The Easiest Costume of All: The Phantom of the Opera

Happy Halloween!

My costume is simple and short, just as this post is simple and short. What am I? If you haven't figured that out, well, that's your problem.

What I'm using:
1 Black Dress
1 Pair Black Stockings
1 Pair Heels
1 Mask (trimmed to fit my face appropriately)
1 Eyeshadow Palette
Spirit Gum
Foundation
Lipstick

This costume has gone through several different variations, including a test run several years ago that is pictured above, but I finally settled on this one mainly because I didn't have the time or money to make a black velvet cloak, and I need something that can look professional again in seconds (normally, I have a class that I can't look weird for in the middle of my day, but other factors have led to that being absent today, mainly working on a project with some theater friends). Obviously, the first three items are quite intuitive in their use, as are probably the last two. However, the rest I, of course, had to mess with.

The mask is actually what I did the most with. This phantom piece was actually inspired by a friend, who commented on the fact that I never had a profile picture that included my entire face. I had mentioned it to my mother because I thought it was funny, and then forgot about it. A week later I was doing some serious shopping for my classroom, and my mother comes up to me with this silly grin on her face and something hidden behind her back. It was a Phantom mask. It was a buck and change, so I threw it in the cart, and then got out the scissors and edited it. It came down to a sharp point along the chin, which I didn't like, especially since it was too small for my jaw, so I rounded that off, and then I lowered the forehead (it was ridiculously high--there might have been a reason it was so cheap!), in the process removing the little stretch band that goes around your head. Now you know why the Spirit Gum is important!

The eyeshadow palette actually helps hollow out my cheek a bit more and give the more unearthly look. A little white powder along the cheekbone never hurt, either. I think I've yet to actually use that eyeshadow on my eyes yet. Foundation helps with blending this out, and the lipstick gives the final touch--you may or may not want to use this, since in my opinion lipstick is messy and I don't like eating it. Incidentally, the average woman consumes something like seven pounds of lipstick in her lifetime. Ew.

A Long, Long Time Ago....

Today, I found a treasure. I found the soundtrack for Star Wars....on two records. They sat in my room all of my life. I moved them out to a shelf about five years ago. And there this album sat, forgotten, until today. I was flopped on the floor, with one cat attacking me and another laying inside my rib cage. And then I saw it. An album I hadn't seen for years called The Lady is a Child. I pulled it out and admired its unique cover art, then put it back and started examining the other records on the shelf.

Star Wars. WHAT???? Out it came, and I marveled at the two records I now held in my hands. The Original Star Wars Soundtrack.

The cats weren't too happy with me as I got up and ran off looking for the turntable. With a little bit of help, I got the turntable set up and playing. And this amazing noise came out. It was different from the CD I have. It had more music. I kept flipping the records and learned to place the pin in the exact right spot. At least, I think it is called the pin. I don't usually listen to records. And then the most awesome part of this whole thing occurred. I found a script my father had written in his old radio days. It was tucked in with one of the records. I have transcribed it in part here. All of the spelling is the way it was written. I have not included the Xed out parts. These pages were typewritten. And, despite the stupid jokes, I laughed heartily and loved it. Let's take a look.

STAR STUFF #______

"Blast Off For The Captain's Dream House"

ANN: Yes Stuffies, you can join our hero, Capt. James Shmirk, His trsty companion, Mr. Smock, and their wierd little robot RU-12, as they journey to the planet, "MGM" to view the Capt's dream house, built by the savings of over 25 years of space service. Yes, join us as we..."Blast Off for the Capt's Dream House" (ROCKET)...............

Cap. There it is, Shmock, my dream house..."The Crystal Pigeon" (OOH) I even named it after our Ship!

SHM. Capt., it's beautiful...I'm overwhelmed! what say we go in and look around... I'd like to see it.

CAP. OK, but I want to see the last addition to thedream I've had for years... the workment are now carrying in the biggest treasure I've got... the Throne of the Maraheshmi Mahetmi Ma-yogurt.

(OOOH)

SHM. You don't mean the thirty-seven ton gold, platinum, silver and plastic throne that is bedecked with precious jewels and precious stones, do you?

CAP. That's right, Shm... I remember when he gave it to me for saving his kingdom, the Planet "Abu-Dabu" from the treacherous "Imaweirdo Pastrami", who threatened to steal the MMM's Bologna concession at the Universal Sandwich Fair on the planet Oscar Meyer... I've still got the scars from those mustard burns and pickle pieces I caught in my arm. What a Battle!

SHM. I'm just glad that I got there in time with the Peanut butter and Jelly gun, or we might have lost you.

CAP. I'll always be indepted to you for saving my life, Shm.

Push the Button, Max! Remembering Peter Falk

A great man was lost this week. Peter Falk died on Thursday, June 23th. He was 83. A great actor, who I thoroughly enjoyed watching. He was first introduced to me as the grandfather in The Princess Bride, where he expertly tells a love story to his young grandson, who is sick and more interested in video games than in spending time with his relatives. It is a beautiful story, and Peter Falk is a wonderful narrator. I never imagined that the grey-haired storyteller would become one of my favorite actors, but he did.

Peter Falk is probably best known for Columbo, among other pieces. I never watched Columbo. The one film that I have watched the most of Peter Falk's is The Great Race, a prized piece that my father introduced me to. Falk plays Max, Professor Fate (Jack Lemmon)'s assistant. I can't count the number of times I've watched this film, and every time, I have to marvel at the great acting, the pranks, and the wonder of it all. Max is one of my favorite characters, and I can't think of any person who could have brought him to life quite like Peter Falk did.

I know Peter hasn't made any films for a while, but it is still sad losing someone with talent. We will miss you, Mr. Falk.

"Push the button, Max!!"