The online diary of Caroline Westbrook following her marriage on September 6 1998 to Leslie Bunder.
Tuesday December 1 1998
Can’t believe it’s the last month of the year already! It feels more like July (well, you know what the weather’s like in English summers!) Where has the year gone? Well, I always ask myself this question, there is something about working on a monthly magazine, and of course writing an online diary, that makes the year go really quickly.
Of course this has produced panic stations in me as we are supposed to be having a London wedding party next year and we haven’t actually organised anything! First it was going to be January, then February, now it looks as though it may be March. Or possibly June. Or maybe we’ll have it in New York.
Wednesday December 2 1998
Had our first meeting of New Media Jews tonight – the group Leslie has set up for Jews working in (surprise!) new media or the Internet. Had about seven people, which was pretty good going, and discussed group direction. The idea is to basically new media related guest speakers, (with meetings held at their offices), plus hopefully give members a chance to network with other folks in the industry, exchange cards, further business opportunities etc.
Unlike other Jewish groups it’s focused in its approach and it’s open to everybody in the appropriate profession. irrespective of age or marital status. It’s your career that counts.
Went to Reubens on Baker Street to celebrate the inauguration afterwards. Was delighted to discover how much their salt beef has improved.
Thursday December 3 1998
Where are our photos? Difficult to think about much at the moment, though, as we have to get a lot of work done before Christmas. Am off work from Christmas Eve until January 4, and even then I’m only back for one week before we go off on our hols. So it won’t be a very relaxing break after all, as I’ll have to get most of my stuff done during it (I’ll rest when I get to Boca Raton!).
Saw Samara tonight, ended up going to the Yo!Sushi all you can eat for £15 buffet in Harvey Nichols. Was astonished to discover that after queuing for 50 minutes for seats we could only spend an hour there (it used to be an hour and a half!). We waited for an hour to see what would happen but no bell or buzzer went off and no ejector seat capacity was put into operation.
Kind of difficult to get people to move after an hour, I would say. If it weren’t then I’m sure we would have been seated far quicker (instead of standing watching the people who weren’t actually eating but sitting making calls on their mobile phone!) Anyway, the fish was pretty good tonight which made up for it. And Samara is fine.
Friday December 4 1998
Not a great deal to report today. Still no sign of the photos though. They are supposed to be arriving at my mum’s (on account of the fact it’ll be a big package and she has a larger mailbox than we do). Will call next week.
Saturday December 5 1998
Scouted round for birthday presents for Ian and Melissa, who celebrate next week. Somehow, even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, I have always managed to surround myself with friends who are Sagittarian and Capricorn, meaning they all have birthdays in December and I have to splash out on loads of pressies anyway.
Couldn’t face going out tonight as the weather was too ghastly, so went and had a huge Chinese at Marcus’s then came home and ended up watching Total Recall on the telly, a film I have never seen. Top stuff.
Sunday December 6 1998
My brother’s birthday is this week, so we celebrated tonight by heading to a local Indian restaurant, The Clay Oven. The food was pretty good, and thankfully I didn’t drink enough Indian beer to send me spiralling on to the dance floor. Now that would have been embarrassing.
Saw A Bug’s Life this morning, which is the other computer animated bug film, this one from Disney. It’s a nice film, beautifully animated and very colourful, but it didn’t quite do it for me the way Antz did. Still, it’s a different sort of thing – this is far more kiddie-orientated and in that respect it works really well.
Monday December 7 1998
Saw the marvellous Shakespeare In Love tonight, which none too surprisingly is a movie about Shakespeare, well, falling in love. Superb stuff, beautifully filmed. Hard to tell which made the movie better – Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Colin Firth or Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I. All of them, I’m saying. But anyway.
Took my friend Ruth, who was an extra in the film – I was keeping my eyes peeled for her big screen debut, but couldn’t see her anywhere. Still, she spotted herself several times and went home very happy. A good film to be associated with, I’m saying. Could well bag a truckload of Oscar nominations.
Tuesday December 8 1998
Somone tried to break into our car last night. No idea who exactly, as all they
did was pick the lock on the passenger side, empty the glove compartment
and leave taking nothing. Either they were disturbed and ran off or they were
looking for valuables, didn't find any and gave up (we don't keep anything like
that in the car).
So thankfully all we have to contend with is a broken lock on the passenger
side which at least still closes. Bizarre.
Anyway, Leslie spent most of the morning going to and from the police station
to report the incident, thought it was probably worth our while. Still annoying
that it's going to cost us to have the door repaired. That's not covered by the
insurance.
Still no photos. Leslie is feeling a bit poorly, so we opted for an early night. I
do hope he isn't about to get flu - there's a lot of it about.
Wednesday December 9 1998
We need to get the Chanukah decorations sorted very soon, as the Festival begins at the weekend. At the moment we have a few banners and balloons which we will put up before then, but there’s lots more to be taken into consideration – dreidels (at the moment all we have is a plastic light-up one which plays The Dreidel Song when spun), candles, chocolate, donuts . . . you get the idea.
Thursday December 10 1998
Thankfully work isn’t quite so bad this month – although may still have to do another spate of late nights over the next few days. Next month is going to be a worry, as the office is shut for nearly two weeks over Christmas, meaning we hardly have any time to get the magazine out on our return (and I have even less than everybody else because we’re off on our hols). Still, at least that means I miss press week . . .
Friday December 11 1998
Went to Leslie’s firm’s Christmas party, which took place in an Indian restaurant in the West End. The food (Indian, natch) was quite decent, the music as loud as ever, but luckily the place was pretty big so if you did want to have a conversation you could go and sit in the bar. Met quite a lot of Leslie’s colleagues, got home about 1 am and to bed about 2. Love the party season!
Saturday December 12 1998
Leslie was feeling a bit under the weather again, so he spent most of the day resting and I represented the two of us at my aunt’s Chanukah party in East London. It was a pity he missed it, but I’d rather have him feeling better than still feeling rotten next week. So I went alone, and met up with all the family (some of whom I hadn’t seen since New York, and some of whom I hadn’t seen since, um, the last Chanukah party. It was fun though, as always.
Put up the decorations this afternoon – the flat is now strewn with banners and balloons. Now all we have to do is get the edibles in . . .
Sunday December 13 1998
Leslie was feeling a little better, so went out for some fresh air (seemed to do him some good), and of course Chanukah supplies. Got donuts, chocolate money and candles, plus some more decorations. But didn’t do a great deal today as he still needs to rest up.
Monday December 14 1998
Worked late tonight, as suspected, but thankfully Leslie is feeling much better (but stayed off work today). Office party tomorrow night, so I was thankful to get home at a reasonable hour and get some sleep.
And guess what? No photos!
Tuesday December 15 1998
Office party night tonight! I have treated myself to a new frock and
sparkly cardigan (which I am particularly proud of having lost all that
weight).
The party was OK - it was at Sound Republic, this new venue in Leicester
Square where a lot of parties seem to take place (like our last work 'do' for a
start). The star attraction was a 70s disco combo who dress up in
ridiculous retro gear and spin blasts from the past - which is all a little
preposterous but you can't help but get into it once they begin dragging out the ABBA
tunes.
The other DJ playing the more up-to-date stuff was pretty good
too, but he didn't fill the dancefloor like these folks. Left about 12.30 and
waited nearly 45 minutes for my pre-booked cab - just what I wanted to do on a
freezing cold pre-Christmas night! Luckily when it did arrive it got me
home in less than 15 minutes. Which kind of made up for it.
Wednesday December 16 1998
I actually had an excuse for getting in late after the office party
today, as the trailer - yes, trailer! - for the new Star Wars movie was getting a
press showing at a major West End cinema and the screening didn't start till
11, so went straight there.
It was a strange thing - went in about two minutes
before it was due to start, heard the little announcement from the film
company, watched the trailer, had another little announcement, watched it again
and then left - the whole thing having lasted less than 15 minutes! Wish
all press shows were so uncomplicated. The trailer, even though I have seen it
about 4057 times at work still looks pretty amazing on the big screen. Even I
am excited about the rest of the movie now - and I am not even much of a
Star Wars fan!
Thursday December 17 1998
We have our New Year's Eve sorted! We are going to a small party at
Karen and Edward's, about eight of us, and we're going to eat, drink and play
board games (and, presumably, watch the bongs at midnight). Personally I am
not a fan of New Year (although admittedly last year's Starship Troopers bash
was fun), and in general my favourite moment, quite possibly of the entire
year (save for my birthday and the voting at Eurovision) is one second past
midnight on January 1, the longest possible time before having to
celebrate New Year again. However, if we are going to do something, then spending
it with friends playing board games and generally chilling out is the best
way.
A free party, in other words.
Speaking of which, we had the office Christmas lunch today, at the
Abingdon, a very nice place in Kensington, at which it is a tradition for one
member of staff to buy a present for another one (picked at random from a bag or
something). Anyway, the huge appreciation in which I am held became
clear when my present turned out to be a bomb. OK, it was a bath bomb - one of
those huge round things that fizzes when you drop it in the bath and gives off
perfumed oils. Looks good to me.
Friday December 18 1998
We are still photo-less!
However, something immeasurably cool happened today. I received a very
nice hardback book on the making of The Prince of Egypt, the movie I just
wrote a very large piece on, personally signed by Jeffrey Katzenberg himself!
You know, that guy who used to run the animation division at Disney and now
does the same thing at DreamWorks? Well, talk about a thrill! I couldn't
work for, ooh, at least 20 minutes, I was so chuffed. So I now have something with
Jeffrey Katzenberg's signature on it, and something with Steven
Spielberg's (he signed my brochure at the British Academy Awards a few years back).
Surely now my goal for 1999 is to have something with David Geffen (the other
head of DreamWorks)'s scribblings all over it?
Saturday December 19 1998
Not much to report today. Didn't shop or any of the usual Saturday
doings as:
a) it is the last Saturday before Christmas and people will be going
bonkers
and b) there is no point in buying things this week that can be bought
at sale prices the next.
Stocked up at the supermarket though, for the long
holiday that lies ahead. I am off work after Wednesday and not back until Monday
January 4 - which sounds like a really long break but in fact is only a
week and a half. It will go quickly.
Sunday December 20 1998
Spent the afternoon at Judy's birthday brunch in North London, where we
caught up with most of our friends - Karen, Edward and Samara all showed up
plus of course we got to see Judy. Great to see everybody - I don't think we've
all been together in the same room since the wedding!
It is the last week of work next week before the New Year. Most people
are only working a couple of days but I'm staying until the Wednesday to
try and get as much stuff done as possible before we go on holiday.
Monday December 21 1998
The lack of photos finally prompted me to call David, who assured me
they had gone in the post the previous Thursday and should be with us presently
I do hope so, as we would like to see them before we leave, in order to
choose which ones we actually want. David has said he will send the rest to
the hotel the week before we arrive, so that we can already have chosen the ones we want by the time we go to see him. I think we will arrange to see him on the Monday after we arrive, get everything sorted early on.
Tuesday December 22 1998
Last formal day of work for the year. Everybody seems in a holiday
mood, so not a great deal was achieved, but I guess that's to be expected for
this time of year. I am planning my time off carefully; watch movies (lots), have
a bit of a rest, spend time with Leslie, see family - and of course catch up
on the washing and ironing.
Wednesday December 23 1998
Just two of us in the office today for the final day before Christmas.
I am now not expecting to see the photos until after the holidays as the post
understandably slows down (and of course there's so much more of it,
this being the time of year when people actually send things through the post
instead of relying on e-mail).
A week and a half off work sounds like ages but in fact it's hardly any time at all - we shall all be back at work on Monday week. Will make the most of it. (even though I have a two week holiday coming up almost immediately after)
Thursday December 24 1998
Leslie had to work this morning, so I spent the time catching up on
housework, before we headed down to North London to sort out food and TV watching munchies for the week ahead. Otherwise, it was pretty quiet, as it
would be at this time of year.
Even though we don't actually celebrate Christmas and Chanukah is over,
we are leaving the Chanukah decorations up for the duration of the holidays and no doubt for the next few months as well!
Friday December 25 1998
A very relaxing Christmas Day! Spent the first part watching Miracle On
34th Street and Christmas Day Top Of The Pops before heading off to my
parents for lunch.
Later on it was round to Nick and Louise for some Christmas
pudding and brandy butter, before rounding things off at Leslie's mum and heading home for minted lamb chops (yummy!) I am feeling very well fed right now, and the edible goodies are set to just keep on coming for the next few days.
This is the reason I have dieted all year. Honest.
Saturday December 26 1998
We were convinced that everything would be back to normal on Boxing Day
as it was a Saturday, so imagine our surprise when we headed for the local
shopping centre, only to find a single store, the discount book centre, open.
They must have been making a fortune as there were lots of people walking through
the mall scrabbling around for open places.
We consoled ourselves with a trip to Marcus's in the evening, which was
packed. Presumably there are a lot of people who want to escape from
Christmas with a large Chinese meal.
Sunday December 27 1998
Lots more places open today, which is much better as it was all too
confusing when they weren't. Trawled a few shops but spent most of the day
relaxing (which makes a change!) All year I've wanted some free time to actually
do very little and just chill out, but now I have it I don't know what to
do with it!
Monday December 28 1998
Went along to my parents, who were throwing a surprise birthday bash
for my brother's mother-in-law (she is over from Melbourne at the moment). She
certainly was shocked to see us all, and Leslie captured the moment on
camcorder so she can see herself being shocked on rewind as often as she
likes.
It was a fun evening, though, not least for my sister-in-law's
famous chocolate cake - which contains enough cream, butter and chocolate to
make anybody's cholesterol levels keel over. No, this is what I have dieted
all year for.
Tuesday December 29 1998
The brief working period between Christmas and New Year has still
brought forth no photos - we are simply assuming they have been held up in the
huge backlog of post.
Anyway, Leslie had to work today so I busied myself around the flat for
a bit and then headed out to the flicks to catch The Mask of Zorro, which I
had not got around to seeing. What a tremendous movie! I am convinced Antonio
Banderas was put on this earth to play the role of Zorro, he did it so well, and
even Anthony Hopkins, saddled as he was with a really nasty haircut, seemed
to be enjoying himself. As indeed did most of the audience.
Met up with Leslie later and we headed to Sami's for a bite to eat. A very satisfying day.
Wednesday December 30 1998
New Years Eve Eve, as I tend to refer to it. Today was the day I hit the
sales, spending the entire day hopping around on buses from one part of
London to the other just because almost every shopping area I tried didn't
have what I wanted.
Eventually, I stumbled upon the Kings Road in Chelsea, having
been to nearly everywhere else in the capital, and it was there I struck
gold.
Stocking up on bargain warm clothing for New York (not that I will need
this in Florida) - fleece tops and polo neck sweaters etc. It occurred to me
that I should have gone there to begin with, but I wouldn't have had so much
fun haring around town if I had saved myself those hours. And besides, I
wouldn't have gotten to go and meet Leslie at his office afterwards (which
conveniently enough happened to be neaby), thus getting myself a lift home and not
struggling on and off trains under the weight of packages.
I could get used to these little holidays.
Thursday December 31 1998
As I mentioned before, I am not a fan of New Year's Eve - the forced
jollity of those people who malke themselves go out and celebrate every year is,
frankly, depressing.
Much more fun, as far as I am concerned, to go see
friends and herald things in quietly (which is why I spent last year
freezing to death among 2000 people in a small Portakabin on Clapham Common).
Anyway, this year we went to Karen and Edward's for hot dogs and Trivial
Pursuit. At two minutes to midnight we poured some champagne, switched on the TV,
watched Big Ben chime midnight, sang a bit of Auld Lang Syne, cranked up the
radio, which with a degree of sad inevitability was playing Prince's 1999 by
now, to full blast, danced about a bit, went back inside and finished the game
of Trivial Pursuit (which my team won on a tiebreaker, in quite spectacular
fashion).
All quite low-key, very pleasant, and a swift reminder that
New Year's Eve is just a day like any other. As I suspect next year's will
be.
