Actually scroll down to the bottom of these photos...

...to see me (I've looked better) with my pals Sidh, Dyno and Fiona. Rock!

Where's my photo at the Kings of Leon after party?

You know poker is big when...

Check out all the B & C list celebrities at the 2005 World Poker Tour.

I'm actually playing Texas Hold 'Em poker tonight with my 4 wheels - Ben, Beth, Kelley and Dez. (I'm the steering wheel.) Wish me luck!

Paris Hilton Sidekick Hacked - interesting email exchange between her and Lindsay Lohan

Date Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:28:25 -0800 Show full headers
From Lindsay Lohan

To Paris
Subject Private


Jessica simpson was just totally doing blow in bathroom @ bar downstairs of shoreclub
-god bless
lindsaylohan

On Mon, 3 Jan 2005 12:40 am, Paris Hilton wrote:
>How do u know?
>--parishilton

Date Mon, 3 Jan 2005 00:52:46 -0800 Show full headers
From Lindsay Lohan

To Paris Hilton
Subject Re: Private


Saw her in bathroom w. 6 girls wiping her nose I was in shock and my driver told doc my bodyguard that she was asking for it when she was here 2 months ago! I was like no, he was like yes she was and then I saw her and nick fighting and he was looking up her nose and she came out b4 the other girls that she was w.
-god bless
lindsaylohan

Yowza! But there could be a chance that these texts are not real and were made up and put on the 'net. An interesting note with regards to the hacking, my roomie Fiona had her number in Paris' phone (she met & hung out with Paris one time in NYC) and had to have her cell number changed due to the incredible amount of phone callsd she was getting once the numbers were posted on-line last Saturday night. Everyone thought they were calling Fiona Apple since it was listed as just "Fiona".

Maybe they need some more tips from poker expert Phil Gordon

Macaulay Culkin and Hank Azaria have both appeared on Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown," but apparently they prefer a lower-profile venue.
Very low-profile.

We hear that Culkin, 24, and Azaria, 40, showed up together the other night at a secret poker game on the upper West Side and tried their luck at the $20 ante table.

"They were there for at least an hour and a half. I didn't see them win at all," observed a spy who attends regularly.

Apparently the ritzy gambling lounge, which sits above an Off-Track Betting shop in the W. 70s and accommodates about 100 players, is well-known to local wealthy business types.

But that doesn't necessarily make it legal: Because the owners take a percentage of every table's "rake," it likely constitutes a felony.

"The law says that if there is a house, someone making a profit, that is not the same as four or five people getting together and playing a friendly game," explained Manhattan district attorney spokeswoman Barbara Thompson. "Promoting gambling in the first degree is when you engage in bookmaking and receive bets totaling $5,000 or more. That's an E felony, which is up to four years in prison."

Azaria's PR rep confirmed he attended the game, but declined further comment. A publicist for Culkin didn't reach the actor by deadline.

Yowza - check out Nicole Richie on the catwalk in 2002

Hurrah - a Trader Joe's store is coming to NYC!!!!!!!!!

Alanis Morrisette is now an American...but...still wants to be Canadian

Lucky girl! And she gets to marry that hilarious hunk Ryan Reynolds

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club no longer label-less!

BRMC are very proud to announce they have signed a new record deal with The Echo Label for the UK and Europe. The deal is a joint venture, the band has maintained their own imprint "Abstract Dragon" and will be releasing their albums through Echo/Abstract Dragon.

The band are currently negotiating with US labels and a deal for the rest of the world will be announced in a few weeks.

BRMC are currently mastering their 3rd album in Los Angeles which as of yet only has the working title "Americana LP". The record is scheduled for early summer 2005 release.

The band would also like to thank all their fans who have supported them from the beginning, they look forward to traveling and playing again live.

Winners of last night Brit Awards - yay Robbie, Gwen and Franz!

WHO WON WHAT
British Male Solo Artist: MIKE SKINNER (THE STREETS)
British Female Solo Artist: JOSS STONE
British Group: FRANZ FERDINAND
British Rock Act: FRANZ FERDINAND
British Breakthrough Act: KEANE
British Album: KEANE, HOPES AND FEARS
British Single: WILL YOUNG, YOUR GAME
British Urban Act: JOSS STONE
British Live Act: MUSE
Pop Act: McFLY
International Male Solo Artist: EMINEM
International Female Solo Artist: GWEN STEFANI
International Group: SCISSOR SISTERS
International Album: SCISSOR SISTERS
International Breakthrough Act: SCISSOR SISTERS
BRITs25 -The Best Song Award: ROBBIE WILLIAMS, ANGELS
Outstanding Contribution to music: SIR BOB GELDOF

Arcade Fire!!

I did a story on one of my fave bands: Arcade Fire a while back and it finally got published!!! Check it.

Are you boy proof?

My LA friend Cecil just released her first novel for young adults (14+) Boy Proof is finally available. You know that you have a niece/daughter/cool teen friend...

Meet Egg. Her real name is Victoria Jurgen, but she's renamed herself
after the kick-ass heroine of her favorite sci-fi movie, TERMINAL
EARTH. Like her namesake, Egg dresses all in white, colors her
eyebrows, and shaves her head. She always knows the right answers,
she's always in control, and she's far too busy -- taking photos for
the school paper, meeting with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club,
and hanging out at the "creature shop" with her dad, the
special-effects makeup wizard -- to be bothered with friends, much less
members of the opposite sex. As far as Egg is concerned, she's boy
proof, and she likes it that way. But then Egg meets a boy named Max, a
boy who's smart and funny and creative and cool . . . and happens to
like Egg. Could this be the end of the world -- at least as Egg knows
it?

What happens when an antisocial cinephile meets up with the worldly new
guy at school -- a quick-witted artist who's savvy enough to see
through her sci-fi disguise?

Click on the link above to order it from Borders who has it in stock now and they have chosen it to be their Original Voices pick for the month of February. (scroll to bottom to children's)

You knew something like this would be published...

newbhbook
Originally uploaded by Catonia.

Talking Heads meets Arcade Fire

Last night I saw Arcade Fire put on a stunning show at Irving Plaza. David Bowie and David Byrne were in the VIP section enjoying the show. Bowie walked right by me twice...literally inches from me. That was kinda cool. Besides the amazing tracks the band performed throughout the show, the absolute highlight had to be when David Byrne did the encore with them performing "Naive Melody". He looked like he was having such a blast!!! Click on the link above in the title to hear the AF/DB track. It's killer.

The Soundtrack Of My Life???

Ebbot and Catonia
Originally uploaded by Catonia.

Before I left for France, I went to the after-party for one of the best live bands around THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES from Sweden. Just as I was leaving, I ran into the lead singer of the band. I said 'hi' to him and mentioned that I had met him before. We started chatting and next thing we knew, we closed the bar at 4am still chatting and having drinks. He is quite an amazing guy. Too bad he is married. Most of the good ones are, aren't they? The band will be back in New York in March. Catch them live if you can!

The demise of the lower east side?

And it just so happens that I know 3 of the people quoted in the article.

Back in NYC after being in Cannes and Paris

Click on the link above to see a story about the NRJ Awards in Cannes which I had the chance to attend. Among the many performances were Usher, Jennifer Lopez, and Alicia Keys who brought the house down! Man, she is super talented. I can't decide if I like her style or not but you can't deny those pipes.

Then I was at the Midem Music Conference for 5 days. It was busy but fun. Lots of meetings, dinners, and drinks. Also took a ride in a helicopter for my third time. Super cool.

Then I got to spend the weekend in Paris with my best pal Judy. We had so much fun!!!

cheers,
Catonia