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dangerdame
Nov. 27th, 2009
07:59 pm - Keys from 1857....
......pretty pretty 152 year old works of art.....
As fate itself would have it, I came across a man who had a bunch of keys from his Great-Great-Grandfather's brewery from 1857. I have long been fascinated by keys and locks - wondering what these keys once opened and whose pretty pockets they hid in. I imagine that the doors they once opened are long gone now and there lies a great freedom....
I was so excited to get my hands on these and found lush gorgeous black velvet ribbon to make necklaces with them. They are now secured with hooks and clasp in the back and in a vintage store in New Orleans I found the most beautiful Victorian ribbon to decorate them with.
I made all of them during the Leonids meteor shower on November 17th. I put my own good gypsy magic in them as stars were shooting and streaking through the skies. With every single one, I thought - may the wearer be able to open the doors of their true dreams...
It's true that each key has its own personality - each one is one of a kind. Some more rusty than others, some more elaborate, some initialed, some marked with numbers of the doors they once opened....
When I have been putting them together, making them into necklaces, some of them don't like particular ribbon and want a more flowing one, some want to be turned to the left or right - each one unique and antique.
I took three for my own and I'm bringing the rest of them on tour with me. So if you have the same obsession with keys and locks as I do - swing by the merch stand and take a pretty peek. I have a few also at Danger Dame.
I have been scouring antique shops on the road and I'm also coming up with new designs that I will be putting out on the European tour. I am a crafting junkie....I love making necklaces - I love putting good magic into them, and hell, I love looking out in the crowd and seeing a bunch of you wearing 'em!
See you on the road!
xoxoox
Veronica
Sep. 18th, 2009
12:29 pm - Spellbinding Burlesque Class with Veronica Varlow
The above photo was a candid backstage photo taken by John Bentham at Shanghai Mermaid, seconds before I was about to go on stage. I love this photo, because in it, I'm working my magic...you are actually witnessing a "glamouring" secret that has been passed down by generations of women in my family - it's subtle, and you only know it if you are related to me, or if you took my Spellbinding Burlesque class. Yes, my Lovelies....I have a virtual arsenal of spellbinding secrets and magic...ready to be shared.
Yep. Those behind the scenes things that I worked on with Andrea on MTV's MADE - tips and tricks to being confident and world dominating.....I'm giving them to you! My class is open to ALL women - all ages, all sizes, all backgrounds, all levels of confidence. You do not need any dance experience. While I will be teaching you a full number with "magic" moves to take home with you - the majority of the day will be based on - radiating confidence, finding the magic behind the REAL you, finding your Signature Style and basically owning any room you walk in to.
Whether you want to be a burlesque performer - or just have the confidence and sass of one - my class is for you! The last five classes I've done with the NY School of Burlesque have sold out quickly. I only have a few spaces left on this one - and this is your last chance to work with me in an intensive class before I leave for a month and 1/2 to tour all over the US, Canada and Mexico.
I invite you to be a part of our circle of bewitching bombshells. Your new life begins..... Saturday, September 26th - noon to six pm - sign up and get all the details by clicking here - The New York City School of Burlesque.
It's a great class to take with a friend!
Here are some things my students have said:
"Veronica Varlow sees the beauty in You, and in falling under Her spell, you fall under YOUR spell. "Spellbinding Burlesque" is all about charm, sisterhood, and secrets!" - Coco La Pearl
"I loved the class! I wished it lasted FOREVER!" - Dame Beso
"Veronica - you gave us such great advice, opportunities, tricks, etc! Thank you!" - Miss Amanda Jones
"Your class is like a super-stylish, slumber party!" - Tallulah Luv
Let's make some real magic together!
xoxoxo
VeVa
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happyAug. 13th, 2009
07:32 pm - The VKA is having a CONTEST!
I'm feeling lucky and I hope you are, too....
so the Commanders of the official Veronica's Kissing Army website - Synthetice and Ariel are running the very first official VKA contest!
Already your entries have been pouring in, and I am absolutely loving reading your responses to the questions of the contest.
That's right....your answers to my questions! I want to ask YOU the questions and find out all about my loyal and fierce VKA.
Answer the below questions, along with your name, country you are from and a photo of yourself, all e-mailed to vkacontests@gmail.com. Your answered questions and photo will be featured on the site for all to see! And check out the entries already posted - you can click on the "Read More" tab in the bottom right hand corner under each picture to see each person's answers.
And without further ado....here are the Lucky Seven Questions...
1. What are three things that you would like to do before you die?
(This was the very first "Crumpet Question of the Day" while we are on
tour. The five of us were drinking colorful cocktails with umbrellas
in them sitting at an outdoor cafe in Poland on a day off. We watched
the clouds turn colors in the square as the sun set - it was a
beautiful night....)
2. You find $50 on the ground, what do you do with the money?
(Interesting side note: Contessa and I found 50 shiny gorgeous euros
on an empty cobblestone street in Germany while on tour. I, however,
will not tell you how we spent that money! *evil grin*)
3. When I came home from the second tour I was on with Emilie Autumn
- the forum was all a-twitter with who I kissed and the original VKA
was born! I was so pleased and proud of all of you. So....question
number three is a two part question - What made you want to fight for
VKA? Do you remember the exact moment?
4. If you could be any faerie tale or story book character, who would
you be and why?
5. Excluding Miss EA and the Crumpets, who out there is inspiring you
right now? It doesn't have to be limited to music. I just want to
know in general - a person that is inspiring your world. Feel free to
include a link.
6. When we are dominating the world together - what is the first
thing you do to make the world a better place?
7. Now it's YOUR turn.....what is one question that you've been dying
to have me answer? Make it good! The five top questions will be
decided by VKA Commanders Synthetice and Ariel. If you are one of the
five lucky chosen, you will get a Who Wants to Kiss Me tour shirt and
a signed postcard and I will answer your question on the VKA site!
Aug. 6th, 2009
01:51 pm - Who Wants To Kiss Me? Tour Shirts!
To all the girls who carry the poison kiss on their lips.....
It is my pleasure to announce that the
Veronica Varlow "Kiss Me" Puff Sleeve Baby Doll T's are FINALLY available at Danger Dame for a limited time!
With the exclusive announcement of the Emilie Autumn USA/Mexico Fall Tour 2009 happening tomorrow - I am releasing a second reprint of my tour shirts that sold out from the European leg and make them available to you!
These are the sweet baby doll puff sleeved t's that Danger Dames dream of! Get em' while you can. We are hittin' the road and it's time for some serious world domination!
And you wanna look delicious while you dominate all the continents, don't you?
Click here for the Poison Kiss!
Aug. 5th, 2009
11:28 pm - Emilie Autumn USA Fall Tour 2009
Look out, USA, we are COMING FOR YOU!
That's right! The unstoppable circus known as The Emilie Autumn Asylum Tour is coming to a town near you! The Sickest Show on Earth is ready to entertain you!
STEP RIGHT UP! We've got the plague and it's spreading. You know you want it, too!
The USA FALL TOUR 2009 Pre-Sales start EXCLUSIVELY at the official website of Emilie Autumn on Friday, August 7th - 3:00pm local time for each city. This tour SOLD OUT ALL OVER EUROPE! This is the first full USA tour and it is expected to sell out quickly. Get your tickets now, push your way to the front and I'll probably end up making out with you.
What the hell are you waiting for?
Get COMMITTED to the Asylum!!!
Jul. 15th, 2009
11:57 am - Things to know about World Domination Plans
Posting this new pic from Coney Island's Mermaid Parade because this is how I am feeling at the moment. Happy. There's so many things in the works!
First of all....I have joined the evil known as Twitter! I will be doing free giveaways, giving 1940s style beauty tips and updating the random things going on in my life. Follow me by clicking here!
Also - I got two mentions this week in fabulous beauty blogs that I wanted to share with you: Krasey Beauty and eBeautyDaily!
Veronica's Kissing Army will be doing a big giveaway shortly! Details will be coming over the next week!
AND - I want YOUR pictures! Do you have any photos of you in the VKA shirt, the
Pretty as a Pistol Shirt, or the Danger Dame Shirt? Do you have pictures of you wearing the Lost Key To My Heart Necklace? Send me pictures of you all over the world in these things and I'll showcase you on Danger Dame!
It's a nice day for world domination!
.....Now back to my evil plans.....mwhahahahahahaha.
Jul. 9th, 2009
11:46 pm - Shows! Come See Me LIVE!
Because I know how much you love blurry iPhone photos - this is me performing last night at Diane Von Furstenburg's event on the rooftop of the Soho House. A moment I will never forget: stepping out on the runway - on the rooftop, poolside - the city lights flickered around me as the full moon hung low in the sky....
And taking my white feather fans and raising them like wings... I did, indeed, dance for the moon and all her mystery.
It was a beautiful evening to be alive.
And the good news is - there are many more beautiful evenings to be alive - and I invite you to join me in one of them.....
If you live in Washington DC - I am headed your way this Saturday night with the very beautiful Miss Coney Island, Gal Friday and her partner-in-crime, Albert Cadabra. We will be performing at the one and only Palace of Wonders!
Come out and see the show! Saturday, July 11th. Doors at 7pm, Show at 10pm
Palace of Wonders, 1210 H St. NE Washington, DC 20002
Saturday, July 18th, I will be performing at Le Scandal in New York City. Get your reservations now - it usually sells out. Show starts at 10pm. Hit the website for details.
Monday, July 20th is the bday party of the uber-dashing evil genius known as Nik Sin at the Slipper Room with a line-up that will kill you. 10pm show at 167 Orchard Street, NY, NY.
Thursday, July 23rd I'm back at the the Coney Island Museum with Hotsy Totsy at Burlesque on the Beach. Enjoy the amusements and then come for the show at 9pm! 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224
Come out, come out, wherever you are.....
Jun. 26th, 2009
03:21 pm - The Littlest Fan
This is 4-year old Michelle and she pretty much rules the world - so bow down.
Her sister Sabreena saw me at the Emilie Autumn show in NYC and spread the insanity to her little brother, Danny and her little sister, Michelle.
I got the sweetest letter from Sabreena yesterday with this picture of Michelle proudly rocking a 4-year old size replica of the key necklace I wear on tour and her Danger Dame t-shirt.
This is what World Domination in the year 2023 looks like.
Prepare yourself.
We are EVERYWHERE.
Jun. 24th, 2009
04:39 pm - Happy Anniversary, Mr. Heffner!
At Coney Island Mermaid Parade, June 20, 2009
Three years ago today, the torrents of rain that we thought were signaling the end of the world, stopped suddenly so that we could get married. And there in the middle of a small circle of friends and family, the sun broke through the clouds as we said the vows we had written to each other. Dragonflies cut through the skies and flew around us and a falcon landed on a nearby branch to watch. You looked at me and said, "I do."
On that day, three years ago, I gave you a battered green velvet journal. It was my wedding gift to you.
On the first page, dated two days after I first laid eyes on you, I wrote that the book would one day be your wedding present. Over the years, I carefully chronicled the early days of our love story so it would never be forgotten. The book held my predictions scrawled in many different inks. It held ticket stubs and roadside maps, rose petals and Chinese fortunes, candle wax and glitter. Three years ago today, I was able to finally give you the worn green velvet journal, filled with the beginning of the story of us.
It was such an important gift to give you. The gift that I knew along....that from the moment I saw you I knew we were meant to be together. Proof that magic does indeed exist.
You came to me with a head filled of stories and adventure. You came to me with ideas and dreams bigger than I could have imagined on my own. You took me on my first cross-country road trip. We drove through large fires spanning either side of the road in Death Valley. We slept at falling apart roadside motels or curled up in the car. The wind that whipped around the car was filled with the sound of mixes that you put together for me. The soundtrack to our life together reeling down dusty back roads that spanned on for forever. It was the first time I remember not really knowing where I was and enjoying the freedom in that. That road trip changed my life - it made me realize all of things that I had so longed for. That by just getting behind the wheel - a life of adventure awaited.
You saw the real me and brought her out for the world to see. You took dreams I kept in my heart so long and made them happen. And you continue to make them happen now.
You are the storyteller - and what you say takes form.
I am in awe of the beautiful adventures that lie ahead of us as we blaze toward the year of immortality. The year of Pocket and Blue. Of inked gypsy fortunes on white pages of a dusty green journal.
Get behind the wheel, my Love. The road awaits.
It was written for us.
Jun. 23rd, 2009
03:41 pm - EBAY BLOWOUT of my Personal Collection!
Yep! You read that right! Take the clothes right off my back. 
It's Summer and I have officially done my annual closet cleaning extravaganza!
Some of the best items of my personal collection of burlesque, retro and gothic clothing are up for grabs on Ebay by Clicking HERE!
10% of all of my auctions will be donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp started by a personal hero of mine, the late actor Paul Newman, to give kids battling cancer a chance to have a fun camp experience. I have already committed to a minimum donation of $125, and each bid will make that number higher!
***THIS YEAR ALONE THROUGH AUCTIONS I HAVE RAISED OVER $700 FOR THE CAMP! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR BIDS!
Items include the Hell Hath No Fury dress from the actual photoshoot above, and many items I'm auctioning have been on the burlesque stage around the world with me and in photoshoots. I am selling retro vintage pieces, burlesque items and rare Lip Service and Betsey Johnson items. I am also selling the few remaining items I brought on Emilie Autumn's Spring Tour with me!
All winners will receive their item lovingly wrapped in pink tissue with black ribbons - with a special note from me.
Good Luck!
Love,
Veronica
Jun. 21st, 2009
08:28 pm - Mermaids and Such.
Because I've been having way too much fun living my life in the past two weeks, I haven't had a chance to post much. But I promise I will about many many many adventures that will blow your mind.
Adventure is my business afterall.
But I will offer you this tid-bit from yesterday's Coney Island Mermaid Parade that made me laugh today. So my friend, Dicie, just sent me this random picture of my sister,
Kai and I that she found on the internet and forwarded it on to me. The caption underneath is what made me laugh... check it.
Yes. Okay. It is true. We're actually not human. My sister and I were created in a laboratory of teenage fantasy. Whew. Thank god I got that out of the way. I feel much better - I didn't want to lie to you anymore.
And two, the answer to your question is yes. We are trying to kill you. But in a nice way.
Love,
VeVa
Jun. 16th, 2009
07:53 pm - Why the VKA is the Best In the WORLD!
Wow. As I type this there is tears in my eyes and I am almost speechless as there seems to be no words to do justice to what I'm feeling right now.
After having an amazing week with EA visiting, I was settling back to my routine of world domination when there was a knock at the door and a mysterious package was delivered baring a Norway address.
Inside that package was one of the most precious things I have ever received.
The package contained a book decorated in black lace and pink feathers, glitter and red satin ribbon. I opened the book and turning each page, I discovered tons of handmade individual pages that commanders of the VKA made for me. These pages contained heartfelt letters to me, drawings they did of me, pictures they took of me on tour, pictures of us together on autograph lines and outside venues, kiss prints, poems, envelopes with secret little treasures, glittery hearts, a recipe for "Veronica's Vegan Almond Chocolate Cake" - complete with a picture and Lieutenant Lip Lock wearing an apron that read - "Kiss the Cook....Veronica DID!", more messages behind leopard corsets that I had to unlace, brilliant limericks, hand-typed letters of love and postcards and even more beautiful drawings and lace.
This book traveled the world and back to get to me with pages representing VKA members all over the globe.
Wow.
Sitting here in my pink Danger Dame office, with this book beside me, I feel an undeniable sense of community, of love and of support.
This gift proves to me, without a shadow of a doubt, the fierce loyalty and love of the VKA. And I am so utterly proud of my soldiers....your letters to me were fearless, honest and bold. Your creativity is limitless. You are not afraid to be the amazing women you were born to be. You are not afraid to express yourselves and go out into the world with that fighting kick ass spirit. I am proud to know you. I am proud that you are out there somewhere, shining your light and making this world an exciting place to be, a creative place to be and a place where all of us can have the courage to be who we truly are. YOU are an inspiration to ME!
Thank you especially to Commander Synthetice, Commander Ariel, Sergeant Cyanide, Seductive Stocking Stealer of the VKA Amechi, Lieutenant Lip Lock, Crimson Muffin - Poison Kiss Cadet, Commander Astarte, Commander Berzerko, Speilbilde - LT. of the Viking VKA, Salla - Lieutenant of Luscious Kisses, Morticia, Moshi-Moshi, Meredith, Victoria Vague - Captain of Coquettish Kisses, Francesca, Commander Stripe Princess, Lu.ScAr, and Commander Kali for putting this book together for me. And thank you to all of you VKA out there reading this.
This handmade book of lace and loveliness will go with me everywhere. Synthetice wrote that a piece of each of your hearts went into each of the pages...and I can see that. Your hearts are always safe with me, my darlings. My lovely reminder of you.
If my home were burning down, this is one of the few things I would grab. That's how much this means to me.
My undying kisses to each one of you.
Truly.
Madly.
Deeply.
Your VeVa
Jun. 6th, 2009
03:53 pm - Operation Bombshell: How to Get the Perfect Glitter Lips!
Me backstage in Belgium with my glittery lips!
The biggest question I get on the road is how I get the glitter to stay on my lips and how I get them so glittery. Trust me, I've tried a million products and I've never found a glitter lipstick that works. So here's the secret.....
1. I like to use a deep red lip liner (think: vamp!). I line my lips and then fill them in completely with the pencil so it almost looks like you are already wearing lipstick.
2. Then comes the lip gloss! My favorite lip gloss in the world is "Red Sole" from Purple Lab's Huge Lips Skinny Hips. It's the ideal consistency to keep the glitter on - not tacky or smeary - just smooth and shiny. And the plumping factor is va-va-VOOM! Apply this all over your lips and let it set for a few moments. I first got my hands on this when fashionista Karen Robinvitz invited me to be a part of the promo for it. I took three tubes on tour with me and I'm addicted to it! Karen knows what the hell she's doing when it comes to lip gloss and I worship her. One of my beauty must-haves hands down! I've been stealing these from her left and right, but now that they are available online, I'm going to have to own up and buy my own! Thank you, Karen, for putting something fabulous out there that works so well!
3. Then to finish it off, I apply a fine red glitter (I find it picks up the light best and stays longer, but you can also use chunky glitter). I normally take the red glitter, pour it in the cap and dab it on my lips with a q-tip. Dab several times until your entire lips are covered with glitter.
I love this look - pin-up and glam combined! Enjoy for saucy Summer nights out.
Oh...and save a kiss for me!
Love,
V
May. 30th, 2009
04:48 am - My Story
It's after 4am and I'm still awake.
I have wanted to tell this story in my journal for a long time, and I think now, more than ever, it is the right time. Here, settled down for the night, listening to the outside noises in Brooklyn, unable to sleep, I have a lot I want to share with you. The following story is who I am. My heart spilled out on the page. Enjoy....
When I first got out of high school, I was a film projectionist at an old movie house that would show films from the 1930s/1940s and 1950s. I was always dazzled by the old-fashioned glamor and style of the heroines in the films. They were strong and sexy. They never backed down and never needed saving.
Later, I discovered vaudeville burlesque from the 1930s and 40s. I was fascinated with the costumes, with the classic style, with the innocent and playful peek-a-boo dances. In 2000, I saw my first burlesque show in New York City. I had never seen anything like it. The women were all ages, were all shapes and sizes, and were empowered, saucy and amazing. They were glamorous! They were comfortable in their bodies. It was beautiful to watch and see an old art revamped. Over half of the audience was comprised of women, cheering along. The room was electric, positive, fun and powerful- I'll never forget it.
On the way home, the radio was playing Eartha Kitt's version of Santa Baby. It was near December, and I imagined doing a routine to that song, singing at an old fashioned microphone and doing a classic burlesque routine.
But I was too scared to do it.
Next, 2001 came and went, then 2002 as well. Every winter that song would play on the radio and I would imagine doing that act, but I wouldn't. I was afraid, and the song only mocked me.
I had other dreams too--writing a screenplay with my now-husband, Burke--doing a movie with a positive message. We would work on the screenplay on my days off from a desk job that I didn't like very much. I wanted to get the screenplay out there somehow, to make a trailer for it or something....but once again, I was frozen by fear.
Then suddenly my life and my perspective changed. In December 2003, while volunteering at an animal shelter, I was attacked in the face by a rottwelier.
The rottweiler ripped half of my nose away from my face. It severed my septum, and my right nostril completely. Basically, you could put your finger on the tip of my nose and lift it away. The dog's upper teeth missed my left eyeball by only a few millimeters.
In the following eight hours of doctors stitching me back together again, I had a lot of time to stare at the ceiling and think about my life.
I had no idea what I would end up looking like or how I would heal. I thought about all my dreams, all the things I had wanted to do. With my nose off my face and my eye having problems, I knew I might never get to do them.
The only reason - the ONLY reason that I had not done so many of the things I dreamed of in life, was because I was afraid of what other people would think of me.
That was it.
I hadn't lived my dreams because of what other people might think of me.
And when I say "other people" I'm not talking about my family and my loved ones, I'm talking about people that I didn't know passing judgments on me or saying bad things about me if I were to try and do burlesque or try to get our film, Revolver out there.
I lived in fear. I let my dreams go to the wayside every day while I went to work in a cubicle in the city. I wasted years of my life.
While on that operating table, I promised myself that if I made it through the operation okay, that I would do everything to lead my own life, just doing my dreams and being me.
It took a year for me to recover fully. At the end of that year, I mustered up my courage and took the burlesque stage for the first time and sang and danced like an old starlet out of the 1940s. I felt great! That encouraged me even more and during the year, Burke and I put our promo trailer for Revolver together and put it out there for the world to see.
EVERY SINGLE DAY I wake up grateful. I have gotten a chance to tour around the world, I've gotten a chance to meet amazing people and hear their stories, I was honored to be on the Emmy-Award winning MTV show, MADE, where I was able to help an outstanding teen have the confidence to hold her head high and to be herself no matter what adversity stood in her way. I have been given the chance to work with women and teach them to go for their dreams and to help them feel comfortable in their own skin and with who they are.
I am a different person than I was just a few years ago. I made the leap to go for all my dreams and I will still continue to do so....these are the things that make me feel alive and on fire and I'm not going to apologize to anyone for that.
How strange that it took a rottwelier attacking me in the face for me to stop letting other people's criticisms rob me of my life.
And to You reading these words, whoever you are....please follow your dreams in this lifetime, here, today - no matter what they may be. Don't let other people get you down. Don't let fear keep you from trying. Don't let anyone make you feel less than worthy. Stand up for yourselves and follow your hearts.
With Love,
Veronica Varlow
And with that, here is one of the dreams that I hold most dear.
May. 19th, 2009
12:24 pm - Come Up and See Us!
Tonight at Identity, 511 East 6th Street between A and B. Show starts 9:30pm.
5 Very Important Reasons You Should Plan Your Evening Around This Tonight:
1. It's the first ever show that I will be performing alongside my partner-in-crime, Burke Heffner, pin-up photography hero and all around professional badass.
2. It's Joe the Shark's birthday. Tequila will be involved.
3. I'm debuting a new act. Military style. Inspired by all things VKA.
4. It's Brad and Cherry's pre-wedding celebration, who got engaged at a Hotsy Totsy show. Champagne will be involved. And romance.
5. Oh - and this is all wrapped into a saucy and fun burlesque show.
What more could you want?
See you at 9:30pm.
xox
May. 14th, 2009
03:10 pm - Spring Sale at Danger Dame
So I will now start copying my personal diaries from the tour on my journal filled with lots of juicy adventures all over the world....
But first things first - SPRING SALE AT MY BOUTIQUE - DANGER DAME!
First off, the limited edition baby doll t-shirt seen above is almost sold out and when they are gone they are gone! Get this hot tee for the Summer for only 10 bucks by clicking here!
And it's Spring time and I know you need a sexy new dress to rock. I've got em' from sizes Small to 3XL - just for you! And they are 20% off JUST THIS WEEK - and some of them I will no longer be carrying - so if you see something you want....grab it! I'll ship it out today for you!
Check out the sale here!
Oh! Am I tempting you, Girls?
Sorry. Just doing what I'm good at.
Hahaha.
Love you.
V
May. 12th, 2009
01:10 pm - Abandoned Hotels and Birthday things...
The moment the clock struck midnight on my birthday this year, I was driving down a dark interstate with my partner in crime, Burke and our faithful (and fearless) chihuahua, Nines. Ah....a birthday of adventure, mystery and road trips!
Just the way I like it.
And then when the sun rose and reached the mid-day sky...we had a secret adventure of our own in effect.... Operation Overtake the Overlook Hotel.
This is what the Overlook was like in 1907. A hot spot for the rich and famous that opened its elegant doors in 1871. 
Since 1907, it has been burned to the ground twice. So we plotted a three mile hike up an abandoned and defunct mountain road, through overgrown trees and weeds, this is what we found....
the skeletal remains of the grand hotel.
Let's go take a peek, shall we?
Wait. What's this? There must be some mistake. I swore I made reservations to stay here. And it is my birthday afterall. 
We'll straighten this matter as soon as I can talk to the desk clerk.
Where is that desk clerk? It must be his day off! I ventured up the stairs in the wall that lead nowhere and called out for him, but my voice echoed empty off the mountain. Niney put her keen chihuahua nose on the trail and still couldn't find him or anyone else for that matter.
But suddenly, the sound of a scratchy record being played on a Victrola was heard...why it must be time for dancing in the main hall!
What a lovely fireplace! The hotel is a wee bit drafty, but no matter - we will just wait for the other guests to arrive....
The pretty little circular weed garden in front. And what beautiful trees! Outside and....um, IN!
Oh, Bellhop! I can't find my room. I think I'm quite lost. They said it was somewhere on the third floor but I can't seem to find the third floor at all. And I do mean AT ALL.
No matter. I actually feel quite at home in the back house. Perhaps I'll take up residence there. It's a bit more cozy.....
After exploring the grounds for over an hour, Burke, Nines and I found a perfect rock overlooking the entire valley. Apparently, we weren't the only ones who had discovered it. There were names carefully chiseled in the stone with dates of their carvings from back to 1899. Ah, Victorian graffiti.
Burke and I shared the very last bottle of Drachenglut that I brought back from Utrecht and the three of us laid back on the old rock bathing in the sunshine...watching the world go by amongst the ghosts and the ruins.
It was a beautiful birthday.
May. 8th, 2009
05:32 pm - Aprella at Dr. Sketchys!
Moments ago, while sitting in my big pink Victorian chair in the Danger Dame office, with the windows open and the breeze playing with the sheer curtains....I heard it. The song of the ice cream truck drifting up four flights. Ah....Summer is almost here. Which means.....so many good things are happening in the city!
And speaking of....one of my best friends in the world and Crumpet Sister, Aprella will be at the fabulous Molly Crabapple's Dr. Sketchy's tomorrow doing a tribute to the art of David Stoupakis. The pic of Aprella and I above is when we did Dr. Sketchy's before we went on tour and it was AMAZING. I highly recommend going! If you are in NYC, get all the info you need to go here!
BTW, Aprella did our blood makeup. How badass is she?
Here's one more photo from Aprella and I's Tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. I love this photo because we were trying to be all serious and still (well because the kind audience members were trying to draw us) - but as you can see from the photo - seriousness went OUT the window. Whenever Aprella and I are around each other, we are always creating an endless slew of inside jokes, laughing, adventuring and basically taking wherever we are by storm (including US customs, but that's another story.) So, the thought of us staying completely still for 5 to 20 minute sets while looking at each other trying to be serious was a challenge. I love that someone caught us when the inevitable happened, and we did start laughing. I don't know who took these photos...but thank you for capturing some fun times.
Right after this particular Dr. Sketchy's was over, I had a choice:
catch the bus I needed to get on... or
wash the blood off me and take the ravens out of my hair.
I chose catching the bus.
My friend Dicie and I ran out of the Slipper Room, hailed a cab, got caught in traffic and decided to jump out and run - both of us in high heels and me covered in blood and bird peck marks and ravens on wires sticking out of my hair.
I did make the bus. By seconds.
And when I did finally take the very last seat in the back of the bus with all eyes on me in confusion or horror....the girl who was sitting across from me remarked, "I love your heels! Where did you get them?"
Gotta love New York.
A drawing someone did of us as Bird Girls....
May. 7th, 2009
12:41 am - Happy Birthday and Thank You!
By the time I finish writing these words, it will be just after midnight in NYC, which means it will be my friend, Cuppy's birthday! Here is a picture of the two of us when she came to visit in December. It was an unforgettable night, surrounded by amazing friends. It was a night that made me feel lucky to know the people I was surrounded by. It was pure inspiration, and when the night faded into the dawn, all of us went off to our separate places in the world, but let it be known, that bonds were formed that night, ideas and dreams were stirred and it will be only a matter of time before we all meet up again.
Cuppy, I wish you so much love and wonderful adventure...you deserve it. You melt my heart with happiness. Your friendship means so much to me.
And speaking of friendship.......
YOU.
Yeah, I'm talking to you. Dear darling darling Reader of this journal...
Thank you to all of you for the overwhelming amount of comments, emails, texts, twitters and whatnots regarding my last journal entry. I got very emotional reading all of them. To have so many people from all over the world respond with such touching notes and letters made me feel like I wasn't alone.
You made me feel like we're walking together on this road.
You make feel like no matter how much time and space separates all of us, no matter what oceans or mountain ranges, we can reach out to each other here. THANK YOU for being so honest and raw in your responses. THANK YOU for saying that it touched you, too. I heard your stories and I know where you are. I know where you are coming from. I know where you've been and I know in my heart where we are going. It's going to be the ride of a lifetime and we wouldn't want to miss that, would we?
Adventure on, my friends, across the world....
Thank you for walking beside me.
Love you muchly.
May. 4th, 2009
01:35 pm - In an Octopus' Garden
I can already tell you that this will be a long journal entry, even though barely one sentence has been written. But as I wipe the sleep from my eyes and sit here to record my thoughts and my dream from last night, I feel compelled to do the process justice and let everything swimming in my head to go free in words on this page.
It all started with last night, when Burke and I were going to see a movie, and I - in tour mode and still not quite knowing what day it is, read the times for our movies wrong, thinking it was Saturday and not Sunday. So when we arrived, our movie was already finished, so instead we saw an indie film called Sugar.
Now, for those of you who wish to see Sugar, please skip these next nasty details...
Basically, Sugar is about this poor guy from the Dominican Republic who has dreams of getting in the major leagues of baseball and finally gets drafted for spring training. As a viewer, I could feel myself getting excited for this very likeable character getting the chance to achieve his dreams.
Over the course of the film, his friends get cut from the league, and he becomes isolated and disenchanted. At one point, feeling like he has hit a slump, he jumps on a bus and leaves the team completely. He feels like he isn't good enough after all. He later tells another character he wanted to leave before they got a chance to cut him from the team. He then goes to New York City where he finds work in a diner somewhere and lives in a dirty motel. At the end, he reunites with a few of his friends from the Dominican Republic and other people who were in the leagues at one point. They play for fun at a small baseball park. Which could be nice and everything...but the very last shot is him staring off sadly, wondering what would have become of him if he kept with his dream. Then it is resolved, for a moment he smiles and that's it.
I left the theater with my heart twisted in knots.
It was very hard for me to see this film.
As some of you who have read this journal know, it was quite a leap of faith for me to decide to go for my dreams. I feel extremely lucky that so many wonderful things have happened and I am constantly working to make more good things happen. I definitely know the feeling that the main character of the film felt, wanting to give up. There was a period in my life several years ago where I was terrified to truly be me, get out there and do what I want to do. Fear just seized me to a point where I couldn't move forward. With the rottwelier attack, I got a second chance at living the life that I always wanted. And I have taken that chance and run with all my might. That is something I am grateful for everyday.
I found myself desperately hoping the main character would call his team and they would take him back and he would come back more victorious than ever, or when that didn't happen, I found myself hoping that a major scout for the Yankees would see him playing in the small field and want to recruit him. But none of these things happened and the movie ended.
Riding home in the dark through winding mountain roads, I thought a lot about what was really bothering me. And it's simple really....I hate when the weight of the world wins. That's why "world domination" has been my favorite two words in the English language for so long - it means more to me than just a cute phrase...it means that the world tried to bury us under its weight and instead we made the world our bitch.
Many of the people who I am close with are on this same path....the path of the dreamers and the underdogs....who rise up to be the best that they can be, to share their beauty with the world and to make this whole life a better thing to live. It is a hard road sometimes, there are down times and up times for all of us. I have been inspired by the chances that some of my friends have taken and I have been saddened when things didn't work out perfectly. One thing I know is for sure - is that we are all in this together. When one of us achieves a dream, it is a win for us all, and we stick together through the rough patches to encourage each other.
To see a film where the underdog rises up for a moment to taste it and lets the world beat him away from his dream just ripped my heart out. Only because I know that could have been me. I was confused by the message the film was giving.
And then I couldn't sleep. I felt restless, I wanted to just pack everything up and drive. And then finally, when sleep was settling in - I asked out loud for a good dream or a way to make the night go by so quickly that the dawn would come soon.
And then, luckily - a dream formed.
In my dream, there were doors that I was going into that were covered with spider webs. For me, spiders are good luck and I saw this as a lucky sign. I started to bend my body to get through the doors to not disturb their elaborate webs. Then suddenly....two legs were on me around my shoulders and touched at my heart. I couldn't see what was on me, but assumed it was probably a big spider. Its legs were almost the size of my own arm and for a moment I was terrified, but tried to keep calm so it wouldn't bite me.
I put my hands up to its legs at my shoulder and squeezed them in a reassuring way. And I was overcome with a feeling of peace and that everything would be fine which was radiated by this creature that had attached itself to my shoulders.
Someone came by and I asked them what was on me, and they were shocked and amazed...it was a baby octopus they told me. Its head was at the top of my back and its two arms were around my shoulders to my heart and the rest of its arms were wrapped around my rib cage. Through the octopus' arms, I could feel some kind of magic seeping into my heart. This creature was full of goodness and happiness and was passing it on to me.
I would fill up a large bathtub with cold water (this was a big deal for me because I hate cold water, but it was worth it to keep my friend the octopus alive) and I would submerse both of us in this deep, deep bathtub so that we were both underwater and we would feel better instantly.
Though we never spoke, this octopus and I had an amazing friendship bond in the dream. It was like meeting a twin soul. At one point, someone said that I was lucky to be chosen by the octopus and I knew that this creature was there to reassure me that all of my dreams would come true. It was deeply touching to me, our friendship, and something beyond what my words here can describe.
I woke up and immediately thought about Ringo Starr's song, "Octopus' Garden". I remember reading that he was having a difficult time with the Beatles and actually walked out of the recording sessions for the White Album (oddly similar to the situation of the main character in the plot last night) - and while he went on a boat ride to get away... the ship's captain told him that octopuses would go around the bottom of the ocean collecting shiny glass and stones to put in front of their caves like a garden. This inspired Ringo so much, that he went back with a song that ended up being a huge hit for the Beatles and everything was resolved (exactly how I wish the movie would have ended last night).
It is interesting to note that the Ringo Starr did his first vocal recording for Octopus' Garden on the day of my birthday - April 29.
So his octopus was an inspiration to his dreams and so was mine.....
Thank you, Beautiful Creature from under the sea, for coming to me in dreams and letting me know that the Dreamers will indeed win, the underdogs will triumph and the world will be a better place for all.....
There will be naysayers on our course, and there will be obstacles, but no matter, all good dreams are worth the work - take my hand and don't let the bastards get you down. We may not be able to see a clear path with our eyes, but we can navigate it flawlessly with our hearts. We've got more fight than anyone. We know the way.....
"I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.
We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave
We would sing and dance around
because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)
We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you."
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