I Never Drink... Blood.

The past few days I have been a vampire.

This transformation occurs once a quarter and aligns with the MovieJawn print zine deadline (preorder the new issue here, ships next week). For those unaware… one of my various responsibilities for MovieJawn is to complete the layout and design of our quarterly print issue. Due to this, I have not felt the rays of the sun on my flesh for forty-eight hours. It should be noted that I take much pride in this specific MovieJawn task and find it to be quite thrilling, as it provides an outlet for me to showcase my creativity.

When I work on the print zine, I become possessed by it. The moment I rise from my slumber until I am tucked in once more, I am zining. I work around the clock until it is completed, mostly under the pale moonlight. This is the reason I feel like a creature of the night. Coincidentally, yesterday I finished reading Rachel Harrison’s So Thirsty, which is a story about a woman that has a run-in with vampires. After a wild evening, her best friend and she are turned and have to come to grips with their new vampiric way of life.

With my current sleep situation the book got me thinking… I am all about being a Nosferatu, except for the whole little issue of drinking blood. I’m not really a fan(g) of blood. Seeing it leave my body makes me extremely uneasy and quiver in fright. Maybe I would feel differently about taking a sip of someone else’s? Or if it were paired with one of my favorite delicacies. As a spaghetti enthusiast, maybe if noodles were involved I could get on board with the red stuff. Heck, it is the same color as sauce.

Not much to report on here, given that I am focused on getting the zine to the printer. Although, even when I am conducting major experiments in my laboratory, there is always a segment at the back of my brain that is scheming. The man with levers (the tiny Buster Keatonesque being that operates the wheels and cogs that keep the ideas in my noggin flowing smoothly) helps me stay on track and keep to task. However, something that keeps circling in my mind is: I miss the embroidery vandals.

My late pup pal, Lil’ Foxie & I discovered the art of embroidery and became obsessed. Our mission was simple: NO kitchen towel should be naked. NO linen napkin will go bare. NO shirt pocket should be without out embellishment! Together, the two of us got up to lots of stitching mischief and, after I finish the zine, I want to think about some new projects that involve the creation of cinematic portraits.

Here’s a peek at some of my previous creations…

I might even take a stab at listing some for sale, as I gotta get some coins stashed away for a future mouse trip. I miss that guy and Tilly.

This week I am proud of… that I wrote this edition of Sundae Matinee! I truly am committed to keeping Sundae Matinee alive each and every week, so I am pleased as punch that I made time to share these sprinkles with you.

I am also super stoked about the release of MovieJawn’s first record. This is a collaborative effort with my MovieJawn pal, Joe Carlough of Consonant Collective. Each 6” record features music from two independent bands (@starmouthband and @coreyjbrewer) that created songs that fit the theme of our latest print zine that celebrates silent film and characters. These handmade records are absolutely stunning and very limited! Listen to me chat about the records here and give the record a spin here. Preorder now here, ships next week!

This week I recommend… The 1948 motion picture, The Velvet Touch starring Rosalind Russell.

This is a quick eighty minute thrill that Benjamin and I stumbled upon via The Criterion Channel. I had never heard of this picture before, but am really happy we crossed paths as it provides such wonderful lessons about the art of committing the perfect MURDER!

The Velvet Touch tells the tale of Broadway star, Valerie Stanton (Rosalind Russell) who accidentally kills her producer during a heated argument about the direction of her career. When a rival actress is blamed for the crime Stanton stays silent, which eventually is cause for her unravel.

I love a film with a swift runtime and this picture manages to pack a punch! It also is yet another reminder of why gloves are such an exquisite fashion accessory. I have been singing the praises of gloves for the past few weeks and really need to step up to the plate in terms of procurement of various styles. The Velvet Touch reminded me of this particular endeavor. It also made me think about the fashionable and sophisticated Bruno Antony (the character from the famed Hitchcock picture, Strangers On a Train) and his thoughts on achieving a flawless slay. As he informed an elderly party goer, the ideal weapon to ensure that one does not get caught is to utilize your hands. This only works though if one first takes the proper precautions and ensures their hands are covered.

I made that picture above for the Classic Coroners column I used to write with my favorite film pal, Dr. Ashley Jane Carruthers. I think it is time for a comeback, what do you think? Read it here.

Happy you are here.xx.goodbye.

Tell a friend.