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Sunday 11 November 2018

Hardboiled moonshine and me on TV, but not at the same time

It wasn't very late but already it was dark on Granville Island. My partner O and I have been heading there more regularly now that the crowds have dissipated, taking the Aquabus over in lieu of the car (or my yacht or private luxury submarine). Riding that cute boat (HERE) makes me feel like I'm on holiday.

As soon as November 1 hit, the Christmas/holiday lights came on. The mood was moony, crisp, and blue. O got some great photos. (I was always bummed when on the TV series Gilligan's Island the castaways didn't believe Ginger's prediction that they will be rescued when the moon is blue, read about it HERE.)


This next moon shot O took from our window in late July, but it reflects the feeling of this post so I asked to use it. Don't confuse this moon shot with shooting the moon; that is not my moon. Or with any rocket moon-shot attempts, although I was feeling rather spacy.

Crescent moon in Vancouver, photo by Osamu Kobayashi 2018

I remember going to the Vancouver Space Centre's Planetarium, a 360-degree theatre, in about 1984, to watch the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon show. Trippy. Wonderful - all dreams an arm's length away. Sometimes still are, or even closer.


Still wishing on a star, even if it's only in LEDs. I'm wearing my Emporio Armani suit and man shoes from My Sister's Closet, jacket from Yuzhe Studios, a gift a couple of years ago, and a blouse from last year's flea market at West Vancouver United Church.

Mel Kobayashi in Armani suit, Yuzhe Studios coat, Granville Island, photo by Osamu, Nov 2018

Then yesterday (a relative term) I dressed like the moon or a marshmallow, below. You decide. Or even Mr. Clean, a cartoon character dressed in white to advertise household cleaning products on TV. Yes, an animated version of myself is definitely required for handling household cleaning supplies.

I don't need a cartoon version of myself to handle marshmallows, although if I went all paranomal I would resemble the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the movie Ghostbusters HERE.

Melanie Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, stairwell, white moto jacket, Nov 2018

Of course, these are "autumn" whites, and then in a month or so they will be "winter" whites. In summer, they are simply whites. In every season I am Mel, Mel, Mel, and Mel or Melanie, depending on my mood. At the coffee shop, my name could be Cleo or Krissy or something else entirely; it would depend on my mood as well, not the seasons, which may in fact affect my mood.

In point of fact, I have never used a fake name at a coffee shop. I would feel like a scofflaw, like I'm walking through a crosswalk when the red hand is flashing!!! But I shall start, even though the baristas pretty much all know my real name. If they raise their brows I'll say: A) the truth is not the truth, walk away in a huff, and look back to see if their brows go even higher; or B) (shout) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!, like Jack Nicholson in that annoying movie, A Few Good Men. 

It's amazing how much drama you can wring out of the simple act of ordering coffee.


Melanie Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, stairwell, white moto jacket, Nov 2018

I discovered when I got home that the faux leather has started flaking badly in the armpits. Sweat is bad enough but toxic sweat now? This aging thing sucks! And then I noticed it around the elbows too. Phew, in a way. At least I don't think I have toxic-sweating elbows. The jacket looked fine when I went out, but the stress of movement must have triggered the peeling. 

The jacket was packed in a vacuum-sealed bag for a few months, as was another faux leather jacket that also started flaking. The bags do not warn against storing faux leather in them, but I suspect the packing, not simply fabric quality, played a hand in this premature deterioration. I'll roll with the flaws and try to make more flaking, like it was meant to be like this. Flaking farking or maybe even painting will be required. Just like with my face and hair.

And a final set of photos, also taken by O on Granville Island a little while ago, not posted on my blog before. 

Mel Kobayashi satin bell bottoms, fucshia coat, Granville Island, Nov 2018 photo by Osamu

I belled those bottoms myself, bottoms as in pant legs, bell as in ding dong. The coat is by Danier, a defunct Canadian leather goods store, a generous gift from Shelley a year or so ago. I call it high-muppet, rock-star glamour.

Mel Kobayashi satin bell bottoms, fucshia coat, Granville Island, Nov 2018 photo by Osamu

This next shot might go on the cover of my new 8-track cassette.

Mel Kobayashi satin bell bottoms, fucshia coat, Granville Island, Nov 2018 photo by Osamu

And in OTHER NEWS

Nordstrom Canada has just released its national holiday-season campaign, and there I am, along with many of my cast mates from the Toronto shoot. I won't go on and on about it - I don't want to bore you with the details - but it was another grand adventure. Have a look.


And they also posted a making-of video, behind the scenes. Check out that snow. It was a hot day in August. Gotta love that movie magic.


Finally, since Bag and a Beret is kind of like my very own magazine, I have decided to finish this post with a festive, theme-related recipe. Don't feel bad if you can't replicate it in your own homes - this is not for the novice chef.

Mel Kobayashi egg recipe Bag and a Beret Nov 2018
I give you Moon Egg.

The trick is in the cooking time and the temperature of the boiling water. In fact, rather than depress you with the complexities of the recipe, I shall leave you to gaze at the perfection of my own culinary skills. Also good with Swiss cheese and a cow jumping over it.

Now I don't know whether to arrive at the linkups early this time or say I was too late for the last ones. Augh. I shall link up to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike when it goes live too.

Tra-la!

Do you use fake names? Spill - your secrets, not your coffee, unless it's fruity-tasting. Pitui!


31 comments:

  1. The egg recipe!! Come on, spill the eggy secrets. You look dashing and cool in your Armani suit, and the marshmallow look, and of course the green belled-bells.

    I'm so happy for your Nordstrom career (an other awesome opportunities that are coming your way). You're a talented actor, with that megawatt smile. Stay grand, xoxo

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    1. I don't want to undermine your cooking confidence by giving you the egg recipe, Patti. Heh. All the other stuff is just cherries on top. xo

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  2. That is an eggcellent example of your culinary skills. I am known to make the odd hard-boiled egg myself.

    The photos of you on Granville are great - did you use a flash, because it doesn't look like it, but they are perfectly lit. Nice layering of grey chic-ness. Those shiny green bells look marvy with the pink coat. I'm so happy it's getting out and about with you.

    I've so enjoyed seeing the new True Nord ad come up when I'm watching TV. I squee silently when I see you wrapping your gift.

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    1. As a hard-boiled dame in a cockamamie world, I typically shy away from good eggs, but I can't help it with this recipe. Thanks for the coat thunder!! I'm the queen of lightning!! I was wrapping the gift with aggression. Heh. xo

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  3. I love your culinary skills, particularly the cow jumping part. Lots of complexity!
    And you look fabulously elegant and cool in your suit and grey coat-jacket, you rock in your monochromatic outfit (and it's a True Monochromatic one!) but my favorite is the 'high-muppet, rock-star glamour', I love those green shiny pants with the framboise color, textures and colors!!
    Finally, the TrueNord campaign looks wonderful, You Look Wonderful and I'm totally enthusiastic about this!
    besos
    (ps, the rainbow boat is really cute!)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's hard to do the recipe right without a cow, as you know. You would look awesome in the pink/green outfit, but you already have so many cool pink/green combos. Thanks so much for this positive energy! Besos back!

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  4. You're so Famous! I knew you were, but today it really hit me how famous you are. I'm surprised you can actually go to the coffee shop by yourself. Do you have a entourage? It's actually a really great ad, and I love the background one too. Canada does remind me of Australia. I really must go there one day. I always fancied saying another name at the coffee shop too but I know I'd be standing around for half an hour waiting for my latte while they keep yelling out that 'Betty's' is ready and she never shows up. And in the end I'll probably have to just steal Betty's otherwise I'll miss my train. I envy your cooking skills. High Muppet is one of my favourite clothing genres. XX

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Noticeably more people are recognizing me now, which is strange. Sometimes I freak and think, oh no, my memory isn't what it used to be when I don't know who they are back. Yes, I think Canada is similar to Australia in many ways. I'd like to visit there too. I'd forget my new coffee-shop name too. Hahaha!! xo

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  5. I got whisked away on your private luxury submarine just now. Thanks for taking me out of my head and into the shine of a Moon Egg. Also thanks for not providing an actual recipe. I think my head would have exploded with that kind of information.

    Of course, you know I am giddy as all get out about your commercials! It makes me so happy to see you doing your thing.

    Fake names...I need a few fake names in my back pocket for emergencies. The problem, though, is that I'll forget which fake name I gave. While they're calling for Sheila or Marty, I'll just stand there like a deer in the headlights and my coffee will get cold. Then we'd have a real emergency!

    As always, your posts are such a romp and the outfits are inspirational. I hope you are having every bit of joy in the changing of the seasons.

    - Sherry
    http://www.petiteover40.com

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    1. I'd give you the primo luxury guest suite on my private sub, Sherry, for sure! I had to protect you from the egg recipe because I'm nice like that.

      The commercial, yeah, well, you KNOW what it was like - so much freaking fun!!!

      Yes, I'd forget my name too. Sigh. Maybe we would need little name tags on yarn necklaces like they have in kindergarten and people sitting next to us would nudge us when our coffee is ready.

      I hope you're enjoying the changing seasons too, Sherry. Layer-up!!! xox

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  6. How cute is that aquabus? Much, much better than the private yacht, I think! I love Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Makes me go back to my wild adolescent years. You're looking great in Autumn white (thanks for the vacuum bag warning!) but I love your crazy high-muppet, rock-star glamour outfit even more. I envy you your culinary skills, as I have none whatsoever. Those commercials are awesome! xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I ADORE the Aquabus. Actually, I rode the Cyquabus, same company, and they can take bicycles across too. A huge treat. Definitely Pink Floyd takes me back. Sound and smell, such strong triggers. Thanks for this! xo

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  7. I feel like this post nicely explored SOME of the many sides of Mel, Mel and Melanie but didn't do justice to Mel and Mel; so maybe we've seen a quarter of the full phases. The egg recipe ending picks up on that theme so well!
    GAWD! I so love seeing you in those cozy Nordstrom creations. That top with all the pailettes reveals that your striking blue eyes swept those Nordstrom folks off their feet. So perfect!
    I loved this post from Wall to Wall. Your bricks in the wall would be made of iridescent glass!!! Love, Jude

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    1. Hahaha. Your comments are always gold, Jude. I want to see that Wall, a good Wall, designed to inspire and invite. Movie magic could do it. It can do anything. Snow in August! xo

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  8. I knew the new commercial was out because my MOM spotted it! "Your friend is so famous!" she says. I just love it! Whenever I need a shot of Mel (as in a shot of espresso!), there you are.

    Lovely pics, and ooh, the moon. I am envious of your Muppety goodness - I picked up that coat's matching scarf this past weekend.

    Wishing you a happy week, my dear!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's so funny about your Mum. Hahaha!! I hope you don't get sick of me. My ads always pop up before O's machining YouTubes and he doesn't complain, which is a good sign.

      You got the matching scarf?! Right on! I have to go check it out. Stay dry and well lit - it's so darn dark out!

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  9. Plastic stored in plastic doesn't do well. That is what those faux pleather coats are made out of.

    Eggs in space seems like it might be the name of a Muppet movie, perfect for your splashy Animal coat.

    I must write down that egg recipe! Julia Child would be so impressed.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Yeah, that jacket is doomed. I'm not sure if even my farking can save it to an acceptable level. Oh well. Eggs in Space - hahaha!! Julia Child would faint if she saw my egg recipe. xox

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  10. Great post. I love O's photos, especially that top one. ACE. And of course I love you in the campaign. That making-of video is very warm and emotional. Good job.
    Greetje

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    1. O was really good, offering small direction, switching his positions, finding good locations, and he is steady so his night shots are clear. The making-of video really brought back what it felt like on set. So many great people. Thanks, Greetje, for getting me back on commenting track!

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  11. From monotone greys, with an abstract print palette cleanser...to the vanilla shake fabulosity, you have got it all going on here, in that lovely island.
    I want that egg, can I boil water? Hmm .

    Happy festive lights- on holiday time !
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Be careful with the water part, Elle. Very tricky. If you cook it for too long, it will disappear, like magic. Happy festive lights to you too!! xox

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  12. Oooo how very proud we are of you in this campaign being feted for being you!

    Love this post, er magazine feature and thank goodness I don't end up feeling inadequate re the cookery section.

    Christmas lights, moon shots, white for all seasons - I can't wait for the next issue xxx

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    1. Anna, you know what it's like to be in a campaign, so much fun! Such a learning curve as well. I'm happy for you, too. This is just the beginning as more and more of us join. Now that I've mastered the egg, toast is next. xox

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  13. Love the autumn/winter/white whites! They look incredible.

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  14. my go-to fake coffee shop name is LaView... go ahead, shout it out... As I am reaching for the cup, I give 'em a wink and a "love you too, darlin!"
    Always a crowd favorite!!!!!!

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    1. Hahaha, great story. I'd like to be there when you do it.

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  15. Oh, Mel! The Nordstrom ad is so cool and uplifting. And I *KNOW* you. Well, not IRL, but who cares about real life?!

    Great gig, girl! Here's to many more!

    Ann

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    1. It was a blast being on the Nordstrom shoots. Yes, you DO know me. I'm the same here as IRL, pretty much, except a bit more 2-D here. Heh. Cheers to you too. Thanks for visiting and your comment, Ann.

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  16. You are GREAT ! extraordinary stylizations. Best wishes.

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