More People:

On the Casting Couch

Oh, whoa whoa whoa!
The ho ho ho,
Of last Xmas

The bitter snow,
The frost,
All that money lost
In market compost!
I dream of a farm,
Somewhere warm,
With olive groves,
And tomato bread
with garlic cloves.

A hacienda tickled in sea breeze,
The afternoon under shaded trees.

I walk through terraces of vines,
Ancient earth tilled
under clear blue skies
By the fingers of sleeping Gods,
And dancing Señoritas.

Instead.
Back in the real world to dread…
Fickle politicians
And plebs.

Imperfections.
And infections.
A cough like an ape,
and work too late.

Gentlemen!
Fight back
Against the inevitable heart attack!
Less port and oyster,
Slow gin and bitter.

Shoot and fish,
Climb the Hindu Kish
And ride across Spain;
Ignore the rain.

Pass me my pick, George.
There are mountains to climb –
Not for us to whine.

They smile and walk on
towards the mist.

– Unknown Sherpa




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Take It from Tim


Take it from TimSpring 2009

The charming Tim Jefferies can even dazzle Tinseltown. Here are his top 10 Hollywood tips

1. Give your friends there plenty of notice of your arrival; that way you’ll be included in all the fun.

2. The Bel-Air (701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles; +1 310 472 1211) is the only place to stay. It’s an oasis where everyone is treated like a movie star.

3. Make sure you have breakfast at Shutters on the Beach (1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica; +1 310 458 0030), then rent a bicycle and ride to Venice Beach to understand where the term “Beach Babe” comes from.

4. Buy a pair of vintage Ray-Bans at RetroSpecs at 8629 Melrose Avenue (+1 310 657 4217).

5. Have a Hickory Burger at The Apple Pan at 10801 Pico Blvd (+1 310 475 3585). This is the original American Diner.

6. You should see Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall (111 South Grand Avenue), the La Brea Tar Pits (5801 Wilshire Blvd; +1 323 934 7243) and definitely go to a Lakers Game – Court Side (www.nba.com).

7. Take your hot young actress date to Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica (114 West Channel Road; +1 310573 1660) for dinner. Book way in advance as you are not Brad.

8. If you are in town during the Oscars pray that you are either A list or important or cool enough to be invited to Bryan Lourd’s party the Friday night before the ceremony.

9. Spend a day in Malibu on the beach, go shopping at Cross Creek and have an early dinner at Nobu Malibu (3835 Cross Creek Road; +1 310 317 9140 ).

10. Remember you are a long time dead…

-Tim Jefferies is the principal of Hamiltons Gallery in London

Winter 2008

The charming Tim Jefferies has ways of making the world a little warmer and more wonderful – even during these darker days

1. Be a Gentleman. Trust me, it is noticed.

2. Take a loved one to the Electric cinema on Portobello Road (020-7908 9696; www.electriccinema.co.uk). Nothing beats a glass of wine and bangers and mash while watching the big screen.

3. Keep your hands and fingernails tidy, and never offer a clammy hand when greeting someone.

4. Plan a boys’ weekend in Singapore for the 2009 F1 Grand Prix (September 27; www.formula1.com). I was just there and it was amazing.

5. Buy your luggage from T Anthony at 445 Park Avenue in New York (+212-750 9797; www.tanthony.com). It’s not expensive, but it is seriously chic and distinctive.

6. Leave your wife/girlfriend a romantic note this morning and take her for a credit-crunch-busting dîner à deux tonight.

7. Take a look around Asprey (167 New Bond Street, London W1; 020-7493 6767; www.asprey.com). I was surprised at how many great things it still offers. And Christmas is coming…

8. Subscribe to the FT Weekend on Saturdays. It really isn’t all doom and gloom.

9. When you next find yourself in Stockholm have dinner at Teatergrillen (Nybrogatan 3, 114 34 Stockholm; +468-545 03565; www.teatergrillen.se) and order the salt-baked entrecôte. In fact, you should go to Stockholm just for that!

10. Remember you are a long time dead…

Tim Jefferies is the Principal of Hamiltons Gallery in Mayfair, London.

Summer 2008

Tim Jefferies, who knows a thing or two about charm, on ten winning ways to make an impression on the women in your life—or at least to keep yourself amused while you’re trying.

1. Take your mum out for dinner for no reason.

2. Invest in at least one bespoke suit. No designer can compete with the way tailor-made clothing makes you feel.

3. The must-have watch (if you can get one): the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep Sea. Like James Bond’s old Submariner on steroids.

4. Clinique’s SPF 15 Sun-Care Body Gel. Not oily or creamy. Goes on with an icy tingle.

5. Fly with a cashmere blanket, then use the duvet as an extra mattress. It really makes a difference.

6. Never take a girl somewhere new on a first date. Go somewhere familiar. First dates are stressful enough without having to worry about being looked after properly.

7. Glenn Spiro, international gemstone dealer to the trade, is to open a by-appointment-only salon at 7A Grafton Street, W1 (020 7135 3535), in September. If you like to buy jewellery for your wife, girlfriend or mistress, he has really beautiful things.

8. Habit Rouge eau de toilette by Guerlain — unmistakable, and women love it.

9. The Sunset Villa at Cocoa Island Resort, in the Maldives. For the rich Robinson Crusoe.

10. Remember, you’re a long time dead…



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