A knockout time in three rounds
As a fledgling actress, Dutch-born Lucia Rijker knows all about fighting for roles. As perhaps the world’s premier female boxer with a 17-0 record, she knows a thing or two about just plain old fighting too. The two disciplines came together quite nicely for Rijker in Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed, just-released “Million Dollar Baby,” in which she mixes it up with Hilary Swank. With the breakthrough role now on her resume, the single, thirtysomething Rijker might be expected to hang up her gloves, but she says a showdown against likewise-unbeaten Laila Ali -- Muhammad Ali’s free-swinging daughter -- would be the perfect career-capper. Until then, the L.A. resident’s up for some downtime, and she knows just how she’d spend it.
From Bowl to bowl
I love seeing concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, and the perfect Friday night for me would be to get some friends together and take a limousine to a concert there. I like Stevie Wonder, Barry White, maybe Annie Lennox. No, wait -- Denise Williams! I just love her. Before the concert, I’d have a picnic dinner for my friends. I usually eat raw or health-conscious food, so I’d order miso soup and brown rice from Real Food Daily on La Cienega and raw tuna from a sushi place on Sunset. Maybe something macrobiotic from Raw on Broadway in Santa Monica. But since this is a splurge weekend, I’d also get that delicious vanilla ice cream and chocolate mousse from Miyagi’s on Sunset. And some tequila, even though I don’t usually drink alcohol.
Get comfortable
On Saturday morning, I’d check into the spa at a hotel and take a mud or mineral bath, get a two-hour Swedish massage and then get a facial and have my nails done. While still in my robe, I’d have a fresh-fruit breakfast in the spa and then have a personal trainer do a private tai chi session with me. Then I’d meet friends out on the beach, where we’d rent Jet Skis. I’d also find time to go back home and take my dog, Quincy, for a walk.
After all that, I’d take a nap and then go to dinner at Georgia, where I’d have the crab ravioli. Later, we’d go to the Grove and see a good movie. Hopefully something as good as my all-time favorites, “The Turning Point” and “Spartacus.”
Quiet, community
On Sunday, I’d get friends together back at my house for meditation and chanting and then a value-creating discussion in which we’d talk about the meaning of life and the struggles we’ve had and how we overcame them. Shared experiences, positive stories. I like spirituality on a Sunday and something to give you that communal feeling.
Then we’d go to brunch at the Cheesecake Factory, where I’d have a little bit of everything, or maybe we’d eat over at a good friend’s. When something is made with love, I’ll have it no matter what it is. After that, we’ll go see the Lakers play, or maybe go to a tennis match. For dinner, maybe we’d go to a macrobiotic place, or Inaka on La Brea, where even the color of the food is beautiful.
Later, I’d go to a place called Dance Movement on Helms in Culver City, where you can express what you’re feeling through dance. It has loving music, not that cold feeling that techno can give you. It’s the perfect way to end a perfect weekend. But after that, it’s back into training for me. I’m a workaholic.