Alex aka Muscato
@cafemuscato.bsky.social
Retired diplomat, but not particularly retiring; working on aging disgracefully. I split my time between deserts: Palm Springs and Cairo. Always up for champagne, good music, or gossip about the Lunts. Parlor pink; lapsed Presbyterian. He/Him.
The Queen of Versailles has me thinking: how does it feel to be in or part of an outright flop? What kind of coping does one do—buckle down and get through it? Get defiant and decide everyone else is wrong?
In my years in the business of show, I was part of plenty of not-good things…
In my years in the business of show, I was part of plenty of not-good things…
November 11, 2025 at 4:02 AM
The Queen of Versailles has me thinking: how does it feel to be in or part of an outright flop? What kind of coping does one do—buckle down and get through it? Get defiant and decide everyone else is wrong?
In my years in the business of show, I was part of plenty of not-good things…
In my years in the business of show, I was part of plenty of not-good things…
As a matter of respect, we ought to refer to the devotee of the sanctuary of marriage in the news today by her full name:
Kimberly Jean Bailey Wallace Davis McIntyre Davis.
She’s had fewer husbands than Elizabeth Taylor, and the same number as (but more marriages than) the Duchess of Windsor.
Kimberly Jean Bailey Wallace Davis McIntyre Davis.
She’s had fewer husbands than Elizabeth Taylor, and the same number as (but more marriages than) the Duchess of Windsor.
November 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
As a matter of respect, we ought to refer to the devotee of the sanctuary of marriage in the news today by her full name:
Kimberly Jean Bailey Wallace Davis McIntyre Davis.
She’s had fewer husbands than Elizabeth Taylor, and the same number as (but more marriages than) the Duchess of Windsor.
Kimberly Jean Bailey Wallace Davis McIntyre Davis.
She’s had fewer husbands than Elizabeth Taylor, and the same number as (but more marriages than) the Duchess of Windsor.
This man is a born communicator.
If I were still teaching crisis communications, I’d be saving this to use as a class example. He’s concise, informative, and authoritative.
If I were still teaching crisis communications, I’d be saving this to use as a class example. He’s concise, informative, and authoritative.
Grateful for this Delta flight attendant for providing some clarity on the upcoming changes to flights during the holidays.
Listen in ⬇️
Listen in ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This man is a born communicator.
If I were still teaching crisis communications, I’d be saving this to use as a class example. He’s concise, informative, and authoritative.
If I were still teaching crisis communications, I’d be saving this to use as a class example. He’s concise, informative, and authoritative.
To celebrate the birthday of the great Edna May Oliver, be sure to protect your lamb, solve a comedy murder or two, bitch-slap a Murdstone, stare down one of those flighty March and/or Bennet girls, and generally prove yourself both memorable and invaluable.
November 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
To celebrate the birthday of the great Edna May Oliver, be sure to protect your lamb, solve a comedy murder or two, bitch-slap a Murdstone, stare down one of those flighty March and/or Bennet girls, and generally prove yourself both memorable and invaluable.
Mamdani is going to implement Sheridan Whiteside law.
Every New Yorker will be required to take in a caustic curmudgeon and his colorful circle of friends.
On the plus side, Mary Wicked impersonators will have a field day.
Every New Yorker will be required to take in a caustic curmudgeon and his colorful circle of friends.
On the plus side, Mary Wicked impersonators will have a field day.
Mamdani is going to implement Shari Lewis law.
Everyone will be required to stick their fist up a lamb's a
Excuse me, there's someone at the door.
Everyone will be required to stick their fist up a lamb's a
Excuse me, there's someone at the door.
Mamdani is going to implement SSHaria law. Communications will be end to end encrypted.
November 9, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Mamdani is going to implement Sheridan Whiteside law.
Every New Yorker will be required to take in a caustic curmudgeon and his colorful circle of friends.
On the plus side, Mary Wicked impersonators will have a field day.
Every New Yorker will be required to take in a caustic curmudgeon and his colorful circle of friends.
On the plus side, Mary Wicked impersonators will have a field day.
For the birthday of La Stupenda, what to me must surely rank among her greatest performances.
It’s only 91 seconds, and what happens at 51 will clear your sinuses, brighten your day, and possibly terrify your dog.
youtu.be/C0Cq5_sJEbM?...
It’s only 91 seconds, and what happens at 51 will clear your sinuses, brighten your day, and possibly terrify your dog.
youtu.be/C0Cq5_sJEbM?...
Romberg: The Student Prince / Act 1: Deep in my Heart, Dear
YouTube video by Joan Sutherland - Topic
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 8:13 PM
For the birthday of La Stupenda, what to me must surely rank among her greatest performances.
It’s only 91 seconds, and what happens at 51 will clear your sinuses, brighten your day, and possibly terrify your dog.
youtu.be/C0Cq5_sJEbM?...
It’s only 91 seconds, and what happens at 51 will clear your sinuses, brighten your day, and possibly terrify your dog.
youtu.be/C0Cq5_sJEbM?...
Someone on the local Facebook marketplace is offering a lot of what look to be at least several dozen unopened fan letters to Virginia O’Brien, and if that isn’t the basis for a thoughtful, melancholy book about fame and fandom, I don’t know what is.
November 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Someone on the local Facebook marketplace is offering a lot of what look to be at least several dozen unopened fan letters to Virginia O’Brien, and if that isn’t the basis for a thoughtful, melancholy book about fame and fandom, I don’t know what is.
I will always remember the little frisson I had, one morning in 1989, when I opened the newspaper and read ”Zita, Last Empress of Austria-Hungary, Dead at 96.”
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
November 7, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I will always remember the little frisson I had, one morning in 1989, when I opened the newspaper and read ”Zita, Last Empress of Austria-Hungary, Dead at 96.”
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
“Ana minkum wa aleikum!”
Maybe there is a little bit of light in the darkness, a fragment of hope.
Maybe there is a little bit of light in the darkness, a fragment of hope.
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
“Ana minkum wa aleikum!”
Maybe there is a little bit of light in the darkness, a fragment of hope.
Maybe there is a little bit of light in the darkness, a fragment of hope.
Reposted by Alex aka Muscato
Cheney was so evil that him dying actually lifted a curse
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Cheney was so evil that him dying actually lifted a curse
Well, it is, after all, a hell of a town.
[Now I’m thinking of Betty and Adolph—how pleased they’d be, and what fun it would be to hear them figure out the pronunciation of “Zohran Mamdani.”]
[Now I’m thinking of Betty and Adolph—how pleased they’d be, and what fun it would be to hear them figure out the pronunciation of “Zohran Mamdani.”]
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Well, it is, after all, a hell of a town.
[Now I’m thinking of Betty and Adolph—how pleased they’d be, and what fun it would be to hear them figure out the pronunciation of “Zohran Mamdani.”]
[Now I’m thinking of Betty and Adolph—how pleased they’d be, and what fun it would be to hear them figure out the pronunciation of “Zohran Mamdani.”]
Working at an embassy overseas, I had to support multiple visits by then-Vice President Cheney.
They were all strange and unpleasant experiences, not least because one was never allowed (even as a relatively senior embassy officer) to look him directly in the face.
They were all strange and unpleasant experiences, not least because one was never allowed (even as a relatively senior embassy officer) to look him directly in the face.
OK, people: Dick Cheney’s dead.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
November 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Working at an embassy overseas, I had to support multiple visits by then-Vice President Cheney.
They were all strange and unpleasant experiences, not least because one was never allowed (even as a relatively senior embassy officer) to look him directly in the face.
They were all strange and unpleasant experiences, not least because one was never allowed (even as a relatively senior embassy officer) to look him directly in the face.
OK, people: Dick Cheney’s dead.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
November 4, 2025 at 1:23 PM
OK, people: Dick Cheney’s dead.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
Given the Rule of Three, we’ve got two more chances; let’s hope for the best.
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of that gift to the writing of comic poetry, Queen Marie of Roumania.
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
October 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of that gift to the writing of comic poetry, Queen Marie of Roumania.
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
After weeks on the road, I am home, which is lovely; less so is the bug that attacked on the last morning and that has currently brought me low.
It’s the kind that leaves one weak, achy, and miserable. I‘m crouched in a corner of the sofa, shivering and literally wringing my hands. Dickensian.
It’s the kind that leaves one weak, achy, and miserable. I‘m crouched in a corner of the sofa, shivering and literally wringing my hands. Dickensian.
October 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
After weeks on the road, I am home, which is lovely; less so is the bug that attacked on the last morning and that has currently brought me low.
It’s the kind that leaves one weak, achy, and miserable. I‘m crouched in a corner of the sofa, shivering and literally wringing my hands. Dickensian.
It’s the kind that leaves one weak, achy, and miserable. I‘m crouched in a corner of the sofa, shivering and literally wringing my hands. Dickensian.
Farewell to Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand, gone to Fabulon at 92.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
October 24, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Farewell to Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand, gone to Fabulon at 92.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
Before the day ends, take a moment to remember birthday girl Constance Bennett, the brittle, dressy sophisticate whose life’s work was the care, feeding, maintenance and promotion of one Miss Constance Bennett.
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
October 23, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Before the day ends, take a moment to remember birthday girl Constance Bennett, the brittle, dressy sophisticate whose life’s work was the care, feeding, maintenance and promotion of one Miss Constance Bennett.
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
On the birthday of the Divine Sarah, dare to live large, be a polymath, persevere, and should old age at last catch up with you, dance on one leg and blithely play 18-year-olds.
October 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
On the birthday of the Divine Sarah, dare to live large, be a polymath, persevere, and should old age at last catch up with you, dance on one leg and blithely play 18-year-olds.
The weather, having turned just a tad raw and colder, a little red seemed in order
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
October 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The weather, having turned just a tad raw and colder, a little red seemed in order
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
It’s the birthday of Miss Joan Fontaine.
Whatever you do in her memory, don’t expect a call from your sister.
Whatever you do in her memory, don’t expect a call from your sister.
a black and white photo of a woman with tears running down her face
Alt: A clip from the film Rebecca, with Judith Anderson’s evil Mr. Danvers whispering in Joan’s ear “Everyone likes Olivia better than you!”
media.tenor.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
It’s the birthday of Miss Joan Fontaine.
Whatever you do in her memory, don’t expect a call from your sister.
Whatever you do in her memory, don’t expect a call from your sister.
It’s post a random TV show GIF or vid time…
October 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM
It’s post a random TV show GIF or vid time…
Diving into an evening of contrasts as I treat myself to two things wholly unavailable in Palm Springs.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Diving into an evening of contrasts as I treat myself to two things wholly unavailable in Palm Springs.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
Four days in and Philadelphia continues to please.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
October 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Four days in and Philadelphia continues to please.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
It’s the birthday of the delightful star of stage and television, the much-beloved St. Arlene of Francis.
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
October 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
It’s the birthday of the delightful star of stage and television, the much-beloved St. Arlene of Francis.
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
It's the birthday of the filthiest person on earth, the Hog Princess herself, the immortal Divine.
In her honor, startle the passers-by, revel in your own beauty, and—if you're really feeling it—become the unlikeliest of superstars.
In her honor, startle the passers-by, revel in your own beauty, and—if you're really feeling it—become the unlikeliest of superstars.
a woman in a dress and sunglasses is dancing in a park .
Alt: Divine, as the one and only Babs Johnson in the epic film Pink Flamingos, strolls the back alleys of Baltimore in a skin-tight wrap dress and the confidence of a supermodel. Hell, supermodels only _wish_ they had her fabulousness!
media.tenor.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
It's the birthday of the filthiest person on earth, the Hog Princess herself, the immortal Divine.
In her honor, startle the passers-by, revel in your own beauty, and—if you're really feeling it—become the unlikeliest of superstars.
In her honor, startle the passers-by, revel in your own beauty, and—if you're really feeling it—become the unlikeliest of superstars.