The un-glamorous side of show-biz

The Grammy Award Show is a huge show-biz event, and it was truly an honor to attend, even just as a friend and supporter of a nominee.

But I've become jaded about show-biz, and glamorous events in general. I can't help but look past the flashy spectacle, and see the overflowing trash cans, notice the lighting cues, hear the burbling motor of the idling forklift in the dock, or note the copy-editing error in the program.

So when we stepped into the dazzling glitter of the Grammy after-party, after our eyes became accustomed to the flash and contrast of the brilliant lighting and our ears could adjust to the pulsing soundtrack - caught my eye:


Unbussed cocktail tables. To their credit, the organizers went with china and glass instead of disposables, to reduce waste. Unfortunately, for a crowd this big, you need more bus-staff.

Another problem that goes with that is keeping the food stations stocked with plates. This wok station has only two plates left. I saw ladies in chiffon gowns piling boiled shrimp and cocktail sauce onto paper napkins at another food station, but you can't do that with chow mein.

But the saddest thing was - limited seating and table space. If you have to juggle your evening bag, your souvenir program (which doesn't fit in your evening bag), your champagne flute and a china plate for food, what can you do if you can't find a seat or a space at a cocktail table?

You sit on the floor, of course. This was the scene at the perimeter of the room. You may think it's a little pathetic, for someone to go to the Grammys and end up sitting on the floor to eat. But you know what?

At least these folks were comfortable! (We didn't stoop to this level - we can't; we're not this agile! We found a cocktail table.)