Well, we're more than halfway through 2025. Is this a good thing? How much are we looking forward to the recent future? I don't know. That could go either way. I'll just be up front about this...I've been very reminiscent as of late. My older brother passed away. My mother passed away about a year ago. My best friend of my youth was gone about two years ago. I mean, it's nature. As you get older, you start losing more people who were close to you. I mean, my mother was in her late 80's; so, not a shock. But my brother and friend were, all things considered, on the younger side. So thoughts of the more sepulchral variety have been on my mind as of late. And I find writing about things like this as they come up, in some way, help to dispel the hold they might have. I had an actress friend who was older than me. She died a few years ago. We were talking about her this evening and as I was looking through an old folder of photos, she was tucked in there. It was like she was saying: "Hi! I heard you talking about me!" And there were other photos in the folder that seemed apropos of something...thus, this blog.
When I Google my online presence--and I may be completely wrong about this--I guage what I think people might be "clicking" on by the photos that come up. The above one of my friend and former paramour, John from Ireland, keeps rising to the top of the queue. So, there was this really nice photo of him in that folder de mysterie that I thought I would share; for what are photos for, if not to be looked at? I did not take this. I don't know who did or for what reason: probably someone who found him really attractive, which he was. And looking back...I'm thinking like, Movie Star Good Looking!
Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...?
No, we went our own ways on good terms; but looking at that photo I do kinda have to say: Wow! He had really nice hands. I mean, I don't mean "wow" about his hands. Just "wow" in general. But he did (does) have really nice hands/forearms/arms in general.
So, I guess in this blog we'll be strolling down memory lane; but I'll also be supplying tidbits that come to mind of things I've mentioned that I'll post, in the past. That is, if I can remember what they were. And there's going to be a whole lot of me. ME, ME, ME!!!
Aren't you excited?!!? I know I am! And you know what, I don't care. I don't care if this seems a little self-centered. If you're reading this....YOU KNOW I'VE MADE YOU LOVE ME! :)
No, we went our own ways on good terms; but looking at that photo I do kinda have to say: Wow! He had really nice hands. I mean, I don't mean "wow" about his hands. Just "wow" in general. But he did (does) have really nice hands/forearms/arms in general.
So, I guess in this blog we'll be strolling down memory lane; but I'll also be supplying tidbits that come to mind of things I've mentioned that I'll post, in the past. That is, if I can remember what they were. And there's going to be a whole lot of me. ME, ME, ME!!!
Aren't you excited?!!? I know I am! And you know what, I don't care. I don't care if this seems a little self-centered. If you're reading this....YOU KNOW I'VE MADE YOU LOVE ME! :)
Remember my friend Mr. Douglas Baker, psychotherapist? His video thumbnail keeps coming up in my feed; so I guess y'all are interested in him too. So here's another video.
I met Doug in the 80's. Among other things, he was a photographer. I don't know if he's still doing that; I mean, I don't see why he wouldn't be. But I also mentioned he took my first head shots. But before he did that, he took some pictures of me right before I moved to Los Angeles in late 1991. Wanna see? You know you do!!!
I'm wearing my custom made Nathaniel Hawthorne t-shirt, which I'm pretty sure I still have. I'll have to find it and take some photos (I'll post later). I also found in the mystery folder the head shot he took three years later, still in it's "Ray the Retoucher" glassine envelope. I'm sure you L.A. actor peeps know who Ray is; but if you don't, he was the "go to" guy for headshots. So, I guess we should look at that, huh? Hey, if you don't want to, you can always just click out now.
I posted other versions of this head-shot sesh wherein all of my smiles were not showing teeth. And yet, I went "officially" with the one that had the big toothy grin. Perhaps it's a bit too toothy...and looking back, I'm surprised I went with the big, open smile. I don't know; and it's not like any casting agents ever saw it. Or any of them (the head-shots). Because they didn't. Not a one. So why did I have them taken? The mysteries of the folder du mysterie deepen!
I also talked about the time I took "Leather Man" pics for a man who I hardly knew who then blew one up to giant proportions and put it on the wall over the bar at The Ramrod. Here's a link:www.christopherfreidy.com/blog/daddy-chris-will-see-you-soon
I also talked about the time I took "Leather Man" pics for a man who I hardly knew who then blew one up to giant proportions and put it on the wall over the bar at The Ramrod. Here's a link:www.christopherfreidy.com/blog/daddy-chris-will-see-you-soon
The Ramrod was Boston's "Premiere" leather bar. I found a few more shots from that sesh too, in the folder du mysterie (FDM). Wanna see them? They're really just kinda headshots for a different kind of showbiz!
And then this one was Muy Mucho Mysterioso!
Maybe I should've auditioned for the killer from Cruising. Of course, I was fourteen when that movie came out; so probably not. Hey, Ryan Murphy, if you do another Queer/Leather project, this fellah is totes avails! Staying in a leather mood...
This was taken at some point during my tenure at B.U. The leather jacket actually belonged to my older brother John. I look kinda tired in this picture. I was probably out dancing the night before and I have NEVER been a morning person. I recall chatting with my friend Amy and she had a camera (she was taking a photography class, maybe?) and this other girl she knew came strolling along and stopped to chat and Amy said something like: "Ooooh, I like those pearls and that leather jacket; can I take you guys' picture?" Now, I've never been one to say no to having my picture took. Nowadays, not so much; but back then, I was just a gal who couldn't say "no"! Wasn't there a Wham song about girls and pearls and boys in leather? Yeah...there was...
Well, maybe it was on the LP cut. And who for a second ever thought that George Michael might've been straight? I mean, he's in a Ramrod outfit at the 2.05 mark...
Here's another picture of my older brother John. This will give you a real idea of his personality (and I don't think this was taken at Halloween; just one of his "looks.").
Here's another picture of my older brother John. This will give you a real idea of his personality (and I don't think this was taken at Halloween; just one of his "looks.").
You know that song "We Don't Talk About Bruno," from that Dizzney movie? Yeah, well...I'm not really ready to talk about John. I'll let you know at some point. Oh, but not now.
Here's another person that died who was in the FDM. My friend and co-worker, Steve Raffin. We shared the same birthday, December 19th. We had super similar senses of humor. He died of complications from HIV--no, he died of AIDS, really. We worked together at the Paradise bar in Cambridge. He was also in photography school. One day he looked at me. Looked me up and down. I was dressed in one of my signature looks, which was probably jeans and a button down shirt and loafers. He said something like, "I want to take your picture, the way you look right now!" And I said, "Like, "right now", right now?" And he laughed and said, "No, for a class. In a studio." Well, I couldn't have agreed faster. When I showed up for the sesh he handed me this crazy jacket and fake glasses. I guessed the theme had changed. Whatever. I was having my picture taken--in a studio! So I went with it. Here are the final results he went with:
Here's another person that died who was in the FDM. My friend and co-worker, Steve Raffin. We shared the same birthday, December 19th. We had super similar senses of humor. He died of complications from HIV--no, he died of AIDS, really. We worked together at the Paradise bar in Cambridge. He was also in photography school. One day he looked at me. Looked me up and down. I was dressed in one of my signature looks, which was probably jeans and a button down shirt and loafers. He said something like, "I want to take your picture, the way you look right now!" And I said, "Like, "right now", right now?" And he laughed and said, "No, for a class. In a studio." Well, I couldn't have agreed faster. When I showed up for the sesh he handed me this crazy jacket and fake glasses. I guessed the theme had changed. Whatever. I was having my picture taken--in a studio! So I went with it. Here are the final results he went with:
I don't know...maybe a kind of David Byrne type thing happening? Actually, come to think of it, I think those fake glasses are my own. And I'm pretty sure I still have them. Back in the day they were called "Attitude Glasses" (changed to "Character Glasses" at some point, apparently) and they could be procured through The International Male Catalogue. Giving fake realness was BIG in the 80's. And I suppose Real Fakeness as well.
There's another photo I got to thinking of, as I've been writing (sort of) about Faye Dunaway lately too. It's a photo I should've been in but if it weren't for Ms. Dunaway's chronic tardiness in all things I would have. Now she also had a quest for perfection in all things, according to GQ Magazine in 1983. A passion for the best of everything or some bullshit. So I guess she perfected the best of being late for things.
Did you ever see that bizarre ad she did for Gucci? Let's take a look!
There's something really creepy about that ad, Kinda like the Stepford Wives. It fills me with existential dread. Like, they're waiting around in fancy clothes in that vapid environment with nothing else to do but buy thousand dollar shoes. And the over-zealous use of the vibraslap*, which puts one in mind of rattlesnakes and ups the creepiness. But then, I suppose Faye has been known to deliver vibraslaps of her own to unwary underlings. But a wag by the name of Deven Green supplied a delightfully absurd soundtrack and turned it into laughter; which I don't know about you but is mostly what I want out of life nowadays. Let's take a second look!
*See, you really do learn something new every day. I learned about the vibraslap (and what a name that is!). In case you don't know what a vibraslap is and/or does; here's a brief tutorial. Let's take a look!
And how cool is Mr. Mark Shelton? He looks kind of like if Willem Dafoe and Jodie Foster had a kid together.
Anywhooz...
So, here's the picture I was "supposed" to have been in:
Anywhooz...
So, here's the picture I was "supposed" to have been in:
Well, a while ago, we were walking down the--
It was 1997. I was working my brave, final days at Lakeshore Entertainment home of Executive DILF to end all Executive DILFS, Mr. Tom Rosenberg:
It was 1997. I was working my brave, final days at Lakeshore Entertainment home of Executive DILF to end all Executive DILFS, Mr. Tom Rosenberg:
But I digress...
So, my pal Linda Correa* called me at the office and she gave me an address somewhere in L.A. It was a studio of some kind, really "HOT" at the time; something with a name like Lightbox or something? Anyways, she tells me that they're going to be taking a photo for Vanity Fair magazine; that is, Patrick-Alain DeMullenheimer or someone, who was also HOT. Not that Linda was into being part of what was HOT. She just seemed to find her way into these things. So, she tells me they need EXTRAS for the photo and that I should come down on my lunch break and be one with her. Now, being as I was a production assistant (PA) for the company and was often drivng around running errands, etc. I had a certain amount of leeway re: not having to be physically in the office. So I went. And waited with Linda and everyone else. The lunch hour went by. Another hour went by. I was getting calls from the office as to my whereabouts. I pressed it a little longer. Still no Faye. She wasn't even on the premises yet; let alone in hair and make-up. I finally had to tell Linda that I couldn't wait anymore, so I left. But she stayed. I think it was like another three hours or something before Faye actually deigned to show up. So Linda ended up in the picture (see red arrow). I think she's actually in it more than once, as I believe they had to Photoshop more people into the crowd because I'm sure, like me, more than a few people couldn't wait around until Miss Duanway was good to go.
So, my pal Linda Correa* called me at the office and she gave me an address somewhere in L.A. It was a studio of some kind, really "HOT" at the time; something with a name like Lightbox or something? Anyways, she tells me that they're going to be taking a photo for Vanity Fair magazine; that is, Patrick-Alain DeMullenheimer or someone, who was also HOT. Not that Linda was into being part of what was HOT. She just seemed to find her way into these things. So, she tells me they need EXTRAS for the photo and that I should come down on my lunch break and be one with her. Now, being as I was a production assistant (PA) for the company and was often drivng around running errands, etc. I had a certain amount of leeway re: not having to be physically in the office. So I went. And waited with Linda and everyone else. The lunch hour went by. Another hour went by. I was getting calls from the office as to my whereabouts. I pressed it a little longer. Still no Faye. She wasn't even on the premises yet; let alone in hair and make-up. I finally had to tell Linda that I couldn't wait anymore, so I left. But she stayed. I think it was like another three hours or something before Faye actually deigned to show up. So Linda ended up in the picture (see red arrow). I think she's actually in it more than once, as I believe they had to Photoshop more people into the crowd because I'm sure, like me, more than a few people couldn't wait around until Miss Duanway was good to go.
So, actually the photograph is by David LaChapelle and it's entitled: Day of the Locust. Now, that wasn't even Faye's movie. It was Karen Black's movie; so the picture really should have had Karen Black in it. Why didn't it? Karen had been as big a star as Faye at one point but by 1997 her fortunes had slipped and she was doing a lot of schlock. But so was Faye. Karen was only two years older than Faye and still looked amazeballs, IMHO. Better than Faye, I think. Karen still looked like herself. Faye had morphed into something Fayesque, by this time; as you can tell by the photograph--that is, if you break out a magnifying glass, the camera is so far above her. And that kind of begs the question: couldn't this have been anyone? So why not Karen Black? Here's Karen in 1997, with then unknown Daniel Craig.
Not to be bitchy; but I kinda hate everything about the Faye photo, other than the concept and the fact that my friend is in it. Oh, by the way, as this is something of a memento mori blog, I should mention Linda passed away about four years ago. She was probably my closest female friend; so we can add her to the list of profound personal losses. Here's a link to a blog I wrote about her: www.christopherfreidy.com/blog/memories-of-my-pal-linda
I think Faye looks terrible. Her legs look scrawny, her make-up makes her look like a corpse and her outfit--that gold corset thing--gives her a flat-out, pot-belly. I can't believe she signed off on it. Personally, I would've staged the shot at ground level, just above the crowds head with her in a white satin gown, staring into the lens. Smiling. Or maybe her original costume from The Towering Inferno, with a fire in the background (The Burning of Los Angeles was a theme in that movie). But that's just me. Or maybe restaged that famous Oscar the morning after shot. As for Karen...
I knew several people who knew her or had met her. One guy I dated who actually worked at her house near MacArthur Park as a handyman. It was always the same story about Karen. She wasn't just odd or eccentric as many actors are. She wasn't just a "crazy actress." Everyone I knew who'd come in contact with her said the same thing. She's a crazy actress. And maybe this had something to do with her ending up in a lot of junk. I don't know. But she did leave us with some incredible performances. And maybe if Faye Dunaway ever manages to get over herself, maybe we'll get another great performance or two from her.
I experienced first hand (was an eyewitness to) her legendary tardiness. Bette Davis, I think, explains it best:
I knew several people who knew her or had met her. One guy I dated who actually worked at her house near MacArthur Park as a handyman. It was always the same story about Karen. She wasn't just odd or eccentric as many actors are. She wasn't just a "crazy actress." Everyone I knew who'd come in contact with her said the same thing. She's a crazy actress. And maybe this had something to do with her ending up in a lot of junk. I don't know. But she did leave us with some incredible performances. And maybe if Faye Dunaway ever manages to get over herself, maybe we'll get another great performance or two from her.
I experienced first hand (was an eyewitness to) her legendary tardiness. Bette Davis, I think, explains it best:
Okay...
Oh, one last thing. In the movie, Eyes of Laura Mars, there are two characters named Lulu and Michelle. They are high fashion models who work for Laura and they're also lovers. When Laura has a vision of the killer stalking them, she calls their apartment and starts screaming: "LULU! MICHELLE! LULU! MICHELLE!!!" over and over. Linda told me that when they were taking the photo of Faye on the limo, they had everyone pretending to riot, which involved shouting, yelling and screaming. Linda kept shouting: "LULU, MICHELLE!!!" and she said Faye kept looking around to see who was doing it. Hilarious! If you know that movie; and particularly if you know that movie and you're gay; then you more than likely know about Lulu and Michelle's answering machine...here's a link to a clip:clip.cafe/eyes-of-laura-mars-1978/this-lulu-and-michele
I guess that wraps this up for now. I'm going to be working on the X-Mas by Hallwhack movie blogs and I'm also supposed to do the illustrations for a cat themed children's book which I've been dragging my feet on. Maybe I'll do a series of blogs on that and it can be a kind of "soft launch"? We'll see. There are a few more pictures I'd like to include here, so I'll probably be adding and addendum to this. I'll re-X it if I do.
Love and Kisses
Chris
CFR 8/2/25
Oh, one last thing. In the movie, Eyes of Laura Mars, there are two characters named Lulu and Michelle. They are high fashion models who work for Laura and they're also lovers. When Laura has a vision of the killer stalking them, she calls their apartment and starts screaming: "LULU! MICHELLE! LULU! MICHELLE!!!" over and over. Linda told me that when they were taking the photo of Faye on the limo, they had everyone pretending to riot, which involved shouting, yelling and screaming. Linda kept shouting: "LULU, MICHELLE!!!" and she said Faye kept looking around to see who was doing it. Hilarious! If you know that movie; and particularly if you know that movie and you're gay; then you more than likely know about Lulu and Michelle's answering machine...here's a link to a clip:clip.cafe/eyes-of-laura-mars-1978/this-lulu-and-michele
I guess that wraps this up for now. I'm going to be working on the X-Mas by Hallwhack movie blogs and I'm also supposed to do the illustrations for a cat themed children's book which I've been dragging my feet on. Maybe I'll do a series of blogs on that and it can be a kind of "soft launch"? We'll see. There are a few more pictures I'd like to include here, so I'll probably be adding and addendum to this. I'll re-X it if I do.
Love and Kisses
Chris
CFR 8/2/25