Yo, Ho! (Ho, Ho.)

What, really, can be said about ayem8y that hasn't been said countless times before? Particularly whispered around truck stops along I-95 and I-75. So we'll just let his Mean Dirty Pirate blog speak for itself.

Luck of the Irish

Grace Kelly was the #1 answer for our latest Mystery Guest; however, the actual lady in question is about as far from that Main Line debutante as you can get: the positively Amazonian Irish McCalla, who became a TV superstar as Sheena, Queen of the Jungle in the 1950's. Then as now, transcending a fixed image seen by millions of viewers on a weekly basis was difficult; films like She Demons (1958) didn't help Ms. McCalla's chances for longevity, either. Happily, she did age gracefully and well, showing off a remarkably lovely face and toned physique well into her sixth and seventh decades at personal appearances and conventions; and McCalla also became a rather prolific artist, specializing in Western scenes. Irish McCalla passed away at age 73 following a stroke and her fourth brain tumor; but she's fondly remembered for her glamour modeling and her revolutionary, pre-Xena turn as the boldly empowered Sheena.

Her Serene Highness, indeed.

The prize was going to be a private modeling session with ayem8y wearing the leopard-skin Sheena costume and handling his spear.

Too bad, bitches.

Beat It

Mean Dirty Pirate's brilliant Teen Beat post got us thinking about 70's teen idols; frankly, most of them were just too damn skinny and girly for our sturdier tastes: we mean, Shaun Cassidy was sweet and all, and looked as if he'd give you great tips for keeping your hair well-conditioned and bouncy, but we wouldn't want to bounce it, if y'know what we mean. Every now and then, however, a slightly sexier, more dangerous specimen found their way into the pages of Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, 16, and their ilk. Donny Osmond and Tony DeFranco would probably bring flowers and then help your mom clean up after dinner; Greg Evigan looks as if he would be bring pot, and Brett Hudson would probably feel your mom up after dinner. Vive la différence!

Tommi with an "I"

ayem8y, thoughtful, dirty pirate that he is, recently gave us the cyber gift of a little tsotchke from Parzinger, Inc.; the one-time mecca for elite New Yorkers in search of elegant yet modern furnishings, decor, and objets d'art.



Tommi Parzinger fled Nazi Germany in 1932, and settled in New York City. By 1939, he had established Parzinger, Inc. (later Parzinger Originals) on Madison Avenue, and was attracting a moneyed clientele of society folk and celebrities. He reached the height of his success and popularity in the 1950's; his client roster included everyone from the Duponts and the Rockefellers, to Marilyn Monroe.

Parzinger's style was modern, yet not severe; we admit to not knowing diddly about interior design, but we know what we like: and we like Parzinger's restrained luxury and clean lines -- he appeals to our deco/mid-century modern sensibilities, while retaining a human warmth. Since the least expensive item we could find was the champagne cooler for $3000, we will demurely accept any last minute Christmas gifts.