table with a rack of candies and chips. Oh and did I mention she was picking the back of her teeth with her pinkie? My day at U. Station kept getting better and better. I didn't buy anything from her. I don't know if there is an 8th circle of hell but I do believe I was staring directly right at it. I walked a little further and was able to find an actual convenience store.

On the way back I noticed all these posters notifying individuals to call a number if they noticed any suspicious behavior. When I returned I told 'A' about the poster. 'Did you see any type of suspicious behavior?' she questioned. 'That guy with the cooler, you know who kept walking by up and down, didn't he look suspicious to you?' I asked back. 'No,' she replied. 'I did. What was his reason for him walking back and forth?' 'It's called pacing darling and he was doing what everyone else does who can't find a seat while waiting to board the train.' I thought about this for a moment and said, 'or maybe inside that little cooler of his are human organs and he's getting ready to sell them to someone who's getting off the train. I bet they agreed to meet here via text message. This is where the exchange is probably taking place.' 'Did you get me my juice?' she asked. 'Did you not hear what I said?' 'Yes I heard you, loud and clear.' 'And?' 'And what?' she replied back. 'People do sell body organs on the black market.' 'First you think people are beaten into admitting things against their will in court and now you believe organs are being sold at U. Station. God forbid I ever take you for a ride on the subway.' 'Don't even joke about something like that. I'm still emotionally scarred from the time you forced me to go to the grocery store.'

This was a totally new experience for me but not for my sister. She not only attended university in the city but for reasons which I'm still not clear on chose to live in a tiny dorm room and rode on the trains and subways. She was familiar with the environment, I wasn't.

FINALLY!

Finally it was time. We checked in and received our tickets, 3rd row center. I was thrilled our seats were in the center and not off to the sides. I wanted to be in direct view of Simon.

There was a private little party for some of us with drinks and appetizers up in the lounge. My sister had a drink. I just had a Coke.

Here is the goody bag we received with a program:


My souvenir concert T-shirt.



In the lounge we were given a chocolate-cookie. Written all over the bottom in red is Duran Duran.



The opening act was a group called 'Your Vegas.' I had never heard of them. I saw them preform a couple of songs from the sky suite but wasn't at all that interested.

The concert began a few minutes before 9pm. I don't have to tell you what a fantastic time I had! Comparing this concert to Madonna, in terms of costume change and theatrics, on a scale of 1-10, Madonna registered way off the charts. She put on a wild, wild show as did Duran Duran but they preformed the show in their own signature style. One thing that was the exact same everybody was on their feet singing word for word. The group sang a combination of new and old songs.

The Set List:

The Valley
Planet Earth
Hungry Like The Wolf

Nite Runner
Notorious
I Don't Want Your Love
Save A Prayer
Red Carpet Massacre

A View To A Kill
Serious/Nice
Falling Down
Come Undone

Is There Something...
The Reflex
Ordinary World
White Lines
(Reach Up For The) Sunrise
Wild Boys

Girls On Film
Rio

THE VALLEY

These are days of hit and run

In the stream with everyone

These are moments of our lives

On a wandering river

Going on together

Many journeys to arrive


I've been walking
Through the valley
Through the tall grass
And the shadows
And I feel it, I can see it, yes I need it,
I believe it

PLANET EARTH

....My head is stuck on something precious
let me know if you're coming down to land


Is there anybody out there trying to get through?
my eyes are so cloudy I can't see you


Look now, look all around, there's no sign of life
voices, another sound, can you hear me now?


Simon asked Nick a question. 'Nick are you hungry?'


Simon then looked to the crowd and asked,
'are any of you hungry?'


Of course everyone knew what he was talking
about.

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF

.....In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Smell like I sound I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the wolf

NITE RUNNER

Nite runner - I think I'm falling for you
Nite runner - your spell has put me under
Nite runner - what you're gonna do with it now ?
Nite runner, nite ah nite runner


(Back up singer Anna)

Can I get my hands on you tonight? (I must be feeling something)
Something tells me I'm in for a ride (I wonder if you see me coming)
Can I get my hands on you tonight? (Tonight has got me running)
Something tells me I'm in for a ride (Right into your nite-time world)

NOTORIOUS

I can't read about it, burns the skin from your eyes
I'll do fine without it here's one you don't compromise

You pay the profits to justify the reasons
I heard you promise but I don't believe it
that's why I'll do it again


No-No-Notorious

I DON'T WANT YOUR LOVE

I don't mind if you're keeping someone else behind
I don't care cuz you've got something I can share


I won't turn you out if you've got someone else,
someone else you care about


The lights went off and the arena was in
total darkness. When the lights came on
Simon appeared on stage with a guitar.


Fans cheered and whistled really loud because
when Simon appears with a guitar we know
what song he is about to sing. The video for this
song is absolutely beautiful and colorful and
Simon did a beautiful job singing it.

SAVE A PRAYER

You saw me standing by the wall corner of a main street
And the lights are flashing on your window sill
All alone ain't much fun so you're looking for the thrill
And you know just what it takes and where to go.


Don't save a prayer for me now. Save it til the morning after
No don't say a prayer for me now. Save it til the morning after



Pretty looking road I try to hold the rising floods that fill my skin
Don't ask me why I'll keep my promise I'll melt the ice
And you wanted to dance so I asked you to dance
but fear is in your soul


Don't say a prayer for me now. Save it til the morning after
No don't say a prayer for me now. Save it til the morning after
Save it til the morning after


Save a prayer til the morning after............


The entire stage lights turned red. The band began
to sing the title song off their new album.

RED CARPET MASSACRE

Red carpet massacre
Don’t want to hassle you
Red carpet massacre

Death stalk papparazzi yeah Red carpet massacre
Don’t want to mess with you


Simon introduced the next set of songs to be preformed
as a medley beginning with a little bond-age. The back
drop image was a poster from a View To A Kill and
playing in the background, the theme to James Bond.

A VIEW TO A KILL

Meeting you with a view to a kill
Face to face in secret places
Feel the chill

SERIOUS

Oh woman you make me feel like I'm on fire
Oh woman you make it real it's the only way for me
So if we sometimes fight doesn't mean we got problems
Ain't always black and white who cares anyway

NICE

Take the beautiful sting of a Scorpio
A careless smile and it begins to snow


And it hurts me to think
That you might never know
That I've got this thing about you

I couldn't get a shot of this next image; in the background
was an image of water flowing. Before the music
even started I knew right away what song was about to
be sung, Come Undone. I missed the shot when Simon came
out on stage doing a little dance as if he was floating on
water.

COME UNDONE

Mine, immaculate dream made breath and skin
I've been waiting for you
Signed, with a home tattoo,
Happy birthday to you was created for you


Can't ever keep from falling apart
At the seams
Can't I believe you're taking my heart
To pieces...


Words, playing me deja vu
Like a radio tune I swear I've heard before
Chill, is it something real
Or the magic I'm feeding off your fingers


Who do you need, who do you love
When you come undone


FALLING DOWN

....Why did the luck run dry
Laugh in my face, so pleased to desert me
Why do the cruel barbs fly?
Now when disgrace can no longer hurt me


Because I’m falling down with people standing round
But before I hit the ground,
Is there time
Could I find someone out there to help me?

ORDINARY WORLD

Passion or coincidence once prompted me to say-
Pride will tear us both apart.
Well now pride's gone out the window, cross the rooftops, runaway.
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.


But I won't cry for yesterday.
There's an ordinary world somehow I have to find.
And as I try to make my way to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive.

IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD

KNOW?

(The fans went crazy for this song)
Is there something I should know?
Is there something I should say that'll make you come my way?
Do you feel the same? 'Cause you don't let it show.
Please, please tell me now

THE REFLEX

So why don't you use it?
Try not to bruise it
Buy time don't lose it
The reflex is an only child he's waiting in the park

WHITE LINES

Don't you get too high (don't you get too high baby)
Turns you on (you're really turning me on and on)

(REACH UP FOR THE) SUNRISE

Now the time has come
The music's between us
Though the night seems young...

WILD BOYS

...They tried to break us, looks like they'll try again
Wild boys never lose it
Wild boys never chose this way

Music kept thumping in the background while the
lights were flicking on and off rapidly and all you could
hear was the sound of a very loud camera shutter.
The spotlight shined down on Nick holding a camera.

GIRLS ON FILM

See them walking hand in hand across the bridge
at midnight. Heads turning as the lights flashing out
are so bright and walk right out to the four line track
There's a camera rolling on her back.

RIO (FINALE)

Moving on the floor now babe you're a bird of paradise.
Cherry ice cream smile I suppose it's very nice
With a step to your left and a flick to the right
You catch that mirror way out west


Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand.
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land.
And when she shines she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio Rio dance across the Rio Grande.






Before Simon left the stage he had another question.
'Ladies who's your f-rock daddy?'


The answer?


XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess