Readers, so much to cover today, some of it good, some of it not-so-good. Why dawdle? Here goes:
GOOD NEWS!
This has been a banner month for Male Pattern Boldness. We have never received so many visitors, so many pageviews, or so many (wonderful) comments. MPB Day was a hit and Cathy's strapless 50's cocktail dress a Glamour 'DO." One for the record books!
BAD NEWS!
Today will be my last post till Sunday, August 28; we're going on vacation. I should have mentioned it sooner but I just didn't know how to broach the topic -- you get so emotional about my absences. But one must recharge one's batteries and I'm still running on coal.
GOOD NEWS!
Michael's cabaret show -- featuring Yours Truly -- debuts in late October and is coming along well. (That's a promo shot up top.)
BAD NEWS!
I still haven't succeeded in convincing him to flesh out my role and add another song. I know my public wants to hear me sing "If He Walked Into My Life" and I feel it my duty to satisfy them. Michael does read this blog, however, so any comment of support would be greatly appreciated. A simple, "Give him another song!" should do the trick. If it doesn't, we can start a letter-writing campaign come September.
GOOD NEWS!
The TOP SECRET dress project, aka "Aunt Hilda," is nearing completion. At great personal risk I am posting a pic.
BAD NEWS!
On Tuesday, "Aunt Hilda' ran out of fashion fabric. Friends, this has never happened to me before. I almost never sew with 44" bolts, and I just assumed four yards would do it. I made a frantic call to the powers that be and was overnighted an additional four yards of fabric. "Aunt Hilda" is out of Intensive Care -- Whew!
GOOD NEWS!
I made The Big Purchase! It's a refurbished 21.5" iMac with a terabyte of storage.
BAD NEWS!
When I ordered it from the Apple Store, I assumed that shipping would take, tops, four days, as every other thing I've ever ordered from them has. Instead, it's taking a full week and will arrive while I am on vacation, which means making special arrangements with UPS, the neighbors, etc. A bit of a headache and if I'd known it was going to take so long, I'd have delayed ordering until my return.
GOOD NEWS!
My reserved copy of "Valentino: The Last Emperor" arrived at the library yesterday!
BAD NEWS!
Are all creative geniuses high maintenance, over-indulged princes?
I found this film to be a bit of a bore and rather downbeat, and I hated that they used Nino Rota's classic Fellini film scores as background music; I know them too well and found it distracting. On the upside, I learned that haute couture models never wear bras. And that Valentino never used a sewing machine in his work -- everything was sewn by hand. Amazing.
Friends, that's it. I have every confidence that you'll take full advantage of my absence. I know you all have plenty of sewing to do, and when that's done, well...have you wiped down your kitchen cabinets lately? And how about thinning that fabric stash a little?
I hope you have a wonderful week and I look forward to returning to you the weekend after next.
Arrivederci!
PS - Apropos of yesterday's post, I just have to ask...
"I learned that haute couture models never wear bras." That's because the never have breasts.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to watch "Yves Saint Laurent, His Life and Times" to balance out the over-indulged negativity of Valentino. It's a kinder and gentler experience. (I'm equally impressed with the talent shown in both houses, though.)
ReplyDeleteGod I love you, that is all I can say...and Michael...One more song for Peter!!!! I can't wait to see the show!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Michael,
ReplyDeleteif you are reading this, please please please throw the dog a bone and give Peter another song ;P
Fabric stash thinning??? What is that? Please enlighten! Mine has been growing by leaps and bounds lately (especially because I just discovered a great thrift shop and the Big Box store that shall not be named started stocking fabric again... Came home with 4 1/2 yards of beautiful floral cotton yesterday!). Seriously: it multiplies like Tribbles (or rabbits). Been so knee deep in a variety of other things (sewing, writing, super-secret stuff), haven't had time to really touch my sewing machine, besides dust it (at least I do that! lol.). *sigh* So sad... Hoping TODAY I'll get something done on that front. But then again, was planning on it yesterday, and ended up having to run hither, thither and yon yesterday evening. Bah!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week away! :)
Oh, and by "being knee-deep in sewing", I actually meant "sewing prep". Because that would totally defeat what I said after, wouldn't it??? I need to wake up! lol.
ReplyDeleteGive Lucy another friggin' song, Ricky!
ReplyDeletePeter -- I will miss your posts!
ReplyDeleteMichael -- For gosh sake, give him another song!
If ever there was a reason for me to plan a trip to NY, the cabaret show is it! For so many reasons....the music, the fashion, the glamour! Definitely another song for Peter is necessary! Love the sneek preview picture, too!
ReplyDeleteOK - this sounds like definitely a package deal for me - cabaret show (Michael, just put in another song, ok? Such a small thing), the hat exhibit AND the sports clothing exhibit. Definitely.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see a recent photo of Michael. I've missed him on his blog so much. Wish I could make it to NYC for the opening of his show- I'm sure it will be a huge hit!
ReplyDelete(Was that enough sucking up to warrant another song for Peter?)
Have a great vacation! You will be missed.
Ooh, I want to see you in the show but way too far away in the Hinterlands...I hope we can see a video at least of your part and your singing and your ad-lib to get an extra song in!!! How exciting! Have a wonderful vacation...you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteDarn. Just as I get finished with the week from hell--aka babysitting my nephew and niece--you're leaving! Have a good vacation, Peter! While you're vacationing, I'm going to be looking for needles for my new toy--a Sally Stanley smocking pleater. I'm going to learn to smock if it kills me! Thing is, it needs 24 needles to work, and most outfits seem to charge $2 per needle. Best price I've found so far will have to be sent from the UK!
ReplyDeleteMichael, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please! Give Peter another song? *gives Michael a sad puppydog look*
Michael - Peter is a star, he has to have another song.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely jealous that you are going on vacation. My hub and I realized that we hadn't been on a proper vacation since we got married - 4 years ago and have decided to wait til October for something crazy, like Yellowstone (this is crazy for us). If only I can make it until then. Sigh.
I watched the Valentin documentary a few nights ago, and even though he does seem rather high maintenance, by the end I felt a bit of fondness for him. And he did give it up to Giancarlo in the press conference, remember? It was totally interesting to see the inside of a haute couture house and how it runs and such though. Everything by hand - amazing!
Wait. You mean you're not in every number???? Outrageous! That simply won't do.
ReplyDeleteHave a great vacation!
We'll miss you, but I'm gonna be the one to admit it -- one less blog in my reader for a bit might actually make me more productive! I have sewing to do, after all...
ReplyDeleteMichael, for shame! You deprive us of your delightful blog, then of an extra song for your lovely partner? Tsk, tsk.....
OK, everyone, I hear your pleas. But now hear me, please.
ReplyDeleteAs you can probably tell from this blog and especially the Cathy photo shoots, Mr. MPB has a HUGE star presence that threatens to overwhelm everything else in every room he enters. I am already, having given him a song of his own plus two duets with me, worried that the audience will leave the theater saying, "Wasn't that a wonderful one-woman show?"
I wrote this show in a desperate, mid-life attempt to finally be noticed, and I'll be darned if I'm going to let a scene-stealing, spotlight-hogging Broadway Baby take that chance away from me. If one more person requests another song for Dr. Lorna, I will actually write the hussy right out of my show.
Oh dear, my emotions got away from me for a moment there. I apologize. But I'm afraid that Dr. Lorna will have to wait for her own show (which I have promised to write for her) to sing "If He Walked into My Life" and all those other torch songs I have planned for her.
Thank you.
Michael I am so torn. I was ready to post a "give him a song" comment, but then I read your comment. Like a puppy I respond to the last person with a treat.
ReplyDeletePeter. Let Michael have his moment. Let's see it from his point of view. Can we have a hug now?
xoxox
Joy of joys, I may have recuperated within 2 months. Having just been in Manhattan earlier this week, I am exhausted. New York City chews me up and spits me out, but then I cannot wait to return.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you in the fall!
Don't be manipulated, people. The backhanded compliment is the oldest trick in the book!
ReplyDeleteWhat about "Why-o, why-o (did I ever leave Ohio)"???? It's a duet, after all!
ReplyDeletehave a great vacation, Peter!
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking a duet also, but you've already accomodated someone (twice!).
Perhaps ANOTHER solo is in order - where you interject a monologue (so she's a back-up singer of sorts).
In the end, what is any man, without that certain someone behind him stepping up and standing shoulder to shoulder?
Share the spotlight Michael - you know the favor will be returned.
happy holidays!!
ReplyDeleteI heartily second your first two commenters!
ReplyDelete-- stashdragon
Cabaret show?! You're so full of surprises. Keep those of us who live in NYC posted!
ReplyDeleteGood news: What a fun post.
ReplyDeleteBad news: Cathy does not get enough songs.
Good news: Lagerfeld Confidential is one hundred times better than the Valentino doco.
Bad news: Makes Valentino like like a boy scout...maybe thats good news too?
Enjoy your break!
Again, I wish I were in NY. I'd love to see the show. And I'm sorry Peter, but Michael's appeal sounded all too reasonable. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidaying!
Have a great holiday Peter and Michael. For those of us who have no hope of getting to NY for the show please please put a few tiny videos up on both MPB and Pleasing my Palate of some of the singing (no matter who is doing it.)
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the documentary about Mizrahi? It's kinda old (80s, 90s?--he's still a Designer/haute couture name in the film) but it's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your vacation!
Valerie from PNW
Please, Michael - another song for Peter!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time on your vacation, Peter, and may the sewing "muse" give you many more fabulous ideas while you recharge! I just returned home from my much needed vacation a few hours ago with my goodie bag of fabrics, etc. They have a store called Affordable Fabrics there (Coastal Connecticut) and every yard of fabric is $1.99/yd or less. They had to drag me out...
Can't wait to see "Aunt Hilda" when she is finished. Till next weekend!
Paula
http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com
Have a great, well-deserved vacation. Love the blog and the photos!
ReplyDeleteAwaiting your return,
have a lovely holiday. I am SUPER jealous of the MPB day btw. I would like to restart the debate about mermaid gowns by sending you here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanwoodcraftmafia/6072840572/in/photostream
ReplyDelete- living proof that you NEED high hair & curves to work this rockin look!
Well, legally, he couldn't use a machine! The truly haute couture houses that are registered as so have some rule about sewing everything by hand.
ReplyDeleteDumb.
Do we all get to come see your cabaret show?
Michael, he simply can't hide his light under a bushel, another song please
ReplyDelete