The Plastic Shockelhorn

Let me introduce you to the Shockelhorn (the matchmaker), our friend Michaleen is going to help me to match all the boys and girls around here. Are you ready to begin Michaleen?

Actually... me mouth is like a dry crust and the sun is that hot on me pate.

Actually... me mouth is like a dry crust and the sun is that hot on me pate.

As Ermanno, Luchino and Sebastiano are all settled with their new wives/girlfriends, let's focus on Giulio.

handmade soccer balls!

I decided he needed a sporty but classy outfit, so he's wearing an outfit from the Tobacco Road Collection. I really like how this turned out. I think it's the perfect style for him

The background pictures are of Marrackech Souk. We went to Morocco in 2010, and stayed in Marrackech only two days, before leaving for inner Oasis and Merzouga on a 4x4. Of course more pictures of our trip to Morocco will pop out as background in the future.

Carpets anyone?

This Souk is simply amazing, a seemingly endless dedalus of pathways, where you cand find real articrafts, a vast assortment of bric-a-brac, it's not difficult to get lost in here!

Where to now?

I don't know a lot about Giulio, I know he's Goffredo's friend and probably his associate in sleuthing. Mabye he has connections with the "underworld" so can help Goffredo to get precious information. He looks rugged but sophisticated, and very handsome. 

I could tell you blood curdling stories about him but, but me throat, me throat's gone dry

We have plenty of sophisticated ladies that could suit him, but as he arrived in the house in the same period as Aurelia (Rare Appereance Dania Zarr) I thought they could make a very cute couple.

don't be worried dear, I know every turn of this place.....

well, almost.....

you see, we are out of the souk.  Let's have a tea on a bar terrace at Jemaa el-Fnaa square

To end their day at Marrakech, hey sip some  tea with mint on a terrace  overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, before joining the crowd and having a dinner at on of the delic stalls.

Jemaa el-Fnaa square

That's all from Marrakech (for now).

I think they photograph pretty well together, here they're getting acquainted and having a drink at the Mexican bar

the shockelohorn did it again!

Michaleen is pretty tired ater all this work. They didn't even offer him anything to drink!!

I hope there's a bottle there, whoever it belongs to...

What do you think of the Shockelhorn job?

The Norma Desmonds: what about Enrico?

Tecla: So where have you been hiding yourserlf?
Enrico: I'm sorry Tecla, I had to consider. About us, and the whole thing about the modeling agency. You see, I feel I really like this job, and Giovanna believes I've got talent as a model. Besides they are giving me these fancy clothes

Tecla: I think these clothes stinks, actually. They are simply awful.
Enrico: Your privilege, Tecla. I'm sure I want to give this new opportunity a try, they are paying me good money too.
Tecla: All right, I really don't bother. But remember I won't take you back when you'll come begging me after my new movie shall be released
Enrico: A new movie?
Tecla: Yes, and now it's time for you to go. Max! Accompany Mr. Enrico at the door.

Max: Yes Madam. Mr. Enrico, please come with me.
Enrico: Goodbye Tecla, and goodluck.
Tecla: I won't need luck, I'm a STAR!

Enrico is gone.

Tecla: Well Max, now that we're done with the beefcake, what's next on the agenda?
Max: You should call Mr Filippo at the atelier, Madame. To see if your new wardrobe is ready.
Tecla: I will do that right away. But before fix me some caviar and champagne

Tecla: Hallo Filippo

Filippo: Hallo Madame Tecla, how are you?

Tecla: Don't waste my time Filippo, how much it will take to that girl of yours to get my new wardrobe ready?
Filippo: The first two outfits are ready, Madame, the third is on her way. I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with Virginia's work. Everyting will be ready on schedule.

Tecla: I hope so, she didn't look really experienced for me. Anyway we shall see. Goodbye Filippo.
Filippo: Goodbye Madame Tecla.

Tecla hangs up

Max: Everything is all right, Madame?
Tecla: I think so. I think I should use another  drink Max. Fix me some more champagne. Then you can call that writer. What's his name, Nicola. I want to talk to him about the screenplay.
Max: I'll see to that Madame. Right away.

Later on

Max: Mr Nicola will be here later in the afternoon Madame.
Tecla: Very good, Max. I can always rely on you.
Max: You're too kind Madame.

In the afternoon

The trip to Dublin didn't help Nicola to get past his writer's cramp. He feels that writing a screenplay on specs might do the trick.

Tecla: I'm ready for my return, and I want you to help me with the script. It is going to be a movie about Salome
Nicola: Salome? Well there's been a new wave of historic blockbusters, doesn't sound a bad idea.
Tecla: It is a Great idea! and I'm going to play Salome
Nicola: Wow, I thought you were only going to be the producer....

Tecla: What do you mean by that? I'm going to be the executive producer, screenwriter and of course I'm going to star in it!!!
Nicola: Of course, how stupid of me. And you are going to direct it too?
Tecla: Max is going to direct it!
Max: Excuse me Madame, but I don't think is a good idea, this is going to be your return, you need a new director, acquainted with the new audiences. This is also the reason why you've asked  here Mr, Nicola.

Tecla: Oh yes, I almost forgot! Nicola, I would appreciate some suggestions for the director.
Nicola: In fact I have. And maybe also a cinematographer.
Tecla: Very good. I will see you all in a week's time from now. And I expect to get a ten pages treatment of the movie by that date.
Nicola: Well, is quite a short notice, but I'll manage.
Tecla: See you next week then. Goodbye Nicola.
Nicola: Goodbye Madame.

Tecla: Everything is going as expected, Max. Now I have to wait for my new wardrobe, get the ten pages treatment and go visit Luchino. He has to produce this one!
Max: He will Madame, he will.

In the meantime at the Mexican Bar

Corrado: Hi man, how did it go?
Enrico: I'm a free man! It all went smooth as silk. That lady is crazy, she's planning to do a movie
Corrado: Well man, looks like you missed the chance to star in it, don't you?

Back from Santo Domingo!

Hello Everybody, we're back from Santo Domingo! In fact we've been back for almost a week now, but unpacking, washing, catching up with everyday chores and getting back to work kept us very busy!

Thank you all for all the nice messages and comments. We had a great time, and we really feel to reccomend Bayahibe to everyone who needs a real vacation (and loves sunbathing and swimming).

I must tell you readjusting to everyday's life is proving pretty tough this time. A completely "dumb" kind of vacation can do this for you! LOL

Here are a couple of nice shots we've taken and  yes, this places are for real!

To prove you that I haven't been completely lazy here is a new guy: Eugenio, in his complete outfit. He's got a Leonardo di Caprio facesculpt on a Coomodel narrow shoulder tall body.  I like this informal style and I'm going to make more of these. It's going to be called the "frugal collection".

And she's Greta, she came naked as I was only interested in the doll (she's named after Greta Garbo of course). For the time being she's going to wear a FR outfit from the "Funny Face" collection. Courtesy of Virginia.

As I told you I will not have a lot of time to dedicate to photomontages. And I'll have to  slow down the posting. But I've been able to write down some outlines for new Tecla's adventures and thanks to the diorama rooms they will be easy to set up and to photograph. Boys and girls are going to "come to life" with some real stories!

Carlo and Billina have changed to winter clothes and they look forward for some Christmas photosession.

You can see Bartolomeo in the foreground. He's wearing a partial Chanel outfit I've been working on and that will be displayed in springtime, along with a new chapter of Cecilia's quest for true love! He's visiting while waiting until I'll be finished with the fashion figures guys. He's not happy but he's an artist so he understands....

Let's have a look at what the other girls and boys are doing (I'm writing their names as I'm loosing control over "the modes" page):

The traveller's room needs some work, I have to fix those awful seats! Vittoria is so comfortable in her Frida Kahlo's outfit she's not changed yet. Ofelia is wearing a new trouser suite, Goffredo and Pietro are sporting two outfits from the Tobacco Road collection.

Finally Vittorio has got some books for his historian work (he needs a History Professor suit), Emilia is not thrilled but she will enjoy them (with time) . Besides she's got a new trousers suite, so she's happy enough. Cesare is still waiting for his jacket but at least his shirt is complete and he's got new shoes. I feel this room is complete, I'm thinking over the possibility to add a wall with octoman designs.

The games room is ok, it is still waiting for a new painting. Nicola and Giorgia are enjoying each other company, while Orso Maria and Omero are pretty bored. But I'm planning some action for them!

The Atelier is complete! Now Filippo has got his outfit (no socks yet, but I'm working on some possibilies). I think this room rocks!

Happy Family! LOL, they deserve a soap opera of their own....

Here you can see Max, he is arrived and Tecla (who's not in the picture) is sooooo thrilled!

Odette and Attilio are getting along fine!

I just wanted to show the new library I added to Sebastiano's room, he's also got an old fashioned stereo. This room is finished too it just needs to be cleaned a bit...

Last but not least after only 5 days since our return I was hit with a terrible back strain and I've been bedridden for three days.  Now I'm back on my two feet thanks to cortisone injections, but I don't feel quite well yet.

Side effect from the return from the Caribbeans, I'm still waiting for my Sweeney Todd guy to arrive (this week hopefully):

He'll be called Onofrio, still trying to guess why he's sprayed with blood.....gosh....

But since we returned I couldn't resist the impulse and had to oder a Jack Sparrow head:

He'll be called Emilio (I think)

I still have to introduce you to another guy (Corrado) but I'm still working on his outfit.

I hope you all are doing great and I'll try to catch up with the reading.
A HUGE KISS!!!!

Billa

Great writers' footsteeps: looking for J. Joyce - Nicola in Dublin

Nicola is supposed to be a writer, but he's been afflicted by  a writer's cramp lately.  Furthermore he was somehow engaged with Edda and now that she left the house he's  been looming around idly flirting with all the girls.
Trying to revive his inspiration he has decided to take a trip to Dublin, on the tracks of J. Joyce's Ulysses.
Anyway he's going to enjoy a tour of the pubs.

Cecilia, who should know better, seized the moment and volunteered to accompany him, as a secretary. She's been eyeing Nicola since her arrival.

She thinks he's got the "tall dark stranger" looks. So she borrowed Ofelia tartan outfit an off they are!

Day One

First of all they pose for a picture with J. Joyce statue.

Then they head for the Writer's museum.

Then a visit to the Martello tower. Cecilia is  bored already.

And Ormond Quay.

Nicola has been blabbering for hours, he's in a stream of consciousness mood and Cecilia wants to die.....

Day two

Nicola is stunned when they meet Giorgia in Grafton Street, he completely forgets about the stream of consciusness and dragging Cecilia with him invites Giorgia to join in.

Giorgia loves Joyce, so she enthusiastically agrees.

They visit the Phoenix Park

Sandy Mouth Strand

And the Castle. Nicola and Giorgia are getting along wonderfully!

Day three

Nicola has completely forgot to focus upon his inspiration and proposes a  tour of the pubs!

The Market

The Stag's Head

The Temple

The Quai

Nicola and Giorgia are definitely an item. Cecilia is very angry at me, but I don't believe she had any chance with Nicola, would she ever find Mr Right Guy?