Friday's Trip to NOMA



The teapot exhibit was a bit of a disappointment, much of the 17th century stuff was all pretty much the same and a bit drab with a remarkable amount of cracked and repaired crockery in the mix. There were a few very nice things, (one teapot in particular was so barouque looking that you could easily imagine it crawling across the table when your back was turned!), but most of it was ho hum. And on the way out, there was this gold lettered signage on the wall that gave credit to the sponsors that mentioned the Twinnings Conpany! A somehow fitting ending to this somewhat tacky exhibit.

However, the other special exhibit, A Brush with History: Paintings from the National Portrait Gallery, (which included the portrait of Lena Horne above) was really wonderful! It was amazing for several reasons: the historical documentation was very good, there was a wide variety of portraits that included people in politics, film, music, art and writing, and the portraits were painted by some very wonderful painters. In many cases, they were superlative works by the artist, and certainly better than what is in NOMA's permanent collection. NOMA is not a big museum, but they try to have something by everyone important and what that something is depends on the donors of course. So, the Picasso's are sort of scraps, in fact most of the "major" artists are meagerly represented, there are no major paintings by the big guys, with the exception of Odd Nerdrum... the museum owns one of his major works.

So, it was interesting to see a portrait painted by Degas, for instance, that was a far better picture than anything in the recent Degas special exhibit. And a Jamie Wyeth portrait that he painted at the age of sixteen... and so on. Over all, it was a better representation of the history of art in general than the museum is able to present in its permanent collection. It was a totally enjoyable collection of pictures that informed with equal interest about the subject and the artist. (Some favs; Elsa Maxwell, Marlene Dietrich, Lena Horne, actually, there were so many!) And not a single spelling mistake in the entire exhibit!

The Sunday Morning Coffee Group.

I've never really talked about this before, but there's this Sunday morning coffee group that my friend Virgil hosts almost every Sunday morning, and he's been doing it for years. I have attended from time to time, but over the years when I was working crazy long restaurant hours, the 9 AM-ish starting time seemed to be difficult. And it was funny, I was watching "Lonely Hearts Club" one night a few weeks ago, and also QAF on another night and thinking, "I wish I had some friends who got together regularly to talk about things..." Well, I do have that! I had just let my work eat up my life to the point where I forgot about the fact that I had a group. It's nice to be home again...

George, (who has appeared in this journal before) and Virgil, ( our host).


Now I must tell you that there is something about Virgil's kitchen that seems to inhibit great photography! hehe.

Robert, (his back to you) and George, smiling for the camera.


An artist and set designer, and fellow photo journalist.
(whom I didn't get permission to name, but she is amazing...


It's always an interesting bunch. Over the 2 to 3 hours we spend together drinking coffee and eating sweets we covered the latest news, gossip, and personal foibles. This ayem, the topics of discussion included local political scandals, skin diseases and nervous disorders, personal sexual experiences, legal and medical topics from a personal point of view, what everyone's pets did during the week and what was good or bad about movies, television and growing up. It's a wonderfully entertaining core group, witty and sharp, well educated. There are a couple of professors that show up from time to time to elevate the level of the discussion and some people that stop by while they are visiting the town. And, btw, visitors are always welcome...

Why Do They Call It Work.

I've been working in the specialties department all this week, and will do the same this coming week. And I've decided to stay with specialties. I've enjoyed cooking in the prepared foods dept. for a while, it's easy for me, it's what I know and I am very good at it. But I've found that I enjoy being able to work around a fabulous cheese counter (including some incredible natural sliced meats), and a very good coffee and tea section, and and very good wine and imported beer area. I get to spend a lot of my day talking to people who are excited about food and I get to taste things with them and discuss, compare, contrast and sometimes just gush about how wonderful something is!

On the weekends, our market is a destination for people around the area. People come from across the lake, from Baton Rouge,and many people who are just visiting come in because they know us from where they live; they come to find things that will amaze them. And I have those things in my department! I get to chat about what would be right for a dinner party or what cheese or wine (or perhaps a dessert wine) would work for a menu, or how something would work in a recipe. And, there are lots of gay men that come to shop. It's very sweet to have the full attention of an absolutely gorgeous man when I am talking to him passionately about... Manchego with Rosemary! Hehe!

This continues to be a fascinating experience...

durlx



PeeEss: I am a few days late with this entry, my usual day is Friday. I was very much concerned with my decision about which area I would focus on at work and I did have two days of utter exhaustion, and for a while, I just didn't care about doing the journal. It's strange sometimes: doing this journal gives me great pleasure, I would do it if no one was reading it I think, but I am a social animal and crave your comments. whine, whimper, pathetic mewlings... he har. Your comments or e-mails are greatly appreciated and answered... and send me pictures!

Teapots At NOMA.


This is so queer, but I am kind of excited about this new special exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art; Traditions in Elegance, 100 Teapots From the Norwich Castle Museum. I've never collected fine china, but it has a fascinating history; the Europeans went wild for fine porcelain when it was first imported from China and spent years and and much effort to come up with their own version of the process, since the Chinese were not interested in sharing the secret. The slightly mad royals of the continent each tried to control porcelain making and routinely stole or kidnapped each others experts, all the while assembling vast collections that filled rooms and rooms. It was a grand passion then, and if you watch Antiques Roadshow, especially the Brit version, you can see it's still a grand passion today for a select group of mad queens. I have to admit that I get a buzz from Derby, Minton, Spode and Wedgewood; this stuff is just so nice. And I do love a cuppa.

Huge Entertainment News.
The city is abuzz with the news that movie to be made of John Grisham's latest novel Runaway Jury, will be filmed entirely in Louisiana. The $60 million production will bring a lot of work for local techs over a four and a half month period, since all filming, including studio work will be done here and only post production will be done elsewhere. It's a first for local studio facilities and hopes are high that it will lead to more. During the shooting schedule, locals will be dining out more often in hopes of catching a glimpse of stars Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, John Cusack and Rachel Weisz. It's a welcome change from the recent trend of using Toronto as stand in for New Orleans and the south. No offense to my Canadian friends, but the real thing is here...

The Job.
Things with the new job are going quite well. I am working six days a week, (but not over 8 hours a day), since I am training in two different departments, but it's OK, I need the time to learn what's going on and figure out what I want to do there. Strangely enough, I am actually doing production cooking in the Prepared Foods Dept. three days a week right now, something I thought I'd never do again. Much to my surprise, I am enjoying it a great deal and I'm coming home each day full of ideas for new things. I've also had some days when I have come home sore and exhausted, but after all the time I spent sitting on my ass, that's to be expected. During this second week, I've been getting back in shape and feeling much better at the end of the day. I've learned where to take a break and I am getting used to getting up at 3:30 AM. The next two days I go in from noon to 6 P.M. for the specialties dept. and get to taste cheese and learn some more about the coffees, teas and wines that we carry. Don't know exactly where I'll end up full time for the company in the next few weeks, but the possibilities are many and very interesting. I haven't been this interested in going to work in a long time.

Etta James



I watched the movie Pleasantville Monday night, which features the yummy Tobey Maguire. The basic plot is that two 90's teens get transported into a 50's sitcom world where everything is predictable in black and white. It's a kind of sweet little fable and I like the film very much. At one point as the kids start learning about life outside the the sitcom and falling in love with the newness of things, and as things start appearing in color, (especially a lovely drive through a shower of cherry blossoms), the song "At Last" by Etta James is in the background. It just blew me away, what a great R&B voice! I've got to get it a recording of it.

At last
my love has come along
my lonely days over
and life is like a song.

At last
the skies above are blue.
Well, my heart was wrapped up in clover
the night I looked at you.

I found a dream
that I could speak to
a dream that I could call my own.
I found a thrill
to press my cheek to
a thrill that I have never known.

Well, you smile
you smile
oh and then the spell was cast.
And here we are in heaven
for you are mine at last. sigh....


durlx

It's Coming, Southern Decadence!


That's right, it's not that far away in the future. It's time to make you plans to come to New Orleans during August 28 thru September 2. This has become one of the biggest gay events in the country, and I think has reached the status of world class, (although I only have Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras to compare with...)

There have been over 100,000 people here for the last few years, which is a lot, but a few other events hit that number. The thing that makes SD different is that the French Quarter and the Marigny gay areas are all so easy to get around in. You can easily move from bar to bar and scene to scene with very little trouble; in the Quarter, it's just a matter of walking down the street from one block to the next, with gay bars all along the way. For the rest, it's a convenient cab ride, and the cabbies love the business; you don't have to worry about the address, just name the bar you want to go to. The streets in the Quarter get closed off to traffic for the whole weekend, and for most of the weekend, and especially Sunday, the streets are where the party is! But the bars are fun also; there are hundreds, I mean hundreds of dancing boys. They come in from all over the country.

It took the city father's a while to realize how big this lil' festival had gotten; they finally noticed that on what used to be one of the slowest weekends of the year, the hotels were almost fully booked. And this is in a city that does huge convention business; SD became one of the top five annual events of the year in a city that does Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. (And this year, everyone will be so glad to see you! It's a bad convention summer and SD is the biggest thing happening.)

The Official Southern Decadence Web Site will give you all the details. This is really one of the greatest parties ever... hope to see some of you here! I'll be glad to host a small, but festive cocktail party for board members, and generally, function as concierge for all who might attend.

There is an open spot at my house for one lucky person, (or a couple...) during SD, as Dave and Glennie will not arrive from Oz until two days after SD, and luca not until a few days after that... but do apply early, as the spot is likely to be quickly filled.


I've actually worked an entire week.

What an experience! I've forgotten what it's like; yea! work is fun!! I've been doing some production cooking for the prepared foods department, and I've also worked in the specialties department a bit, over all just seeing what is going on with the store. I've enjoyed cooking again; haven't done it for years and it seems I haven't forgotten how... I also really enjoyed working with specialties; the place has an amazing cheese counter, and the selection of coffee and teas and wine and beer are very good. The selection of deli meats is astounding, primarily for the incredible quality, the varieties of ham, turkey and beef are the best I've ever tasted. I am so psyched about this whole situation...

3:30 A.M.
Yes, that's when I get up now. I start work most mornings at 6 A.M., but sometimes at 7 A.M., which means that I have to get up before 4 A.M. and get my ass to a city bus by five. It's been interesting moving through the neighborhoods at that time of the morning. The two short bus rides that I take are the first busses on the run for the day, and there aren't a lot of people about at that time. It's still dark then and I am still learning who is on the way to work or just normally there and should be around, and who is out of place, and maybe dangerous. (It's just part of knowing how to move through an urban situation. So far no one dangerous, just new faces.) The thing is, that when I pass one of my fellow early morning travelers on the street, they always say "Good Morning" or at least nod hello. It's the way it is here, and I love it.

The funniest thing that happened this week as I was waiting for the Esplanade bus: A very large woman come striding down the sidewalk towards me, almost marching and swinging her arms as she walked; as she got near, I said "mornin" and smiled and she looked at me and smiled and sang "In the Navy!" without missing a beat in her stride and then walked on by. It was her walking song! How odd that it would be something from the Village People! And yet, this kind of thing is... well, it's so New Orleans.



Thanks!
Thank you for the e-mails, e-cards, comments on the journal and all. I totally appreciate it; it's great to have feed back! If I haven't gotten back to you, it's because I really do have to pay some close attention to my new work situation, but I do keep a list of people that I need to respond to and I'll get back to you. I promise.

And don't forget the Friday nite chat.

and did anyone notice, we topped 5,000 posts on the message board...

durlx

Go Fourth on the River.



Yesterday was the Fourth of July, as I'm sure many of you know, and I made a fairly easy day of it as I had to start my new job today.

Robert and I walked to the French Quarter and then to the River where the city holds an event called "Go Fourth on the River". There wasn't a huge crowd, and there generally isn't on the fourth, but it was great as always to walk along the Mississippi and do some people watching.

There were some musical performances.


This woman claims she will be appearing at the Iowa State Fair.


The crowds were fairly light along the river,


but a little heavier at the Spanish Plaza


A ferry boat like the one my friend drives.


We stopped for a A/C break at the mall, where this odd film was advertised. (#4) LOL


We found a good place to sit as it got dark.


And then watched the fireworks.


The first place we found to sit on the levee seemed almost too good to be true! As we were getting ready to sit on the grass next to the walk, the people around us started yelling "Ants! Ants!" We had nearly sat in what appeared to be a nest of fire ants, which would have been horrible! We thanked the people who warned us and found another spot about ten feet away that was almost as good and still right in front of one of the barges used as launch pads. The fireworks were O.K., they've been better other years, but nice enough and there was a bit of momentary excitement when one of the big shells exploded at ground level in front of us instead of up in the air where it should have been. It was a pleasant evening on the river and we were home by ten so I could get enough rest before my first day at work.

First day on the new job.

Spent the whole day on training and orientation, and there's another day of it on Monday. The company that I'm working for is decidely different than any I've worked for before. During the day, I was often amazed at the quality of the training and the amount of time and effort they put into it; for me it was sort of like waking up in another world. These people take both the bottom line and quality of life issues very seriously and do it in a way that's unique to the industry and certainly radically different from what I've experienced in the restaurant biz. I think I'm going to like this place a lot.

Ford on the Radio.

I only got a chance to hear a lil' bit of Ford's radio show tonight as I got home a bit late, but you really must give it a listen! Ford is a very amusing and talented man who does a number of different characters and voices during his show. This evening I think I heard him singing all the parts of a barbershop quartet! (I can't wait to hear the whole thing!) The shows are being archived at the Radio GayCams site and you can get further info at Ford's website.

ChaosInAustin

If you haven't checked out Bryan's ChaosInAustin site lately, I highly recommend that you do. The photography he's been doing lately is totally first rate! He's starting to get published and it's no wonder; I think you'll enjoy what you see. Be sure to check out the f-victim Fourth of July special edition. (I know you'll be sayin' butt, butt, butt...just go ahead and check it out anyway ~grin~)


Dr. Justin starts to blog.

Our own Dr. JJ is a welcome new entry to the world of weblogs! He generously shares some bits from his rather interesting life with us and does it with wit and wisdom. It's a daily internet stop for me and one I look forward to. He invites your comments, (as I do, hint, hint...) and this might be a chance for you to get a little freebie consultation... hehe. Do check out this little house on the prairie! I think you find it both entertaining and rewarding.

Thanks all of you for your encouraging words on the message board and the e-mails as I re-enter the world of work! It's a very important and exciting step for me and it's great to have you there with me as I take that step. I'll keep you posted, you can count on it.

durlx

A very big organ.



The Robert Morton Theater organ in the New Orleans Saenger theater is one of the great theater organs in the world; it was the prototype for the "Wonder Morton" organs and is the most important surving example of that company's work. I tend to get a little manic around pipe organs of any type, but theater organs are my favorite and last Saturday night, I got to see and hear this amazing instrument! You can listen to some recordings of this organ here.

The Saenger Theater opened in 1927 and was considered the flagship of the Saenger Theater chain, which included 150 theaters at the time. It was definitely the grandest theater in the South, built at a cost of $2.5 million, nearly $25 million in today's dollars. New Orleans is fortunate to still have all three of its landmark theaters; in addition to the Saenger, which is now mostly used for Broadway touring productions, there are the Loew's State (1926) and the Orpheum (1924), which was built for vaudeville and now is the home of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.





In order to celebrate the theater's 75th year, they ran a series of classic movies this last weekend, with a 75 cent admission price: Some Like It Hot, The Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind. As many time as I have seen The Wizard Of Oz, I had never seen it in a theater on a big screen, so that's the one we decided to see.



Robert and I got there early so we had time to look around. We entered through the lobby, which once featured 4 huge crystal chandeliers which were said to have come from the Chateau Pierrefonds in France. Only one remains; you can see it in the upper section of the pic above. While we were in the lobby, I caught Robert looking up Marilyn's dress!



Theater historians refer to the Saenger as an "atmospheric" theater, which means that the theater gives the illusion of being out doors. There are building facades on the side walls of the theater with ornate balconies and the ceiling is done up to look like the night sky with stars and moving clouds. Every single inch of the theater is guilded, decorated and lush.

The second floor lobby.


Statues along the "roof line" at the third level.


Another one of the many statues.


Robert striking a pose in an empty niche...


The Theater.


We finally settled down into our seats just as the organ concert began and while the guy playing it wasn't the most accomplished artist, it was still a thrill to hear it and as the organ sank slowly down into the pit at the end of the performance, the near capacity crowd of around 3,000 people applauded and cheered. The house lights dimmed and the movie began, and so did the magic. Seeing "Oz" on a big screen was a treat; the print was near pristine and the colors were dazzling, but the real magic came from being in a classic theater with a huge crowd of people. I had totally forgotten what it was like, the shared experience of enjoyment of a film. The audience covered a wide spectrum from lil' kids seeing the film for the first time to older folks who had seen it in a first run theater, and you could feel the joy; everyone was having a really good time! The laughter at the Cowardly Lion, the hissing at the Wicked Witch, the cheering when something good happened; the sound of people reacting to what was on the screen came at you in waves and it was truly wonderful! I don't think I've ever enjoyed a film so much in a theater before; seeing a film at a modern cineplex just doesn't compare.

This series of films was a test run to see if there was enough interest, and it looks like there was, so I'm looking forward to seeing some more classic films there. (Although I doubt they'll keep the 75 cent admission...).

I'd really love to see Sunset Boulevard in that theater and be one of those wonderful people out there in the dark.

durlx