Talking Out Loud Rewind, Remix, Re-Do...

What's really going on? A tisky tasket another Billion in the Basket has become so common place that the "T" word as in Trillon doesn't really seem to matter anymore. I don't know about you but many of the people that I keep running into remind me of the Stedford wives. Remember those glazed eyed beauties who walked and talked as if everything was alway alrighty. However I was snapped back into reality when I opened the recent round of monthly bills and taxes that let me know that everything is not quite as tidy as their lives. But neverthless, I came back to the big chair to keep pumping it out directly to you, with updates, links, and so much more...! Here we go!!!

Lion in Winter: In case you missed it and I'm sure most of you didn't, especially after your phone keep ringing to let you know that NK himself was a Style feature in the Sunday's DemGaz(3.2.09). Yes, folk, that NK,(Norma Kristie, pictured left)) the ringmaster of Central City nightlife, Norman Jones. The article penned by Kyle Brazzel, another self style media person who ebbs and flows from charity events to night place haunts peeks just underneath the surface of this long time shot caller. I've seen Mr. B around town and read many of his pieces that have entertained me and this frothy piece cause me to go, "Hmmmmmm." Of course, as a writer your source material certainly dictates the direction of your item. In my estimates, you couldn't find a richer nor ripe source material than the unsinkable Kristie who has led a life that would be perfect content for a Lifetime movie of the week or even reality TV. From the onset, I knew that this article would require me to brace myself, beginning with the opening paragraph which leads with the description of "Jones sits at a cool ivory bar strewn with hundreds of dollar bills stacked and secured with rubber bands." Moving inward for the rest of this item, there are interesting tidbits about "Being Norman," such as his love for equine, recollections of early struggles with purveyors, dealing with Little Rock's finest, competitors and his therapy pursuits. I can't imagine dealing with this lavender life without one either. Also Jones' muses about his impending memoirs, entitled, My Pageant, My Crown," and his contempt for what impersonation has evolved or should I say devolved into. Since I am of the generation whom was privy to a much different type of drag, I agree with NK's assertion that the art form has suffered since those "good ole days." In the article he speaks of an glittering Astronaut outfit, unfortunately I never saw this getup. But do recall NK's swan song, the Connie Francis hit, "Where the Boys Are," which I've seen numerous times. Believe it or not, some of the best impersonators such Donna Day, Lady Shawn, Naomi Sims,(featured in video)Sweet Savage, and Divine of John Waters fame, have all made their way through this neck the woods either in Hot Springs or Little Rock. Just for the record, I took to the spotlight on various occasion ultimately discovering that all that glitters wasn't gold. My efforts to harken back to some of those "good ole" days that are mentioned was met with colorful observations and uneven support otherwise. To be honest, I didn't know that the audience appreciated my presentations and to this moment still inquire about how to see more. However, as he continued to recount "those days," with a delicious glee. He retorts that he will name names in his future book. However, even though it may be a somewhat sweet revenge, actually most of those "names" will mean very little to most and nothing to others.Especially since many notables both nationally and locally are no longer with us and I would certainly hope that he wouldnt speak ill of the dead. Overall most may not be so titilated because they never saw these individuals perform or dealt with their persona's either out of drag or personally. Not to trump this effort, but let's name drop to make the point. Who was Michael Michelle and why is he significant? Billy McBride was a state titleholder who can be seen in the local newspaper regularly and why? Who was the iconic Latin impersonator who hailed from The Isle of Enchantment? Only the die hearts will know who these folk were at the height of their popularity and game. If you missed the article, do your best to go check it out. It's worth a few moments to gaze into the parallel universe of the queen of the night. Even though this forum doesn't claim to be pageant central, we do our best to keep you informed on the latest crowning and de-crowning as they occur. Stay tune....