_________________________________________
A few days ago (in an article entitled "Breaking Addictions"), I told you how alarmed we were that our billionaire employers had suddenly stopped drinking! What?
And we were horrified to think this might be some kind of lasting New Year's resolution!
None of us were looking forward to dealing with what would undoubtedly be a miserable time for them -- not to mention the erratic and unpredictable behavior of someone who's sober! Ha!
But to our great relief -- this morning when I came into work Ester and I found an empty wine bottle in the bar, and another bottle half-way down! Yes!
Now, If I'm counting correctly, that little period of sobriety lasted all of six days!
So, I'm happy to report tonight that all is well! And that things are finally getting back to abnormal around here!
If you've made any resolutions for the new year, I hope you've managing ok. But if you mess up, don't worry. Lent is coming up and we can start all over.
I better stop now!
Having way too much fun tonight -- celebrating my employers' obvious rejection of temperance! (Which should be universally avoided, at all cost!)
Ha!
Good night,
Andrew
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Breaking Addictions! How Do You Do That?
_______________________________________
It's January. Ugh!
And for a lot of people, there's some kind of dreadful New Year's resolutions underway. Right?
Well, apparently this includes my billionaire employers who are suddenly going through an alcohol reduction period! What? (This is absolutely frightening to all of us who work here on the estate!)
In my three years as Butler for this family, I've never had the actual horror of dealing with sobriety! (And sober people can be so very unpredictable!)
In my opinion -- it's entirely unseemly to go through life without some kind of addiction! Ha!
Some are as benign as a few cups of coffee or tea throughout the day, or maybe some exquisite chocolates from Switzerland -- or just grabbing a "Baby Ruth" at the market checkout!
But others can be more complicated -- like prescription meds, the over-enjoyment of alcohol, or the daily need for heroin injections.
Whatever.
Addictions are not some kind of moral lapse.
We're all just frail human beings, rich or poor, trying to get through the day with the least amount of pain -- and possibly a little pleasure. Is that not true? And that's where addictions come into play.
Basically, our only daily needs are for air, water, nutrition and warmth. Right? But that gets old really fast, doesn't it?
We need more!
And our individual, unique addictions can range all the way from caffeine, potato chips and wines from France -- to street drugs, gambling and Godiva chocolates!
Whatever addictions we utilize, we're all in this together! So lets not beat ourselves up about it!
There's all kinds of "Self Help" articles out there on the Internet about digging ourselves out of addictive behaviors.
And there's counseling, group therapies, "Alcoholics Anonymous", and plenty of rehab clinics we could throw ourselves into for a few days. (And this ranges from free clinics operated by many cities, to luxury rehab resorts all over the world.)
But the truth is, no one can help us stop our delightful addictions unless we have the desire from within. Is that not absolutely right? And when and if that time comes, we'll be more receptive to the help that's out there.
Again, a lot of our addictions are mild and can be sustained into old age. But some are speedily and imminently deadly! And some are highly destructive to others around us!
To anyone struggling with New Year's resolutions, or fighting against seriously destructive behaviors, I'll be wishing you all the best!
And forgive me if I'm out of place tonight, and overstepping boundaries.
But in this world of the rich where I find myself these days, addictive behaviors are so many and prevalent, I couldn't begin to innumerate.
Just wanted to share some thoughts.
Good night,
Andrew
It's January. Ugh!
And for a lot of people, there's some kind of dreadful New Year's resolutions underway. Right?
Well, apparently this includes my billionaire employers who are suddenly going through an alcohol reduction period! What? (This is absolutely frightening to all of us who work here on the estate!)
In my three years as Butler for this family, I've never had the actual horror of dealing with sobriety! (And sober people can be so very unpredictable!)
In my opinion -- it's entirely unseemly to go through life without some kind of addiction! Ha!
Some are as benign as a few cups of coffee or tea throughout the day, or maybe some exquisite chocolates from Switzerland -- or just grabbing a "Baby Ruth" at the market checkout!
But others can be more complicated -- like prescription meds, the over-enjoyment of alcohol, or the daily need for heroin injections.
Whatever.
Addictions are not some kind of moral lapse.
We're all just frail human beings, rich or poor, trying to get through the day with the least amount of pain -- and possibly a little pleasure. Is that not true? And that's where addictions come into play.
Basically, our only daily needs are for air, water, nutrition and warmth. Right? But that gets old really fast, doesn't it?
We need more!
And our individual, unique addictions can range all the way from caffeine, potato chips and wines from France -- to street drugs, gambling and Godiva chocolates!
Whatever addictions we utilize, we're all in this together! So lets not beat ourselves up about it!
There's all kinds of "Self Help" articles out there on the Internet about digging ourselves out of addictive behaviors.
And there's counseling, group therapies, "Alcoholics Anonymous", and plenty of rehab clinics we could throw ourselves into for a few days. (And this ranges from free clinics operated by many cities, to luxury rehab resorts all over the world.)
But the truth is, no one can help us stop our delightful addictions unless we have the desire from within. Is that not absolutely right? And when and if that time comes, we'll be more receptive to the help that's out there.
Again, a lot of our addictions are mild and can be sustained into old age. But some are speedily and imminently deadly! And some are highly destructive to others around us!
To anyone struggling with New Year's resolutions, or fighting against seriously destructive behaviors, I'll be wishing you all the best!
And forgive me if I'm out of place tonight, and overstepping boundaries.
But in this world of the rich where I find myself these days, addictive behaviors are so many and prevalent, I couldn't begin to innumerate.
Just wanted to share some thoughts.
Good night,
Andrew
Sunday, January 15, 2012
One Year Anniversary! "The Billionaire's Butler"
_______________________________________
Wow!
I'm just so stunned tonight -- and so completely humbled!
It was exactly one year ago today when I first started writing to you! In a post entitled "The Butler's Tale: Locked Behind the Gates of Richistan!".
And I seriously wondered if anyone would be interested!
My attempt has been to present an unbiased point of view of the rich, and all their human frailties -- not the cartoon characters we see in television, in films, and all the nitty-gritty scandals in the news when they get themselves into hot water! Ha!
And to my absolute amazement -- this blog has spread rapidly all around the world! There are literally tens of thousands of readers checking in, from over sixty countries worldwide!
During this year I've gained the most wonderful friends who leave comments, from all across the globe! Which has been the greatest and most unexpected fun I've ever had!
And I would be completely remiss if I didn't mention your countries by name! According to the statistical reports today, here's a current list of readership:
Australia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,
Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Belgium,
Canada, China, Czech Republic, Chile, Cayman Islands,
Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, France,
Germany, Georgia, Hong Kong,
Italy, Ireland, India, Israel, Japan,
Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova,
Norway, New Zealand, Nigeria, Namibia, the Netherlands,
Poland, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru,
Russia, Romania,
Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Spain,
Turkey, Taiwan, Tunisia,
United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Again, I am absolutely stunned!
To everyone, everywhere! Thank you so much for reading -- and for all the extraordinary, and fun and enlightening comments!
All the best for the New Year, 2012!
Good night,
Andrew
Wow!
I'm just so stunned tonight -- and so completely humbled!
It was exactly one year ago today when I first started writing to you! In a post entitled "The Butler's Tale: Locked Behind the Gates of Richistan!".
And I seriously wondered if anyone would be interested!
My attempt has been to present an unbiased point of view of the rich, and all their human frailties -- not the cartoon characters we see in television, in films, and all the nitty-gritty scandals in the news when they get themselves into hot water! Ha!
And to my absolute amazement -- this blog has spread rapidly all around the world! There are literally tens of thousands of readers checking in, from over sixty countries worldwide!
During this year I've gained the most wonderful friends who leave comments, from all across the globe! Which has been the greatest and most unexpected fun I've ever had!
And I would be completely remiss if I didn't mention your countries by name! According to the statistical reports today, here's a current list of readership:
Australia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,
Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Belgium,
Canada, China, Czech Republic, Chile, Cayman Islands,
Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, France,
Germany, Georgia, Hong Kong,
Italy, Ireland, India, Israel, Japan,
Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova,
Norway, New Zealand, Nigeria, Namibia, the Netherlands,
Poland, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru,
Russia, Romania,
Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Spain,
Turkey, Taiwan, Tunisia,
United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Again, I am absolutely stunned!
To everyone, everywhere! Thank you so much for reading -- and for all the extraordinary, and fun and enlightening comments!
All the best for the New Year, 2012!
Good night,
Andrew
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Nips and Tucks! Ha! Where Did Everybody Go?
________________________________________
So, it's that time of year again.
The "Social Season" is behind us. And all the holidays have come and gone.
It's mid-January now, and we're approaching the dreariness of deep winter!
In this world of the rich where I serve as Butler, all of a sudden there's this mass exodus of rich people all over the world -- headed to Switzerland!
For skiing at St. Moritz?
Ostensibly, yes!
But maybe not! Ha!
This is the time of year when all the nips and tucks are done -- when no one's paying attention!
There's a few frozen weeks coming up before spring, right? Plenty of time to do some plastic surgery -- and plenty of days or even weeks to hide out and recover from all the little procedures!
Eye Tucks, Nose Jobs, Eyebrow Lifts, Hair Transplants, Crow's Feet Reduction, Liposuction, Tummy Tucks, Breast Lifts/Implants, Rhinoplasty, and enough Botox injections to float a boat!
What have I left out?
Face Lifts! Of course! And Butt Lifts! Yes!
(And this could get really tricky in the Operating Room, if you look like a butt to begin with!)
There's one dear lady in local high society who's face has been stretched so many times, she now has a permanent smile! No matter what -- always smiling! (Which is why I suppose no one ever invites the poor dear to wakes or funerals anymore!)
Around here, the Mister and Missus are planning a "skiing" trip to Switzerland for three weeks! Right? I don't think so!
We'll just see what they look like when they come back!
Thanks for stopping by tonight! Hope this wasn't a huge waste of your time! But this is what's going on in my world right now!
Andrew
So, it's that time of year again.
The "Social Season" is behind us. And all the holidays have come and gone.
It's mid-January now, and we're approaching the dreariness of deep winter!
In this world of the rich where I serve as Butler, all of a sudden there's this mass exodus of rich people all over the world -- headed to Switzerland!
For skiing at St. Moritz?
Ostensibly, yes!
But maybe not! Ha!
This is the time of year when all the nips and tucks are done -- when no one's paying attention!
There's a few frozen weeks coming up before spring, right? Plenty of time to do some plastic surgery -- and plenty of days or even weeks to hide out and recover from all the little procedures!
Eye Tucks, Nose Jobs, Eyebrow Lifts, Hair Transplants, Crow's Feet Reduction, Liposuction, Tummy Tucks, Breast Lifts/Implants, Rhinoplasty, and enough Botox injections to float a boat!
What have I left out?
Face Lifts! Of course! And Butt Lifts! Yes!
(And this could get really tricky in the Operating Room, if you look like a butt to begin with!)
There's one dear lady in local high society who's face has been stretched so many times, she now has a permanent smile! No matter what -- always smiling! (Which is why I suppose no one ever invites the poor dear to wakes or funerals anymore!)
Around here, the Mister and Missus are planning a "skiing" trip to Switzerland for three weeks! Right? I don't think so!
We'll just see what they look like when they come back!
Thanks for stopping by tonight! Hope this wasn't a huge waste of your time! But this is what's going on in my world right now!
Andrew
Saturday, January 7, 2012
WD-40 to the Rescue! Ha! This is Important!
___________________________________
As the harried and overworked Butler that I am (ha!), I've finally found a few moments to catch up on some reading!
In Town & Country's November 2011 issue, there's an article entitled "At Your Service", by Jonathan Reynolds -- about things a Butler should know, and do.
One of those things was about "bowing from the waist as you back out of a room." omg!
As the bad Butler I apparently must be, let me tell you this is NEVER going to happen around here! Ha!
But wait!
In the article, Christopher Ely (who was once a Butler at Buckingham Palace!) mentioned that WD-40 was great for removing lipstick from fabrics!
What?
Around the Mrs' vanity mirror, there's always makeup, eye shadow droplets and lipstick smudges in the beige wool carpet in her boudoir! (Usually I just call in a professional once a month to spot clean this area.)
But I decided to try Mr. Ely's recommendation. And I'm absolutely stunned!
I sprayed the lipstick and the black eye-shadow specks with WD-40, wiped the spots with a dry cloth -- and voila! Gone! omg!
Will this work on napkins? On clothing?
I've yet to experiment!
And what I also don't know yet is whether or not this will leave a residue in the carpet (like most spot cleaners) -- which will eventually attract dust and create a "brown spot"?
But who cares? The lipstick is gone! And residues can usually be eliminated with a general carpet cleaning, once or twice a year. (Any more than that will destroy your carpets, of course.)
As I learn more about this, I'll let you know.
But I was so stunned today I couldn't wait to tell you! Ha!
WD-40?
Thanks for stopping by tonight!
Andrew
As the harried and overworked Butler that I am (ha!), I've finally found a few moments to catch up on some reading!
In Town & Country's November 2011 issue, there's an article entitled "At Your Service", by Jonathan Reynolds -- about things a Butler should know, and do.
One of those things was about "bowing from the waist as you back out of a room." omg!
As the bad Butler I apparently must be, let me tell you this is NEVER going to happen around here! Ha!
But wait!
In the article, Christopher Ely (who was once a Butler at Buckingham Palace!) mentioned that WD-40 was great for removing lipstick from fabrics!
What?
Around the Mrs' vanity mirror, there's always makeup, eye shadow droplets and lipstick smudges in the beige wool carpet in her boudoir! (Usually I just call in a professional once a month to spot clean this area.)
But I decided to try Mr. Ely's recommendation. And I'm absolutely stunned!
I sprayed the lipstick and the black eye-shadow specks with WD-40, wiped the spots with a dry cloth -- and voila! Gone! omg!
Will this work on napkins? On clothing?
I've yet to experiment!
And what I also don't know yet is whether or not this will leave a residue in the carpet (like most spot cleaners) -- which will eventually attract dust and create a "brown spot"?
But who cares? The lipstick is gone! And residues can usually be eliminated with a general carpet cleaning, once or twice a year. (Any more than that will destroy your carpets, of course.)
As I learn more about this, I'll let you know.
But I was so stunned today I couldn't wait to tell you! Ha!
WD-40?
Thanks for stopping by tonight!
Andrew
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"What Goes Up Must Come Down!" Goodbye Christmas!
_______________________________________
I guess it was Issac Newton who first said "What goes up must come down"!
Quite obviously -- he was talking about Christmas decorations!
Right?
In your own home, remember all the stuff we've put up all month long in December -- the Christmas tree, the fireplace mantle -- and lights all over the lawn?
Well, it's time to get rid of it!
No matter how dispiriting and depressing it might seem!
It's always so sad and creepy to see all those Christmas trees thrown out on the curb -- waiting for the garbage men to come by! Once so admired, full of lights and decorations, and now just tossed out there, like trash! Ha!
But get this: In this billionaire's house where I work, it takes the entire staff three full working days to take down all the decorations, indoors and out, in this 22,000 square/foot residence!
And what a mess! Getting everything put back into the right boxes, headed for the attic. Bringing in a truck (with a bucket lift) to get all the lights out of the trees, and the lighted wreathes on the third-floor windows. And from experience, it will take until Easter to get all the glitter vacuumed out of the carpets!
The Mister and Missus have gone away -- as they always do immediately after Christmas -- not wanting to be annoyed with any of this disruption. So at least we have some tranquility to disassemble all the trappings. (And not have to put up with all their nutty nonsense for a few days!)
I hope your Christmas take-down isn't too dreadful! (It's just that all the decorations are so full of past and newly-created memories, aren't they?)
Thanks for reading tonight!
Andrew
I guess it was Issac Newton who first said "What goes up must come down"!
Quite obviously -- he was talking about Christmas decorations!
Right?
In your own home, remember all the stuff we've put up all month long in December -- the Christmas tree, the fireplace mantle -- and lights all over the lawn?
Well, it's time to get rid of it!
No matter how dispiriting and depressing it might seem!
It's always so sad and creepy to see all those Christmas trees thrown out on the curb -- waiting for the garbage men to come by! Once so admired, full of lights and decorations, and now just tossed out there, like trash! Ha!
But get this: In this billionaire's house where I work, it takes the entire staff three full working days to take down all the decorations, indoors and out, in this 22,000 square/foot residence!
And what a mess! Getting everything put back into the right boxes, headed for the attic. Bringing in a truck (with a bucket lift) to get all the lights out of the trees, and the lighted wreathes on the third-floor windows. And from experience, it will take until Easter to get all the glitter vacuumed out of the carpets!
The Mister and Missus have gone away -- as they always do immediately after Christmas -- not wanting to be annoyed with any of this disruption. So at least we have some tranquility to disassemble all the trappings. (And not have to put up with all their nutty nonsense for a few days!)
I hope your Christmas take-down isn't too dreadful! (It's just that all the decorations are so full of past and newly-created memories, aren't they?)
Thanks for reading tonight!
Andrew
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Resolutions? (Don't Do That!)
________________________________________
It's that time of year again when many of us are inclined to make resolutions for the New Year!
(Lose weight! Stop smoking! Join a gym! And stop being so grumpy all the time!)
But in making such resolutions, you know very well we're setting ourselves up for disappointment, self-contempt, and endless, endless guilt -- for three-hundred-and-sixty-five days! Oh, no!
Shouldn't we learn from experience? Did we complete all of our resolutions last year? Of course not! We just keep putting it off one day at a time, until it's time to make new resolutions for next year! Ha!
I know for a fact my rich employers make no resolutions whatsoever! (After all, they have the time and luxury of perfecting their lives -- each and every day of the year!)
So let's don't do this again!
In fact, I have a much better idea!
Wait until Lent!
It begins this year on February 22 -- and lasts for only 46 days! (That's a far cry from 365!) And you don't have to be Catholic to participate.
During this brief period we can purge our souls and condense all of our self-centered, self-improvement New Year's resolutions into just forty-six days, under the guise of "self sacrifice"!
And then when it's over on Easter Sunday, we can all get back to business -- without any guilt! (Dear God! I'm probably going to hell for this!)
To celebrate the New Year today, what better way than to listen to George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"? By a wonderful orchestra in Bulgaria. It's long, but the best twenty minutes you could hope for! Here's the YouTube link!
And here's hoping for a new year full of hope, encouragement -- and most of all, peace!
Happy 2012!
Andrew
It's that time of year again when many of us are inclined to make resolutions for the New Year!
(Lose weight! Stop smoking! Join a gym! And stop being so grumpy all the time!)
But in making such resolutions, you know very well we're setting ourselves up for disappointment, self-contempt, and endless, endless guilt -- for three-hundred-and-sixty-five days! Oh, no!
Shouldn't we learn from experience? Did we complete all of our resolutions last year? Of course not! We just keep putting it off one day at a time, until it's time to make new resolutions for next year! Ha!
I know for a fact my rich employers make no resolutions whatsoever! (After all, they have the time and luxury of perfecting their lives -- each and every day of the year!)
So let's don't do this again!
In fact, I have a much better idea!
Wait until Lent!
It begins this year on February 22 -- and lasts for only 46 days! (That's a far cry from 365!) And you don't have to be Catholic to participate.
During this brief period we can purge our souls and condense all of our self-centered, self-improvement New Year's resolutions into just forty-six days, under the guise of "self sacrifice"!
And then when it's over on Easter Sunday, we can all get back to business -- without any guilt! (Dear God! I'm probably going to hell for this!)
To celebrate the New Year today, what better way than to listen to George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"? By a wonderful orchestra in Bulgaria. It's long, but the best twenty minutes you could hope for! Here's the YouTube link!
And here's hoping for a new year full of hope, encouragement -- and most of all, peace!
Happy 2012!
Andrew
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