Hide-and-Seek by Pavel Tchelitchew at MoMA

The first time I saw this painting, I was mesmerized. The imagery in the pieces still amaze me. 

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both 

And be one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 

And having perhaps the better claim, 

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 

Though as for that the passing there 

Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 

In leaves no step had trodden black. 

Oh, I kept the first for another day! 

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 

I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence: 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference. 

-- by Robert Frost

These Rules = Not Going... but I Changed My Mind

I would have gone, but the rules are off putting. Plus, it is at 12 PM! I don't get up before noon on any given day. I should buy the book and then stand on a line for a book signing and then not be allowed to pose for a photo with the author? I don't think so. Who the hell is he? Frankie Avalon? I am no sucker.

Get a load of this:
"Lineup will be outside front entrance. Each customer may purchase up to three books maximum. No posed photography, photos at the table or personalization. Promotional material or memorabilia will not be signed."

Update on 10/29:

So go figure! I went to this event and the line was not very long and the crowd was manageable. 

The table was waiting for the author to begin his book signings. 

And then... the author arrived and sat down. I was able to take a few photos from a distance, but then equipment obscured the view. So, I went home. 

at a Jazz Cabaret

Karen Wyman performed this afternoon at the Metropolitan Room! I was there to see her show. She sang the standards I love and did a lovely tribute to Edie Gorme.  The experience was... magical!

The show was sold out and the room was packed an hour before the show even began!

And at 4:00, Karen entered and began to sing.

Julie Budd was there and she stayed to pose for a few photos!

And Karen posed for a photo with Julie.

Karen Wyman, on the Ed Sullivan show from 1969:

Julie Budd, probably late 1960s:

a Book Signing at The Drama Book Shop

Tonight, I went to Brian Gari's book signing at The Drama Book Shop.

It was very quiet under grey skies on West 40th Street as I approached the book shop's event. 

This was taken during the reading and talk:

Brian signed my book and then we took some photos.

Ilene Kristen (Ryan's Hope) was also there and so we took some more photos. 

And Joe Franklin, who hosted the event, stayed to chat with everybody who attended.

Brian Gari is the grandson of the legendary Eddie Cantor and he is a talented musician and songwriter. I interviewed Brian in 2009 for marjorie-digest, and you can read that interview at that blog along with many other entries there about Brian's busy life. 

Retired and Reinvented in a Comeback

and ongoing until the denouement:

 S, U, or D (doubtful):

I retired in February 2002... but was it a "retirement?"

Lost and Found!

Memories, Lighting Specific Corners of a Long Career

I was Charity's teacher that year and encouraged her to enter that contest, which she won. We were all very proud of her. 

Lost and Found: a note from long ago

On Paper/Grand Central at 100

MTA Arts for Transit Unveils New Papercut Exhibition at Grand Central

from the NYPost

And so... I went today, I saw, I took photos, and I scanned!

at the NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This was a fascinating exhibit, filled with wonderful information about an age gone by.

in the NYPost

Beauty’s Legacy: Gilded Age Portraits in America

Théobald Chartran (French, 1849 –1907), James Hazen Hyde (1876-1959), 1901

Emma Cecilia Thursby (1845-1931)

Nellie McCormick Flagg (1876-1923)

Fannie Fredericka Dyckman and Mary Alice Dyckman

Hamilton Grange

In October, I will be visiting and taking a tour of the Harlem estate of Alexander Hamilton.

coming soon!

A Queer History of Fashion at FIT

A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk the exhibit at FIT, coming soon!

the exhibit's website

Pierre Balmain, Jean Cocteau, Christian Bérard, Riding Costume for L'Aigle à Deux Têtes, 1947

Gianni Versace, leather evening dress, Autumn/Winter 1992

Alexander McQueen, silk dress from Plato's Atlantis Collection, Spring 2010

Of Interest

Storm King

Thomas Houseago, Sleeping Boy I, 2012

Poughkeepsie Bridge Walkway (Walkway Over the Hudson)

Ripley's Believe It or Not

Ripley's Believe It or Not

Baseball Exhibit

Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure

Vermeer and Music

Johannes Vermeer, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal

Johannes Vermeer, The Guitar Player

Johannes Vermeer, A young Woman Seated at a Virginal

A Book Signing

The event:

Mariann from Brooklyn and me

High Pitch Mike and me

Shuli and me

Lisa G stands in the rear

Bobo poses for my camera

Robin enters

Robin speaks

Robin is ready to start the signing, with Ronnie Mund standing by

And then I walked the four short blocks to go home...