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October 29, 2004
Abandoned Factories, Writers, and Roadtrips
Burke and Zina on a break from shooting GK2 in an old 1930s factory. Which was of course, abandoned.
Mmmm...seeing a pattern here? We love our abandoned locations. Here, there, and everywhere.
Give us danger.
And even more, we super-duper love when Z's project that was shot in above mentioned abandoned random factory, got accepted into the International Festival of Horror.
Feast your pretty lil' eyes on this.
So the dames, dolls and femme fatales of Ohio and also to my wandering roadtripper girls...get thee to Cincinnati, Ohio for today and Sunday and yell like mad for Z's "GK2" video. I promise you'll like it. It has monsters and monsters and chase scenes and more monsters and action and more monsters.
Cause well, what would be scarier than wandering through an asbestos-filled, old factory on the verge of collapse?
Wandering through an asbestos-filled, old factory on the verge of collapse with monsters.
Naturally.
AND...another tidbit of cool news...
one of the sassiest dames I know...Miss Joanna...
This wonderful girl is about to venture off to Africa to write about the AIDS crisis. Joanna is a breathtakingly beautifully talented writer and she just recently won a major grant from the prestigious Kaiser Family Foundation giving her the opportunity to research and work intensely on her article.
J...I love you forever...and I'm super proud of you.
Damn...what an incredible bunch of pals that I'm lucky to have. You really inspire me by fighting for your dreams and delving into the adventure of it all. You guys are the bestest. Not to mention these two dolls.... Lulu and Miss Darling...
Fourteen bucks in gas. Three girls. One very small car and an unlimited stretch of gorgeous Autumn colored highways.
It doesn't get better than that.
Thank you for a beautiful adventure.
xoxoxoxox
Posted by Veronica at 10:19 PM
October 21, 2004
My Roadtrip Girl and My Dental Party
To the girl who one day after a very long road trip (we got lost about 20 times), after reaching our destination, she grabbed my hand, dragged me under a streetlamp at the side of the road and promptly smeared her spit under my eye to fix my eyeliner. A group of older people looked on horrified as she exclaimed, "There. Perfect!"
Happy Birthday Miss Anna! Wishing you a ton of road trips that take you to fabulous destinations and the fascinating and fun rides to get there.
And to everyone else...I apologize for not being that great about phone calls and emails lately...I spent a rousing afternoon with my dentist friends yesterday...
These kick ass women did the most amazing job during my insane oral surgery yesterday. It was pretty surreal...the best part was at the end when Dr. Tahawi (the woman in the middle of the pic) was stitching up my gums. I couldn't feel anything inside my mouth because it was all numbed, but I could feel the thread drag lightly against my cheek as she sewed. I looked up at her as she hummed to the elevator music in the operating room and sweetly wove the needle in and out, sewing me back together.
It was well....sweet.
And you can't even see my stitches. I can even give a huge Marilyn Monroe grin and I dare you to even find them.
However...at the moment...I'm talking funny. And I've got chipmunk cheeks.
And I've got stitches in my gums.
How hot is that?
With this and with my earlier rottwelier attacking me in the face incident (click here for that story)...I'm kind of feeling like some sort of experimental doll. I've logged in eight hours alone this year of being stitched back together in my face. Punk rock.
I'm now going to cuddle in bed with my Viacodin.
Nightnight.
Posted by Veronica at 08:32 PM
October 16, 2004
Abandoned Pools, The Police and Me
This little girl is Pat Groff on "Ragmuffin Day" in 1950. I found it on her brother Larry's old picture album. She is standing in Brooklyn's McCarren Park Pool.
I have been obsessed with finding out the history of McCarren Pool ever since I stumbled upon it while walking Little Gret about four years ago. Large trees hide the openings, a series of two barbed wire fences wrap around area. I pushed myself against the first fence, peering in to what used to be the 'social hub' of my neighborhood starting in the 1930s and peaking in the 1950s.
It was the scene of the first shoot we ever did for Danger Dame. I thought it was appropriate. Me...born in the wrong era. Lost. Looking for what became of the beautiful pool from half a century ago.
Little Pat's building over her shoulder is in the top left corner of my photo. Her and I in the same place...54 years apart.
The pool is three times the size of an Olympic Pool. Its grand arches and architecture recalls its elegant past. I closed my eyes and thought of the ghosts of times gone by.
I found oldtimers' beautiful stories about it, and pictures and more pictures from "urban explorers" who break into closed down sites to photo journal.
There was two barbed wire fences between me and the pool. I was dressed in the Lucy dress already, with the big crinoline and five inch heels for the shoot. I hopped the fences...only getting snagged on the second barbed wire with my crinoline. We finally get to the pool itself. And I ran around like crazy...being in the pool itself and seeing how big it was - how amazing it must have been back in its heyday! I screamed in delight as I'm sure the kids did 50 years ago when this place was alive.
Fifteen minutes into the shoot, we get a call on the cell from our lookout that two, not one, but two cop cars were circling and pulling around. I guess I wasn't too inconspicious when I was climbing the fences in a gigantic 1950s swing dress. Burke and I looked at each other...well...there's nowhere to really hide. And by the time I climbed over the fences again and through the crazy vines in between, we knew we would be caught. So we just shrugged at each other and figured....alright...let's get as much shot as we can in five minutes before they take us away.
The below picture cracks me up beyond belief. This was the last shot of the day. To the unsuspecting person, it may just look like a random retro shot. To me, it's the exact moment when I spotted the four cops coming around. Two city police, two park police. I was just about to sit down on the tire, for my little picnic shot.
I am looking right at them. They are looking at me. I'm thinking....shit. I'm gonna have a lot of explaining to do.
I produced the park permit. They scratched their heads. "Ma'am, this is not technically part of the park...why would you think this would be okay if you had to climb over two barbed wire fences?" And I said, "Well, I didn't want to bother you guys to come down and open them up."
"Well, isn't that polite of you!"
Uh, oh. This was not working. My mind was pretty much racing at this point...smile more, start crying, something! Instead I just said, "Wow. This is really something, huh? Love this pool. Do you guys know if they are gonna re-open it ever or what?"
Silence.
I'm going to jail.
I try again. "I'm just a history buff. I love the 40s, the 50s. The city. The history. I used to be a tour guide on those double decker buses, you know."
WHAT?? What was I frickin saying?? Somebody needed to stop me. Thankfully one of the other cops did, "Did you climb over in that getup?" "Yep." "Heels and everything?" "Yep." I mean they were trying everything they could do not to start busting out laughing. We got off with a warning. Not even a ticket. But I mean, who's gonna give a ticket to a girl that looks like an insane dark haired version of Lucille Ball from I Love Lucy? That dress saved me from jail. No wonder I love it so much.
Long live the spirit of McCarren Pool!
I can't wait til the next photoshoot there.
**Kidding.**
Posted by Veronica at 01:15 AM
October 15, 2004
There is Always More...
Good things come to those who wait....
The photo above is one of the shots from the new Juliet series. It didn't quite go with the rest of the ones that I put up...but I really liked the idea of it, so I wanted to share. Just staring at the ceiling...dreaming or lost? Read whatever you like into it, you make your own story...
The Casablanca shoot was originally scheduled to be on a pier, but the cops busted us. It was pretty funny...me all dressed up, Burke carrying this huge camera case, and Max carrying this huge reflective light bounce board...and the cop came up to us and said, "You're not doing a photoshoot out here are you?" And I said, "No, definitely not. We would never do that." Then we both looked at each other in silence for a minute knowing full well that we were and then I said, "Five seconds? Please?" He wasn't having it. Even with a permit, it was technically state property. He was nice about it though, just doing his job. Note to self: Bring cupcakes to bribe with next time.
So we walked over the bridge right before the sun was going down and shot it fast while the bridge operator kept waving his hands at us like he was gonna call the cops, too. Note to self: Make two batches of cupcakes for bribing next time, and learn to run faster in heels.
Tomorrow I'll write the story of the Lucy in Wonderland photoshoot. Because it's pretty funny. I nearly went to jail dressed as Lucille Ball for that one. Ah, guerilla photoshooting in NYC at its finest.
It just seems like all the cool places in the city are either the ones it would cost a zillion dollars to shoot at, or they are no trespassing places. And well...I don't have a zillion dollars. So I ask you...what's a girl to do?
Speaking of a zillion dollars...hahaha...I have an assortment of campy, gorgeous things up on ebay for Halloween, and I'll be adding more stuff later today...burlesque outfits and everything. And I have plenty of things you'll enjoy. So take a peek!
Oh... and if you're interested...I'm starting a little mailing list for specials and when new pics come up, drop me a line and I'll add you in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
Thanks for your really sweet letters and encouragement, for Danger Dame and for my film, Revolver. It really keeps me going and makes me realize just how broad our legions go. We truly are an army. All of us together.
And to make you laugh...I'm re-posting the picture of me from almost a year ago...delivering my first packages for Danger Dame to the post office. Getting blinded by snow. It was really fun.
I am completely insane.
xoxxoox
Posted by Veronica at 12:00 AM
October 13, 2004
Fortune Cookie Coat
October's chill was in the air this morning so I grabbed my black and white check coat from the back of my closet and put it on. It's been quite a while since I've worn that coat because last winter I found my pink wool faux fur coat that I love so much.
After I put it on and buttoned it, I stood by the door for about ten minutes before leaving. I thought to myself... "You know...there's probably something in the pockets, right?" Probably. Knowing me...there's a receipt or change or a note or something left in there.
Well...I hoped. Because it's kind of fun to get a little message from yourself from two years prior. The simple joys of putting on an old coat. Then, still standing by the door, I tried to guess what it would be. Change. Definitely. Probably a receipt.
Right before I put my hands in my pockets, I had really hoped I wasn't feeling overly productive and cleaned the pockets out on the day that I had last hung it up.
In the left pocket was 72 cents, a bank receipt from the beginning of April 2003, and in the right pocket was this.
Synchronicity, I adore you.
Just yesterday, in my book journal, I wrote how terrifying achieving dreams are, when I look at the big picture. But by just doing small things every day, I can get closer and closer to my dreams - and before I know it, I'll reach them. I just have to keep going strong.
I really am enjoying the adventure getting there. My wish is to always have my eyes and heart open to inspiration. To achieve those moments when my skin is covered in goosebumps when something - an idea, a song, a book, art, someone's story - has just touched some absolute truth. Those times when you say to yourself, "yes, this is it. this is it." And you just know.
You know.
I hope all of you who read this have a really beautiful day. Sending you hugs this morning. We are all powerful people in our individual ways. So let's all go out there and take one step closer to the dream.
The world awaits, my friends....
Posted by Veronica at 11:57 PM
October 11, 2004
You Want Fries With That Shake, Dollface?
Mmmmmmmm.....so you're asking yourself, "What outfit would look super kitten pin-up on me for Halloween?"
This candy stripe girl outfit is purrrrrrfect for Halloween! And not only that...it's handmade by my amazingly talented friend Angela. It's sturdy and sexy. No flimsy Halloween costume! And did I mention ridiculously sexy? ME-OWWWW!
So, if you wanna order the Candy Girl 1950s Pin Up Halter Top and the matching Candy Girl 1950s Pencil Skirt, I'm gonna give you the cute lil' nurse hat for free (I've only got a few left). Because...well it makes the outfit. And it's fun. And it's almost a year anniversary of the store being open. And 'cause I love you. And cause I want you to look pin up sexy for Halloween. And I want you to give other people severe cases of whiplash just lookin' at your purdy lil' self in this get-up!
Your Halloween gift from me....! ***MWAH!****
I hope everyone has a great time cookin' up what they wanna be for Halloween this year. It's always fun to pretend like you're seven and dress up. I do it almost every day! **wink!**
Posted by Veronica at 11:45 AM
October 07, 2004
They say it's your Birthday...!
Happy happy birthday to one of my very best friends in the entire world...my beautiful Mom! I feel like one of the absolute luckiest people in the world to have this wonderful human being as my Mother and a best friend. She has always been and continues to be one of my biggest inspirations and heroes. She is always encouraging me to go for my dreams and was the one who had the idea that I should start selling beautiful dresses online. She's the original Danger Dame - sassy, intelligent, graceful and gorgeous (inside and out)! The woman could start a revolution with the lift of her finger.
Mom...thanks for being such an amazing friend to me. Thank you for instilling in me that I can be anything in the world I dream to be. Your beautiful open heart and kindness has showed me how to live happily in this world and enjoy every minute.
Have an awe-inspiring birthday...filled with lots of good wishes and hugs from me. I love you so much. And before you know it, we'll be hanging out together, driving all over the place, going to the beach and laughing over all our stories, shopping together, eating ice cream and hitting the old merchantile in search of our beloved pigs!
Happy Birthday, Beautiful!
Posted by Veronica at 07:23 PM
October 02, 2004
Danger Dame Girl to Wed Rock Star Boy
This is my friend, Jason.
He's really really happy
because he asked this beautiful Danger Dame girl, Sarah to marry him....
...and she said yes.
Doesn't that rock?
You need to read his journal
about it. It's the sweetest.
Mad love to you both.
xoxoxox
Posted by Veronica at 08:11 PM
