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Well guys, I couldn't blog while in Europe as Internet access was VERY limited to me. September is going to be a very full month so I am going to split my blog into three sections:

1. Where am I and What¹s Happening Now?
2. Europe 2007
3. Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month

WHERE AM I AND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

I was supposed to fly back to the US via Chicago, but my connecting flight to Paris was delayed and I had to re-book a new flight that flew me through NYC. I was lucky to get a room at my home away from home at The Chambers Hotel. The terraces I designed earlier this year look beautiful! Here is a pix of the terraces from my room on the 11th floor.

So after spending the night, and luckily getting to sleep regular east coast standard hours, I got on a plane the next day to travel to Maine, where I am now.

I'm in Milbridge, Maine, not too far from Bangor and it is absolutely beautiful here. This is the second time I've come to Maine. The family is in an interesting situation...the house they live in is haunted! YEP! Tune in to find out all of the details. It's going to be an interesting show!
There is a new designer joining us by the name of Didiayer Snyder. And here's her IMDB site. She is of Australian origin and just a wonderful person. I'm really happy to have her as part of our team. Here is a pix of Didiayer working in her trailer.

On the first day of shooting, the first cold front of the season came in. As I write this to you, it is cold, dark, cloudy and rainy outside. Autumn is just around the corner. The next time I write to you I¹ll still be here in Maine. I'll keep you updated!

EUROPE 2007:Part One

A little over a year ago, one of my closest friends and the former editor of People en Espanol, Richard Perez-Feria was honored at the Miami GLAAD awards.

I, along with many others, including mega-producer, Emilio Estefan and his wife, Gloria Estefan, were there to support and celebrate Richard. While sitting at our table and also sitting next to Gloria and Emilio Estefan, they had a live auction for a trip to Europe. Now, under normal circumstances, I would not participate in a bid like this. Extreme Makeover:Home Edition is treating me well, don't get me wrong, but not so much so that I can afford to bid several thousand dollars on a trip. Regardless, after a few Margaritas and with the Estefan's enthusiasm, I bid on the trip and won! Several thousands of dollars later, and for a great cause I may say, I had won a First Class round trip airfare to Europe and one week¹s stay at a boutique hotel in Barcelona.

A few weeks later my good friend and business partner, Steve Miller, invited me to his 40th birthday celebration. He was to rent a villa in Tuscany and invited 12 of his closest friends. He basically told us to get ourselves there and the rest would be taken care of by him. So I decided to book a two-week vacation and combine both Barcelona and Tuscany into a great trip. It had been a couple of years since my last real vacation and with my work schedule I figured I should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Three weeks ago I did just that. After our shoot in Wyoming, and after being at the baptism of my Goddaughter, Lucia Sanders in Chicago, I boarded a plane via Boston and Madrid and made my way to Barcelona. My first class flight on Iberia Airlines was like a scene out of the movie The Fifth Element.


TRIBUTE TO HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: Part One

This month is Hispanic Heritage month and I would like to pay tribute to the Hispanic members of my production team on Extreme Makeover:Home Edition. Over the course of this month I will highlight several individuals who
proudly make this show a reality for so many families across the country:
Here is John Bojorquez aka 'Johnnie Transpo'. He is of Mexican descent and is the captain of the transportation department on our show. He's a wonderful husband and father who is truly loved by everyone who works with him on set.

This is Chris Flores. He is also a driver on the transportation unit of the same production team. He is also of Mexican descent. Always in a good mood, Chris is known to have an excellent and eclectic collection of music
on his iPod when traveling around the country.

This is Servio Escovedo. I've known Servio from my first season on the show. Also of Mexican descent, my 'homie' leans back and keeps his elbows up and side-to-side!!! He is a husband and father of two and an incredible sounds engineer.

Stay tuned for more features on other Hispanic's on our show during the month of September in Part 2, for the next segment of my European journey, and to find out what¹s happening in Maine!

Hasta Luego!!