HOW TO STOOP TO THE OCCASION

it's happening: the pilgrimage to san francisco. and it's happening tomorrow. there's almost no more time for putting it off. the "balenciaga and spain" exhibit at the de young museum closes on july fourth, and this is our last weekend to travel before the traffic that will no doubt frustrate travel on the holiday. (and, we'll have guests.)

the exhibit, originally shown at the spanish institute in new york -- and shown there as a result of a request by oscar de la renta to hamish bowles, european editor at large for vogue, to dip into his personal collection of balenciaga couture and curate a gala exhibition to raise funds for the institute -- examines the influence the designer's native culture on his designs. we're particularly excited to see to what extent that spanish influence included inspiration from the world of flamenco, although it should be enough just to see up close those bullfighting inspired bolero jackets, photos of which have been featured in so many write-ups on the exhibit. it's none of that faggy matador stuff that gaultier did in 2003, either. not that there's anything wrong with gaultier style fagginess. it certainly has it's place and time. in fact, we hear there's some kind of pride event happening in the city this weekend as well, and we'll probably stop by to have a look at that, too.

but countess mona will have her couture gowns first. on friday afternoon, we'll head directly to golden gate park from the end of a long morning of reflection at ritual coffee roasters on valencia, and any other pilgrims in the area are welcome to join us.

"Even in the costly realm of couture, his prices were exceedingly high, but that didn't dissuade the worshipful. Countess Mona Bismarck [no relation to our own], one of his most devoted clients, reportedly locked herself in her bathroom for three days after he closed his atelier in 1968. He died in 1972.

In these kinds of shows, there's a subtext, rarely if ever addressed, of class, envy and the vicarious experience of a lifestyle and tax bracket beyond the reach of mere mortals; however, this hasn't prevented them from being extremely popular."

damn straight...although the bay area reporter doesn't mention the twenty-five dollar admission fee in its review of the exhibit. but, alas, the cost of salvation isn't cheap, in this case a testament to the enduring influence of the (spanish) catholic church, the ceremonial pomp of which was also a strong influence on balenciaga.

a subtext of class and envy, also unaddressed, although directed downwards instead of up, was palpable at sloan's last night, where we went after dinner to catch a record release party for the band of some friends. my embarrassment at having had to admit that i hadn't realized all of those friends were in the same band (and not different bands with the same name) was doubled by my having casually shown up to a rock show in my dinner clothes. the truth is, we'd stopped at home before going out again, and only a hastily composed invitation by text that arrived as we were leaving had diverted us from our other plans, for which countess mona had taken the opportunity to change.

for my mounting embarrassment, i'd have required more than i wanted to drink to join in the dancing at the show. plus, the dancing was of a sort that i'd have needed to stay far enough from some of the dancers -- and one girl in particular -- to make sure that my drink (or someone else's) wasn't emptied on my shirt, the thought of which just embarrassed me more for knowing how un-rock show it would have been to make someone assume responsibility for my dry cleaning bill.

fortunately, the band drew a crowd that might also be heading down to san francisco this weekend (the band itself will be playing there at a pride event on thursday), and so it's not impossible that i'll be afforded the opportunity to redeem myself in short order.

bullshit. you're right. all of the stares were welcome. and as i was escorting countess mona away, a discreet but apparent wave. but we should practice our humility now before it's handed to us with our tickets in exchange for twenty-five dollars a person at the de young museum on friday. at least for that much, the pat downs and fingerprintings will probably be free.