First, I will start today's blog posting with an apology to all of my loyal readers for my recent MIA status.  Last week was a tough one.  

My trials and tribulations began last Saturday morning when I threw my back out.  I have two herniated discs in my lower back that normally do not trouble me at all.  Once or twice a year, I turn the wrong way, sleep funny, or reach for something and blinding pain shoots down my spine, my knees buckle and I can no longer stand up straight, so much as walk.

The days following such an incident usually take place from the floor.  However, I had a 6:00am flight to California on Monday Morning.  Carrying luggage is no small feat when you can barely walk.  I doubled-up on pain killers, leaned on my wheel-along suitcase and hobbled through the airport.  Much to my Chagrin, I did not receive an upgrade, so I spent the next six hours cramped up in the seat.  It took me almost a half an hour to get up and off the plane.  I arrived at the hotel and began immediately working. 

Clutching the walls, I struggled through the walk-thru of our event.  I sat down as often as I could and worked through the pain.

Monday night, we held a group dinner at Mozza, the new Mario Batali and Nancy Silverman pizza place in Los Angeles. More of a social scene than a fine dining experience, I found their food to pedestrian.  We began with a glass of Prosecco and series of appetizers: fried potatoes with herbs; Arancine alla Bolognese (which were small, fried risotto balls); and fried squash blossoms.

For a second course, they served Nancy's chopped salad and an assortment of thinly sliced, cured meats.

Our main course was, of course, pizza.  They presented us with four different pies: Salame, mozzarella and tomato with Fresno chilles; Clams, oregano, parmigiano and pecorino; Bianco with fontina, mozzarella, sottocencere and sage; and finally tomato, extra virgin oil and Sicilian oregano.  

Growing up in Brooklyn, I was raised on the U.S.'s best pizza, making me an innate pizza snob. I prefer my pie with homemade sauce, fresh cheese and crisp crust. With very few exceptions (pepperoni or basil), I enjoy plain pizza pies.  The more crap that people pile onto a pizza, the less appeal it has to me.   

The next morning, I attended meetings, followed by a press conference rehearsal and finally, we held our event.  My first Hollywood premiere, we watched from inside as entire cast of "Into The Wild" made their way down the red carpet.  During the after party, we met Sean Penn, Emile Hirsh, Eddie Vedder, Marsha Gay Hardin, Vince Vaughn, Christina Ricci and many other A-List celebs.  Thankfully, I had enough drugs in my system to stand up straight throughout the afterparty.

My trip home was another story entirely.  Once again carrying luggage and cramped into a small seat, I winced through a six hour flight, struggling to keep sensation in my left leg.

There was no rest for the weary as I worked Thursday and Friday as well.  It is only now that I have a moment to write to you.

Thankfully, I am walking again.  The injury is healing and I might even be able to go back to the gym in a few days – just as I am scheduled to go back to California.