Exploring Grey Gardens, Amelie Goes Mental, Karl Curses At Rude Mechanics, Sonny Bono Dolls, Gay Men Singing and Matt Discovers the Fine Art of Window Fashions and Domestic Stylings!!

When folks talk about the movies that matter they often refer to such classics as "Casablanca" "Citizen Cane" "Raging Bull" "The Conformist" or "Gone With the Wind", but for me no list of great cinematic art would be complete without the mid 70's documentary study of two painfully unreal real women, Grey Gardens. If you've not seen this movie, you should be ashamed. The saga of Big Edie and her wonderous daughter, Little Edie, is one for the ages. It may take a couple of viewings, but this movie will really get under your skin. And I do mean that in a good way.

Funny, campy, sad, uncomfortably voyeuristic, liberating and ultimately touching --- this film says so much about human relationships and the disturbing passage of time. It also provides you with some fantatastic quotes suitable for parties and business meetings. Little Edie dispenses one zen phrase after another without even thinking. And her big musical moment is one not too be missed. Tennessee Williams could not have created more out-there characters than these two amazing women. ...and, the thing is, that as "out there" as they both are --- there is no getting around the fact that you will find something in them that you know is in yourself. A must see! The importance of "Grey Gardens" can't be ignored. For those of you with the DVD, be sure to wait after the film plays to hear the hidden audio interview with Little Edie recorded just after Al Gore lost his bid for the presidency! I do so wish I had been old enough in the 70's to have seen the cabaret act she performed! That must have been magic!

Last night my pal, Jen, and I saw a great movie. While not anywhere near the same artistic level of "Grey Gardens" it was much fun and provided us the opportunity to see what we've all suspected for quite some time ----that Amelie chick is a bomb of horror just waiting to go off at any minute! If you doubt that, see the new French film, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, but be warned --- Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction" will seem sweet once you've seen Amelie take a turn for the dark side! The movie takes more than a few sick and twisted turns. I really enjoyed it. While it is new to the US, I think it came out in France last year. I love French films. I should have been born French. I should be living in France having tea with Isabelle Huppert and Francois Ozon, Dammit! Sadly, all I can say in French is, "Je suis fromage"

Speaking of ticking mental time bombs, Karl displayed a new deminsion of his personality today. We attempted to get our annual car inspetion completed. The mechanics were quite rude. This is not unusual. It is been my experience that many mechanics are scary and wield their power in the cruelest of ways. I mean, it is never like what you see in porn movies! There is just no servicing to be had. Anyway, the mechanics we encountered today decided to have us park outside one of their closed-off garages for a 30 minute wait. 45 minutes later, Karl got out of the car and asked if they would be ready to inspect the car soon as we had already been waiting close to an hour. All 3 of the mechanics were quite busy smoking cigs and discussing female body parts so they explained to Karl that it would be another hour. Karl cursed them out and stormed back to the car. He then proceeded to rant about everything from the president to the lady who made the error of blocking the interstate so that we missed a green light. It was a most worrying situation, but he seems to be doing a bit better now. The car, however, remains uninspected.

My spirtual sister, Jenny, was so upset that she was unable to secure all those large Cher heads for me that she went out and got me a genuine Sonny Bono doll circa 1974!!! She is also trying to secure a John "Vinnie Barbarito" Travolta doll for me! Jenny totally rocks!

Tonight we attended the "controversial" performance by the fabulous Boston Gay Men's Chorus, at St.Peter's Episcopal Church in our lovely town of Salem! It was pretty cool ---- the church was at max capacity and the Chorus ruled the night with an exceptional performance! We had a blast. We attended with some hot dudes by the name of Petie, Duncan, Robert, Chris, Jim and Jim (otherwise known in these parts as "The Two Jim's") ---- and I finally got to meet "The Two Bob's" who, from what I hear, give the coolest party to be found on the North Shore. I made a point of inviting myself to this party and was assured that I would receive an invitation! It was a great night!

Oh! And the curtain lady came over today to take measurements for our windows. And, surprise! I really liked her. She was most cool and had some great advise. My fears related to curtains have subsided and am now ready to embrace window fashion in the most intimate of ways! Can't wait for the installation!

We were so inspired that we decided to move into Phase Two of our condo improvement project! Yes, we are purchasing all new living room furniture tomorrow. At least this is the plan. After so many years together, Karl and I discovered something rather disturbing. We do not like the same styles of furniture. ...at all. We were on the verge of ending it and going our separate ways when we stumbled upon the perfect sofa. So, all is fine and good in the world of domestic life! However, we now must work through that pesty issue of dining tables!