All About St.Eve

Hello all, and happy Monday.


I thought I would just take a moment to tell people what has been going on lately, and why I may have been absent or out of touch.


As many of you know, I always tend to have a lot on my calendar. If I am not constantly at the shop, I am (hopefully) in rehearsals for some show, or another, that I will be taking part in. During the last week, I have been overly tired and at times, exhausted. When this happens, I usually tend to think that I am getting sick as I have worn myself out, but this time, as of today, I didn’t get a cold or the flu. It took me a bit to realize that I was suffering from Exhaustion, and that is a real thing. Yes, I have turned into Lindsay Lohan!


Everyone can rightfully assume that the shop takes the majority of my time. Due to our tentative situation at our location, my duties have increased more so than just being a salesperson, buyer, accountant, janitor, head designer, stylist, secretary, order processor, trend setter, etc. But now, with the help of the supremely talented Beatrice L. Thomas, we are crafting our application to be considered a Legacy Business. The only thing easy about this process is working with Bea (thank you!) While this may not be physically taxing, it is extremely mentally taxing. It just doesn’t force you to ask yourself questions about your business, but the process forces you to ask questions about your goals, your direction and your future. That is very draining, and has been going on for months.


Additionally, I am in rehearsals for Champagne White is Disastrous!, (which opens this Thursday Aug 25th). Some of you may think that this part is of my own doing and my own fault. You are both right and wrong. Given the chance to work with these hilarious talented people can be a joy and a gift (most of the time) These people are my family and we help each other through with laughter. Over the past 5 years, 9 people close to me have passed on, and nothing makes you rethink your life more-so then people your age or younger, dying. Performing is something I always wanted to do, but never thought I could make a living at it. Silly me thought that the practical side of my mind would be the only way to secure my future, but what if that future never came? Now, I feel compelled to act and perform, just the same as I feel compelled to be a business owner and struggling CEO. It is something inside of me that I can not deny. I want to thank D'Arcy for allowing me to miss three very key rehearsals last week due to my need for rest, and for trusting that I will get the job done and do my part to make this show a hilarious hit! Thank you! Thank you to my fellow castmate and temporary roomie James Arthur M. for making me recognize yesterday, that I AM doing the best I can, and that someone else sees that and recognizes that, at the same point making me realize my limitations, but also noticing my accomplishments, xoxo!


Yesterday was also Sunday Streets San Francisco, so on top of all that other stuff, I had originally intended to make Retro Fits participation in the event, a party to celebrate the store anniversary. Well, due to my exhaustion, I couldn’t pull it off as I thought I could, but instead it turned into something almost better. When I awoke Sunday morning, I was not having IT, any of IT! I was worn out and there was no way I could slap on a pretty face and do my best clown act. I posted on FB, that I would not be performing at my own party, luckily, no one liked that post. It was a beautiful sunny day, as is rare for us on Sunday Streets, and I was at the shop by 10:30a. When I arrived, my friend of 18+ years and DJ, Lamont Bransford-Young was ready to set up with his interns in tow. I had planned to put up banners, and signs and used car lot flags, (none of which happened) but managed to fill my sidewalk with SALE merchandise and items to attract attention. The event started at 11, and was a slow day to begin with, so some part of me, didn’t think I was missing anything by not dressing up to perform. With Lamont’s addition of a bubble machine and my sidewalk flooded with laughing children and amazing music, my own fog seemed to clear. A few lovely people stopped by to say hello (if I start tagging some of you, I will forget others, so suck it up) but no one gave me shit for promising a show and not delivering. At slightly passed 1 o'clock, like 1:02 for real, I remember looking at my cell phone, (yes it has a clock)...Lamont looked me dead in the eye, and basically commanded...(paraphrasing here)..”Go home, get your shit, put something on and entertain these people”. Wow, rude right? Well, it worked, he was right, he had a captive audience of thousands of people strolling by the shop, what better way to promote our cause and let people know what was going on inside our little shop. It’s not as if we haven't done this in years past, but I didn’t have the energy...at first. Luckily I live close by so went home, shaved and returned with my magic kit (makeup case), by 2:30, I was completely dressed and ready to go. Now, to be honest, not my best makeup, not my best hair, not my best outfit, not my best performance, (I still won't watch the video) but somehow none of that mattered. Trust me, it’s strange enough lip-synching in the middle of the street while the music comes from 15 feet away, people can hear your lips move! By the end of the event at 4, the shop was swimming with people and I had been told by more than one person, that we had the best crowd and most fun on the whole strip included in the event. The last song, Cupid Shuffle, turned into a mini flash mob, led by a local police officer. Thank you Lamont for being such a bossy cow and telling me to pull it together, with love. Thank you to your interns who are lovely and sweet and hopefully learned a lot. Thank you to Leigh for watching the shop with me, and taking over some of my shifts while I am in Champagne White is Disastrous!. Thank you to those that stopped by...some of which are....Jennifer Schulze, Kris Kruse, Darwin Bell, Brandon Tracey, Jordan Wheeler, Alexa Fraser-Herron, Craig Marotzke, Anca Cristina Ferosha Botez, Ginger Snap, Cole Church Hokulani Beale....who else??


Truth be told, I still won't have a full day off until next Monday, which means it will be well over a month since my last full day off, but I feel the fog is lifting. I am excited about opening our show this week, but nervous about remembering my lines and my exits and entrances and costume changes...and what fucking shoes am i going to where???


So if I haven’t returned your emails, or phone calls or texts, just know, that your life is not as important as mine is right now, (to me). I know you will get over it, but give me time, and don’t take anything personally, unless I tell you to, and you will know when I tell you to, trust me!


Also know, I am not depressed, just exhausted...you all exhaust me, tremendously...and I haven't even talked about what’s happening outside of my own bubble....


Thanks for understanding!


Have a LeMazing day!


ps: I suppose I should just thank Rose LeMay for good measure, who want’s your mom mad at you?