An apology 10 years in the making...

I click on my uber annoying myspace account to delete what I assume are more spam letters from 'Pam who cant sleep' or 'Beth who wants to chat on 1-900...' I see a note from a Sherry that is titled, 'I have owed you this for a long time' I was awaiting a massive sex filled viagra spam but this is what I read:


----------------- Original Message -----------------

Hi Cator.

This is really difficult and I don't know if you even remember, but I owe you a huge apology. I am so sorry that when I saw you at La Fonda after you came out, I acted like an asshole.

First off, it wasn't you. Although I was somewhat surprised to see you "out," I always knew. I mean, we used to sing Ru Paul together?? You just happened to catch me at one of the lower points in my life and I didn't want you to see me, if that makes any sense. I was hanging out with losers that I didn't like and doing a bunch of other dumb shit that still makes me cringe to think about.

The next time I saw you, at the Diesel store, you were totally cold and I knew exactly why and that I totally deserved it. I skulked out like a coward because I couldn't put the words together. I owe you an apology for that, too.

You have probably long forgotten about this or put it behind you, but I haven't. I've actually thought about it a good bit over the years. It is possibly the single worst thing I've done in my life and certainly the worst I've ever treated anyone. I hope one day you can forgive me, but I understand if you can't. I just wanted to take the opportunity to try and right one of the bigger mistakes/regrets I've made. I am so sorry. Even as I sit here writing this, I'm mortified by the way I acted.

I hope all is well and that you're happy and doing great. Take care.

Sherry

Here is what I wrote back:

Sorry to say I have no idea who you are. And your profile is set to private.
Uh, if you got made as much fun of as I did you dont remember every time. La Fonda was one of my favorite places I went to weekly in high school so I probably put any negative thoughts in the delete box of my brain.

That said, it is always nice to hear an apology for actions taken. Thanks. Funny, I'm moving to London in January to work on a book about my life of being a loser gay kid to becoming a successful writer and man about town in NYC.
Maybe this will make the cut!

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING WHO SHERRY IS! HOW CAN I FORGET A PERSON I USED TO SING RUPAUL WITH??

Kensington Stables

As everyone knows, our dear Claremont Stables closed their doors in April (a week before my much anticipated birthday ride!) and Fay and I have been searching for a spot to ride near the city. We heard about Kensington Stables in Prospect Park and thought we would give it a whirl
We will not be back.
First off the trains took FOREVER today which caused us to run late. Then we couldn't find the stable to save our lives. Luckily some Chinese man showed us the route.

We arrived in shock and horror. The stables looked more like a converted parking garage. There were five random people lounging out front. One in particular was an obese lady in pink who squawked like a parrot. She was AWFUL! She was criticizing everything everyone did, bossing and directing and basically just yapping to hear her own voice.

Inside the roof was falling in, and disarray was the order of the day. The owner, Walker, describes his love of horses on his website as ‘stemming from his fascination of fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons’ (!) Need I say more?

Fortunately the one redeeming feature was a cute boy named Johnny who was our guide. He adores horses and is moving to North Carolina in January to take courses in Equine veterinary. Once we mounted our horses, Invisible, Katie and Phoenix and the Squawk Box of Brooklyn, Brunehilda, corrected every move I made before I could make it, we set off. Now the forecast had been sun all weekend but today was a bit grey. Surely it wouldn’t rain! As soon as the first hoof was in the park the clouds released their load and deluge! We got soaked. My reins were slipping though my gloves, my boots were seeping and the poor horse was over it.

No matter, we trudged along through the lush and very pretty park. Fay was naughty and bounded into a canter sending us all flying through the bridle paths, which is the ultimate way to get dry! Johnny scolded but secretly was having a blast and was glad we did it. No cantering is allowed on weekends due to so many people in the park. Needless to say the park wasn't bustling today.

After a while the rain stopped, we dried off and then it happened all over again. A wet ride. The first for me! Fay and Johnny said they love a wet, wild ride but we all agreed it is much more fun in a poncho. Near the end when we were all winding down my horse let out a huge groan, stopped and slowly started falling forward. I had no idea what was happening. Here is how it went down:
Cator: Whaaaa! What are you doing?!
Johnny: Make him stop! Make him stop!
Cator: Whaaaaa! How?
Johnny: Pull the reins tight and start kicking!
Cator: Whaaaaa! Giddy up!

With the strongest tug in my life the damn horse came back up on all fours and started walking towards the others. Invisible felt the gorgeous silky sand beneath his hooves and was rearing for a good roll in the dirt to relax and scratch an itch. Would be fine except I was on top and would have been rolled on. Not my idea of fun.

I was Tense Tina the rest of the ride.
We made it back all in one wet piece and dismounted (or peeled off).
Walker was getting the Shetland Ponies ready for pony rides in the park. Some bozo parents told him her kids still wanted to ride for their birthday even though it was pouring. I heard Brunehilda squawking in the back causing a stir and watched sweet Johnny running about getting the trailer ready to take the ponies to the park.
Chaos!

On this note we call Sharon and Francis and cancel our lovely lunch we had planned in the park since we were sopping, hired a car and headed back to Manhattan.

Once back to Fay's street we are about to enter her building and a homeless woman bounds off the bus. Her look is Grey Garden's daywear: Red argyles, black sandals, headscarf and piles of cardigans. As we are both admiring her color choices she drops her bags, drops her head to her knees, hikes up her skirt and drops her drawers and wees a fountain all over the sidewalk! We were speechless, terrified, gob smacked yet amazed she didn’t even trickle on her trash bag couture. She then hikes everything back up, picks up her bags and warbles off into the distance. I wonder what Brunehilda would of said about that one?

A Handsome Night with John Bartlett

Dear John,

Huzzah! Fashion Week has come to a close. Of course I love it. It's like Christmas. We all love it, look forward to it but are very happy when the gauntlet has been run. Don't you agree?

A big thanks for opening your store after Fashion Week. Good one John! There were not 100 other events that night, everyone was well rested and people were talking about more than shows, color trends and what party was next.

I pop out of the subway at 8th Avenue and 14th and spy klieg lights twirling about the skies downtown.
I thought the Tribeca Film Festival was later in the month. Who is having such a splashy party? As I get closer I begin to feel sorry for you. Someone else is having an opening and it will cause a traffic disaster near John's little friends and family event.
But as I get closer to 143 7th Avenue at Charles I realize the lights are zooming around your new shop. How thrilling and fun!

Dude, you quite possibly have THE hottest friends in the entire world. Everyone who walked though the threshold was just gorgeous. Lumberjack love! I brought my friend John Polly from Logo Online, hope you guys got to chat. He is devilishly handsome too and I haven't spent time with him in eons. Now that he is newly single I took the chance to take him out for a night on the town before he gets hitched again. He had a blast. Who wouldn't?

As mentioned the crowd was such fun. Michael Macko from Saks was cavorting with Scott Schuman of Sartorialist fame (www.thesartorialist.com). I've never seen either of them more relaxed and happy! Just kickin' back and having a drink. Michael professed that he never really knew what I do so he and his staff decided to google me and read the whole site. Now he knows more about me than he or I ever expected.

I saw Ainsley Connell whom I used to work with at 7th on 6th and met the new Austin Scarlet. This boy was tall, beyond skinny and had on pleated pants, a ripped shirt, Versace-esque belt and a mammoth gold and diamond watch. Turns out he is a twee little thing from Birmingham England and here for school at FIT. I'm taking him shopping next week since he has yet to be dazzled by the shops here in New York. I don't think he is your core customer John, a little blingy for your taste but he was well impressed with the shop.

A real treat was to see:

* Greg and Greg! I first met you though Greg (www.gregclimer.com). It was fun to catch up with the both of them

* My friend Howard Steeves back in town from Australia. He met a gorgeous man down under, married him and is living the life in Sydney. He and his partner are in town for a week so I invited them to pop by.

* Matthew Sandager and Paul Marlow from Loden Dager. Congrats on a rockin show boys!

* Tiny Tim! John your three-legged dog is just the best. So friendly and Zen.

* Your store manager James Salaiz. Drool worthy and design focused. I love his pottery he created for the shop including the barbell flowerpot and fist book ends.

* Lucy Liu and Cynthia Rowley added a dash of twinkle to the evening but there was no grand entrance or paparazzi. Simply friends coming out to support.

Basically what I am saying is between the cute boys, warm surroundings and low-key energy, you need to have store opening once a month! It was the perfect party! Oh well except for the cops who kept sweeping in to corral people indoors with their champagne flutes.

John I'm ready for your 'salon Sundays'! We can all gather for drinks and discuss workers in India, who should win Mr. Leather or bring a favorite recipe to share!

As Blossom Dearie says, "Made my day John, diggin' you diggin' me John!"

Thanks for the fun and congrats on the store. Can't wait to pop by and buy the perfect snuggly fall finds!
xo
Cator

Come see me at hintmag.com

Im blogging for my cheeky friend Lee Carter over at Hintmag.com this week.
Check in and see whats shakin' for fashion week.
x
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