Car Culture and the Lines of a Tailored Suit: Passenger Princes and the Bratty Boy Behind the Wheel

The rain on my car is a baptism.

                                 -- From that one movie. You know the one. 

These past few days have had a calm within me. Externally, there have been storms for some around me. Asks for emergency Zoom calls; texts for last minute tarot reads. This kind of thing doesn't happen often but, when it does, it just feels good to be able to have and offer the capacity to hold and take on some of the weight of it. The timing feels serendipitous and for that, I am grateful. It has been sunny for several days now, but it has been raining hard in other realms.

This weekend will be a housewarming party: The house filled with family and love and laughter-  with or without a functioning barbecue. 

* 

Lastly, because I don't know the order in which to put it, I learned earlier this week that a loved one's sibling died by suicide. 

[This loved one is of so many years. Years of letter-writing, romance, friendship, clues. The first blueprint of something true. Their father helped me figure out how to buy my first new-for-me vehicle. Their sister the first child aside from my niece I had bought a present for back then.] 

So I am here: Showered and quiet, contemplating the complexity of these kinds of deaths. They churn the stomach, the mind and the heart in a way that is distinct from other kinds of deaths. In their immediate shadow, there are never exact words to say and, perhaps, it is better that way. 

Memorial Day, indeed.  

 

be well; be loved,

 

k.  

[image: Jing Wen for Vogue UK, March 2018  Mert & Marcus]

Studying Your Pinstripes as a Means of Understanding

Yesterday was incredibly sweet. I was picked up in a Lexus that was previously owned by a Hollywood star and, although I won't mention what person, I will mention that I have been questioning their choice of Lexus ever since I got into the car.  

But I digress. 

The 45 minute drive was comfortable and beautiful in its sights and company. The meal we had when we arrived at the secret destination was outstanding. The temperature was the exact level of sunny and cool that you can hope for. 

This morning, I am slowly waking up. Although I have been out and about and getting things done, I've still been slow in moving and speed.

(pause)

One of the tenderest gestures to me is someone stroking my hair.  

It can take years to work up to this with someone. 

People who were punched in the face by a guardian understand this. 

Other people will just think you're uptight.

k.

(image: Hye Park by Nathaniel Goldberg for Vogue Italia, December 2005)

Extraterrestrial Luminescence, or, Girl Loves Me Pt. II

P.S. In case you enjoy the music of Jherek Bischoff, there will be an incredible stream of him performing with some amazing artists in Paris at the Basillique de Saint-Denis playing David Bowie's Blackstar record.   It is just about to begin. The link is here:

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/083436-002-A/hommage-a-david-bowie-au-festival-de-saint-denis/

(Update 5 minutes into it: Crying a bit with how good it is, the familiar faces of some of the musicians, Bowie, the beauty of the location, and the odd electricity in watching it real time, and watching it with other friends of mine sprinkled around the country. It's not just Blackstar- the first song was from Low.  Update a bit later:  Full disclosure is that I'm not entirely into some of the singers but some I am. The music and especially the first piece was amazing. Girl Loves Me [my favorite song off the album] is incredible. The second half [after bows, etc. is great-- as is the pan of the audience and their huge smiles during the brief intermission].)

They got a message from the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed, love
Sordid details following"


Such a needed church. Take care of and love yourself, the people in your life, the people in the world.

be well; be loved,

k.