Monthly Archives: December 2008

Goodbye Bettie

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Bettie Page died today. It’s hard to think of what to say. I discovered Bettie in a book at Salzer’s Records in Ventura, California and thought she was practically perfect. I wanted to look like her and spent a great deal of time lamenting the fact that I didn’t. What I liked most about her was that she seemed so unaware that what she was doing was “dirty” or “scandalous”. She simply appeared to be having a good time. Bettie was my first introduction to the term “bondage”, up until then I’d lead a very sheltered life so I was fascinated by the fact that people tied each other up and liked it; a concept that still baffles me.

The world no doubt will mourn this loss. Bettie wasn’t just a pin-up model, to many, she was a lifestyle. If I had a nickle for every girl that copied the Bettie hair style, well…I’d be rich indeed. I myself, on occasion, sported Bettie bangs. They look good on just about everyone, but they looked best on Bettie herself.

Bettie, the all American girl, the likes of which are often imitated and never duplicated. She only recently came out of hiding and never made appearances despite hundreds of desperate pleas. She wanted people to remember her the way she was. In fact, it wasn’t until recently that she had any idea how famous she was. And she always will be. She will be remembered as that sweet girl who was almost too perfect to conceive. With a gorgeous body and a sunny disposition, she will be remembered for her sweet smile, her divine figure, and that harmonious blend of sex and charm.

Farewell Bettie. To say you’ll be missed is an understatement. I bet you knew how much you were loved, but you’ll never know that now that you’re gone, the world is actually a little less brighter.

Sponsored by Canada

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Yesterday while dragging out the final hours of our New York visit, I got AJB over to see the lovely Bryant Park, just behind the even lovelier New York Public Library (opening scenes of Ghostbusters). Bryant Park does a whole big deal for Christmas including setting up an ice rink, a carousel, and temporary gifty type stores; but it’s mostly like a super fancy crafts faire.

While there, we hopped into a tent and visited Canada’s Aurora Borealis via green screen.

As you can see, AJB was a lot more excited than I was. Perhaps it’s because the light show seems to be erupting from his ear. Totally planned.

Life is a Cabaret

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I figured out why I didn’t write a lot about New York the last time I was here…this city really takes a lot out of you. You give it willingly.

Last night AJB and I saw Liza Minnelli at The Palace. I know. You’re thinking, Liza Minnelli, WTF? No, seriously. Liza’s doing a short stint at The Palace, after a nasty divorce, two hip replacements, a knee replacement, and almost dying. That said, I honestly expected to see a little old granny standing on stage, waving her arms once and a while, and not anything like the Liza we know and love from Cabaret. Holy shit! Was I wrong! She’s 62 years old and thank God for stage lighting. She looked about 45. Not to mention dancing her ass off every night, she’s lost a lot of weight. While she is obviously older, she can’t quite kick as high, she brought it to the table. I mean, this lady gave every ounce of herself and sang her little heart out. Wow. AJB and I were flabbergasted. Flabbergasted!! It was like watching The Undiscovered Country where the ensign tells Cpt. Sulu that the ship will fly apart if they go anything further. Sulu responds, “Fly her apart then!” Oh yeah, just like that.

I’ve seen plenty of old timers make their comebacks on stage. What often amazes me is the sheer will power involved. When I see 60 year olds working like they’re 30, I feel like maybe I shouldn’t complain and maybe get up and do more things. Liza is truly a powerhouse. Yes, it’s true, she was a little more tired and her voice just ain’t what it used to be, but what you must realize, even taken down a few notches, she still manages to give the performance of a lifetime. This is the only show I’ve ever been to where the singer got a standing ovation after every song. She manages to talk to the audience as if we’re all old pals. She told us stories about her youth, momma, her God-Mother Kay Thompson, she even made jokes about her horrible divorce. If you don’t like Liza Minnelli, it’s because you’ve never seen her show. All I can really say is “Wow!” That lady has moxie! And she knows who her audience is: Older gay couples and old ladies. AJB and I fall into one of those categories, although we’re not sure which.

After Liza, we braved the cold, cold, streets of Times Square and had dinner at a steak house called Bond 45 – I can always find veggie foods at steak houses when put to the challenge. We then made our way to yet another show called Slava’s SnowShow. Slava is a Russian clown who, once upon a time, was part of Cirque du Soleil. So I was thinking, how bad could it be? Sorry to say, it was pretty bad. Boring as shit. Apparently people are saying this is the most beautiful show they’ve ever seen. I have to wonder if they’re talking about another show entirely. What parts are they talking about? The part where the clown walks across the stage excruciatingly slow? I fell asleep a few times and AJB woke me up to see the big finale. Ok, that was pretty great, but one great finale doesn’t make a whole show. All I know is, Slava was facing a wind machine, paper snow and smoke was flying out at the audience and that one song from Carmina Burana was playing as a super-bright light filled the room. Of course, it had nothing to do, whatsoever, with the entire show and didn’t actually mean anything. It was just random. No story, just small meaningless vignettes that weren’t actually funny.

Naturally, it’s hard to top Liza, so maybe anything I saw wouldn’t compare, but it wasn’t just that. Slava’s show sucked. I wish we’d gone to see Equus. At the very least we’d get some full frontal Daniel Radcliffe even if it comes with the poking of horses’ eyes out.

Today, it’s cold as shit, but we’re going to bundle up and see some things…in particular, the tree at Rockefeller Center. And what else? We’ll see.

Enid and Edgar Pic For You to Look At

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Every week I shoot for a small vintage clothing store in Echo Park called Enid and Edgar. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s fun, it breaks up the week, and I love the owners. Their models who are store customers, are also great. I do most of the shooting outside on the street, under a bridge, or anywhere close by that looks interesting.

I’ve been with Enid and Edgar for about two months and I keep meaning to post my favorite image from the week. There’s no better time than the present.

Enid and Edgar Vintage Clothing

Enid and Edgar Vintage Clothing

You can see more of the work I’ve done for Enid and Edgar at my website, their website, their eBay store or their Etsy store. I have to say, it’s some of my best work.

Christmas Tree in Highland Park

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A few days after we got into Highland Park, it snowed. Lovely white layers of marshmallow covered the landscape. I kept singing, “It’s a marshmallow world in the winter…when the snow comes to cover the ground”. I blame 3rd grade chorus. Man, I hated that class. Mrs. Jardine. I wonder if she’s still around.

I wanted to take more pictures of the snow, but it was frickin’ cold. My fingers wouldn’t move shortly after this shot. I might use this for my Christmas cards this year…you know, if I can get off my ass and make them.

Christmas Tree in Highland Park

Christmas Tree in Highland Park

Prop 8 – The Musical

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Prop 8 The Musical features an all star cast in a hilarious song and dance routine in opposition of the passing of Prop 8. Pretty great, if you ask me.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Lately, we see a lot of celebrity videos that seem very DIY with a “just for the heck of it” vibe. Strange how celebrities have moved from the confines of the TV and cinema screen to the world wide webs. There is this sense of “they’re just like the rest of us” except richer and better looking and somehow, a little more accessible. Previously, celebs had this barrier around them and now, they’re making their own videos on Funny or Die, they’re on Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook. You can email them and occasionally they’ll email you back. It’s weird. One must remember that they’re not like the rest of us, they are different, and even though they poop, shop, drink lattes, and get their hearts broken, no matter what, they exist somewhere in the ether and not down here with you and me.

When you see videos like this…you have to wonder, did everyone get paid to do that or did they just have some free time to kill?

Link found at http://www.wilwheaton.typepad.com/

Highland Park Going Home

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I started writing this day before yesterday…

I’ve been in Highland Park since the 27th of November, but it sort of feels like we just got here. Even though we’ve been mostly sitting around and hanging out, I haven’t had any real time to blog. Mostly, I’ve been hanging with AJB’s family and kids, which is good. Getting to know them all a little better. Although I see his kids weekly and on every other weekend, they’re so bogged down with homework or other kid activities, we don’t really get to spend all that much time together. I guess we do, but this has been extra time and it’s been pretty great.

Arrived in Chicago on Thanksgiving. Had a nice dinner with AJB’s family including and aunt and uncle. Since I don’t eat meat, AJB’s mom fixed me a delicious grilled-cheese sandwich on the sandwich griller. It’s weird when you eat Thanksgiving dinner at someone else’s house…it’s never the same meal you ate as a kid nor is it ever the meal you equate Thanksgiving to. Funny how that works out and how we all have this idea of what a Thanksgiving meal should be. It’s almost always based on the one’s we had as a kid.

Friday, we got up late. By the time we all showered and dressed, it was time for dessert at the aunt and uncle’s house. Got over there, had some cake and ice cream and then gathered up the troops for a movie at Northbrook Court. We saw Bolt. Again. Still a good movie second time around.

Saturday, we got up late again and we’d wanted to go into Downtown Chicago, but that didn’t happen. At least, not right away. AJB’s mom had bought us all tickets to see Jersey Boys – The story of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Being a Frankie Valli fan, myself, I was actually looking forward to it…even though, as you know, I’m not a theater person. We left the house around 5:00pm, got in by 6:00pm. Dinner at Mity Nice at Water Tower Place. Rushed off to the show. It was actually quite good and by the end of it, you actually believed the guy playing Frankie was Frankie himself. Voice and all. I grew up with Frankie Valli. My Dad loved the guy, so as you can imagine, I have warm fuzzy feelings about the whole thing.

Sunday, we uh…what did we do? Oh yeah. AJB, me, and the kids went to the fabulous Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. For the last 4 years, AJB has spoken with deep love and affection for this place and credits it’s amusements towards his career choice. The MSI is a cornucopia of wonder and is far too amazing for a simple blurb. You’ll just have to visit it yourself some day. Later that night, AJB’s bestest BFF from when he was a kid (and his family) came over for dinner. It was nice catching up with everyone. They left a little early. AJB and I stayed up late fucking around on the internet.

iPhone Pictures from the Museum of Science and Industry:

Monday, AJB took his 16 year old son JAB to Northwestern for a tour…you know, just to check it out to see if he wants to go there and stuff. I find this concept unusual. My options for college were Oxnard Community College or Ventura College. Both of which meant living at home, paying rent, and taking the bus to school everyday. I moved to Pasadena instead. Naturally, these kids who’s parents saved up for their college and take them to college tours in other states, really don’t know how good they’ve got it. Because JAB is a good kid, one day he’ll arrive at the conclusion that his parents were really frickin’ good to him, he had tons of opportunities that I didn’t have, and that not every kid gets to go on college tours. Not every kid has their pick of colleges around the world and not every kid gets a free ride to education. I know one day he’ll figure it out. Right now, I imagine it’s par for the course and it’s just business as usual. I mean, what else is there?

AJB spent the whole day with his son and finally took him to the airport ahead of us. School the next day. Man, that kid works hard. I mean sure, he’s got his college taken care of, but he studies like a fiend and is one of the smartest people I know.

Tuesday, another lazy day. Slept in again. Fucked around all day. We had illusions of going into Downtown to see the Macy’s windows and eating legitimate Chicago-style pizza. Never happened. We settled for ordering pizza and watching A Christmas Story on DVD. Packed and got a few hours shut eye.

Today, came home and let out a huge sigh of relief. I’m so glad to be home. Happy to see my kittehs and sleep in my own bed. AJB asked me what I like more: Traveling or coming home? I love traveling. I’m down to go anywhere anytime. Dog Patch Idaho? I’m there. I love seeing the world we live in even if it’s small towns like Highland Park, Illinois or big cities like New York or Tokyo. It’s all good. And I love coming home. As Dorothy Gale once said, there’s no place like home. It’s so true. I live in a big, beautiful home that still has unpacked boxes from the move. The yard is a nightmare, but it’s getting there. My studio is still technically a garage, but I have my own office and one of the best views in town. This is my home. I love it and I love coming back to it. Of course, once I cross the threshold, I am suddenly transported into reality: Boxes to unpack, the holidays are here and the dining room is full of crap, the living room has no place for a tree, our bedroom is filled with more junk, and I have to figure out how to make money.

Alas, all things in good time. For now, I’m gonna rest up a little and maybe watch some TV. Even though we didn’t do much on this trip, just doing it takes the wind out of your sails.

I realize that these “sum up” travel blogs are pretty boring. I know. I’ve been reading Wil Wheaton’s blog pretty regularly again…which reminds me, I need to email him. Not like I know him, but I have a really great non-Trek question for him. The last time I emailed him, I told him he was a dead ringer for Tommy Kirk (which he is) and never heard back from him. So anyway, I’ve been reading Wil’s blog and I know he’s Wil Wheaton, King Geek, always entertaining and witty…but it makes me think about my own blog. But what? So I’m not as entertaining as Wheaton, but if I can come close…

BTW, the Vegan Zucchini Bread was a total slam dunk and no one knew it was vegan.

All Hooked Up

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I’m in the process of making my online life a little bit better. I’ve set up an account on ping.fm which allows me to update my Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter at the same time from the same place. I have also added a function in my blog which will allow me to crosspost blog entires from here to MySpace. Let’s see if it works….

Yes. It works. So here’s what happens:

Whenever I post a new blog on my WordPress site (this very blog you’re reading right now), a copy of each entry is cross-posted to my MySpace blog. Furthermore, a notice of each new entry appears on my Twitter status.

Secondarily, whenever I update my status from ping.fm, it cross-posts to Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook. I might never have to log into those bitches again.

Oh dear lord. I love technology. Do you know what this means? Do you? Can you comprehend the previously wasted minutes going back and forth from one social network to the next updating my status (cause you know, everyone wants to know what I’m doing) and then forgetting to update one for weeks on end? Look, in the grand scheme of things, my status updates don’t amount to a hill of beans. I know. I’m one small ant in a giant ant hill called teh interwebs. Most importantly, it’s fun. I think it’s cool and I’m a giganto-geek for cross-posting all my networks and blogs. All hail giganto-geeks and teh interwebs we dwell in. I am among friends. Of course, none of this matters since apparently we’re all going to die in 2012…or so say the Mayans or Aztecs. I think.

Now, to figure out how to notify Facebook of my new blog entries…