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Come on up and see me sometime!!

A million years ago…ok, maybe not a million…but at least twenty or so…I was a Mae West impersonator.  I know, it is true!  I delivered singing telegrams as Mae West.  Lately, I have been thinking about “her/me” and what she actually taught me about being sexy.

I believe it is time to pass this information on to you, my beloved readers/followers.  And you probably have some fabulous advice to add as well.

I was the same size then as I am now….so by no means was I any kind of thinner version of me.  Younger, yes…. but people still ask me if I am in my thirties…which is very funny as I am 52 years old!!  So that being said…I was the same size then as now.

There was something magical that happened when I donned that costume.  It would begin to happen as I would put the blond wig on, the beauty mark, the red sequined dress, black lace gloves, red high heels, black feather boa and the amazing huge black hat.  Oh and the red lipstick!!  (I can only imagine if there had been Hips and Curves back then…I would have DEFINITELY been the naughty Mae West, bustier and thigh high stockings…I can see it now.)

There was a sexiness that would ooze just getting ready.  And then running the lines added the extra zing that would put the whole thing in motion.  That Mae is a sexy girl.

I would write special lyrics for the song, “Hit Me With A Hot Note”, that would be tailored for the individual that Mae was hired to “find” at the party.  Do you know the song?  “Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce…” wonderful song.  Sometimes I would have to stop at the gas station and pump gas on the way to the gig, or grab a bottle of water at a convenience store…in full costume.  And it was on those occasions that I actually SAW what this costume did…for men!

I would expect that at a party, people would be terribly fascinated as to what was going on…but it was a party for heaven’s sake…sort of expected.   I would enter the party and mingle.  Not ask for the man of honor right away…but mingle as Mae East, “I used to be Mae West…but I drifted…oh”.  And the reaction from men, and women I might add, was amazing.  Stutter, smile, ask questions of Mae, follow me around the party, at times visibly shaken.  And I slowly began to figure it out.

I WAS Mae.  I WAS elusive.  I WAS sexy.  Ummmm…sex.  And without any fear.  Without any reservation.  Without any hesitation.  Mae took over.  She was suggestive, brave, commanding and downright lovable.  And just a little dirty.

People loved it.  Men loved it.  I loved it.

And that is when I figured it out.

Confidence.  That is what it took.  And that is what would take over.  In the gas station, convenience store, retirement party, bachelor party, birthday party.  Everywhere.

Get it?  Right.  That is what it takes.  KNOWING that you possess all of these qualities, large or small…and everywhere in between.

So I am encouraging all of us to channel that inner Mae.  If I ever feel any part of “less than”, I simply remember Mae (who was really ME) and express myself accordingly.

With a feather in hand, swirling it around the man’s head while saying, “I came here to tickle your fancy, mind showing me where your fancy is located?”

Mmmmhmmmm…you get the idea.  Ah, sweet Mae.  Thank you for allowing me to remember who I really am.

Remember who you really are.  Who you have always been.  Dress it up.  Sex it up.  You will see.  Sometimes I still just put a little beauty mark on and see what comes.

I wonder if there is still a need for a 52 year-old Mae impersonator.  Because after all, I AM in Vegas now baby!!

xoxo With love from a big girl.  Wendy

Comments:15

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  1. Kelly
    09/12/04

    You got me thinking about Mae and I looked up some of her quotes. These were some of my favorites:

    Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
    Cultivate your curves – they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided.
    I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
    I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.
    Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I’m tired.

  2. Alene
    09/12/04

    I knew that you looked like someone famous, but I could not think of her name. Now I know that Mae West is my confidence builder. Each time I hear your voice I feel so much better. I do have the “inner self”"to move forward with my life goals. I will now think of you in a blond wig and red lipstick!!!!!

    Love,

    Alene

  3. Janel
    09/12/04

    I LOVE YOU Wendy!! Always feel better when I hear your wisdom :-) Thank you so much for sharing.

  4. Cherri
    09/12/04

    Hey Chica!! I love reading your articles…they ooze with joy and I can just hear you telling this story. I totally believe that if you “dress” yourself in confidence, people are so drawn and attrated to you, no matter what size. Do you have a picture of yourself as Mae. Post it because I’d love to see it! :)
    Keep writing!

  5. Karen
    09/12/04

    Wendy – you never cease to amaze me! And yet – another lesson learned! Thank you and I’m already looking forward to your next post! Love KP

  6. Bridget
    09/12/04

    I love reading your posts! Reading it I can just see you as Mae and the feather thing is just classic. I would love to see a picture. Is there anything you haven’t done?Ray and I think about you a lot! We Love you!

  7. Lee Papa
    09/12/04

    Another winner my dear friend! So, as I was reading this article and I got to the part that you wrote, “And that is when I figured it out”…I said aloud CONFIDENCE. It was so cool. The next word. CONFIDENCE. It doesn’t matter what size, shape, hair color, nationality, job situation…just confidence with a side order of VALOR. I love you Wendy and you always know how to reach the inner me and pull the good stuff out.

  8. LAURIE
    09/12/04

    Dearest Wendy,

    Your blogs are original and always project confidence. Your readers & fans
    need to be reminded that looks are a small piece of the package. Attitude is everthing else!
    Love from your super fan,
    Laurie

  9. Mae Westside
    09/12/04

    Cultivate your curves! And come up and see Mae . . .
    MaeWest.blogspot.com

  10. Cupcake Larue
    09/12/05

    You said: She was suggestive, brave, commanding and downright lovable. And just a little dirty.

    and don’t you think that what “she” was really gave you permission to let these fabulous qualities of the REAL YOU come forth?

    in my younger days (or is it daze?), i did some white face clowning and mime in college (back when you’d not be beaten with a stick for doing mime!) – and it was a “mask” that allowed my big, beautiful self step forth and just BE my playful, over-the-top, child-filled sprite-like self. and the response – like your “mae east” was comparable – people noticed and it was that “they like me, they really really like me” kind of moment. MANY years later, i now know that i can just BE that – to show up fully in my own playful, over-the-top, and, to borrow from you, suggestive, brave, commanding and downright lovable self. yes, and just a little dirty. and it’s ALL part of who *I* and, so why SHOULDN’T she come out.

    if we do NOT let our FULL selves emerge, then who are we REALLY depriving? what’s grand, however, is that it’s NEVER too late. as long as we draw breath, we should just show up and BE fully who we are – and the more brave we are, the responses we’ll receive will be wonderfully fueling and we’ll let out a bit more and a bit more and a bit more – until KABOOM – an amazing woman – big in size and persona -step forth and there’s NO putting her back in the box. HOORAY!

    thanks, wendy! :)

  11. Danielle Dove
    09/12/05

    I love it Wendy! Mae West sounds amazing! Will have to ask her to take over sometimes too :) I needed this today, so thank you for sharing your story with us. I love women who love themselves and aren’t afraid to be who they are 100 gazillion %%%

    love love love

    xoxo

  12. Carol
    09/12/07

    Wendy Mae! What a fun, joyful article! It is raining here and I needed a ray of sunshine and “then there was you!” Thanks for making my day brighter and happier. The visual is fantastic too!

    One of the biggest mistakes women make is to not be “center stage” due to their size or whatever they fear and we lose so much fun and a piece of our lives when this happens.

    Confidence and beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and is at its best when we let others know the “real” person inside. What is there to fear? We are who we are – why not share it with the world – and others will sit up and take positive notice that we are okay within the skin we’re in. People are attracted to those who “show up” each day and grab life by the hand and have a ball and you do this better than anyone I know!

    All my best and never, ever forget about the Mae West within!

    Loads of Love ~ Carol

  13. Dave
    09/12/16

    Well Wendy you helped me bring my confidence back to the surface and I will always thank you for that!!! When I first met you I was down and angry about my life as it was but after spending time with you that anger and self-doubt started to fade away. Now I am very comfortable with who I am and in the skin I am in!! Thanks again!!

    I see your confidence everyday. The costume may have helped in the past but you definitely don’t need it now. Keep standing proud and being the confidant woman you are!!

  14. Lola
    09/12/16

    Aww makes me want to feel all confident and sexy. How can I put this into action though? I like the idea of being confident and commanding. But sometimes its hard for me to break the ice & I end being all quiet. I dont want to be this way. I remember being unrestrained and its true people do love it!@ It feels good & THE energy of it feels amazing as well!

    :)

    Thanks for the reminder Wendy!

  15. Megan
    09/12/23

    Great story of how being confident in who you are can change everything! This is so true. If anyone reading this is still a skeptic I would encourage you to look at the people you admire and I bet they pour out confidence. Cool, thanks for the fun story.

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