DAY THREE: PORTLAND, OREGON

Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Here we are. in Portland, Oregon. No matter where you are in Portland, just look in the direction of the Cascades...and you'll catch a glimpse of Mount Hood, a dormant volcano...and sister to her more eruptive relative in Washington, Mount St. Helens. At least, this mountain hasn't shown any signs of blowing her top...or her northern face.

This is also the sight to which we had woken up to from our suites onboard Ms. Versace's personal 747. Being Saturday, there will be time to visit some of the stores in the heart of Multnomah County, which, I've been told, has some of the most glamorous and fashionable stores north of Rodeo Drive. And, since the stores are opened tomorrow (and since I also have the clothing size of my wife), I shall be able to purchase a dress for her for the holidays. And since dresses are far less expensive than the present I got her last December (and which she did not accept), I know she would appreciate this gift a whole lot better. As for Tatiana...I have yet to find a place which sells suitable gifts for a one-year-old girl. I still regret that I won't be home to help her celebrate her first birthday this coming Wednesday. Of all my children, I guess I miss her most of all at a time like this.

The temperature outside is a bone-chilling 43 degrees. During the 2 p.m. show, it's expected to climb up to the mid-50s. By 8 p.m., the thermometer's expected to drop down to the upper 30s. And, before dawn tomorrow, the weatherman says the low will be 32 degrees. Boy, I can't wait to get back to where the temperature suits my clothes...meaning the mid-60s to mid-70s. But, I guess I'm just dreaming for now. The nearest I'm going to get to being in that kind of temperature will be the middle of the month, when we visit Mexico City and then South America (where summer starts on the 22nd).

I still can't get used to the fact that late fall and early winter is the time when designers show off their shorts and swim suits. I mean, I've been modeling for 25 years and I still can't over the seasonal differences. Spring and summer designs are shown when there's snow on the ground...and fall and winter designs when it's blistering outside. Oh, well...que sera!

Got to get to the theatre early today. We have to make certain that the A/C is not on and, when we have to have make-up applied (for those of us who require it), it won't run during the two-and-a-half hours we're onstage. All that quick changing and strolling up and down the runway under those hot lights can really do some damage if everything's not as it should be. Lucky me...I have the kind of complexion that doesn't require make-up. Well, maybe a little rouge to highlight my lips. Then, there's the puffing-up of my hair. Ms. Versace wants to make certain that everything looks perfect.