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.
As is always the case whenever the great pie debate rears its head, all I can do is sit here wishing I were propping up the bar at Joe Allen with a vodka tonic and a nice big slice of banana cream.
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 AM
As is always the case whenever the great pie debate rears its head, all I can do is sit here wishing I were propping up the bar at Joe Allen with a vodka tonic and a nice big slice of banana cream.
To add insult to injury, it’s entirely possible he spent more than $300 to look that idiotic…
peymanumay.com/products/whi...
peymanumay.com/products/whi...
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 AM
To add insult to injury, it’s entirely possible he spent more than $300 to look that idiotic…
peymanumay.com/products/whi...
peymanumay.com/products/whi...
The Mister has been home sick for three days and I’m still feeling the Covid I’ve had for almost a month now on and off and if he doesn’t go to work tomorrow…
Deep breath. Murder doesn’t pay.
Deep breath. Murder doesn’t pay.
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 AM
The Mister has been home sick for three days and I’m still feeling the Covid I’ve had for almost a month now on and off and if he doesn’t go to work tomorrow…
Deep breath. Murder doesn’t pay.
Deep breath. Murder doesn’t pay.
Farewell to Alice and Ellen, the Kessler Twins—bright lights of European entertainment for decades and occasional visitors to American variety shows, the sisters decided at the age of 89 to head out together for one more grand adventure.
Godspeed to Fabulon…
youtu.be/y_G4ejRCDpU?...
Godspeed to Fabulon…
youtu.be/y_G4ejRCDpU?...
KESSLER SISTERS - Quando, Quando (Scopitone de 1963)
YouTube video by Daniel Thourot
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Farewell to Alice and Ellen, the Kessler Twins—bright lights of European entertainment for decades and occasional visitors to American variety shows, the sisters decided at the age of 89 to head out together for one more grand adventure.
Godspeed to Fabulon…
youtu.be/y_G4ejRCDpU?...
Godspeed to Fabulon…
youtu.be/y_G4ejRCDpU?...
OT, but—that’s what Matt Gaetz looks like these days?
He looks like a Young Republicans Club’s go at recreating Max Headroom.
He looks like a Young Republicans Club’s go at recreating Max Headroom.
November 17, 2025 at 9:59 PM
OT, but—that’s what Matt Gaetz looks like these days?
He looks like a Young Republicans Club’s go at recreating Max Headroom.
He looks like a Young Republicans Club’s go at recreating Max Headroom.
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
November 17, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
Just got an ad on YT; apparently, Aer Lingus has a new (to me, at least) slogan:
“Every airline welcomes you on board; at Aer Lingus, we make you feel it.”
For God’s sake road test this nonsense, people; any random teen could have told you this was _not_ a good idea.
“Every airline welcomes you on board; at Aer Lingus, we make you feel it.”
For God’s sake road test this nonsense, people; any random teen could have told you this was _not_ a good idea.
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Just got an ad on YT; apparently, Aer Lingus has a new (to me, at least) slogan:
“Every airline welcomes you on board; at Aer Lingus, we make you feel it.”
For God’s sake road test this nonsense, people; any random teen could have told you this was _not_ a good idea.
“Every airline welcomes you on board; at Aer Lingus, we make you feel it.”
For God’s sake road test this nonsense, people; any random teen could have told you this was _not_ a good idea.
Top 5 movie genres:
- she rises; he falls
- A Brazilian tomato upends calm suburban lives
- Italians drive them
- The moment before The Bad Thing happened
- In which life is demonstrated to be a banquet
- she rises; he falls
- A Brazilian tomato upends calm suburban lives
- Italians drive them
- The moment before The Bad Thing happened
- In which life is demonstrated to be a banquet
Top 5 movie genres:
- A determined lady gives up millions for a laird
- A cabbage patch orphan makes good
- A determined lady tells her father what he can do w/ his shoe shop
- A pair of earrings causes nothing but grief
- A lonely lady arrives in Venice on a train & leaves days later on a train
- A determined lady gives up millions for a laird
- A cabbage patch orphan makes good
- A determined lady tells her father what he can do w/ his shoe shop
- A pair of earrings causes nothing but grief
- A lonely lady arrives in Venice on a train & leaves days later on a train
Top 5 movie genres:
- It’s a musical but everyone’s sad.
- “Damn this infernal heat!”
- It’s a Christmas movie but everyone’s sad.
- Wise-cracking gangster but he’s doomed
- It’s a western but everyone’s sad.
- It’s a musical but everyone’s sad.
- “Damn this infernal heat!”
- It’s a Christmas movie but everyone’s sad.
- Wise-cracking gangster but he’s doomed
- It’s a western but everyone’s sad.
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Top 5 movie genres:
- she rises; he falls
- A Brazilian tomato upends calm suburban lives
- Italians drive them
- The moment before The Bad Thing happened
- In which life is demonstrated to be a banquet
- she rises; he falls
- A Brazilian tomato upends calm suburban lives
- Italians drive them
- The moment before The Bad Thing happened
- In which life is demonstrated to be a banquet
There are few things lovelier than dappled sunlight on a full-blown rose… (2019)
November 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
There are few things lovelier than dappled sunlight on a full-blown rose… (2019)
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.