Olympic-Mania

I say it with every one that comes every few years - I LOVE The Olympics!! I sit here watching the closing ceremony of the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver and I love the opera singers, love the art production, love the very performance art-oriented preview of the next Sochi Winter Games in Russia, love the Visa commercials with voice-over provided by the eloquent Morgan Freeman, and love seeing the teary-eyed athletes. I even liked the uneven comedy at the end provided by (I come from a Trekkie family) Bill Shatner, Catherine O Hara (love her in Chris Guest movies) and of course, my beloved from my junior-high days: Michael J Fox. I am so proud of everyone involved - what a feat - what amazing strength and grace. Congratulations, to all the countries...

Ines Di Santo - Hard Rock Hotel

The previous blog was not the first time I met designer Ines Di Santo, as, unbelievably, she attended 2 wedding shows here in San Diego last year. MBride, a boutique store in La Jolla, is the only San Diego store that features Di Santo couture dresses so I imagine the designer felt it good to visit even little San Diego while on her West Coast trip. Her gowns are hand-sown works of art that are very expensive and one of a kind - not mass produced. She is smart and gets the wealthy and political Mexican clientele here at her San Diego store.

I will never forget the first time I met Ms. Di Santo, whom is Italian by origin, but then lived in Buenos Aires for half her life before now settling in Canada. Not the tallest and thinnest girl, I was so surprised I got hired for her wedding Expo show held at the Hard Rock Hotel in January of 2009. But she liked my ambiguous ethnicity and I liked trying to speak to her in both Italian and Spanish.

I was going through one of the most challenging times of my life back then and she literally took my hand, asking my sign (Taurus), my age and some other things before bestowing to me in Italian before repeating in Spanish:

"My dear, I can see that you are trying so hard to deal with these things that pain you. But you haven't given it up yet to God."

She won me over instantly. It was something my wise Catholic mother would say.

And she was right. I always believe I meet people for reasons. She didn't converse with the other gals that day, and she certainly didn't need to talk to me - just another ordinary model of hers for the day. The fact that she did and said what she said was quite simply: a Gift. (And something I greatly needed to hear at the time.)

As if that wasn't enough she had me close the show with the showstopper Wedding Ballgown - - this dress was hands-down the loveliest, most amazing wedding dress and crafted couture gown I have and probably will ever model. What a lovely memory it all makes.:)

Click on picture below for the slideshow:

Ines Di Santo Gowns - Hard Rock Hotel

Designer Ines Di Santo

 

I came across more pictures from photographer Robert Gates of an earlier couture wedding gown blog. See blog from the Ivy Hotel last Fall here. And click pic below for more pictures, many featuring the designer herself who came out from Canada to join us.

After the Fires - photoshoot

 

One hears me say often how I am 'back-blogged' - - yup. I am. I also have a million pictures on this here laptop that I mean to post so that I can delete them from taking up room. I know most people don't delete their pics and put them on the harddrive, burn them on CDs, blah blah blah - I am not technically-efficient enough to do that. Plus, I feel it does no good to never post pictures we've taken. P has hundreds of photos that will never see the light of day since it takes so long to post-tweak each one. I'd rather have mine posted on here and the especially good ones on my flickr account.

 

So this was wayyy back in October 2007 when we had that 2nd round of awful fires (the first in 2005). See my evacuation blog here. A week later Patrick and I had decided to go for a drive to see some of the damage and found ourselves at Lake Hodges in North County. I evidently had a dress and heels in the car and we ended up doing a photoshoot. I know that sounds strange in the wake of a fire but I was actually very much happy and in love with him that day, I remember. It shows on my face, too...

 

A lovely memory...

click on slideshow below for more:

After the Fires

Elsa's Song

There was a time in my life that I was a really, really talented singer. But I won't get into that now. I came across a couple videos of me singing on my high school mentor, Ron Bolles, website. I was invited to sing the past couple years for his charity scholarship event that he and his wife, Reina, put on.

The first year I sang an Italian aria by Puccini called "La Canzone di Doretta" (Doretta's Song). I had come straight from doing a runway show (hence the hair and makeup) and not only missed my run-through rehearsal in the late afternoon due to my show but I sounded dangerously not warmed-up. This is a tough song - - glad I got through it :)

Then last spring I first sang back up for classmate Ryan Baloy and then sang a duet from the Tony award-winning musical, "The Light in the Piazza" by Adam Guettel. I sang with my high school sweetheart, Joey Altbaum - -again, I chose a vocally and technically difficult song to prove I still had the chops. It is a stunning, gorgeous and melodic song. It kills me that they did not post the entire song but just did a video melody of snippets from the entire evening. Utter disappointment.

That said, I should document them so my momma and family can watch them. The link is
http://www.bollesartsinternational.com/ and you need to click on "Concert '08" and click on my name halfway down the program. Then to watch "Concert '09" click on it and watch the video medley - I am towards the end singing with Joey.

I haven't decided yet if I am going to sing this year. I know it's a great cause and a wonderful excuse to sing - - but I am so busy nowadays. We shall see...

Red Hill Marina

 

Here is another impromptu December drive to take pictures. It was pouring rain in San Diego that whole week and we just wanted to see dry land and a good sunset so we drove east to the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley - specifically the Red Hill Marina.

 

Funny how we've been out to the Salton Sea a couple times, and yet, still manage to underestimate how long it takes to get out there. We wanted sunset and we got about only 20 minutes before sunset to hurriedly take shots - - sigh - that's how it goes. Thank God we like long drives together :)

Click on slideshow below for more:

Red Hill Marina - Salton Sea

Valentines Day

One of my favorite authors is Emily Bronte. One of my favorite novels is her "Wuthering Heights".

To my new husband of about 4 months I offer you my heart, loyalty and my soul - - but then you already know that....

"Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same."

My Fall Documented in Print

Unfortunately, my fall was mentioned in more than one society page article covering the show. Here is one article by Margo Schwab -

The 2nd Annual Dressed to the Nth Degree took place Nov. 13 at the Spreckels Theatre drawing fashionistas out to raise dollars for the cancer center and awareness for the Scripps Mercy Auxiliary.

Hundreds of guests arrived to “paparazzo” camera flashes and cheers.Among the attendees were the 10 Best Dressed Men and the 10 Best Dressed Women, chosen by Leonard Simpson. It was Leonard’s concept a year ago, and once again he chose the lists for this year’s event.

Leonard Simpson of Fashion Forward produced the fashion show too. Among the featured designs were Qadir Hamidi, Mister B’s Fine Clothing, Jose Maria Ybarra, the Worth Collection, M Bride, Le Bel Age, and Custo Barcelona. Jewelry was provided by the Diamond Boutique, Radiance International Fine Jewelry, and Pamela Pogue’s Juelerie. Hats were provided by Diana Cavagnaro.

A little surprise was provided by the Indirani Fusion Dancers. A surprise to all was when one model mistakenly fell off the stage. She was not hurt.

**Man! I fooled them all!!! - Editor's Note

2009 San Diego Best Dressed - aka The Great FALL

okay, it had to happen. I have done many runway shows at this point - almost 10 years' worth. It was my time. To be noticed. To stand out. Am I talking about having the honor of opening or closing the show? No - although I've done that.

No.

I am referring to my great.... fall. Bite the dust. Eat it.

Now, this happens more often than you know in runway see here for example.

Oh, it has happened to top models. It has happened to friends I know and work with. And now it was my turn. But in true Elsa-style mine had to really stand out. Not just trip or fall on the runway but at this particular show in November at the Spreckles Theater downtown it was a theater stage and the audience aisles that we walked down - - not a normal catwalk.

On the opening scene I was leading my line of girls on stage right and I was to walk down a poorly-made staircase from the stage down to the audience where we would then walk up and down the aisles - I initially liked it being set up differently than normal runway catwalks but the problem was that they poured out stage smoke at the top of the show so that up to my knees was gone in visibility. I simply could not SEE the stairs - -so what did I do? I gracefully and accidentally stepped OFF into the orchestra PIT! Oh, that moan of the part of the crowd who saw me - - the audible gasp still lingers in my ear.

Now, I obviously can laugh at myself - or I wouldn't admit to this by blogging about it. But I fell about 7 feet into a dark pit - I could have broken my neck. And the audience, fellow models, and producer knew it. The fact that I eventually found my shoe and headpiece that came off in the darkness down there and CLIMBED OUT in utter pain to finish the show with the audience applauding my sheer effort - is worth patting myself on the back - whew!

My foot was bleeding in 3 places, my expensive heel broke (drat!) and my body ached the way a 37-year-old could only feel taking a bad fall. I was encouraged to not finish the show as dressers cleaned my wounds while pulling off my clothes but I am a trooper and come from the theater. Therefore the motto, "The Show Must Go On" played in my head with all the adrenaline cursing through my veins. All I know is that my normal personality and 'face' that I usually have when walking was gone - I looked like I was in pain because I WAS in pain. I remember my hands shaking the entire show just due to adrenaline. I knew I could be more hurt than just the bleeding wounds on my foot and toes.

Well, I DID finish the show. I DID refuse medical treatment and the ER. AND I somehow got up early to drive to LA to do another runway show - even though my foot was swollen, bruised, and bleeding - don't ask me how I put on heels the next day. Man, it took about a month for my entire body to stop aching - and I still have the scars on my foot and a spot on my toe that aches with certain heels that I wear.

But I did it. And I lived to tell it .... here. To all of you. (he he he)

Go, E, GO!

Click on Slideshow below for pics (not of the fall, don't get crazy)

The Great Fall - Runway

Newsworthy Undergarments?

http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/84302422.html?video=YHI&t=a - -

Had a runway show last night (pics and blog on that whenever any pics become released) - - and then got up early this morning to do a KUSI news segment for Susan Nethro AKA "The Bra Whisperer" - - who opened her famous chain the Intimacy boutique in Fashion Valley Mall this year. She has been everywhere on TV (fitting Tyra Banks and her audience recently) and I am mostly glad to get her gigs while she does a whirlwind Southern CA press tour simply because I am paid more than average when things have to do with lingerie - - something I obviously do not do too often he he he. That said: this particular TV gig was very tame as you can see - so don't feel timid to watch it - - I am towards the beginning and at the end - - cheerio!

Dia Del Sol Runway - United Cerebral Palsy

I have many, many shows that I am back-blogged on. Understand I do wish to document them as I love working with the runway girls of San Diego (you see a lot of them on this here blog) and the fashions are always nice or interesting at least.

This show was one of the shows that even the models donated our time for charity. We basically donated half our paycheck to the Foundation. In return for the smaller paycheck, we got $100 gift certificates to one of the 4 designers we wore. The house (should I say 'mansion') was gorgeous and huge where the luncheon took place - complete with actors from "Lost", local celebs and the fashion show opened with several local children affected by Cerebral Palsy. We gals were literally tearing up peeking out at them work the crowd before us. There was such joy on their sweet faces :) From the Fall issue of Ranch & Coast Magazine:

The Beach & Country Guild presented its 40th annual Dia Del Sol fashion show, luncheon, and live and silent auction event to benefit the San Diego chapter of United Cerebral Palsy on October 14 at Bella Siena, the Rancho Santa Fe estate of Ilene and Mike Lamb. Guests enjoyed a fashion show featuring wardrobe by Tory Burch, M. Missoni, Carolina Herrera, and Nicole Miller, along with children’s clothing by Nordstrom. Cuisine provided by Sbicca, The French Gourmet, ChileCo Catering, and more, with the help of numerous guild volunteers. Mistress of ceremonies was Channel 10’s Kimberly Hunt.

Photo credit: Boyd Harris Photography
Click on Slideshow below

Dia Del Sol

The Phantom of the Opera

Oh. My. Goodness.

It finally has happened.

The stage musical sequel to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's massive and, for me: life changing 'Phantom of the Opera'.

The Phantom came to America in 1987 when I was in high school - having just started opera lessons myself and winning a slew of awards and accolades as a singer in my school's prestigious choir and show choir, The Music Machine, it was very much a part of my choosing to study classical voice in college.

I cannot even begin to describe how much this musical touched me, my family, and so many around the world - especially at its height - before the mediocre, miscast movie, before all the watered-down national tours and the shortened Vegas show (only 1.5 hours) so you can be in and out to gamble.

Que va. I am talking about the ORIGINAL cast - with Sarah Brightman and the truly amazing Michael Crawford. I am talking the original show. My family got the CD and listened to it for months before the show eventually opened in Los Angeles for a several year run with thee Michael Crawford at its helm. Musical CDs have the entire lyrics and basic stage directions in the liner booklet and my family was SO enamored and enraptured by the story that we did NOT allow any of us to read the FINAL page of it to know what happened in the final scene of the show. That may sound like nothing to you- but real fans understand: imagine months of not knowing and theorizing who Christine chose (The Phantom or Raoul?) The last few minutes of the show is all orchestral - no words - therefore one cannot decipher what happens unless they see the show or read the final page.

We bought a year in advance tickets to the LA show which would have been enough just to finally find out how the show ends (perfectly - - although heart-breaking for our beloved Phantom). Nonetheless, in a perfectly-staged valentine ode to the amazing, ahead-of-its-time ballet movie, "The Red Shoes" - the final scene has a small spotlight that hones in on the famous mask until it immerses in darkness with the final haunting and utterly beautiful final chords of "The Music of the Night".

Seeing the show with Michael Crawford was almost insane for all of us - brothers included. Not handsome, not even young - not even a typically 'beautiful' voice or the big Broadway belt that all the following-cast Phantoms exemplify - Michael Crawford stole audience's hearts for his ACTING, for the true mischief, insanity, genius, sex appeal and more than anything - the utter pain that the character required. I remember his height and his beautiful, large hands when her performed - - he sang and acted with his hands - not unlike a dancer!

There has been and will NEVER be another Michael Crawford in this role.

As far as the lead of Christine. The show was written for Lloyd Webber's young wife at the time, Sarah Brightman. Although I have heard and seen many other technically better performers I still hold a soft spot for her quirky, young voice. As for me, my voice fit that repertoire perfectly - especially at a younger age (she was only to be 20 or so in the production). I sang it and played it on the piano constantly - all the coloratura runs and all.

I could speak volumes on my knowledge of the production but I will stop there and leave you with something I remember seeing in 1988 in real-life. The Tony Awards with the 2 original leads - - it still takes my breath away..

The Phantom 'Never Dies'

So here is the press review of, "Love Never Dies" the NEW sequel to the Phantom of the Opera debuting in London in March. Joey, my ex boyfriend during those high school years (and a singer/actor himself)sent me this and is planning to go there just for the show. He knows how much the original show meant to me. I was obsessed with Michael Crawford and went up to LA several times to see him perform in the role up there.

I had heard rumours that Lloyd-Webber was secretly working on a sequel and now it's true. For true fans this 20-minute video will be of NO problem sitting through but those who want to hear the music go to minute 8 to hear the overture - - lovely, in waltz tempo - it is reminiscent slightly of Lloyd Webber's previous hit "Sunset Boulevard"- I say this for the old Hollywood glamour style but there is definitely the sweeping, richly-arranged romantic sound of the original Phantom of the Opera show.

As far as the newly cast (boy - does he have a LOT of pressure) young man who will be playing the Phantom (see video below)- I can say that they should have cast Michael Crawford- even aged - they really owed it to the fans (especially after that movie debacle). The storyline is to be a continuation of years later - therefore an older Phantom would have been perfectly suitable. I can say in fairness I can only assume they spoke with Crawford and his people and perhaps HE did not want the undertaking of it all - it is exhausting performing 8 shows a week and there is no doubt that this sequel has massive footsteps to follow.

That said - the original fans WANT it to succeed. Want to feel the love and the heart-break and feel moved by the haunting music. There is a built-in audience already for this this new show. And whether it critically fails - it will have presold ticket sales years in advance. It will do just fine.

Although the Phantom song above is lovely and dramatic, I am not impressed with the pretty boy, Broadway-belting young man who sings in the video - there is nothing that stands out like Michael Crawford in voice and delivery. He is currently singing the role in London and I just see him and the Christine as too young. Pretty, but too young for the sequel. There is a certain grace and pain that come with aging, losing things you love, experiencing the ups and downs of life. They really, and I emphatically repeat, REALLY should have cast an older Phantom and a 30ish Christine.

We shall see. London is a bit far for me now that I am not single to go do. But when it opens in NYC I shall be quite tempted to make it a trip and see my actor friends there.

I wait with baited breath...

Winter in San Diego

 
Another lazy Sunday afternoon where my loving husband and I grabbed our cameras and strolled around San Diego - Balboa Park, then the Harbour downtown before stopping for a hearty Irish dinner (P deserves an Irish stew full of meat and potato once in a while) at The Field Irish bar downtown...


 









click on slideshow below for more!

Winter in San Diego