g56whiz

Yet again!!

Too much of a good thing

OMG!!!

Gives new meaning to “hot button”.

Would that HE were coming down my chimney this Christmas. I promise he’d get more than milk and cookies.

Three times. The first was for a fellow GI in France marrying a WAC medic. Two ceremonies: a civil ceremony in the mayors office that consisted of endless signing of many copies of some sort of marriage contract. I was fighting diarrhea and nearly soiled myself. Next day was a small chapel service on base. Reception consisted of a nice dinner in a local restaurant. They had no time for a honeymoon so my wedding gift was first night and nice hotel on the river. I went out and checked them and delivered champagne and flowers for the room. I took the key and gave it to the groom at the restaurant. He was sure just how much to trust me. The said they collapsed in laughter when they unlocked the door. Champagne and flowers were in place in a lovely room - with twin beds. The other two were for the same guy his second and third marriages. The first time I was only an usher. The last was a very small affair in Savannah during Hurricane Floyd. I got there but the groom’s family didn’t. They’re still married. I also sang at the first and third weddings of my first college roommate. We remained friends for the next 47 years. I miss him.

Don’t think so. The head is too narrow. So is the hair. More like Thoreau, Emerson or some 19th century Kentucky pol I suspect.

Been there: done that (but not often enough)

What I do lament is the quality of the radio broadcast features, which when I was a kid (in the first years when Peter Allen took over as host and Geraldine Souvaine was the intermission czar, lol), just felt classier, so much more informative, and fun. Even the ubiquitous Opera Quiz doesn't feel like it did back then. Ah, well... Agreed but will there ever be a radio voice as mellifluous as that of Milton Cross? Or any wit as droll as quizmaster Olin Downes? As for Geraldine Souvaine according to insiders long since deceased, referring to her as a czar is only appropriate in the context of Ivan the Terrible.

Up until recently I think the Met might have agreed with you. Saturday after Saturday at Live In HD performances the breath starved diva would walk off stage only to have Deborah Voight or Renee Fleming thrust a mic in their face with a “How did if feel singing Seglinde this afternoon?” If was like half time at a pro football game. Fortunately they’re more thoughtful now. As a retired performer I might have at one time agreed. I admit to attending performances like a sporting event at which I was cheering on the tenor “There he goes! Is he going to nail that high Aflat? YESSSSS!! But when performing my challenge was always to give all of myself in attempting to achieve the objective of the composer. That may disqualify me now as being a fan.

I’m just out of camera range on the right (I wish!).

Hail! Hail! The gang’s all here (except for us alas).

I think it’s irrelevant. He was best a bottom. At least in porn.

Damn. I wish he was still escorting.

That Twunk has a grower!

A passing moment with Clark Kent.

Well it’s the correct starting position.

Let’s see how THAT business model works out for him. [sneer]

Sorry @Avalon. There is nothing ever great about kitsch. True patriotic monuments are inspired by events that move a nation united. I suspect it will be a long time before that occurs here again - if ever.

An excellent review @TruHart1 with which I fully agree. I’m not a big Puccini fan and Fanciulla is far from my favorite Puccini opera (which is probably Tritico) yet both Kaufmann and Westbroek went on and on about how great Fanciulla is. With this performance I began to understand why they think so. I too am looking forward to experiencing this particular performance again and again. Similarly Lucic is not my favorite baritone. Unaware of his other Met duties currently I kept thinking I’d like to see his Scarpia. In fact I thought these three principals could head a spectacular Tosca cast. But I wonder why it is that the Met can’t seem to attract Italian singers of comparable quality for these roles. Finally watching this Fanciulla in deep south Texas, I was amused each time a singer had to maneuver in Italian names like Monterrey, Sonora, Sacramento, or Maud. I might even hit the rebroadcast this Wednesday. Thanks again @TruHart1.

A droll follow up. In the Army I always kept a condom in my wallet. I was stationed in France then Germany. One summer my parents came to visit. I can’t recall exactly why but at one point I had to hand my wallet to my father. He couldn’t miss the distinct outline of what was inside. I CAN recall his failed attempt to stiffle his shock. Not a word was spoken.

Condom? I never even got a birds and the bees lecture. I was masturbating before I realized that immaculate conception was not the standard method of birthing. I was an only child who lived in the country and had little contact with cousins. I could have become a monk I guess.

Pure American kitsch.

But only the honey walnut shrimp.

I’m out but not outrageous. Few a Golds Gym know that I’m gay and at my age they probably don’t care. Those that know know because they are aware of my living arrangement. I’ve have a partner several decades younger than me. Interestingly discussing my sexuality when necessary was a lot less difficult than outing myself as someone dealing with mental illness. For many years I suffered from depression and on a few occasions it caused outbursts of anger that were not otherwise explainable. That was hard to do. But in each case it created a closer friendship.