The Bailey Show
I went to the Bailey House Auction last night at the Puck Building. It was a benefit for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS and was hosted by Tim Gunn and Jonathan Adler and Jeffrey Schneider. Jeffrey is the head of PR for ABC News so there were a lot of famous newsfolk wandering around. The worlds of design and fashion were also represented because of Tim and Jonathan. Ran into lots of old friends. There was a surprisingly nice array of photographs and art at the silent auction and I got into a bidding war with my buddy, Dan Scheffey, who is now the head of PR for GQ magazine, for a small Seth McBride piece that looked like a young Sidney Poitier photographed off a late-night television airing of “The Defiant Ones” which McBride somehow transferred to a canvas and then colorized. Poitier plays a big part in my book and I wanted to hang it here next to my desk as a reminder of the last couple of years I spent getting Mississippi Sissy in shape. I just had an email from Dan that said he left after his last bid, which I had topped. So we’ll see if someone came in over me. I left too after putting in my last bid. Though I did stay long enough to marvel that a couple at the live auction paid $21,000 to have lunch with Anderson Cooper. Anderson is down in the Amazon right now doing some amazing reports for his 360 show on CNN. I emailed him when I got home - I’ve known Anderson since before he was ANDERSON, but he’s still a sweet, sweet soul even with all his deserved success - to let him know how much he was worth on a February night in NYC. I didn’t recognize the man and woman making the bid for Anderson’s company. There’s a joke in here somewhere about guess-who’s-coming-to-dinner, but even my pun-addled brain refuses to make it.
February 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hey Kevin,
Drop me an email when you’re going to be in L.A.
You should get Vroman’s Pasadena on your tour itinerary. You’d get a good turnout there.
Congratulations on the book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Steve
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:18 am
Kevin…
I just finished reading the article about you & your MISSISSIPPI SISSY excerpt in OUT. I didn’t know how to contact you, so used my limited computer skills and found your blog. I’m almost never moved to respond to “things” but those 2 readings did the trick…and, I found your blog way more interesting than the other few I’ve tried to read!
My father, too, was a coach (small, South Texas town) and it was if I was reading something about myself. The memories of the locker room and my Father’s looks towards me were brought to my mind’s recollection. We lived across the street from the practice field for both band & football. Just try and guess who’s son (age 4-6) was over twirling batons with the majorettes while his father tried to coach. Fortunately, for my sake, I was allowed in the locker room almost any time I wanted to go. Many times I wish I had the gift for writing. I turned out to be a frustarted musician…go figure…stuck in Houston for various reasons.
At 50 now, my life has had more than what I would like to consider it’s share of twists & turns. Reading about someone else who had some similar experiences makes me feel validated in some way. I just felt the urge/need to thank you.
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:04 am
Kevin-
Loved your excerpts in OUT. Keep up the good work.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Don’t worry honey, everyone who reads this book will be SO proud and love you even more than we already do for the courage, honesty, and integrity that it took to tell your story.
Just look at all the positive reviews you’ve received, from the pros as well as your friends, and strangers too. That many people can’t be wrong!
Such a shame that this woman was allowed to get her hands on your book.
Love, Diane
March 11th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Grace Roby would be proud of Anderson.