I tried. I tried to “get it.” I tried to be “hip to the new scene” and embrace what appeared to me to be 52 horny bar chicks ready to rumble. Flipping through channels, my partner of 20 years and my guide to “am I being too bitchy?” Robert agreed. So by the time we were on our third Manhattan our two dogs, Max and Jake kept looking up to see what was wrong with the Daddies as they screamed “NOOOOO!” and “TEERRIIBBLLEE!!!”

Seeing a bunch of babes in boot-cut denims, heels and tank tops give each other high fives and click across the stage like a night club gal running to the bathroom was, to say the least, disturbing. But then to see them eliminated, put to the test, and embarrassed in front of a screaming crowd of, who were they, anyway…the crowd? Did they give free tickets at the Las Vegas Strip Mall? Ick. Well, it was disheartening.

Next, the swimsuit competition. Out come women primed for the cover of Maxim. Even I wanted to take them home, give them what they needed, and send them home grateful. There was no grace, no loveliness, just sex. Fitness and health? More like: "Twenty bucks for a lap dance?” Robert: "Where’s the pole?”

Poor Clinton Kelly. It was obviously for the money. I give him credit as he managed to hold it together in a sea of estrogen and implants when he obviously wanted to be anywhere else. As the most lovely were eliminated to leave us with, you guessed it, bottle blondes with spray tans and bleached teeth, the moment of no return: The eliminated contestant who got down and gave us 20. PUSH UPS! Joined by her sisters in strappy stilletos and bitty black dresses, we watched in horror.

What once gave us the hope that young women could sustain a title that held the name America, was drizzed down to Hooters waitresses who could, as a hobby, sing and dance. America. Once the beautiful.

As I was perusing the websites of “women over 40” for places to both market and to garner information, I ran into one that I think is fantastic. And, fortunately they thought I was fantastic. So be that as it may, check out www.cafeglam.com The site gives excellent and uplifting information to women second act women , and they will be featuring me in a teleseminar on April 16th at 8:00 p.m. CST. If you go to their site you can click on a link to hear me give three “top tips” for looking fabulous over forty. Check it out!http://www.cafeglam.com/2008/02/the-makeover-gu.html

My friend Mark Durkop called me to judge a fashion competition. He said “I’ve invited my friend Jack who was on Project Runway.” I’d not watched the current season of project runway, so I immediately did an internet search and go the skinny. I found Jack’s hilarious youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evCOdcJl2PEand looked forward to meeting him.

Jack arrived in time for us to appear as guests on FM107’s Lori and Julia show. Unfortunately as I pulled in to the parking lot of KSTP my car died, leaving me having to arranging towing and repairs minutes before going on air. Fortunately always there Robert, who had chauffeured Jack from the airport could stay until the segment was over and transport Jack to his hotel, and me to our home.

As I ran around trying to clean up and prepare for company (Jack, Mark and his friend, ShopNBC host Brian Kessler) Robert went to get food and drinks. Jack arrived, with laundry, and always ready to help Robert washed, dried and folded. Robert also prepared and served the food and the rest of us settled in to getting to know each other a little better. No want of conversation this group. 4 extroverts and Robert, who can certainly hold his own, but is most likely man out of the conversation when it’s ruled by 4 “front of the camera” personalities.

After about an hour we drove to CRAVE restaurant in the Galleria in Edina, where coincidentally Jack was born. Not in the Galleria, but in Edina. We met Keyvan Talebi, my business partner, and owner of CRAVE, Bella Notte, View, ReVamp! salonspa, and a few other companies I don’t know much about. His girlfriend, the ever fashionable and always charming Laura Schara joined us as we completely devoured sushi, flat bread pizzas, home made pastas, Sea Bass and Chicken. I’d go into preparation details, but that is where I have no talent. “A what reduction sauce?” Oh. Tastes good. Next.

Photo: Brian Kessler, Mark Durkop, Jack Mackenroth, Christopher Hopkins (right click to view entire image)

Photo: Mark, Jack, Christopher, Robert, Keyvan Talebi and Laura Schara (right click to view entire image)

I’m not a foodie. I like food, but discussing it is about as interesting to me, as the conversation on fashion and trend and body types was to Keyvan. I do try to throw in a business sentence or two to keep him from dozing. That or something about breasts.

All in all a lovely evening, good schmoozing, great friends and a wonderful warm up to the following night competition held at Epic Event Center in Minneapolis. But that is, another Blog.