Cold War Games

I'm being spammed to within less than an inch of my patience. I am exceedingly patient (I've worked on it, believe me), so this is saying a lot. While I try to get many ducks in a row, a new photograph. This is how I feel (except I'm not as cheerful as Audrey). Back soon but I'm turning off comments. I hope all are well.

Blogger Ten Commandments

Perhaps this should be about the Biblical Ten commandments. After all, we had an earthquake yesterday. Those of you who are used to tremors & earthquakes: enough with your alternate giggling & hands-on-hips annoyance at the attention it has received. It felt stronger than a 5.8 in other areas. Something about the geological formations here in the eastern U.S.

Also, those of us in the New York & Washington, DC areas are on edge because of the tenth 9/11 anniversary. Shaking buildings = terrorist activity. We were relieved that there was an earthquake, actually. I have a funny story to relate at another time. Briefly: I was outside with a friend in a high-activity urban area & made up reasons why the earth was shaking that had nothing to do with an earthquake. My imagination is intact, if not in evidence on the blogs lately.

Anyway, locusts are here, the heat wave is in a break but it's been horrible. The first real threatening hurricane to the east is on the way (Hi there, Irene). Boils must be next.

The internet crisis, along with my health problems, continues. Julie the Cat's near-death two weeks ago (while I was house-sitting in northern Virginia) was so upsetting I can barely relate it. It is her asthma again. We spent most of the day at the emergency vet, after a taxi ride from N.Va to DC (yikes) & back. Lots of meds & she's still on them. She feels better, finally, after quite a long time of not knowing if the medicine was effective. The chronic nature of the illness is really worrying, though.

To the post title: here is an excellent summation of most of what I feel lately (& always) about blogs. I have some items to contribute but that will have to wait for now. Mrs. Monologues is hilarious. I haven't been able to keep up but I think I'll follow her on the ol' tweeter.

Big thanks to Australian bloggers Simon & Julie for their continued support in more ways than I can catalogue here. xo

Finally, I am able to tweet most days from a coffee shop. So join me if you like. I'd love it.

(Claudia Cardinale via Almost Famous Cats via Pinterest)

Ice Cream

I'm having such an urge for ice cream (the good stuff) but I'm in a Starbucks & not giving up my side table away from the riff-raff. I ran this yesterday on Giulia Geranium; David Lebovitz makes such gorgeous ice cream & he does it here without a machine. I'm so going to do this when I house/cat sit next month. Although I think they do have a machine. Well, I'll set up a little comparison then. I've not made ice cream in donkeys years.

And now I really should go back to writing. Mimph.

(Françoise Hardy & Sylvie Vartan are the ice cream girls)

Cherry Blossom Walk

I try to resist getting a two-fer with the Julie blog but peeps, I am under pressure. Most of which I cannot talk about at moment. Anyway, here's the vintage photograph I found for today's Giulia Geranium. Anyone who is in the area, there's a Stand with Japan walk on Saturday, the opening day of the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin (where this photo was taken but no date). Oof.

And because some have asked via email. Yes, I support the intervention in Libya. I'm getting so much grief from fellow liberals that my hair might spontaneously catch fire. My blood pressure is rising & I have a literal pain in my neck (as well as everywhere else). Here's the deal: I worked a long time on the passage of Responsibility to Protect. This mess fits the criteria. Therefore, I support it. It would be supremely idiotic to support the notion & then say I don't support action. That's the short version. Oof. Again. Back as soon as I can.

Update - BTW. It's absolutely fine if people don't agree w/me. It's the ad hominem nature of comments that offends.

Beauty Secrets

I laughed when I saw this amusing Nickolas Muray photograph from the George Eastman House collection. My newly-in-touch friends from Strasbourg asked several things the past two months but often the first (& most asked): do you still roll your hair in socks? Answer: sometimes. So I guess it wasn't so secret...apparently I paraded around with argyles & stripy socks in my ridiculously long hair. (It really works.)

I'll be back sometime this week. Feeling not-so-well. I received some wonderful toys (video-cam, digital binoculars-wow) yesterday; but right now I'm going to draw a full bath & dip into a L'Occitane goody box--almond oil. Yum.

Week's End - Possibilities

Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.--Herodotus

Go US v. England, today at 2pm EDT. (Well, we won in 1950, I hear. I wasn't born yet.) Go Azzurri on Monday. I saw the Italians play Mexico in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals here in Washington, DC. I still have my l'il plastic Il Tricolore. Yes, it is possible to be a romantic & love sport. I am aware of the corporate-hyena stuff, spare me. You must understand that I look at these events through the prism of my Western classical academic training. Ahem. And it is stress relief of the first order.

Speaking of stress relief...American ex-pat in Italia, Michelle Fabio of Bleeding Espresso (visit her!) posted this hilarious Daily Show clip from Thursday's show on Facebook. John Oliver is just determined to undermine the Americans on behalf of the Brits. (It's funny whether you like football/soccer - or not.)

[photograph - a rugby footballer kissing his wife (or girlfriend) by the wonderful Australian photographer Sam Hood, 1934]

That's Richard & Elizabeth to You

& me. Not Liz & Dick! Some of Richard Burton's love letters to Elizabeth Taylor are in the July 2010 Vanity Fair. This is not news, I know. I look forward to receiving my copy; yes, I take it, don't judge! (With the hideous images, descriptions of human rights abuses I have to read & gaze upon...eye candy is what I need, baby.) When there is a highly-publicized VF cover, sometimes it does not arrive in my mailbox. (Grace Kelly arrived in May, so I have hope.) Monday night update: nope not here; it's on the stands. Hmmm.

I can't believe I'm posting these but the couple loomed large when I was little. Anyway, the "Liz & Dick," "Dick & Liz" is annoying. When one is preoccupied with more important matters, small things can grate. So that's my excuse to post photographs of them. (Yes, of course it's also because Burton was Welsh.)

Very few images are attributed, oddly. Some of the black & white are by Gjon Mili in LIFE archives; the others are from The Burtons - a tumblr blog. It's fun, pay a visit. And though there's a super-mushy song playing behind it, here's a well-done, high quality YouTube tribute to E&R. Very clear & beautiful photographs, many I'd not seen before. So on a June Monday, have a little fun.

Dancing in France

A well-known photograph by photojournalist Paul Almásy (1906-2003), Rock 'n' Roll sur les Quais de Paris but I want to get June on the road here. The last thing I feel like is dancing but I could be persuaded by just the right (or wrong) sort. I love the second photograph, too, so I'm including it though they're not dancing; maybe just a little break. It's about 1948 in Paris. Everyone can make up their own story.

I just noticed the third image in my folder--an atmospheric (short-hand for 'messed up':) shot of Audrey Hepburn & Fred Astaire rehearsing a dance in France. Can't resist putting it in--yes, Funny Face by Avedon via Audrey1.org.

[Here is the Almásy archive, owned by akg-images. If you just have to have a copy of Rock 'n' Roll, there are some on sale at allposters (dot) com.]

A Kiss in Times Square

I wasn't going to post today but Edith Shain (see above--she's the nurse:) will be an honored guest in The National Memorial Day Parade today. How could I resist? If you're in DC & see this, here's a link to parade info--it begins at 2pm. There will be live video (I think). Have a safe holiday (anywhere you happen to be).

Update, Later that day: Dear Anonymous Weisenheimers, I well know just what the day commemorates. NACP - No. Anonymous. Comments. Period. If you're that angry, froth elsewhere. Cheerio.

[Kiss in Times Square on V-J Day, Alfred Eisenstaedt, August 14, 1945 via LIFE Archives]

Nick, the Sicilian Druid - 2 Kids & a Dog

Do you want to laugh?

I had other plans but they're grim compared to 2 Kids and a Dog's latest episode. Watch as Nick & his father-in-law have a misunderstanding (perhaps abetted (?) by Alexia) about, let's call it provenance. I've not asked Alexia yet if I can embed the video, so please do click. They are a funny, funny family. On further thought, this is more on the fly than usual, start with May's first web episode (all very short), so you can follow this hybrid Highlander-Sicilian-Roman family in their quest to honor Alexia's heritage. (Her father wrote a book about his family history from Scotland to Virginia. Alexia grew up near where I live now.)

Now I have to go get ready for a Frenchie & fils visit.

Update early evening: Farewell, Lena.

[I've no time to be clever about photographs. It's Fred Astaire's birthday & for possible post on Funny Face I had this in a folder. Therefore, via Audrey1.org: Fred & Audrey feeling silly.]

Garden Party Hats

Not everyone finds it easy (or even possible) to choose a suitable parental day celebration card. This is not because there's an overabundance to choose from. Think about it before you send email & the like to friends whose mothers (&/or fathers) you know to be, uh, not nice. I like the photograph because I've been looking at hats & it reminds me of some personal family photos from the 1950s & 1960s. Especially hats & grabbing a flower just before the white shutter noise started. That merciful noise that made some people straighten up, shut up, & otherwise behave, if even for a few moments. On that cheery note, have a peaceful day (really).

Flower Bracelets

Michael Ondaatje's The Time Around Scars (If I ever find a link that doesn't have tons of weird pop-ups, I'll include it) is open on a table nearby & for buried reasons, I thought of this photograph already in my cache. But I love gloves, flowers, the facial expression of the woman as she looks at/past the photographer (Nina Leen, via LIFE archives). Lovers of The English Patient should read Ondaatje's extraordinary poems.There are some YouTube links to a few of his readings if you're interested. Marvellous voice. Good night.

Being Ruby - Tanti Auguri!

A most excellent friend, Julie of Being Ruby, is celebrating her one-year blogging anniversary. I've meant to do post (that would do her justice) for months. That can't happen today for various reasons...but I want to make sure that she knows how important she is to so many people. I'm thinking an ode is the suitable form & I'll work on it while trying to get 'round town, the next two days, mostly stuck in Nuclear Summit security traffic.

You will love love love her work, if you don't know it. Go & be dazzled. And urge her, as I have, to sell some of it. Please, Julie! (She lives in Sydney but has travelled widely & well.) When I won a giveaway on her site, I was shocked, shocked. Now I can't say "I never win anything." I carry this bag every single day. Look at what she generously gave away. Let me tell you, it is not inexpensive to mail a beautiful leather bag from Sydney to Washington, DC. And then she included one of her sepia photographs of a kitty-at-the-Colosseum as a birthday gift, too. When I opened the box, everything was festooned with gauzy ribbons & bows. This woman knows how to make everyone feel special.

Ciao bella from rainy DC to Sydney,

Susan & Giulia (Julie the Cat)

[photograph by Robert W. Kelley/LIFE archives]

Week's End - Easter Coiffure

I'll be back over the weekend, if you're not lucky. Meanwhile, enjoy the 1930s photograph by Sam Hood. (Check out those jodhpurs & whole off-hand outfit. This reminds me of Mapplethorpe's iconic photographs of Patti Smith.) Our Aussie friends at the NSW State Library archives are surprised by the amount of outside interest in the collection. I'm not surprised. Here's the photograph link; follow it to the ever-expanding flickr archive.

The home front: a Julie-chase with newly-purchased (crummy) cheapo video-cam-camera thingy to capture scenes of what might be asthma attacks. For the vet. I thought she'd be a ham, but she's Garbo. Picked up 27 seconds in the middle of the night. Poor girl. It's very upsetting. At least I have Hazel Smith's lovely Marie notebook to ink in observations. (Don't forget her shop, The Plum Plum.)

Other people's Easter plans (or what you did for Passover--any wild seders?) are most welcome. I need entertainment & you can make me quite envious with your tales of well- or ill-behaved friends & family, etc. I've hard-cooked the eggs; the dye will be cast as I watch NCAA Final Four (yes, I do watch). Beautiful weather in DC, but the other whether is will a sister show up, as I hope.

I had blog & other site recommendations but that will have to be on weekend/early next week. I don't want to leave anyone out. But check the comments because there have been some good ones, especially under Gregory in Black & White. Follow those bloggers. ciao!

The Museum Goer

Prepare to gag, personnes unfamiliar with Giulia Geranium. That's where I get my twee on. I keep hearing from others who are under-the-weather & beyond. this week. I share your pain; feel better, take good care. I like these photographs & there are some posts over at GG about Phillips Collection love. (For the uninitiated, it's a lovely little museum in DC; its influence is larger than its size. Sort of like The New Yorker's base subscription level. God, I'm a wonk. Shriek.) So the conceit is that I am GG's editor & complete servant. She wants to go to the Phillips & start a salon in the café. If I type more, I'll chicken out. So for those who were subjected to this yesterday, all apologies. (But really--what were you thinking falling for this nonsense, twice?)

************
Tuesday at the Phillips with GG

GG is having a righteous rumpus. Her feline heart is set on becoming a patroness of the arts, particularly at the Phillips Collection. The day may come when we'll have to rent the café & throw her a big party. The Phillips Collection was voted Washington's best museum AND art gallery by City Paper readers recently. Some young'uns--the hordes of mid-20s-30ish folks recently descended upon our city--think they discovered it. Au contraire, nos amis. (Though we're happy to have you on board.)

The Phillips was a hang-out for GG's editor when she was still an official teenager, recently returned from France. "Meet you under the Matisse" meant she could be found sitting on a lumpy bottle-green velvet sofa in the music room (under a Matisse). We'd love to see GG sleeping on that sofa; we miss it terribly--including the lumps. The jewel-box space has become too manicured for our taste; but like an old friend--you still love them, even with (too much) Botox.

Some favorite paintings at the Collection are by Bonnard. Above, The Palm & La Côte d'Azur, respectively. The museum goer (looking just like GG's editor) is by Nina Leen. She's trying to divine from an egg-shaped objet d'art, "What will the Easter Bunny bring GG?"

ciao-meow/GG's art curator & party planner

[Bonnard images via artchive.com & Nina Leen photograph via LIFE archives]

The Little Italian Mouse

Whaddya mean you love Topo Gigio? Socialist!

[Jean Seberg & non-Italian mouse from The Mouse That Roared, here.]

Twiggy

Life was easier when my mother was in charge of my hair (don't tell her, I won't admit it). She was an unabashed admirer of this look. Some mouths dropped as I walked into school after a salon visit. That Halloween, I sported Twiggy fake eyelashes, tights, & a Twiggy long shirt (or short dress); I think it was from England. I wish my mother would look at the computer; she'd love this Twiggy site. It was a lot of fun & it did suit me, that style. I returned to it in the 80s when all that hair was being permed...ugh. Not for me. There was a French Elle (there was no other Elle at the time) with a great short cut on the cover--that was it. People nearly passed out when they saw me on a Monday.

I became increasingly self-conscious as the day wore on. People kept walking into my academic department & gasped. Really gasping. I was growing annoyed & touchy with these doltish Americans (yes, I am one). Even "free spirits" said, "Oh but your beautiful hair...." Finally, a professor known for his contentiousness & barbed remarks walked in. I thought, I will scream [expletive deleted] if he says one damn thing. He considered me for just a moment & tilted his head, & said, "Wow. Jean Seberg. Breathless. Wow. Good for you." Turned on his heel & left. No one said another word.

[images via Just Covers/tumblr & the black & white via here.]

Merry Christmas Baby

Hey, it's only the fifth day of Christmas. Some people want to rush things. Anyway, I'm still not feeling very well but this is an excuse to: 1) put in a sweet year-end photograph from the folks at the NSW Australian State Library (by my fave Sam Hood), & 2) say hooray for Bruce's Kennedy Center honor. (Plus a shout-out to the local boy who still can't believe he's in the band:)

Week's End - Happy Hallowe'en!

Boo! Please visit GG's blog. There are all sorts of free sources & links to holiday craft sites. Have a fun weekend! xo

[Ava Gardner & feline friend via myvintagevogue; glow-y mask via LIFE archives, no photographer credit available; Victorian postcard via a great free clipart source, Vintage Holiday Crafts, here.]

Hair Help

Get the idea that I'm under pressure & it's all the worse because I can barely see? A hat always helps (see Lucy) & I have lots, but one must take it off at some point. These Italian beauties' hairdos would be a solution but with avoirdupois (temporary!), I'd look a frump. Also, one can take vintage just too far. Now that so many are buying (literally) into the 1960s Mad Men look, I have to put away my long-ago purchases For now.

My hair grows as fast as that Tressy doll from ancient times. (A cousin had one & I promptly gave it a haircut; apparently I was not technically adept even then; no rewinding the hair for me. Just cut it off -- it looked very Audrey H. Well, I thought so anyway.) Are you obsessed with hair & salons & so on, Susan? Why yes, why do you ask? Because you seem to be off to have something done to your hair quite often; yet, you look the same. That's consistency & avoiding fads, cappellistas. My mother taught me to be loyal to hairdressers who did a great job, not necessarily the most expensive or 'fashionable.' (Although hers was this totally cool guy.) This advice, unlike most of her advice (sorry, Mom), has served me well.

So off to Camille-the-Genius...creeping across town, once again knowing that I will run into people I know who are uncharitable gossips. When I leave, not a soul I know will cross my path. Except possibly other human rights advocates, one of whom told me recently at an evening meeting sort of thing...that he thought I was frivolous about hair & clothes. I was wearing brown trousers, a brown jersey top, brown boots, & my father's Levi jacket (from his youth on a farm). Oh, & some sort of tiny earrings that were certainly not diamonds, & a long skinny scarf from I have no idea where...& dark pink cotton crocheted gloves (sort of 80s) that I bought in France for about 5 FF (so really old). Apparently a Grazie magazine tumbling out of my bag tipped him off to my insensitivity to the multitudes. Meanie.

[photographs from LIFE archives by Yale Joel & Loomis Dean; my now-traditional bangs-in-crisis photograph via Italia Vogue scan, here)