THE END OF 2017: A DIARY BY RICK CASTRO- PART 2

12.14.2017

THE NEXT MORNING I HAVE A SAVORY BREAKFAST~
CREAMY SCRABBLED EGGS, CRUSTLESS TOAST, FRUITA, ORANGE JUICE AND TEA. HOTEL SENATO HAS THEIR OWN SIGNATURE TEA.

IT IS GOOD, BUT MINE IS BETTER. YES I TRAVEL WITH MY OWN TEA.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN… 

AFTER SLEEPING OFF JETLAG, IT IS TIME TO CHOOSE MY “COSTUME” FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY OF RICK OWENS: SUBHUMAN INHUMAN SUPERHUMAN, 

THE REASON WHY I AM HERE.

I HAVE KNOWN RICK OWENS SINCE THE MID-80S. AS THE STORY GOES~

I WAS A WARDROBE STYLIST WORKING ON THE MUSIC ISSUE OF INTERVIEW MAGAZINE. I WAS CHECKING OUT BLACK SALAD, (A SHOP ON MELROSE AVE; 

THAT ONLY CARRIED BLACK COLORED ITEMS) AND SAW THIS BEAUTIFUL BLACK MESH-WIRE HAT. IT WAS DELICATE & HARSH AT THE SAME TIME.

I ASKED THE PROPRIETOR IF SHE HAD ANY OTHER ITEMS FROM THIS DESIGNER.

“HERE IS HIS PHONE NUMBER CONTACT HIM DIRECTLY “ SHE REPLIED.

I WENT TO SEE RICK OWENS THE FOLLOWING DAY AT HIS STUDIO IN CULVER CITY.

HE GREETS ME AT THE DOOR WEARING OVER-DYED BLACK, FRAYED DENIM DAISY DUKES, AND A LARGE HOOP IN HIS NOSE. 

THAT WAS ALL HE WAS WEARING. 

RICK MAY HAVE HAD EAR OR NIPPLE PIERCING, (I DID) BUT I DON’T REMEMBER.

HE IMMEDIATELY HIT ON ME STATING, “TAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT.”

WE BECAME BOYFRIENDS. I LATER INTRODUCED HIM TO MICHELE LAMY.

I WAS WORKING AS HER MENSWEAR DESIGNER, SO YES I WILL TAKE CREDIT FOR DISCOVERING RICK OWENS, AND  MATCHMAKING THE ONE-OF-A-KIND COUPLE IN A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME SORTA WAY.

WHAT I CAN SAY NOW- 

GAY-BI OR SIDEWAYS- THEY WERE MENT TO BE TOGETHER.

(BTW- MY HISTORY WITH MICHELE LAMY GOES BACK TO 1978!
 I PROMISE TO TELL YOU ALL THE GORY DETAILS ANOTHER TIME)

I BROUGHT TWO OUTFIT CHOICES-

#1- BLACK VELVET VINTAGE SUIT FROM TRASH & VAUDEVILLE-NYC, (CIRCA 1982)  RICK OWENS TOP WITH THREE SLEEVES-  CYCLOPS COLLECTION, 2015, BLACK  LEATHER ARMY BOOTS- GLITTER COLLECTION.

#2 BLACK VELVET VINTAGE SUIT FROM TRASH & VAUDEVILLE-NYC WITH RICK OWENS MOODY COLLECTION 2014, BLACK LEATHER SHEATH AND BLACK LEATHER ARMY BOOTS. 
I DECIDE ON #2

I ACTUALLY WALK TO THE TRIENNALE DI MILANO-

 A 20 MINUTE WALK IN IL CENTRO DEL CENTRO MILANO- IT IS BEAUTIFUL &  BRISK.  ALL THE XMAS DECOR IS IN FULL BLOOM. I PERSONALLY HATE XMAS, 

(DON’T GET ME STARTED) BUT IF YOU’RE GONNA DO XMAS, MILANO IS THE PLACE TO BE- CHE BELLO!

MASS CROWDS IN A GREAT MOOD. I PASS A WEDDING PARTY SPILLING OUT OF THE GOTHIC CHURCH ONTO EL VIA ALESSANDRO MANZONI. 

EVERYBODY IS CHEERING FOR THE BRIDE TO DRINK MORE CHAMPAGNE. 

THIS IS NOT ONLY WEDDING GUESTS, BUT STRANGERS ON THE STREET. 

IT'S SO ITALIAN.

I ARRIVE TO THE EXHIBITION EARLY- I’M THE PUNCTUAL TYPE. 

THE FIRST TO ARRIVE, AND THE FIRST TO LEAVE.. THAT IS MY STYLE.

I REMEMBER NYC PARTY QUEEN, DIANNE BRILL ONCE SAID- “ALWAYS LEAVE THE PARTY WHEN IT’S PEAKING. THEN EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER YOU LIKE THIS”.

I ARRIVE TO THE TRIENNALE  VERY EARLY. ALREADY A LINE FORMING…. 

SO EXCITING.

I WANDER ABOUT AND MEET A FEW BUDDIES I PREVIOUSLY ONLY KNEW ONLINE. ITS NICE TO PUT FACES TO PEOPLE WHOM I’VE CHATTED

NOW THE LINE IS MOVING IN... THERE IS ELSA LANZO CEO OF OWENSCORP. 

I HAVEN’T SEE HER SINCE 2007. SHE IS AN AMAZING WOMAN. BESIDES MICHELE LAMY, ELSA IS THE FORCE BEHIND OWENSCORP.

SHE GREETS ME WARMLY AS ONLY AN ITALIAN WOMAN CAN. “ELSA! I EXCLAIM,

 I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU SINCE I WAS YOUNG!”
 “THAT MAKES BOTH OF US, SHE REPLIES WITH GUSTO.

“ENJOY!” ELSA WELCOMES ME IN…….

THE EXHIBITION…….. WHERE DO I BEGIN?

WE ENTER  WHAT SEEMS LIKE A DARK LOBBY. THERE ARE ROWS OF BEAMS OF LIGHT; LIKE A GUARD TO THE NEXT ENTRANCE.

I AM REMINDED OF A HIGH-TECH VERSION OF THE ENTRY WAY TO THE HAUNTED MANSON OF DISNEYLAND.

(DISNEYLAND HAUNTED MANSION ENTRANCE)

(RICK OWENS: SUBHUMAN INHUMAN SUPERHUMAN ENTRANCE)

A GROUP OF PEOPLE STARE AT THE BEAMS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO...

FINALLY REALIZING - YOU JUST WALK THRU.

ITS THAT SIMPLE. LIKE ENTERING A VORTEX OR THE NEXT DIMENSION,

ONE WALKS THRU WILLINGLY.

A HUGE SCULPTURE LOOKING LIKE BLACK BILE BEGINS AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE, SLITHERS ITS WAY THRU THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT. 

SOMETIMES LARGE AND BLOCKED UP, OTHER TIMES THIN AND BULBIS.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE ARE PLATFORMS WITH MANNEQUINS DISPLAYING RICK’S CLOTHING IN NO SPECIFIC ORDER. RANDOM SELECTION OF DESIGNS FROM THE LAST 20 OR SO YEARS.

ON THE LEFT ARE DISPLAY CASES- “MEMENTO MORI” OF ITEMS THAT ARE SPECIAL. LIKE LOOKING THRU PERSONAL ARCHIVES, I WAIT IN LINE TO DISCOVER EVERYTHING I ALREADY KNOW. RICK  & I HAVE A LONG PAST-

I UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH ITEM MEANS- WHAT YEAR ITS FROM, 

AND HOW THEY CONNECT TO HIS CREATIONS.

I COME UPON THE PHOTO I TOOK OF MY FATHER- AL CASTRO FOR THE 2014 COLLECTION- MOODY.  A PORTRAIT OF MY DAD, NUDE FROM THE WASTE UP, WEARING RICK’S LEATHER & PEARL BRACELETS.

TWO CUTE BOYS IN FRONT OF ME ARE TAKING IPHONE SHOTS OF MY DAD…. 

I AM SO MOVED.. I ACTUALLY START TO CRY.

WHEN I TOOK THESE PHOTOS, MY FATHER WAS A SPRING CHICKEN OF 94.

AS OF DECEMBER 18TH. HE IS NOW AN ANCIENT 96.

AL IS NOW FRAIL AND IN THE EARLY STAGES OF ALZHEIMER'S. MY MOTHER "BEE" WAS DIAGNOSED 14 YEARS AGO. SHE'S BASICALLY A VEGETABLE.
THIS GIVES MY SISTER & I AN 80% CHANCE OF WHAT WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO…. WHAT CAN I SAY…. 

I’M REMINDED OF BETTE DAVIS’S QUOTE- “OLD AGE AIN’T NO PLACE FOR SISSIES.”

AS A GAY MAN OF MY AGE- MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER HAS SOMETIMES BEEN VOLATILE. MANY “ISSUES” REMAIN UNRESOLVED. 

THIS PORTRAIT WILL BE A TESTAMENT TO BOTH OF US.

I’M AMAZED HOW SILENT THE LARGE OPENING NIGHT CROWD IS.. 

THERE’S A HUSH, OVER THE ROOM.

AN ITALIAN BEARISH MAN IS TAKING PHOTOS. HE HAS A SINGLE- LEG TRIPOD WHICH I FIND VERY PRACTICAL.  “BUONASERA” HE WHISPERS TO ME AND CLASPS MY HAND WARMLY. “HALLO I RESPOND, ALSO IN A WHISPER.

“WHY ARE WE WHISPERING?” I ASK.

“BECAUSE WE ARE IN CHURCH, SAYS THE ITALIAN BEAR, THE CHURCH OF RICK OWENS”

THE BLACK BILE TRAILS THE LENGTH OF THE EXHIBITION. ROWS OF MANNEQUINS WITH DUSTBALL HEAD ORNAMENTS; RAISED HIGH ABOVE ON RAFTERS LIKE ETHEREAL BEE KEEPERS.

I’M DRAWN TO FOUR DISPLAY CASES WITH RICK’S PERSONAL ITEMS. 
AS MENTIONED , I KNOW THE HISTORY OF THESE ITEMS.

A  HEAVY LEATHER WAIST BELT WITH A HUGE HORSE TAIL. 

MADE WITH HORSE HAIR, OF COURSE. UN BIANCO, E UN NERO.

FUR SHOES FROM EXPLORER COLLECTION 2007- INSPIRED BY A BOOK COVER- TROLL-  WE READ IN MY BOOK CLUB. YES RICK OWENS IS A MEMBER.

A NEGATIVE VERSION OF MY PHOTO- MR. BEANBAG; PORTRAIT I TOOK OF A SEVERELY DEFORMED MAN I MET ON SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD- CIRCA 1994.

RICK USED THE IMAGE AS AN INVITATION FOR HIS EARLY FASHION SHOW IN LOS ANGELES- CIRCA 2001. “PEOPLE DIDN'T GET IT, HE TOLD ME AT THE TIME. 

“THE ONLY ONE THAT LIKED IT WAS KATE MOSS.”

A LONG BLACK PLUME RESTS ONTOP MR. BEANBAG. MICHELE LAMY INCLUDED FEATHERS IN INVITATIONS. SHE ALWAYS LIKES AN ORGANIC, PERSONAL TOUCH.

SELECTION OF  SMALL PHOTOS OF WRAPPED STATUES AT THE HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY. SOMBER- ROMANTIC- MELANCHOLIC. 

IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF SOUTH LONDON SINGER- ESKA'S RENDITION- THIS LAND IS MINE- FROM THE 1960 FILM- EXODUS.

THE SOUND IS FAINT, BUT THE TONE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

AS I GET CLOSER THE EXHIBITION BECOMES TWO WALL LENGTH PROJECTIONS OF RUNWAY COLLECTIONS FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS. TWO VARIATIONS ON TWO WALLS- HUGE- LIFE-LIKE.

THE SOUND IS LOUD & PERFECT.

ESTONIAN PUNK/METAL  BAND- WINNY PUHH- DOING A HEAVY METAL VERSION OF  “MEIECUNDIMEES UKS, KOSAKOV LAKS EILE LATTI.”

 WE ARE NOW DRAWN INTO THE SCREENING AREA SURROUNDED BY VISUAL AND THE BEST SOUND I’VE EVER EXPERIENCED. BETTER THAN ANY NIGHTCLUB ACOUSTICS, BETTER THAN ANY CONCERT OR FILM. 

BETTER THAN SENSURROUND.

THE AUDIENCE, AND I, WATCH THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PRESENTATION. 

I THEN LEAVE THRU A PITCH BLACK EXIT. YOU COME IN THE VORTEX THRU BEAMS OF LIGHT AND LEAVE IN DARKNESS.

I MAKE MY WAY UP THE STAIRS WHERE I ASSUME THE RECEPTION PARTY WILL TAKE PLACE. THERE IS NOBODY THERE!

A YOUNG GIRL WITH DESIGNER GLASSES APPROACHES ME. “ARE YOU RICK?” 

SHE ASKS…. DOES SHE THINK I'M RICK OWENS? WHEN YOUNGER WE WERE MISTAKEN FOR EACH OTHER OFTEN, BUT DEFINITLY NOT NOW. 

HE IS ANGULAR AND BUFF. I AM GREY AND ROLLY POLLY..

 OR AS LAMY PUTS IT- "FAT."

“YES I AM,” I RESPOND.

 “HAPPY TO MEET YOU. I AM GLORIA, “ SHE SAYS.

“OK! I REPLY ARE YOU THE PERSON THAT ORGANIZED MY TRAVEL?” 

“NO, SAYS GLORIA, I AM THE PERSON WHO GOT YOU PAID.” 

“OH, OK- EVEN BETTER! WELL THEN SO NICE TO MEET YOU!” I EXCLAIM.

“IS THIS WHERE THE PARTY WILL BE?” I ASK. “YES, SAYS GLORIA, BUT IT IS TO START AT 9:30PM. IT IS ONLY 9PM JUST NOW.” 

“OK I SAY.. DO YOU KNOW IF RICK OWENS IS HERE YET?” 

“I’M SURE HE IS AT THE EXHIBITION. HERE I WILL TAKE YOU,” 

WE WALK DOWN THE GRAND STAIRCASE OF LA TRIENNALE DI MILANO AND ARE NOW BACK AT THE EXHIBITION ENTRANCE. 

“ IF YOU GO IN THERE, I’M SURE YOU WILL FIND HIM.” SAYS GLORIA.

“OK-GRAZIE!,  I REPLY AND RE-ENTER THE PORTAL. 

TWO TIMES IS A CHARM SO I WALK THRU AGAIN. 

I COME ACROSS JANET- MICHELE LAMY’S ASSISTANT.

SHE LOOKS GREAT, WEARING HEAD TO TOE RICK OWENS- GLITTER COLLECTION.

WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE EACH OTHER AND CHAT UP A STORM.

SUDDENLY HERE IS MICHELE LAMY;  RESPLENDENT IN HER FINEST RICK OWENS ATTIRE, BLACK HENNA FINGERS WITH LARGE BRACELETS IN BONE AND GOLD. 

LAMY ALWAYS HAS A LINE OF BLACK HENNA DOWN HER FOREHEAD,

LIKE A POST-MODERN BEDOUIN... ON HER HEAD SITS A SEQUINED & FEATHER HAT FROM THE CO’NGA.

LAMY IS WEARING HER SIGNATURE PERFUME- WITH MY UNTRAINED NOSE, 

(MY PERFUMER FRIEND IRIS PARKER SAYS I’M NOSE DEAF) IT SMELLS LIKE A COMBINATION OF OPIUM, VETIVER, MUSK, MYRRH, AND CIVET. 

(THE ACTUAL INGREDIENTS ARE- CALABRIA, BERGAMOT, BLACK NEPAL, CARDAMOM, SPANISH SAFFRON, STYRAX, GOLD INCENSE, MYRRH, PALO SANTO, AMBER, OAKMOSS, VETIVER JAVA, AND VANILLA).

 I DON’T EVEN LIKE PERFUME OR COLOGNE, ( I ACTUALLY PREFER BODY ODOR) BUT THIS IS INTOXICATINGLY BEWITCHING.. LAMY CREATES HER OWN AURA WITH STYLE, MANNERISMS AND SCENT… SHE IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND INDIVIDUAL.

LAMY IS SURPRISED TO SEE ME. PERHAPS RICK NEGLECTED TO TELL HER I WAS COMING? LAMY LIKES SURPRISES. 

BACK IN 2014-

I AM AT MY ART GALLERY ANTEBELLUM HOLLYWOOD. 

I‘M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A HOMELESS MUSLIM MAN. HE WANTS TO DO HIS PUBLIC PRAYER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE GALLERY. HE LAYS DOWN HIS MAT AND ALL HIS EARTHLY BELONGING.. RATHER THAN PRAY TO ALLAH HE GOES INTO THIS INSANE RANT AND IS FLAILING ABOUT. THIS WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS SO I’M ON THE INTERCOM TRYING TO GET HIM TO LEAVE.

“HALLO SIR, I SAY ON THE SPEAKER, THIS IS GOD. YOU MUST OBEY ME AND LEAVE TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION.” THIS SEEMS TO DO THE TRICK… 

HE PACKS UP ALL HIS BELONGINGS AND LEAVES.

I AM PROUD OF MYSELF.. I DIDN’T KNOW I HAD SO MUCH POWER.

I THEN GO TO MY GALLERY GARDEN  PATIO AND ENJOY MY TEA. 

YES I ACTUALLY HAD A GARDEN IN HOLLYWOOD!

NO SOONER DO I SIT DOWN WITH MY EARL GREY  CUPPA TEA, WHEN THE BUZZER GOES OFF AGAIN! 

I AM SO PISSED. THIS SCHIZOPHRENIC MUSLIM GUY IS FUCKING UP MY TEATIME!

I MARCH BACK TO THE FRONT DOOR READY TO YELL. 

AT MY DOOR IS A SMALL DARK FIGURINE. ..

THIS IS NOT THE HOMELESS KORAN-THUMPER…. WHO IS IT?

IT IS MICHELE LAMY! I HADN’T SEEN HER IN 10 YEARS! 

NO PHONE CALL, NO EMAIL, NO  LETTER,  SHE JUST SHOWS UP AT MY DOOR RINGING MY BELL.

LAMY SAYS TO ME, “I KNEW WHERE TO FIND YOU. I CAN SMELL YOU” 

I HOPE WHAT SHE MENT IS, “I CAN SNIFF YOU OUT.”

BACK TO THE PRESENT TIME-

 I TELL JANET, “THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOBODY LIKE MICHELE LAMY. SHE IS A TRUE ORIGINAL.” JANET AGREES.

SO WE ARE CHATTING AND LAMY IS TELLING JANET HER ITINERARY FOR HER NEXT EVENT- “BOXING AT SELFRIDGES.”.  I ASK LAMY… “WHERE IS YOUR HUSBAND?” “HE IS HERE SOMEWHERE, “ SHE SAYS NONCHALANTLY. 

JANET TURNS TO ME AND SAYS, “HE WAS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU AND LEFT.. DIDN’T YOU SEE HIM?”

 “NO!” I EXCLAIM.

 “ I THOUGHT YOU WERE NOT READY TO GREET HIM YET,” SAYS JANET.”

“OH NO… HE DIDN’T RECOGNIZE ME. IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS,” I SAY.

IN THE DISTANCE, IN A DARK CORNER, STANDING BEHIND THE BILE SCULPTURE

 I SEE RICK OWENS; GRAND & SHY.

HE LOOKS THE SAME.. A LITTLE OLDER… A LITTLE WISER.

 HE’S WEARING BLACK CASHMERE SWEATER,  HIS SIGNATURE BLACK SHORT “PODS” FROM THE GLITTER COLLECTION AND GLITTER COLLECTION ADIDIAS SOCK RUNNER SNEAKERS.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH RICK IS COMPLICATED AND SIMPLE AT THE SAME TIME. 

I KNOW HIM A VERY LONG TIME. WE BOTH DID MANY THINGS TOGETHER IN LOS ANGELES. SOME GREAT EXPERIENCES, SOME NOT SO GREAT. 

WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. I AM VERY PROUD OF HIS SUCCESS . 

IN MY OWN WAY I’VE HELPED.

FINALLY HE RECOGNIZES ME WITH THE GRIN I KNOW SO WELL.

WE EMBRACE.. FOR AWHILE. “WOW, YOUR HAIR!, HE EXCLAIMS.. IT LOOKS GREAT ON YOU.. AND I SEE A LITTLE GREY?” 

I WHISPER IN HIS EAR. “ITS ALL GREY, I DYE IT. 

“SO DO I, “ HE TELLS ME. THIS IS REALLY NO SECRET.

WE GO INTO CHAT MODE.. LIKE NO TIME HAS GONE BY.

“HERE IS SOMETHING FOR YOU, I SAY. IT’S HISTORIC AND X-RATED.” 

HIS EYES LIGHT UP.. “WAIT, IS IT AN IMAGE OF ME?”

“NO I SAY, IT’S A HARDCORE PART OF MY HISTORY.”

I PRESENT HIM WITH A VINTAGE PRINT I TOOK OF THE STUMPFUCK SCENE IN HUSTLER WHITE.

HE SMILES BROADLY… RICK SHOWS THE PHOTOGRAPH TO HIS CEO ELSA LANZO. “THAT’S A STUMP!, RICK DECLARES. THAT’S IN HIS ASS.” 

 “YES, OF COURSE,” ELSA RESPONDS DRYLY. 

RICK HANDS THE PHOTOGRAPH TO ELSA AND ASKS HER TO HOLD ONTO IT. 

“THIS IS PROBABLY TRAUMATIZING FOR YOU?, I ASK.

“NO THIS IS FINE, SAYS ELSA, THE ONE THAT DISTURBED ME WAS THE HORSE FUCK VIDEO YOU SENT.”

“OH I DIDN’T FILM THAT!, I EXCLAIM. THAT WAS ON THE INTERNET, RICK & I JUST HAPPENED TO SEE IT AT THE SAME TIME. THERE’S A DOCO ABOUT IT CALLED- 

"ZOO.”

“OK, SAYS ELSA, SO YOU ARE GOOD RICK & BAD RICK, YES? SHE TURNS TO RICK OWENS AND SAYS, “YOU ARE THE BAD RICK.” “YAH! I SHOUT.. YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.”

 “NO SAYS RICK OWENS.. I DON’T THINK SO” 

“ WELL YOU WERE THE ONE THAT CAME UP WITH THE NAMES BACK IN 1986.” 

I SAY.

“I’VE INCLUDED TWO OTHER PHOTOS IN THE PACKAGE, I CONTINUE, THIS IS A PHOTO OF MY MOTHER’S VASE FROM 1930 WITH RED ROSES. AS CONTRAST TO THE STUMPFUCK. IT’S SHOCKING, YES?, BECAUSE ITS SO NORMAL.”

“MICHELE LAMY NODS HER HEAD, “YAH” 

ALSO INCLUDED IS AN ENHANCED WEDDING PORTRAIT OF MY GRANDPARENTS ON MY MOTHER’S SIDE- CIRCA 1914, SILVER CITY NEW MEXICO. 

"I SIT LIKE MY GRANDFATHER. I THINK HE’S GAY.. WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

 “RICK OWENS NODS HIS HEAD.

“YAH, YOU LOOK LIKE HIM,  SAYS LAMY, BUT HE WAS THINNER THAN YOU,”

“WELL  I GUESS CAUSE HE’S DEAD.“ I RETORT.

LAMY REALLY KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE IN THE KNIFE.

RICK OWENS IS NOW BOMBARDED BY FANBOYS & FANGIRLS. 

HE TAKES PHOTOS WITH ALL, STRIKING THE SAME POSE. 

FAME IS INTERESTING. IT’S FLATTERING AND TRAUMATIZING AT ONCE.

 DURING MY LONG- HAGGY LIFE I’VE HAD MOMENTS OF FAME, (NOT LIKE RICK OWENS OF COURSE) I LOVED WHEN IT GOT ME LAID AND COMPS AT THE DOOR.

 I HATED IT WHEN PEOPLE THINK THEY KNOW YOU AND SOMEHOW YOU OWE THEM SOMETHING. ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE WORSHIPED TO LIVE UP TO THE WORSHIPER'S EXPECTATIONS.

WE ALL MEANDER A BIT,  THEN I ASK MICHELE LAMY IF I CAN ESCORT HER TO THE AFTER PARTY. “YES, BUT FIRST WE SMOKE”.. EVEN THOUGH I DON’T.

WE GO OUTSIDE THE TRIENNALE DI MILANO WHERE ALL THE “ADDICTS” HAVE CONGREGATED.

SCARLETT ROUGE, (LAMY’S DAUGHTER) IS JUST ARRIVING. SHE GREETS ME, “WHAT THE FUCK!?”, SHE EXCLAIMS. PERFECT GREETING FROM AN EXPAT CALIFORNIAN TO A WANNA BE EXPAT CALIFORNIAN.

THE AFTER PARTY IS INTIMATE, GLAMOROUS, YET LOW KEY.

ALL THE WAITERS ARE WEARING RICK OWENS. 

SKINNY AS RAILS, THEY LOOK LIKE A GROUP OF STARVING DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.

RICK IS COMMENTING HOW THEY DON’T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. 

TURNS OUT THEY ARE HIS MODELS.

ANNA- PHILIPPA WOLF COMES BY AND INTRODUCES HERSELF.

 SHE ORGANIZED ALL MY TRAVELS. SHE IS AN ABSOLUTE DOLL. ANNA THEN STARTS TO POUR CHAMPAGNE. “THE MODELS ARE TOO SLOW,” SHE REPLIES.

I ASK RICK, “SO WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT ME?” 

RICK RESPONDS, “NOT A THING.”

“WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US FOR DINNER?,” RICK ASKS. 

“OF COURSE,” I RESPOND.

LAMY, JANET, (LAMY’S ASSISTANT) RICK & RICK JUMP IN THE CAR AND HEAD OFF, CHATTING ABOUT OLD TIMES.... LAUGHING ABOUT NEW TIMES.

I THINK AT THIS POINT I AM DRUNK, BECAUSE IT ALL SEEMS LIKE A WHIRLWIND.

WE GET TO THE RESTAURANT IN A PART OF MILANO I DON’T KNOW, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF MILANO.

WE’RE GREETED AT THE DOOR AND USHERED UPSTAIRS TO A LARGE TABLE.

I HAVE THIS INTOXICATION OF MEMORIES FROM THE 80S WHEN MY LIFE WAS,  DINNING, FASHION, ART & PARTIES, TO THE JOY OF BEING WITH LONGTIME FRIENDS. PEOPLE I FEEL CLOSE TO IN MY HEART, BUT THERE IS NOW GEOGRAPHICAL  DISTANCE.

I’M HAVING SUCH A GRAND TIME. I’M ALMOST IN MY OWN WORLD.

I DON’T EVEN LOOK AT THE MENU.

“WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ORDER FOR YOU?” RICK ASKS. 

“YES I RESPOND. I’M NOT SURE WHY. I JUST DO.

WHEN THE FOOD COMES I REALIZE ITS SUSHI!

OH.. WE ARE IN A JAPANESE RESTAURANT IN MILANO… OK.

WE CHAT UP A STORM MUNCHING ON JAPANESE TACOS. “ 

“YOU WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH THESE SINCE YOU’RE MEXICAN, “ RICK JOKES.

“WELL SO ARE YOU,” I CLIP BACK.

MORE DISHES ARRIVE. “OH, I SAY.. THAT WAS ONLY THE FIRST COURSE!”

“YES, REPLIES LAMY DROOLY, THIS IS NOT WENDYS.”

 THE BLACK COD COMES- SO SOFT AND SUPPLE. ITS LIKE EATING A BABY.

MORE CHATTER, CHATTER, CHATTER. 

THEN LAMY ASKS ME, “ DO YOU WANT DESSERT?

 PERHAPS YOU SHOULD ONLY HAVE A SMALL PORTION.”

WTF?! “DID SHE JUST CALL ME FAT? I TELL RICK. SHE’S ACTING LIKE I’M OBESSE!”

“YOU KNOW LAMY, “ RICK IS TRYING TO BE ENCOURAGING.

“DO YOU STILL WORK OUT EVERYDAY?" I ASK.

 “YES,” HE RESPONDS.

WELL LAMY THINKS I’M FAT, OR AS SCARLETT ROUGE PUTS IT- 

“YOU COULD STAND TO LOOSE 30LBS.”

THE WINE IS AMAZING. I ORDER TWO GLASSES.

 I THINK I’M THE ONLY PERSON AT THE TABLE DRINKING….

 I AM IN ITALY.. I LOVE WINE.. I AM GOING TO DRINK  LIKE A BORRACHO.
I TURN TO RICK AND SAY,
 "I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU TWO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. IN MY OLD AGE, AFTER THIS SOUL-CRUSHING YEAR, I'VE BECOME VERY SENTIMENTAL. I'M GONNA START TO CRY."
RICK SMILES A COMBO OF "AWWWWW " AND "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

NOW WE ARE LEAVING.. I WAS JUST GETTING STARTED! 

EVERYONE AT THE RESTAURANT PRACTICALLY BOWS AS WE LEAVE.. 

HOP INTO THE CAR AND WE’RE CHATTING SOME MORE.

NOW WE ARE IN THE FRONT OF THE GRAND HOTEL ET DE MILANO,

WHERE LAMY & RICK  ARE STAYING.

 “COME IN, LAMY SAYS, AND WE WILL CALL YOU A CAB FROM THE LOBBY."

THE LOBBY IS BEAUTIFUL~19TH CENTURY, DARK WOOD.

“VERDI STAYED HERE", RICK ANNOUNCES… 

“DID PASOLINI ALSO STAY HERE?" I ASK.

RICK ASKS THE CONCIERGE WHO NODS.

WE HUG AND KISS OUR GOOD-BYES, AND NOW I’M IN A CAB WITH JANET. 

“WOW, I SAY.. IF ALL CORPORATE WAS LIKE LAMY & RICK, I WOULD SAY YES.”  

AS WE DRIVE DOWN THE VIA ALESSANDRO MANZONI,  I REALIZE WE’RE ONLY ONE BLOCK FROM HOTEL SENATO. “OH! WE SHOULD’VE WALKED!

THEN WE COULD SMOKE!” 

“SORRY, SAYS JANET, I DIDN’T REALIZE WE WERE SO CLOSE.”

THE DRIVER APOLOGIZES AND DROPS US IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL.

IN THE BRISK COLD OF DOWNTOWN HISTORIC MILANO, ILLUMINATED BY THE TWINKLING LIGHTS OF HOTEL SENATO, JANET ROLLS ONE OF HER LAVENDER CIGARETTES IN TOBACCO LEAVES, AND WE SMOKE IT... I DON’T EVEN SMOKE! 

IT IS AMAZING.