Christmas Eve with Amanda Eliasch, Tim Willis and Kay Saatchi in Beverly Hills.
I wore a tweed waistcoat.
I chattered with everyone.
It was a great night.
I was the last to leave.
Amanda cooked dinner for twenty.
We ate turkey, beef, brussel sprouts, assorted roasted root vegetables.
Every scrap was eaten.
The dogs ate beef bones.
I told other guests about my self sufficiency plan.
They were delighted.
Also discussed Health Care debate and-unsurprisingly-reality TV.
Kay Saatchi wore a red silk Marni dress and took many pictures. Tomorrow she is going to Arizona.
Luna was the belle of the ball. Everybody loved her.
The Little Dog found a boy to trust.
They both ate tons of beef and turkey.
Earlier in the day Kay, Jerome (French cultural attache) and I took Kay’s Mustang onto Rodeo and drank hot chocolate bumping into Sharon along the way.
We were way laid by the 50% off Prada sale and Ralphs to buy Cranberry juice.
That morning I fretted for an hour about what to wear. Finally opting for
tweed waistcoat and cordroy trousers.
No jacket-just a shawl.
Once I arrived, formally, that night I wore birds in my hair. Pulled two stuffed birds off the Christmas Tree and made the hat.
As I said, I was the last to leave. No traffic at all on the way home.
Christmas morning 2009 Kay made eggs, bacon and roasted tomatoes. We set the table in the garden and ate breakfast in the Californian sun.
By the way, my presents included these fab highlights: 1. A cashmere covered hot water bottle-I opened it and it smelt just like they used to when I was a boy. Rubbery.
2. A pair of scull socks from New and Lingwood.
3. Several scented candles.
4. A promise of sobriety.
I spent most of Christmas Eve with Tim. We have a great deal to remember together. Trips to Greece, Scotland, Yorkshire a particularly drunken toga party on Patmos when we both fell through a plate glass coffee table.
We remembered Issie Blow who he was with for two years.
I love how Tim gets on so well with Jack and Charles-Amanda’s two grown boys. Jack showing his love for Tim by customizing a pair of kicks for Tim’s Christmas present.
Tim’s delicious present from Amanda: a frock coat by Paul Smith. He looked divine. By Christmas
Mid-Day Tim had been totally made over by Ms Eliasch. Again.
Oh, I am all over the place. My chronology is ruined.
Tim and I love giggling about how RUDE we had been.
I love Tim.
By the time we got home the dogs were exhausted! They went straight to bed and we all slept like logs until the alarm went off on Christmas Morning. I went to a 7.30am AA meeting which was TERRIBLE.
After Kay cooked breakfast I met Jake and his wife for Finnish rice pudding and licorice.
DON’T! I know.
I must have received well over 200 Christmas text messages and emails and tweets, calls and Facebook messages..
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
A tweed waistcoat and red shoes. Excellent choice! And the birds matched everything! LOL I’m glad you had a lovely Christmas.
looked like a wonderful time! Good food, good friends and the dogs were happy, what more could you ask for? A amazing year to follow!Mazel tov!
You’ve been infused with the spirit of the Green Man!
Gloria in excelsis Natura.
What wonderful crops will emerge from this winter?
Alas, no pantaloons.
Looks like you had a spectacular holiday! You deserve it! Merry Merry!
What size shoe do you wear? I want to knit you some socks!
Sounds like a great holiday. A very merry Christmas to you!
Hello Duncan, I have become a fan of yours through watching VH1’s Sex Addiction. You are a sweet man and I hope you have a lovely holiday season. =))
Happy Christmas Duncan! Merry happy everything and a bright shining New Year.
Looks like a group a people earnestly trying to be witty, pretentious, and inauthentic. I can picture one-by-one each member of the crowd spouting quippy lines and quasi-interesting stories. Once the sentence is finished everyone pretending to listen mechanically tilts their heads back, wine glasses in hand, and issues a hollow and vapid art gallery laugh. Lame.
That said, I am glad you are working toward healing Duncan. No one deserves the circumstances that were forced upon you as a child and young man. I’m glad you shared your story and wish you the best on your journey.
David, you are wrong. These people are fun, kind and in touch with their feelings. Dressing up does not mean inauthentic. They are Mothers and Fathers and Sisters and brothers..just like you and me.
That photo with the two dogs is so great! 🙂
It is so nice to hear of and see photos from such a delightful occassion!
Merry Christmas to you Duncan! Next year holds the promise of a new wonderful life for you.
Ha! You said you wore a waistcoat, and I thought it was some fancy-schmancy piece of clothing. Turns out you meant a vest. You Brits.
Sounds like you had a great Christmas…I hope your New Year is as fabulous. You had Riisipuuro (rice porridge)? I am Finnish-American, and we used to eat that as a Christmas tradition. My Finnish grandma would sprinkle the top with cinnamon and sugar and hide an almond in it. Whoever found it would receive happiness. Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful tradition..I shall make some today.
So lost. Not kidding anyone. At least not me. So lost.
Yeah, Jeff, me too. But, have you ever had any luck with telling someone?
Duncan darling,
Hello and thank you for putting your thoughts into words on this
world wide web screen!
I adored you from the start (yes, that initial episode of VH1 SR!)!
(and yes it was and is your impeccable style, sense of dress and mannerisms ! )
I completely applaud you for saying what others sheepishly cannot. You are not a sheep…obviously!
In wishing you positive energy in this life, I also give you major pats on the back for being so (almost brutally) honest! We have but a single ticket to ride on this one way roller coaster called “life” and should not think twice on what we have ZERO power over. I also offer my pure sympathy over your beloved K-9 sadness and loss!!!
smiles out Duncan~
b.
Wow, the birds on your head look hilarious, Duncan. It sounds like you’re having a blast living life & not letting your addiction get you down. Who could ask for more?
Hi Duncan,
Sex Rehab wrapped up here in Canada on Much Music yesterday. What a wonderful Christmas gift…a promise of sobriety!
JUST FOR TODAY
Just for today: I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle all my problems at once.
I can do something for twelve hours that
would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today: I will be happy. This
assume to be true what Abraham Lincoln said,
*Most folks are as happy as they make up their
minds to be.*
Just for today: I will adjust myself to what is,
and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will
Take my *luck* as it comes, and fit myself into it
Just for today:I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will read something that requires effort.
Thought and concentration.
Just for today: I will exercise my soul
in three ways: it will do somebody a good turn
and not get found out; if anybody know of it, it
will not count. I will do at least two things I
don’t want to do– just for exercise. I will
not show anyone that my feelings are hurt: they may
be hurt but today I will not show it.
Just for today: I will be agreeable. I will
look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice
low,be courteous,criticize not one bit. I won’t find
fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate
anybody else but myself.
Just for today: I will have a program.
I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.
I will save myself from two pests: Hurry and Indecision’s.
Just for today: I will have a quiet half
hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour,
sometime I will try to get a better perspective of
my life.
Just for today: I will be un-afraid.
Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what
is beautiful,and to believe that as I give to the
world, so the world will give back to me.
Have a great 24 Duncan!
Audrey