It's an Andrew Vachss book (and character) which was sitting within eyesight when I was registering at Dawson's Wrap nine million years ago. Strega is a creepy crazy witchy noir-ish broad who scares the fuck out of the protagonist. And is, therefore, entirely unlike me, but what is the internet for if not wish-fulfillment?

I would have used the name of another Vachss character I relate to more, except her name was Belle and that was just such a dopey name. Er, no offense to anyone named Belle.

My cat is often very calm, it's true. I'm not sure how he'd do in the mail, though.

Food Network Star: AWWW! As long as he had a live audience, he'd be fine! Nice guy. I can't believe they're buying the shtick of that bald guy.

her name was Belle and that was just such a dopey name. Er, no offense to anyone named Belle.

Alibelle and msbelle are looking at you warily now, FTR.

And don't be so hard on yourself! You can totally scare the fuck out of people!

Oh, man, Strega. I like dark, but Vachss was too much for me. I tried a couple, and gave up. Possibly I can't deal with kids in my dark.

Jesse can! Or at least a mellow attentionhound. I've got a gray tabby, but he might try to hump you. Still really calm, just species and anatomically (no balls left) confused.

See. my kitty still has balls, and is not calm (no time for fixing because of theatre, and is strictly indoor cat)

I was thinking of Homer. And I might be sent to NY to return costume rentals, as plane fare is cheaper than FedEX! So I could return him in person ; )

OK, OK. I'm afraid he won't fit into the flat-rate box, though...

And my really good news is that I am getting Associate Design credit for this show, as my designer insisted on it. I am not doing really much more than I have for other shows, but she is quite an experienced designer, so she sort of realizes that when she tells me to go pick out things for her approval based on sparse verbal directions, that is worth an associate design rather than "wardrobe coordinator" credit.

My designer does designs for Mikail Baryshnikov, so I guess I am moving up in the world without leaving Rochester!

Well, he does look kind of like Michael Rosenbaum. And for some reason E's old boss liked his pitch.

I'll be expecting Homer in just a few days.... ;)

Actually, tring to imagine my Sunshine in a flat rate box is almost as funny as imagining him in a boot, onstage.

Sophia, are you sure you don't want a large gray cat?