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An androgynous driver named Monica greeted me at the airport in a black tuxedo that would make Albert Nobbs weep for joy, prompting me to devilishly think of her as "Nobbs" all weekend. She barely recognized me sporting a new Sally Hershberger hairdo, "the yenta with the dragon tattoo."

Checking into the Beverly Hills Hotel I bumped into best actress nominee, Golden Globe and Spirit Award winner Michelle Williams with her daughter Matilda Ledger headed to the swimming pool. Innocently standing there with no makeup she was remarkably the antithesis of Marilyn Monroe. I told her she so deserved the Oscar for her mesmerizing transformation which did not cheer her up knowing the gold was going to Viola or Meryl.

This year there seemed to be more parties than ever. Vanity Fair publisher Edward Menicheschi staged a staggering six nights of “CAMPAIGN HOLLYWOOD.” Ermenegildo Zenga and Colin and Livia Firth hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont to benefit Oxfam America, Colin’s pet charity. Editor Graydon Carter and Edward greeted Cameron Diaz, Kristin Davis, Gary and Alexandra Oldman, Mia Wasikowska. In addition, Livia spoke about her 'Green Carpet Challenge' which uses eco-friendly fabrics for “wear it once” gowns at awards shows. Get it? Go green on red.

It was a busy night at the Chateau as French billionaire investor Nicolas Berggruen hosted his party for young, leggy, breathtakingly beautiful models. Lindsay Lohan was on the loose after a judge having announced she was making great progress. She showed up sober wearing a new face bloated with injectable Restalyne that could only be preparation to portray Elizabeth Taylor in "Liz and Dick", her film for Lifetime. Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymour and Peter Morton and Linda Evangelista joined Josh Harnett and Emile Hirsh under the terrace heaters. The boys were looking for love in all the right places.

Thursday, February 23

Thursday night boasted fifteen events causing party panic. Here is a brief rundown of seven.

At The Hollywood Reporters Nominees Night, editor Janice Min and publisher Lynne Segall greeted the power brokers. With ballots in, competing studios cordially mingled in the mayor’s backyard. Owen Wilson slipped in the back door and hung with Michael Sheen and producer Letty Aronson. Producers Kathy Kennedy and Frank Marshall chatted with DreamWorks partner Stacey Snyder, producer Graham King and Emily Mortimer. Fox's Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos compared notes with Focus's James Shamus. Young directors Drake Doremus ("Like Crazy"), Sean Durkin ("Martha Marcy May Marlene") and Oscar nominee and Spirit Award winner J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call") drank at the bar. Breakout directors Nick Jarecki ("Arbitrage"), Zal Batmanglij ("Sound of My Voice and "The East") and Jay Duplass ("Jeff Who Lives at Home") dreamed about their future nominations. Aaron Sorkin, Piers Morgan and Lawrence O'Donnell handicapped Romney vs. Obama as Brooklyn Decker sashayed by.

Urs Fisher's exhibition Beds & Problem Paintings featured two bed sculptures at Larry Gagosian's Gallery followed by his private dinner at Mr. Chow's. Art lovers Vera Wang, Russell Simmons, Steve Martin, Jean Pigozzi and John Waters attended.

The US-Ireland Alliance honored nominees "Hugo" screenwriter John Logan, "Bridesmaids" star Melissa McCarthy and Michelle Williams at Bad Robot. Logan also wrote "Rango" "Coriolanus", 007’s "Skyfall" and "Jersey Boys" for the big screen.

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