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 Mister has decreed that we are having a proper dinner on Christmas Day.
As a result, I braved not one but two supermarkets before 9 AM this morning, arriving home with a 13-pound turkey among a great many and various other groceries.
Now, as long-time pals well know, an important element…
As a result, I braved not one but two supermarkets before 9 AM this morning, arriving home with a 13-pound turkey among a great many and various other groceries.
Now, as long-time pals well know, an important element…
December 24, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The Mister has decreed that we are having a proper dinner on Christmas Day.
As a result, I braved not one but two supermarkets before 9 AM this morning, arriving home with a 13-pound turkey among a great many and various other groceries.
Now, as long-time pals well know, an important element…
As a result, I braved not one but two supermarkets before 9 AM this morning, arriving home with a 13-pound turkey among a great many and various other groceries.
Now, as long-time pals well know, an important element…
Just realized that Usha Vance is going to more or less be the Marlene Dietrich character when it comes time to make the updated version of Judgment at Nuremberg sometime around 2040.
December 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Just realized that Usha Vance is going to more or less be the Marlene Dietrich character when it comes time to make the updated version of Judgment at Nuremberg sometime around 2040.
Watch it.
We’re going to need so many goddamn Nuremburgs…
We’re going to need so many goddamn Nuremburgs…
December 23, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Watch it.
We’re going to need so many goddamn Nuremburgs…
We’re going to need so many goddamn Nuremburgs…
Just the thing for our old pal Beverly Leslie and his business associate, Benjy.
[IRL I'm afraid there will be a demented number of interested parties in Palm Springs, not least because they keep getting embarrassed when Log Cabin photos are leaked.]
[IRL I'm afraid there will be a demented number of interested parties in Palm Springs, not least because they keep getting embarrassed when Log Cabin photos are leaked.]
December 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Just the thing for our old pal Beverly Leslie and his business associate, Benjy.
[IRL I'm afraid there will be a demented number of interested parties in Palm Springs, not least because they keep getting embarrassed when Log Cabin photos are leaked.]
[IRL I'm afraid there will be a demented number of interested parties in Palm Springs, not least because they keep getting embarrassed when Log Cabin photos are leaked.]
Feeling sprightly this festive holiday season? Well, a few minutes at 35,000 feet with Peg will take care of that, pronto.
I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that back in the day PanAm’s first-class cocktail service came with Quaaludes…
youtu.be/PWVwBUaz-gM?...
I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that back in the day PanAm’s first-class cocktail service came with Quaaludes…
youtu.be/PWVwBUaz-gM?...
Peggy Lee - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
YouTube video by Andrey IvanovRussia
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Feeling sprightly this festive holiday season? Well, a few minutes at 35,000 feet with Peg will take care of that, pronto.
I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that back in the day PanAm’s first-class cocktail service came with Quaaludes…
youtu.be/PWVwBUaz-gM?...
I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that back in the day PanAm’s first-class cocktail service came with Quaaludes…
youtu.be/PWVwBUaz-gM?...
I have just, unsuspecting and God knows unseeking, come across a pornographic AI image of Leonard Bernstein.
The creator (or possibly its prompter) was very generous, but even so I think that may be enough internet for the moment.
The creator (or possibly its prompter) was very generous, but even so I think that may be enough internet for the moment.
December 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I have just, unsuspecting and God knows unseeking, come across a pornographic AI image of Leonard Bernstein.
The creator (or possibly its prompter) was very generous, but even so I think that may be enough internet for the moment.
The creator (or possibly its prompter) was very generous, but even so I think that may be enough internet for the moment.
It’s a funny old world when just the idea of the mayor-elect of New York City can make one sob uncontrollably.
We so desperately need good news wherever we can find it…
We so desperately need good news wherever we can find it…
This is the sweetest thing and I hope they keep hanging out periodically
December 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
It’s a funny old world when just the idea of the mayor-elect of New York City can make one sob uncontrollably.
We so desperately need good news wherever we can find it…
We so desperately need good news wherever we can find it…
Perhaps watching TCM Remembers first thing on a Saturday morning wasn’t the smartest way to start the day…
With Cora Sue Collins gone, does this mean we’ve seen the last of ‘30s clips in these?
With Cora Sue Collins gone, does this mean we’ve seen the last of ‘30s clips in these?
December 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Perhaps watching TCM Remembers first thing on a Saturday morning wasn’t the smartest way to start the day…
With Cora Sue Collins gone, does this mean we’ve seen the last of ‘30s clips in these?
With Cora Sue Collins gone, does this mean we’ve seen the last of ‘30s clips in these?
RIP to Sir Humphrey Burton, who more or less created what we think of as quality arts programming on television. A giant in the UK, too-little known in the US.
I had the privilege of working with him several times—and even had the honor of having him say something nice about me in one of his books.
I had the privilege of working with him several times—and even had the honor of having him say something nice about me in one of his books.
December 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
RIP to Sir Humphrey Burton, who more or less created what we think of as quality arts programming on television. A giant in the UK, too-little known in the US.
I had the privilege of working with him several times—and even had the honor of having him say something nice about me in one of his books.
I had the privilege of working with him several times—and even had the honor of having him say something nice about me in one of his books.
My outfit for the day it happens.
[either ensemble, although the spangled black crepe is probably wiser…]
[either ensemble, although the spangled black crepe is probably wiser…]
December 18, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My outfit for the day it happens.
[either ensemble, although the spangled black crepe is probably wiser…]
[either ensemble, although the spangled black crepe is probably wiser…]
I’m spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica…
[mit trayf, yes, but still.]
[mit trayf, yes, but still.]
December 15, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I’m spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica…
[mit trayf, yes, but still.]
[mit trayf, yes, but still.]
A little leafy abstraction for your Saturday.
December 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A little leafy abstraction for your Saturday.
What? They made a remake of Supergirl and didn’t offer a touching cameo to Faye Dunaway? An outrage!
December 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
What? They made a remake of Supergirl and didn’t offer a touching cameo to Faye Dunaway? An outrage!
Jane Eyre
David Copperfield
Emma
David Copperfield
Emma
December 9, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Jane Eyre
David Copperfield
Emma
David Copperfield
Emma
Quick reminder to my pals in nightlife and music programming:
Eartha Kitt and Diana Ross, non-quislings both, have recorded excellent versions of “I Will Survive.”
The challenge now is to get Cher to record one.
Eartha Kitt and Diana Ross, non-quislings both, have recorded excellent versions of “I Will Survive.”
The challenge now is to get Cher to record one.
President Trump with this year’s Kennedy Center honorees which include Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gene Simmons, and Gloria Gaynor.
December 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Quick reminder to my pals in nightlife and music programming:
Eartha Kitt and Diana Ross, non-quislings both, have recorded excellent versions of “I Will Survive.”
The challenge now is to get Cher to record one.
Eartha Kitt and Diana Ross, non-quislings both, have recorded excellent versions of “I Will Survive.”
The challenge now is to get Cher to record one.
In fact, I would happily watch a season of anthology-style comedy/dramas across a range of genres, the only unifying element of which is that Queen Victoria appears in the last six minutes or so to sort things out to everyone’s satisfaction.
Belated, but we have not and I have not.
Funny to think that QV was for one generation of actresses (Irene Dunne, Helen Hayes) what QEII has become for today’s Big Ladies.
As a dramatic figure, I feel that QV is best suited to deus ex machina parts—eg helping Shirley Temple find her deddy.
Funny to think that QV was for one generation of actresses (Irene Dunne, Helen Hayes) what QEII has become for today’s Big Ladies.
As a dramatic figure, I feel that QV is best suited to deus ex machina parts—eg helping Shirley Temple find her deddy.
December 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
In fact, I would happily watch a season of anthology-style comedy/dramas across a range of genres, the only unifying element of which is that Queen Victoria appears in the last six minutes or so to sort things out to everyone’s satisfaction.
I wouldn’t _hate_ you, really,* but if you don’t like A Room with a View (and at least put up with me about The Gang’s All Here), I doubt we’ll be close.
___________________
* “We don’t hate, dear; hate is for sin and Hitler.” - My Grandmother
___________________
* “We don’t hate, dear; hate is for sin and Hitler.” - My Grandmother
Ok, I have to ask. What's a movie that if someone doesn't like you'll hate them?
December 4, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I wouldn’t _hate_ you, really,* but if you don’t like A Room with a View (and at least put up with me about The Gang’s All Here), I doubt we’ll be close.
___________________
* “We don’t hate, dear; hate is for sin and Hitler.” - My Grandmother
___________________
* “We don’t hate, dear; hate is for sin and Hitler.” - My Grandmother
The kind of afternoon when you have to iron and are in desperate need of a little ear candy, so—thinking of his charming waltzes from the Miyazaki pictures—you choose a playlist called “Rediscover Joe Hishaishi” and after a little while Amazon Music is suddenly pelting you with hardcore Steve Reich.
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The kind of afternoon when you have to iron and are in desperate need of a little ear candy, so—thinking of his charming waltzes from the Miyazaki pictures—you choose a playlist called “Rediscover Joe Hishaishi” and after a little while Amazon Music is suddenly pelting you with hardcore Steve Reich.
Bess Flowers, please.
This is a Bill Simmons game, but you’re stranded on a desert island. You can only have one actor’s filmography. You get it all, including cameos. But just the one performer.
I’m taking Cate Blanchett: Talented Mr. Ripley, LOTR, Life Aquatic, Black Bag, Tár, Ponyo, Hot Fuzz, Eyes Wide Shut, Thor
I’m taking Cate Blanchett: Talented Mr. Ripley, LOTR, Life Aquatic, Black Bag, Tár, Ponyo, Hot Fuzz, Eyes Wide Shut, Thor
December 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Bess Flowers, please.
I named my fists Regina and Giddens, because I’m not going to fight you; I’m just going to sit quietly and watch you die.
I named my fists Common and Sense because I'm about to bring the Paine
I named my fists Blood and Meridian because I’m fixing to Judge your ass.
December 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I named my fists Regina and Giddens, because I’m not going to fight you; I’m just going to sit quietly and watch you die.
More than anyone, he formed my childhood image of what a boss should be— demanding, bumbling, and with a wife far more interesting than he.
November 27, 2025 at 11:38 PM
More than anyone, he formed my childhood image of what a boss should be— demanding, bumbling, and with a wife far more interesting than he.
Five concerts yada yada yada
Eartha Kitt
Peggy Lee
Mitzi Gaynor
Koko Taylor
Mabel Mercer
Eartha Kitt
Peggy Lee
Mitzi Gaynor
Koko Taylor
Mabel Mercer
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Janelle Monàe
Seattle Symphony doing The Rite of Spring
Tinariwen
Abel Selaocoe
Gamelan Pacifica
Janelle Monàe
Seattle Symphony doing The Rite of Spring
Tinariwen
Abel Selaocoe
Gamelan Pacifica
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen —
NIN
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Soul Coughing
Poe
Tom Morello
NIN
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Soul Coughing
Poe
Tom Morello
November 27, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Five concerts yada yada yada
Eartha Kitt
Peggy Lee
Mitzi Gaynor
Koko Taylor
Mabel Mercer
Eartha Kitt
Peggy Lee
Mitzi Gaynor
Koko Taylor
Mabel Mercer
No turkey for us today: The Mister and I have achieved our dream—a taxi-driver approved Indo-Pak buffet open on Thanksgiving—even if we had to truck over to Fontana. Worth every mile.
November 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
No turkey for us today: The Mister and I have achieved our dream—a taxi-driver approved Indo-Pak buffet open on Thanksgiving—even if we had to truck over to Fontana. Worth every mile.
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...