body2body

I do believe Mr. Fawkes when he says that it's just a month hiatus - because I do think he would have leveled with us if the site were truly coming to a permanent end. And if it takes a month to upgrade and to give the powers that be a well-deserved vacation, then so be it. I seem to remember that we've had something similar happen before, though maybe not for as long as a month.
 
We can handle this. We can be self-sufficient adults, and wish each other fabulous holidays, and go away for a month and then come back refreshed in 2019 ready to go at it again with an upgraded site, a rested owner/staff, and maybe even some new and practical thoughts on how to have a politics section out here lol. (And based on today's news, I bet we'll have lots to discuss there once we get back, lol.)
 
I'm grateful for this site for many reasons, including certainly the ones it was originally intended for. And I trust we'll have more to be grateful for in the new year.
 
Happy holidays, everyone, and see you next year!!

Wishes for Happy Holidays to everyone here. My Christmas wish is that Guy Fawkes and Daddy will find a way to make this site and Daddy’s viable for the coming year. My hope is that January 2nd I can return here to learn, gripe, praise, and laugh. If that means I need to subscribe, so be it. I want to Thank Guy Fawkes, and all the Forum Moderators who have made this place right at the head of the line of “frequently visited sites”. Enjoy the break and I look forward to interacting with you all in the New Year.

Wishes for Happy Holidays to everyone here. My Christmas wish is that Guy Fawkes and Daddy will find a way to make this site and Daddy’s viable for the coming year. My hope is that January 2nd I can return here to learn, gripe, praise, and laugh. If that means I need to subscribe, so be it. I want to Thank Guy Fawkes, and all the Forum Moderators who have made this place right at the head of the line of “frequently visited sites”. Enjoy the break and I look forward to interacting with you all in the New Year.

I saw a guy a couple of times a month for about six years. After about 3 months, as we were saying goodbye, I reached into my pocket to pay him, he took my hand, shook his head, and said “this one is on me”. Every so often he would do it again. I always appreciated it (and never expected it), and I’m sure it was one of the reasons I saw him for so long.

My favorite Hockney piece has always been a photographic collage, The Scrabble Game (1983).
 
I don't agree with the criticisms of shallow or cheery--both because I don't see his work that way and because I don't see those qualities as automatic negatives. To each his own!

I have loved David Hockney’s work for years, like Matisse, and Frank Stella, his work is often dismissed as being “decorative” as if it were somehow a sin for paintings to be pretty, colorful, easy to look at. He has been an innovator too working with Polaroid photos and Video. Like Picasso, and Matisse, his designs for the stage have also been important. I have had the pleasure of seeing productions of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde”,and Richard Strauss’ “Die Frau Ohne Schatten” Hockney’s sets, costumes, and lighting added to both productions.

About 10 years ago I arrived in Paris in late October. It was unseasonably warm, in the high 70s, yet everywhere I went the Parisians were on the street in tweed jackets, flannel pants, and sweaters. I commented on this to my waiter at a Cafe, and he said “it is Fall, in Fall we wear Fall clothes”.

About 10 years ago I arrived in Paris in late October. It was unseasonably warm, in the high 70s, yet everywhere I went the Parisians were on the street in tweed jackets, flannel pants, and sweaters. I commented on this to my waiter at a Cafe, and he said “it is Fall, in Fall we wear Fall clothes”.

I have loved David Hockney’s work for years, like Matisse, and Frank Stella, his work is often dismissed as being “decorative” as if it were somehow a sin for paintings to be pretty, colorful, easy to look at. He has been an innovator too working with Polaroid photos and Video. Like Picasso, and Matisse, his designs for the stage have also been important. I have had the pleasure of seeing productions of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde”,and Richard Strauss’ “Die Frau Ohne Schatten” Hockney’s sets, costumes, and lighting added to both productions.

I have loved David Hockney’s work for years, like Matisse, and Frank Stella, his work is often dismissed as being “decorative” as if it were somehow a sin for paintings to be pretty, colorful, easy to look at. He has been an innovator too working with Polaroid photos and Video. Like Picasso, and Matisse, his designs for the stage have also been important. I have had the pleasure of seeing productions of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde”,and Richard Strauss’ “Die Frau Ohne Schatten” Hockney’s sets, costumes, and lighting added to both productions.

I saw a guy a couple of times a month for about six years. After about 3 months, as we were saying goodbye, I reached into my pocket to pay him, he took my hand, shook his head, and said “this one is on me”. Every so often he would do it again. I always appreciated it (and never expected it), and I’m sure it was one of the reasons I saw him for so long.

I saw a guy a couple of times a month for about six years. After about 3 months, as we were saying goodbye, I reached into my pocket to pay him, he took my hand, shook his head, and said “this one is on me”. Every so often he would do it again. I always appreciated it (and never expected it), and I’m sure it was one of the reasons I saw him for so long.

I saw a guy a couple of times a month for about six years. After about 3 months, as we were saying goodbye, I reached into my pocket to pay him, he took my hand, shook his head, and said “this one is on me”. Every so often he would do it again. I always appreciated it (and never expected it), and I’m sure it was one of the reasons I saw him for so long.

Saw Ben Levi Ross star in Dear Evan Hansen tonight at The Ahmanson in LA.
 
I'm not the first to say D.E.H. is a one-of-a-kind musical. Ben Levi Ross has some great pipes, as well as impressive acting chops for the role. Not an easy part and he nailed it. This show is touring so you can see the same cast that is currently performing here in LA. They are great, all of the cast.

Mme. Louise Elizabeth Vigée Le Brun. The self portrait with her daughter Julie from 1786 is one of my favorite paintings in the Louvre. There is a palpable sense of affection between the beautiful Mme Le Brun and her daughter. Marie Antoinette’s favorite painter, she was forced to flee in 1790, and enjoyed a successful career working in Rome, Naples, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and London before returning to France where she worked until her death in 1842.
https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/europe/france-museums/paris-museums/the-louvre/highlights-of-the-louvre/self-portrait-with-her-daughter-julie-by-louise-elisabeth-vigee-le-brun/

Jeanne Lanvin was a Genius, and Lanvin was until Poiret was revived from the grave this year, the oldest name still in use ( she joined the Couture syndicate in 1909). I still have a sports jacket I bought at the old Lanvin Men’s boutique on the rue de Castiglione back in the late 80s. I treasure it.
However, the title of First fashion house belongs to the House of Worth, founded by Charles Worth in the 1850s. He was the designer to Empress Eugenie, Elizabeth of Austria, and practically every person of wealth and influence in Europe. Worth was the first house to show two annual collections, the first to show clothes on live models in Fashion shows, the first to have Salons in Paris, London, Deauville, and Biarritz, and the first to put a label with his name in every garment. When Empress Eugenie went to Egypt for the opening of the Suez Canal she told Charles Worth that she would need to order 250 gowns for the trip.
Every designer since owes Charles Worth a debt for creating the concept of Haute Couture.

Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most legendary designers with a career that ran from 1919 to 1968. He was Spanish-Basque. He had a salon in Paris from 1937 to 1968. He was respected and admired by both Christian Dior and Coco Chanel as the greatest tailor living. His clothes were innovative and sculptural. His work was often spoken of as architectural. He was also respected as a teacher with Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta, and Emmanuel Ungaro among his students. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Musee de la Mode in Paris back in the 90s and was taken by the beauty and originality of his designs. Balenciaga closed his House when he was no longer able to personally be in charge of his collection. He died in 1972, Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline “The King is Dead”.
Unfortunately Balenciaga has become one of the “Zombie” fashion houses, revived to license the name to produce clothes, handbags, shoes, and perfume that have no relationship to the Genius whose name they bear.

Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most legendary designers with a career that ran from 1919 to 1968. He was Spanish-Basque. He had a salon in Paris from 1937 to 1968. He was respected and admired by both Christian Dior and Coco Chanel as the greatest tailor living. His clothes were innovative and sculptural. His work was often spoken of as architectural. He was also respected as a teacher with Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta, and Emmanuel Ungaro among his students. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Musee de la Mode in Paris back in the 90s and was taken by the beauty and originality of his designs. Balenciaga closed his House when he was no longer able to personally be in charge of his collection. He died in 1972, Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline “The King is Dead”.
Unfortunately Balenciaga has become one of the “Zombie” fashion houses, revived to license the name to produce clothes, handbags, shoes, and perfume that have no relationship to the Genius whose name they bear.

Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most legendary designers with a career that ran from 1919 to 1968. He was Spanish-Basque. He had a salon in Paris from 1937 to 1968. He was respected and admired by both Christian Dior and Coco Chanel as the greatest tailor living. His clothes were innovative and sculptural. His work was often spoken of as architectural. He was also respected as a teacher with Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta, and Emmanuel Ungaro among his students. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Musee de la Mode in Paris back in the 90s and was taken by the beauty and originality of his designs. Balenciaga closed his House when he was no longer able to personally be in charge of his collection. He died in 1972, Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline “The King is Dead”.
Unfortunately Balenciaga has become one of the “Zombie” fashion houses, revived to license the name to produce clothes, handbags, shoes, and perfume that have no relationship to the Genius whose name they bear.

Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most legendary designers with a career that ran from 1919 to 1968. He was Spanish-Basque. He had a salon in Paris from 1937 to 1968. He was respected and admired by both Christian Dior and Coco Chanel as the greatest tailor living. His clothes were innovative and sculptural. His work was often spoken of as architectural. He was also respected as a teacher with Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta, and Emmanuel Ungaro among his students. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Musee de la Mode in Paris back in the 90s and was taken by the beauty and originality of his designs. Balenciaga closed his House when he was no longer able to personally be in charge of his collection. He died in 1972, Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline “The King is Dead”.
Unfortunately Balenciaga has become one of the “Zombie” fashion houses, revived to license the name to produce clothes, handbags, shoes, and perfume that have no relationship to the Genius whose name they bear.

Cristóbal Balenciaga was one of the most legendary designers with a career that ran from 1919 to 1968. He was Spanish-Basque. He had a salon in Paris from 1937 to 1968. He was respected and admired by both Christian Dior and Coco Chanel as the greatest tailor living. His clothes were innovative and sculptural. His work was often spoken of as architectural. He was also respected as a teacher with Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta, and Emmanuel Ungaro among his students. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Musee de la Mode in Paris back in the 90s and was taken by the beauty and originality of his designs. Balenciaga closed his House when he was no longer able to personally be in charge of his collection. He died in 1972, Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline “The King is Dead”.
Unfortunately Balenciaga has become one of the “Zombie” fashion houses, revived to license the name to produce clothes, handbags, shoes, and perfume that have no relationship to the Genius whose name they bear.

I saw Ray on several occasions, I always had a good time. We discussed what I was comfortable with and my preference for “safer” sex practices. He did not push me into uncomfortable territory.
I stopped seeing Ray after he sent me a text while I was at work, and in the midst of a Client meeting, there on the conference table, in clear view of my Client, was an unsolicited, and very undesired pic of Ray sporting an erection with the message “call me f****r you know you want to”. That was the end of my association with Mr. Dalton.

I saw Ray on several occasions, I always had a good time. We discussed what I was comfortable with and my preference for “safer” sex practices. He did not push me into uncomfortable territory.
I stopped seeing Ray after he sent me a text while I was at work, and in the midst of a Client meeting, there on the conference table, in clear view of my Client, was an unsolicited, and very undesired pic of Ray sporting an erection with the message “call me f****r you know you want to”. That was the end of my association with Mr. Dalton.

The House in question predates the existance of West Hollywood. It dates from when the town was an exurb of Los Angeles built by Moses Sherman to house workers for his Pasadena-Pacific Railway in 1896. Here is an article from one of our local Public TV stations KCET-
https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/how-the-town-of-sherman-became-the-city-of-west-hollywood

Back in the 1980s I bought a small apartment building in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The building was constructed in 1922. I had the building inspected by a reliable inspector with a good reputation. I also had a termite inspection done, and because of the buildings age, got the seller to agree to have the building tented an fumigated. A couple of years later I had an exterior wooden stairway replaced and the contractor opened the stucco wall. The studs looked like Swiss Cheese. It was old termite damage, there was no recent activity, and neither the building inspector, nor the termite inspector could have seen it without removing the stucco. It cost me thousands to fix the problem. When you buy an older property there can be issues that no inspector can see.