St. Louis August 1-3, 2008
Sorry I was MIA, been so busy and the site was down...but my BFF
and webrynth master Matt Lum hooked me up!!! KatyOliver.com is back!
KO has been a fan of The New Yorker magazine for as long as we can remember.
In fact, years ago we were so inspired by our friend Kayt's parents' artful and clever
bathroom tribute to The New Yorker (they wallpapered the whole bathroom with covers
from the 70s) that we began collecting covers in hopes of someday following suit in a
room in our very own home. Well, we're sad to say we are so very disappointed with the
publication that we are actually considering boycotting it hence forth...Sad! But valid!
The first sign of trouble was Anthony Lane's loathsome and misogynistic review of the
Sex and The City movie (as well as the accompanying artwork by David Hughes). The
bitter, brutal and blatantly hateful review was just beyond justification. It reeked of
rage and forced me to question the integrity of the editor(s). And now, to make matters
worse, the pub. has lowered itself to put a horrific and hateful cover on the stands
featuring an illustration by Barry Blitt. His artistic vision features a very distorted Barack
Obama in full-on Osama Bin Laden mode, American flag burning in the fireplace (of the
Oval Office?) and his wife, complicit with machine gun. WTF??? What's the argument "for"
you ask? Something along the lines of addressing the misrepresentation of Obama in
the press, the "politics of fear," blah blah blah. Sorry, not falling for it. No reasonable,
rational thinking person has gone there, and certainly not a reader of The New Yorker.
So what, what, WHAT is the deal with inciting this kind of fear, hatred, racism?
Seriously?! I could go on, but truthfully, I'm too disgusted and ultimately just too
disappointed. I no longer trust The New Yorker. I no longer respect The New Yorker.
Sad, sad, sad. Disappointment.
***
David Hughes artwork for Sex and the City review on left, above;
Barry Blitt's cover art of Barack for the new issue of The New Yorker, on right
********
Oh, and p.s. please don't try to tell me I have no sense of / for satire. I do.
Recently, our beloved dog Oz ate not one but two of our favorite pairs
of high heels. Rar! To calm our sorrows, we purchased two new pairs- we
have 4 weddings to attend in the next 5 months!- of fabulous Betsey Johnson
heels (see below). We are so in love with the black strappy pair (with lucite heel)
and the blue/teal satin pair, we had to post pictures of them...and fittingly, we just
got an email from our friend Jonesy about his friend's new venture: Solemates. The
genius of Solemates? "Discreet, disposable, and easy to use, the SoleMates High
Heeler attaches easily to most stiletto and kitten heels. By increasing the surface
area on the base of the heel, it reduces the pressure on this area and prevents the
heel from sinking into grass or falling into cracks!" You can, as they say,
"Heel your sole, Save your heel." Check SoleMates out.
*thanks to DJ for the heads up
Did you catch AFI's tribute to Warren Beatty Tuesday night?
Beatty got a Lifetime Achievement Award from AFI, and the show
(on USA) was absolutely awesome! KO is gonna try and dig up some clips...
KO is crazy about these hair (master)pieces made by Japanese artist Nagi Noda.
There's a little bit of "The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss" in them, but they still seem very
original. KO sees passion~ animalistic, honest passion!~ in them. Very fresh and fun!
*see the entire collection here*
Yay! Goes perfectly with KO's bacon martini, Ray's bacon ice cream and
Santa Barbara's recently celebrated bacon-dipped-in-chocolate confection!!!
pic via dlisted
Liam by proud papa Rob & beaming mama Ace
We are so blessed! Liam is such a warm nugget of perfection and blissful joy!!!
Yale New Haven, Tuesday May 20, 2008
Lester pitched a no-hitter! Varitek made history catching his 4th no-hitter!
It's a full moon...and Liam is awesome!!! Ace is doing well & we're all beaming!!!
Yale New Haven, 5.19.08
KO is an aunt!!! Congrats to my bro Rob & my sista-in-law Ace! He's perfect!!!
Top to Bottom: Ace and Rob with Jules @ her wedding;
Ace, Rob, Jules & Ken; and with KO and Jules' gramps, March 2008
KO is featured on the cover of the New Haven Register today.
The article is about Indiana Jones! Will scan the front page asap, but in the meantime,
here's the beginning screen-captured from the Register online (without KO's picture!):
We're a little bit embarrassed but it's Indiana Jones! So RAD!!!
Worked thisclose to Bobby Deniro today!!!
KO is a happy happy woman! Woohoo! Bobby D!
So my rocker friend drummer Pete came into town recently (yay!), and
while I was justifiably overwhelmed with tragic, obvs pervasive issues,
I still couldn't not at least pay a fleeting visit to him while he was getting
good and warmed up to his home town with old school bf Bugsy. It's
ridiculous how long the three of us have partied...it's silly how reserved
and sane we were for our fleeting reunion this time. Hatebreed at Toad's
in December was, in comparison, hardcore and blessed havoc...you know,
if you were to compare...More details about Pete's show soon, to be sure..
Love you Pete!
Pete MacNeil, Bugsy & KO, April 08
"I loved modeling. I absolutely loved it. I was so happy to get the cover of
Vogue- 23 times. I keep each copy. I made more money as a model than as an
actress or a filmmaker. In monetary terms, beauty pays more than anything."
Isabella Rossellini, NYTmag 4.20.08
KO has always believed in the power of beauty! To read such a "secret" truth
from such a serious/respected beauty...what a bizarre and bewildering satisfaction
and admittedly amusing sensation...We've known for too long the truth in the power
of beauty. We've struggled with such a sad truth to be sure...
Well, to add to the power of such a "thank you for finally just admitting it" comment
by the lovely Isabella, KO has a story about her! KO met Isabella back in 2003 whilst
working on the Merchant Ivory film Heights. We still have the shoes she wore in her
scenes with John Light! Isabella, like KO, wears the rarely found size 9 & 1/2!
Ok, and there's more!
Truth be told, Isabella's quote rings true to a treatment KO wrote back
in film school at UT in Austin called Blows Revisited. A most memorable
quote from my script?
"It's all about being beautiful, that's our only job."
"This coming from a woman who considers herself a professional?"
"Everything you do is, of course, relevant to you, but nothing has more worth
than your looks."
"How can you say that? I'm offended."
"That's because you aren't protected, because you have fewer choices, you have
to struggle, you aren't beautiful."
Congrats to my brother Mac! He is an artist through & through, true & true.
And, for the first time he's showing his work! His work is currently being
shown in Santa Barbara, and in the first four days he's already sold 4 pieces!
KO has always respected and cherished Mac's artistic genius. Back in the day
he focused on architecture and women, and he was supremely gifted. Now he's
branched out to poets, politicians and...women. And he's good. Very good! We're
so thrilled for and proud of our older bro. He deserves praise and appreciation! And!
He deserves to get paid! He deserves the rewards of sustainable success in the artist
community and the economics-obsessed world at large. He's sacrificed, suffered and
starved long enough. Congrats, Mac! Your sister believes in your gift and loves you alot!
(poem by Mac; sent to KO@CC in 97)
Funny guy Jonah Hill hosted SNL tonight and for the most part
it was hilarious! The first hour was better than most SNL's in recent
history, for sure. And Jonah's material definitely started strong. He quite
successfully referenced past comedic greats (influences?) as he showcased
his own unique comedic strength. His opening monologue quickly became a
musical number~ a memorable, witty one to be sure! We felt like a proud mama!
You may recall (what is now officially back in the day...before he was "huge") when
KO first met Jonah (with Val) at the Accepted premiere. He was a stand out then, too.
We knew it was a special experience to sing karaoke with him.
And, no doubt, we were quite smitten. He's so accessible and lovable!
Initially Jonah kept in touch, even asking KO to watch and support his
appearance on Conan. He was hilarious and Conan was totally thrilled.
With time, of course, his career escalated and while KO still has the digits,
we aren't in contact so much these days. Alas, such is life. Especially among
artists! Jonah's a guy to cheer for. He's young, sincere, funny & talented.
Congrats Jonah!
Our friend and brilliant writer/first-time director JPS 
has quite a storm in store! His very controversial (yet still-so-
little-seen) film Chapter 27, about Mark David Chapman's now-
infamous-obsession-turned-deadly assassination of John Lennon,
is finally going to be released (limited, of course) in the States! We are
thrilled for JPS, because, as you may recall, we've seen the film, and yes!!!
we genuinely believe this film is a worthy, certainly sad, piece of history. JPS
doesn't glamorize or romanticize MDC's sickness. The film simply shows a very
real and gut-wrenching look at the last days the legendary Lennon lived
through the distorted, disturbed eyes of a man sick with an obsession...A man
who in an instant murdered a dreamer and obliterated a dream shared universally.
All KO can say is: See the film before you dismiss it. We think this will (eventually)
become a cult classic. Actor Jared Leto challenges his range & the writing's superb.
Congratulations JPS! We are cheering you on, as ever! And, we can IMAGINE!
We've long supported JPS and while we're a friend first and foremost,
we're a fan, fiercely!, because we love and respect his talent and strength.
Project Oh My God Why Have I Not Been Watching This All Along?! Runway
How have I never watched with wonder and awe the genius that is
Heidi Klum's Project Runway???!!!! It's a travesty I've only now discovered
the genuine masterpiece that is the fashion-plate-reality-show-competition!
It's fashion, gay men, style divas, designers and design! Together! Under pressure!
So genius! Love love love it!!! Wow, yes, I'm waaaay late, but better laaate than...
***picture of Heidi via GQ2002***
KO's friend from LA/director Zal must be so proud. His brother Rostam's band
(yes the same Rostam , above, who gave katyoliver.com the best review ever)
Vampire Weekend is playing Saturday Night Live next Saturday! Congrats guys!
Miss you Zal! Kick some serious ass on SNL Rostam!
KO w/ Rostam, Levee, Brooklyn 1.07; w/ Zal, Laurel Canyon, 11.3.06;
and Hugh & Rostam, Flaunt party, Falcon, Hollywood, 8.15.06
Gleeful congrats (albeit a bit belated) to great friends Jon and Kate on the
arrival of their righteously adorable baby boy Miles J. What a babe! Love you guys!
Miles J, Bob, Kate & Jon, Feb.08
This Sarah Silverman tribute to her boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel
(he celebrated his 5 year-on-air mark last night) is by far one
of the best (if inappropriate) comedy sketches ever. And I know
what kind of competition we're dealing with. Trust me, Sarah takes
on Matt Damon, and your world will be supremely (and admittedly a
bit obscenely) more lovely after watching her genius love tribute to JK.!!!
Sad, surprising news: Heath Ledger, the 28yr old Aussie actor (starring in this
summer's Batman film as the Joker) was found dead today. Truly sad, shocking.
Above left: Heath on Friday; Above right: Heath as the Joker, out summer 08
Above: Heath with ex (wife?) Michelle Williams, beat in Nov.07 & in Four Feathers 02
Below: the now-kinda-eerie early promo poster for The Dark Knight
Heath leaves 2yr old daughter Matilda (with ex Michelle Williams).
RIP, Heath
A few years ago a friend of mine was working as an assistant to a very
high profile and famous celebrity actor (whose name I can not say...but
it rhymes with hen killer). He asked her to get a birthday present for his
good buddy Owen Wilson. Well, she knew I loved Owen, so she asked me
what I would get him if money weren't an issue. I happily and so proudly
presented her with the Aperture catalog of limited edition prints and port-
folios. I felt strongly that Owen would relate to, relish and revisit again and
again the exquisite and epic photograph "Untitled (Buffaloes), 1988" (above,
below) by David Wojnarowicz. If I had the means, I'd have bought the $950 print
for Mr. Wilson myself! Since that was impossible, I was happy to just know he'd
have it (even if it was from a guy who couldn't pick out such a thoughtful and
beautiful gift himself). Of course, my friend agreed. She showed her boss the
catalog, with the print circled for convenience. But guess what? Yes, friends,
he passed on the perfect present. And so at summer 07's end, when Owen tried
to off himself, we were reminded of this photo...and of the fact that somehow,
we were wise to his wonder, his wicked ways, and (most tragically) his own
personal pain. This photo is both beautiful and heart-breaking, just like Owen.
When I was in film school at UT, I finagled my way into a photography
class reserved for photog majors...Actually, my love for film was based
on and in my love for photography. It was a blessing and a privilege to
study and practice photography with UT's Dennis Darling. And one of my
favorite and most intense and fulfilling projects was our pinhole camera
assignment. Most of D2's students turned in 2 or 3 pictures for evaluation.
KO, on the other hand, had created (literally) more than a dozen pinhole
cameras and (therefore) had more than half a dozen pinhole gems to give
to D2 for appraisal. Well, so...I created this shot! I was riding my bike (my
only mode of transport whilst living in Austin) with various pinhole cameras
in my bag when I saw the freight train crossing the bridge. I sped up, beat the
train, and then stopped and set my smaller-than-a-shoebox-box against a
rock, waiting. To my surprise and surreal glee, the conductor actually saw me,
stopped his train and waved! It may be hard to see in this scan of the original,
but you can actually see the conductor, hat and waving hand and all! It's a true
testimony to my dedication~ and honestly, my obsession~ with photography.
I am so grateful for (and simultaneously overwhelmed by) the opportunities I
had. I was so passionate and prolific, but I definitely did not comprehend my skills
and so had a hard time capitalizing on my expertise and experiences. Truth be told,
I coulda shoulda woulda been a celebrated photographer were it not for my fear of
being judged. It's silly to admit now, of course, because I had support from so many
amazing people. I guess I just wasn't ready...or maybe I was just terrified of selling
my soul-producing images...Obviously now that I am older and more worldly, I can
see clearly how talented I was (and am) and I can appreciate how perfectly this photo
quite literally sums up all my ability, potential, access, optimism and vision. Perfection!
Pinhole Perfection, Austin, TX, KO/00
In case you missed my second update...here is the freaky creepy bizarro
awesome and icky Tom Cruise Scientology recruitment video! You must see!!!
Have you guys seen this video (quickly making its way virally all over the web)
of Tom Cruise ranting and raving (and recruiting) for Scientology? It wasn't intended
for nonbelievers, or "spectators" as he so generously calls the likes of you and me.
There are so many (unintentional) gems in this video, I can't help but insist you give
it a view. Yes, it's creepy. But, who doesn't enjoy a good sci-fi thriller occasionally?
UPDATE: Damn! That was fast!
The Scientologists had that sh*t removed with a quickness!
And check this out (source dlisted):
UPDATE: Found it in its entirety here.
Watch it here! now! while you still can!
About Katy Oliver
Katy Oliver shares the love for the knockout life. Experience the KO creative renaissance! [more ]