Saturday night I went to the grand opening to a new Art Museum located in the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
I have to admit it was quite impressive. I'm really not an art coinsure, but I can appreciate what I consider talent. There were a number of artists who had their work displayed, most notably, Burt Young. I must admit I really never knew his name but he was very recognizable, he played Paulie in the Rocky movies, the brother in law, I would have thought he would have more of an ethnic (Italian) name, I mean "Young" sounds more WASP like.
So here is the way the night starts. The function is "Cocktail Attire", fancy name for wear a suit and gown, don't come in with sneakers on, baggy jeans hanging down to your Butt crack and a "wife beater" T shirt on, of course some people who buy 5000.00 to 250,000 dollar art can't read or maybe think they don't have too. I wanted to look right and I respect requests so that I might be respected back. I wore a long black form fitting gown and a black designer shrug my, murdered (yes murdered for real) neighbor gave me about 8 years ago.
There was a large group of people on the wide stairs waiting to be let in so there were a few minutes for people to look around and chat with one another. One of the artist who does beach related photography (very good BTW) noticed me and called out my name. Well apparently "Louise" is a little popular and a few people who were in front turned and wanted to great me too. I felt a little self conscious but also proud that people of high status would show they knew me, it was very flattering, especially when you're a cross-dresser.
As the doors open the crowd started to enter, I crossed the threshold and saw the Mayor, I put my hand out to shake his but instead he reach and grabbed me in a bear hug and kissed me on the lips, this man is about 6'2, I'm 5'2, so I was at a disadvantage. I was totally shocked, yes he has met me before (both ways), but I never expected him to react the way he did.
As I was trying to regain my composure I looked forward and there was a photographer reaching over people heads to get my picture, I don't know how that turned out. Then I looked to my left and my eye doctor is standing next to me and asks me if he can have a picture with me (I have two eye doctors, this one is an ocular specialist also a eye surgeon, he gives me an injection in my left eye once a month) how impressive is that, he has a PHD and is a practicing Doctor and he wants his picture with me..
As I walked through the gallery people who know me from various functions or restaurants I go to and of course my businesses would come over to say hello and introduce me to their wife/husband or friends they were with, unless you've been in someone else's shoes and know them on both sides you can't understand why someone would risk everything and (in this case) cross dress in public.
As I came to the back of the museum, there was Burt Young in person sitting on a metal folding chair, looking almost in a blank stare. To me it almost looked as if he just accepted the fact of who he was and didn't mind pictures taken with him. But as I stood back I could see there seemed to be a problem, perhaps dementia of some type. Most of the artists were describing their work or talking to a few people, socializing if nothing else, but Bert Young looked BLANK, he never moved from that spot not an inch, what a pity. I hope some of his work sold.
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