Miracles in the Desert

I met my friend Joyce at a little cafe in Paris today for lunch. The food itself was exquisite- Ahi Tuna, raw, but seared around the edges with peppercorn mixed with boiled potatoes served on a bed of fresh greens and celery tossed with a light lemon vinigrette dressing. Yummy! It was the perfect accompaniment to fresh loaf of french bread, a glass of pino gris (not grigio, cause it's Paris) and a bottle of sparkling water. And for desert? Rich flour-less chocolate cake topped with a sensuous chocolate glaze. It was nearly orgasmic!

And if the food was good, the company was even better. I don't know the proper words for what Joyce does- to call her just a costume designer seems woefully inadequate because as I understand it, everything in a production that has to do with fabric or color is her speciality. In addition to providing support for Folies Bergere, the quintessential Las Vegas show (check out the costumes!), Joyce was preparing to work with Cher (CHER!) in her upcoming performances, encourage future generations to follow their dreams, and when all that was done, work her magic for Bette Middler. Yes, the Divine Miss M!

Joyce is an amazing woman! Have you ever met someone where when you are with them, you are granted frequent, deeply meaningful insights? For me at least, that happened today. After spending just two hours with her, I felt transformed. I felt like a fountain of positive energy and I reveled in spreading it!

At the poker table, I gave pleasant conversation, people smiled, and I felt as if I became a warm light transforming the sulking faces upside-down. Oh, I still took their money, but at least I was giving a good time in the process! ;) I've recently been having fun with the fact that most people at a poker table don't look like they are having a good time... many of them don't even smile after they win! I get not smiling after a loss, but if ever there was a time to smile at a poker table, wouldn't it be while raking in chips? I made it a goal to get those winners to smile, and I had fun doing it! I became that bright, bubbly, pretty blonde and I played the part as best I could and it felt good! (Is that Linda Low I hear in my head?)

As the poker room was right next to the bar, the cocktail services was amazingly fast. Since there were only three tables, service was also amazingly frequent. About the third hour into play the familiar alert of 'Beverages?' turned into an affected voice. It belonged to an older lady and it was unclear if she had suffered a stroke, but she spoke in a very slow, deliberate manner. She couldn't say 'Vhhh' as in 'BeVhhherages' and much of her speech sounded like that of one who had never heard human speech (like someone born deaf), but who had learned to speak nonetheless.

The fella to my left thought perhaps she was retarded, but when I ordered a drink from her, I saw a very bright woman in her eyes- I connected with her briefly- so I knew that wasn't true; it was only her voice that was affected. Urged by my lunch conversation, I gave her compassion. I felt what must have been a very difficult time in her life (if not now, certainly earlier) and I wanted deeply for her to have a happy day.

After winning back the losses from yesterday, and on the urgings of my stomach, I left for home and fish tacos. What a great day!

I LOVE MY LIFE!