Author Archives: Alan Ilagan

A few days ago I was standing in the kitchen asking Andy to pick up a jar of Maille cornichons. My phone was three rooms away, blocked by three walls (but apparently not powered down). I’ve never asked for these cornichons before, nor have I written about or referenced them online in any form. I didn’t even know how to pronounce the name, giving up after two feeble attempts and pointing at the jar so Andy could see what I was talking about.

The next morning I received my first-ever sponsored ad on Facebook for Maille Black Mustard Truffle Mustard. We don’t have Alexa, our computers were off, and Andy is not even on Facebook, so there would be no way to make any sort of connection between us for this to happen. Coincidence? Big Brother? Big Sister?

I’m told it’s a possible combination of our phones or computers being on. I don’t think so. Andy didn’t even hear or understand that I was saying ‘Maille’ so I don’t see how my phone three rooms away could. If his phone was picking it up, how did it end up on my FaceBook page? He doesn’t have a FaceBook account.

Anyway, it’s not that big a deal, just puzzling. I’ve broadcast much more revealing things than demanding a new jar of cornichons.

Almost halfway through the month of January, we pause for our weekly Monday morning recap. The holidays are already an ever-dimming memory, while winter jabs and pokes at us with icy pincers. We are in a holding pattern until it’s time to stir in March. On with the recap…

For shits and giggles, check out the #TinyThreads series. When you reach the end of one, click the “#TinyThreads” link at the bottom of the brief posts and follow them back. It’s fun. Try it. If you’re patient you can follow all the way back to the very first TT post. 

All fruit, no labor.

My 9th anniversary of being on Twitter came and went. 

I prefer flora to fauna.

Cristiano Ronaldo in wet underwear.

Mary Poppins returned with a treasure trove of childhood memories. 

The last days of a Christmas tree.

A lovely pianist duel/duet.

Get a Clue. 

Another project, already.

Doing their best to keep things warm were the Hunks of the Day: Brian Kenny, Austin Wallis, Ed Krassenstein, Brian Krassenstein, John David Washington and Keith Laue.

This will be a bit of a working weekend in Boston, as I begin preliminary preparation for the next project. That’s the fun part, though, so it’s not really work in the sense of drudgery or duty. This is the time when I have a few slim notions in my head, a few themes knocking about and looking for direction. Here is where I will rely on the universe to nudge me in the right direction and help a more definitive idea etch itself out in my mind. It always does, in relative ease too. I’ll suddenly see a motif everywhere I look – a certain color palette repeated throughout the day and in the most disparate places. The same song will play on the radio, then in a store, then on the computer. A book will be on display in the bookstore then show up on my social media feed then be mentioned by a friend. All of these coincidences I will take as signs, and they invariably lead me to the creative project I will conjure next. The key is to be open and observant. That means being ready to listen and be quiet. It is, oddly enough, my resting stance, so this is familiar, comfortable territory.

This also means that during a time of creation the blog takes a backseat to other endeavors. Usually when that happens I’ll populate posts with pictures of shirtless male celebrities or the like and viewership will increase dramatically. The more substantial and meaningful my posts are, the less they are viewed. Sigh. 

As we gear up for that lull, bookmark this page so you can revisit these projects if you’d like. The photos – almost all here – are throwbacks to a more innocent, youthful period of a slimmer stomach, darker hair, and relative carefree attitude. May we return there soon…

PREVIOUS PROJECTS:

• StoneLight
• The Circus Project
• A Night at the Hotel Chelsea
• A 21st Century Renaissance: The Resurrection Tour
• Bardo: The Dream Surreal
• The Delusional Grandeur Tour: Last Stand of a Rock Star
• PVRTD

Andy marked the date down weeks ago. It’s one of our favorite silly movie, but unlike Andy I’ve never been lucky enough to see it on the big screen. This Monday that will change, as ‘Clue’ is playing at the Palace Theatre, and after a dinner at dp we’ll be taking part in the madcap murderous mayhem.  Everyone has a favorite line or zinger from this movie – mine is “I am determined to enjoy myself!” Along those lines everyone also has a favorite character that they most resemble. Such broad archetypes never really manage to encompass the more contradictory and complex among us, but if I had to choose I’d be a cross between Mrs. Peacock (those glorious feathers!) and Ms. Scarlet. Andy thinks I’m closer to Mrs. White, but for the sake of him and his own… you know… he’d better hope he’s wrong.