Blue Velvet

I was in the middle of my gym workout yesterday and I thought of a song that I love called "Blue Velvet", so I wanted to share the tune today. I always recall the imagery of Isabella Rossellini singing it in the 1986 film of the same name (Blue Velvet).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IATxcQ4qebg

I met Isabella Rosellini on May 7, 2006 at the Tribeca Film Festival. She was promoting the works of her father, the Italian director Roberto Rosellini. She didn't look as glamorous but I loved meeting Isabella as her normal everyday self.
www.fotolog.com/michaelarm/24430240
I mean she is the daughter of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman...after all! I saw Isabella another time in New York City about a year ago. She was alone on 42nd Street and no one recognized her. I adored that she could go out and just be a 'regular person' on the streets of New York. She went inside a theater to buy a solo ticket to see the Broadway production of "Mary Poppins".

The photo illustration above was taken at night during a walk in New York City. The lighting was perfect and I accented the BLUE. I spotted it within a display window on the night of October 29, 2008 and it makes me think of the Blue Velvet song.

BLUE VELVET (lyrics)

She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars
She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Warmer than May her tender sighs
Love was ours
Ours a love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture grow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left, gone was the glow of
Blue velvet
But in my heart there'll always be
Precious and warm, a memory
Through the years
And I still can see blue velvet
Through my tears

Twenty-five years ago today

January 10, 1984

Gilbert called me at my office. He asked me to come over to 'Image Photo Lab' in San Francisco to observe the photo shooting of Natasha by Kevin Ward, the photographer. I decided to go for the heck of it.

When I arrived at the 'Image Photo Lab' I saw Olga, Kevin, Natasha, Gilbert and a strange gay looking make-up artist. It was an interesting observation to see them getting prepared. It took such a long time before they finally started taking the pictures.
"It's good for you to see what it's like during a photoshoot," Gilbert said.
I was bemused. My thoughts drifted into questions of where I stand among all of this modeling mess. Where and when it will start and/or end? Will there be pictures taken of me? What is Gilbert's game plan?

After the photoshoot I dropped the make-up artist at Bush & Steiner. Then I dropped off Natasha at Gilbert's apartment. Was I simply the chauffer for the day? I found a parking space and Gilbert and I went to some coffee shop on Polk Street (next door to Fish & Chips). We talked as he showed me some muscle men pictures that he had in a notebook. He also read aloud some personal letters that he had received. The letters were mainly about him and his goodness as a person. The letters seemed to be intimate words from other men that he had--or almost had--intimate relations with. Who knows (in this modeling business) who sleeps with who and for what (is what I was thinking). After this strange ending of his shared letters we ended our conversation. He was still acting very in awe of me. We walked to my parked car and I drove off after we said goodbye. It was good to be back home.

I changed my clothes, freshened up and drove out to San Leandro to the skating rink. I arrived at 10:30pm and I saw George Jones. We talked for a while...but it was brief. Then I saw Jim and we talked for a while...but it was brief. Then I saw Bill Helbush and he expected a bit more from me (like a kiss...I think). I backed away with a flat out "No". My reaction burned him the wrong way. I seemed to hurt him but I think he wanted to make it appear to others in and around the rink that we were "together". He simply walked away. I also spoke to Bryan and Frank. I realized what a dump the place was and I decided to scram. By 11:45pm I was back home, safely in bed. I was thinking and wondering what is in store for 1984. There are no intimate or loving moments yet. I don't intend on diving into a relationship unless I feel it is truly significant.