Emmanuelle Procter Courtesan

Burlesque Me !

2007-01-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

One of my New year objectives is to learn Burlesque art of entertainment. I am now enrolled into a School of Glamour, where i should be able to enrich my knowledge of striptease and Pin-Ups poses.

Burlesques costumes bought!

Off i am to my very first class!

Profile Update

2007-01-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

Following the number of requests, i have listened and added a few more information to my profile, particularly to the interest section.

I wish you all a very lovely commencement.

Season's Greetings

2006-11-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

I hope to be the first to wish you all a wonderful season of joy and happiness.

I will be unable to post for a while due to some engagement abroad.

However, i hope to jingle your bells in the new year!

More Famous Courtesans

2006-11-11T01:51:00.000-08:00

18th and 19th centuries

Marie-Anne de Mailly-Nesle duchess de Châteauroux (1717–1744)
Claudine Alexandrine Guérin de Tencin (1681–1749)
Louise Julie, Comtesse de Mailly (1710-1751)
Madame de Pompadour (1721–1764)
Kitty Fisher (died 1767)
Sophia Baddeley (1745–1786)
Madame du Barry (1743–1793)
Marie-Louise O'Murphy (1737–1814)
Dorothy Jordan (1761–1816)
Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey (1753–1821)
Grace Elliott (1754? – 1823)
Harriette Wilson (1786–1846)
Marie Duplessis (1824–1847)
Lola Montez (1821–1861)
Cora Pearl (1835–1886)
Catherine Walters (1839–1920)
Sarah Bernhardt (1844–1923)
Lillie Langtry (1853–1929)
Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick (1861–1938)
Alice Keppel (1869–1947)
Liane de Pougy (1869-1950)
La Belle Otero (1868-1965)

A Few Famous Courtesans

2006-11-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

17th century and before

Lais of Corinth
Lais of Hyccara (killed 340 BC)
Aspasia (469 BC-409 BC) - lover of the Athenian statesman
Phryne (4th century BC)
Su Xiaoxiao (late 5th century)
Jane Shore (1445-1527)
Margaret Drummond (Mistress) (1475-1502) - mistress to King James IV of Scotland
Françoise de Foix (1495-1537) - first official mistress of King Francis I of France
Diane de Poitiers (1499-1566) - official mistress of King Henry II of France
Mary Boleyn (1499 - 1543) - mistress of King Henry VIII of England and (allegedly) lover of King Francis I of France
Anne de Pisseleu d'Heilly (1508-1580) - last official mistress of King Francis I of France
Veronica Franco (1546–1591) - a Venician courtesan who was once lover to King Henry III of France
Marie Touchet (1549 - 1638) - the only mistress of King Charles IX of France
Marion Delorme (circa 1613–1650) - lover of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, the Prince of Condé and Cardinal Richelieu
Ninon de l'Enclos (1615–1705) - lover of the Prince of Condé and Gaspard de Coligny
Lucy Walter (1630-1658) - mistress-in-exile to King Charles II of Great Britain
Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709) - first official mistress at the court of King Charles II of Great Britain
Françoise-Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan (1641-1707) - mistress to King Louis XIV of France
Louise de la Vallière (1644 - 1710) - mistress to King Louis XIV of France
Nell Gwynne (1650–1687) - mistress to King Charles II of Great Britain

Courtesan for Social or Political Benefits

2006-10-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

"Those from wealthy backgrounds, either by birth or marriage, and who were only acting as courtesans for the social or political advancement of themselves and/or their spouses, were generally treated as equals. They were more respected by their extra-marital companions, both placing one another's family obligations ahead of the relationship and planning their own liaisons or social engagements around the lovers' marital obligations.

Affairs of this sort would often be short-lived, ending when either the courtesan or the courtesan's spouse received the status or political position desired, or when the benefactor chose the company of another courtesan, and compensated the latter financially. In instances like this, it was often viewed simply as a business agreement by both parties involved. The benefactor was aware of the political or social favors expected by the courtesan, the courtesan was aware of the price expected from them for those favors being carried out, and the two met one anothers demands.

This was generally a safe affair, as both the benefactor's spouse and the courtesan's spouse usually were fully aware of the arrangement, and the courtesan was not solely dependent on the benefactor. It, rather, was simply an affair of benefits gained for both those involved. Publicly and socially, affairs of this sort were common during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the early 20th century, and were generally accepted in wealthy circles."

Dirty Dancing…..

2006-10-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

The classic story on stage by Eleanor Bergstein

The Housemans take their holiday at a popular summer camp, where youngest daughter Baby meets dance teacher from the wrong side of the tracks, Johnny. There begins a classic love story through which we see that love can conquer all barriers and we learn that "nobody puts Baby in the corner!"
The iconic film Dirty Dancing, which starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, was released in 1987 and has become the benchmark by which all "chick flicks" are now judged. All the hits from the film's soundtrack, including "Do You Love Me," "She's Like The Wind" and "Time Of My Life" are featured in the stage show along with some new numbers. The story has been rewritten for the stage but includes all of the movies memorable moments and some added scenes as well. Get ready for the time of your life!

Theatre: Aldwych Theatre Aldwych

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins with 1 interval

An Angel Wears ......

2006-10-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

Allow me to be a critic of the Devil wears Prada, a book written by Lauren Weisberger, recently upgraded into a film. I have read the book, but not yet seen the movie, however.

If the Devil wears Prada, what will an angel wear?

Miu Miu?
Certainly NOT Gucci!
Perhaps Cavalli?
Definitely Manolo!

Anyhow, Merryl Streep sold the film for me. I should see it soon.

Paris Delight

2006-10-06T01:57:00.000-07:00

A short trip to Paris, then a long dinner in Brussels, ending the day in our London hotel made me realize how exciting today’s world is for a number of people.
Enjoying the delights of two countries or even more within 24 hours makes the world a mere village.

How come 1+1 doesn’t often make 2?

Food for thoughts.

I am back to my home state wining off my jet lag.

Cheers!

Courtesans of Lucknow and Urdu Poetry

2006-10-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

As Mughal rule in Delhi declined, the Nawabs of Avadh came into their own, of course with the help of English, who were more than eager to help. Many courtesans moved from Delhi and surrounding areas to Lucknow, and Urdu poets and the seat of Urdu poetry went with them, to Lucknow where easy money was available in abundance, thanks to the poor farmers, who, as usual, were unaware of the doings of their masters.
The close association of the court, the courtesans, and Urdu can not be denied. The services provided by the courtesans used Urdu as their medium, the services provided by the courts used Persian as their medium. The impact of courtesans on Lucknow's poetry can be judged from the fact that under their influence of the poets of Lucknow gave a new direction to the ghazals. They chose a female sweet-heart in place of the hitherto universally popular male, or at best without gender, as the object of their love. Their expressions amply prove that their sweet-heart is usually an accomplished courtesan. This itself was a landmark in Urdu poetry in as much as it imparted genuineness and sincerity to the expression of Urdu poets who, for the first time, presented a clear and distinct concept and picture of `women', the desired women, in Urdu poetry, which was an accomplished courtesan.
As the courtesan was center of their thoughts, they freely gave an expression to their ideas and feelings on different parts of the body of their sweet-heart especially the breasts, belly, waist, thighs and ankles unheard of earlier. It is understandable that most schools completely ignore this poetry in their teaching of Urdu or its history. Unlike a respectable female sweet-heart in whose love the poet had to pine and was prepared to die, the courtesan was easily available. That is why in the Urdu ghazal, Masnavi, and Vasokht of those days, we come across allusions to sex-act itself. True, some of the verses written in those days can be considered risque and even vulgar but let us not forget that they represented the general state of morals of that time.
These women also formed the central theme of a peculiar type of poetry called Rekhti in which the male poet used feminine language of courtesans and the like to give expression to their suppressed thoughts.

A Courtesan's Silver Jubilee

2006-10-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

The high class clients gathered in her Manor
and the courtesy served on tables.
Bulldogs around the courtyard.
Just imagine if a burgeois trespass; he will be trapped?
Under the chandlier's dim light you cannot identify
so-and-so and such-and-such, all warble in a friendly manner.
No restrictions to be seen.
Lustful wallflowers are waiting for Lords
those who left their wives at home.
The soap opera with full of elegance
and the symphony covers the syndrome of outer bombardment.
All the commoners and the cowardice stuck in their
unlit houses as it's a curfew & a black out
but a Full Moon.

Nimal Dunuhinga

Entertainment reading

2006-10-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

After spending years reading nothing more than historical facts and documentaries, I am considering to navigate towards what I call entertainment reading. What I mean by this is not Detective stories or murder in Manhattan kind of novels.
Horror or Supernatural springs to my mind.
I found this author, James Herbert, who apparently specializes in this kind of thrills. Can anyone suggest other interesting authors apart from the obvious?

What is Perfection?

2006-10-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Perfection for me is when satisfaction is achieved as planned. Nothing more, nothing less.

What is your definition of perfection?

Perfect Winter Cover

2006-09-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

My part of the world is now shedding its summer flannel to leave space for the lady in white.
What is a lady to wear?
Armani?
Ralph Lauren?
Sisley?
Massimo Duti?
Nothing outstanding this season.

Well, I shall keep up with the quest.

Courtesan and Happiness (Part One)

2006-09-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

“When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him” How delicately configured by Albert Camus?

Sharing happiness is what I do. Pleasure belongs to those who know how to find it.
As a courtesan, I believe the true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.

Isn’t this the sole purpose of life?

Lily Allen

2006-09-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

Here is an up and coming artist who deserves to be praised. I heard her singing yesterday with just the accompaniment of a single acoustic guitar.
What a divine voice!
Lili Allan was first noticed through “Myspace”, where she regularly sang for her audience, which is now over 90,000. She got a record deal in winter 2005 and is preparing for a tour of Europe. I sure won’t miss that!

‘Le Million’ Piece Unique

2006-09-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Guinness book of records do add a few things to our astonishment or should I say desires. While roaming through the new edition, I came across the most expensive mobile, ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique. Created by GoldVish SA, a Geneva based luxury communication goods company, the cell phone is made of 18-carat white gold, mounted with 120-carats of VVS-1 graded diamonds and equipped with the latest in mobile technology. It was designed by Emmanuel Gueit and made as an addition to the ‘Illusion collection’. ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique is a limited edition item and is only available on special request.

Your kind of music…..

2006-09-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

During my mentoring as a courtesan, here is one of the several questions asked and to which I could hardly find any appropriate answer.
Any sort of music brings knowledge, whether it be Blues, Soul, Folk, Experimental etc…
I believe Music is one of those quick avenues to get to anyone’s heart.
A true pleasure indeed, even the ones in foreign languages.

By the way, a true Musician does not attempt to replicate another man’s masterpiece.

What do I expect from a gent?

2006-09-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

I prefer gentlemen who are older than 40, and I have no upper age limit. Older men are often the best gentlemen. I am not impressed by superficial physical attributes or petit celebrities. Most important to me are politeness, a generous spirit and respect for others. A good sense of humour and genuine interest in pleasure, both giving and receiving.

A book to remember

2006-09-29T01:31:00.000-07:00

Inky Parrot Press

The Inky Parrot Press design and publish books with a strong interest in illustration.
Books are printed litho, letterpress and laser. All books are limited and numbered and signed by the author and artist. Unless stated all copies are case bound, the specials bound quarter leather, in clip case and often with hand-colouring by Sylvia Stokeld

A quick visit to the Gallery

2006-09-29T01:11:00.000-07:00

'What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing: you wouldn't be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought.'David Hockney
Produced in close collaboration with the artist, this is the first exhibition devoted to David Hockney's portraits spanning over fifty years. This celebrated artist has been engaged with portraiture since his teenage years. Self-portraits and portraits of family, lovers, friends and well-known subjects represent an intimate visual diary of his life and artistic preoccupations.
Featuring over 150 works across different media from the now iconic early double portraits to recent paintings produced especially for the exhibition, David Hockney Portraits reveals how the artist's creative development and concerns about representation can be traced through his portrait work.
12 October 2006 - 21 January 2007Wolfson and Ground Floor Galleries
Venue: National Portrait Gallery

Debutant

2006-09-29T00:56:00.000-07:00

Newly mentored courtesan. Would you like to view my adventures along the way? or Would you like to be part of them? Whichever the case, you are invited to come back as regularly as you wish.

You may only find me through a selective few avenues.

Meetings are only accepted after a few humble introductory email exchanges.

Naturally, i am looking forward to getting to know you.

Emmanuelle Procter