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history's mysteries

This 4th of July, with so much in flux for our still fledgling country, perhaps a look back is one of the best ways to mark the day.  I personally, am a history buff, so this choice is natural for me.  One of my favorite authors, David McCullough, makes history enjoyable, palatable and salient. 

Through his works, which include the books 1776 and John Adams, we can reflect upon the political foundation our country and political system was built on.   We have a lot to consider this election year, and no choice should be made before taking into consideration the mistakes of the past. 

As McCullough himself would say, "You can't be a full participant in democracy if you don't know our history."  and my favorite, "History is about the mystery of time."

In this 2 minute clip, McCullough discusses a little more about this notion.

Brooke on the baby beat

Oh us Americans, we're so laid back when we appear for book signings. 

Here's our own Ivory Snow baby Brooke Shields just standing there and smiling as she appeared at Barnes & Noble in New York yesterday to promote her book Welcome to Your World Baby. 

No costumes or oddball sight gags.  Remarkable, the contrast between this image and an interesting children's book launch and bizarre photo opp recently that came out of the UK ... that one included a porn star and a large pink fish. 

Note: Brooke dressed her daughter Grier in our client Hand Picked Pumpkin's cute baby clothes when she was younger.

Bodacious Book Launch

When I first saw this photo I thought someone had hired a stripper to promote a children's book.  (Now that's a take we have yet to see).

Turns out it's just little 'ol Katie Price (aka Jordan the British Playboy model - not quite a stripper) launching her new series of children's books 'Mermaids and Pirates' at Waterstones, Harrods today in London.

I will say, she's well covered up in her fuchsia mermaid costume (I thought mermaids always wore green!), but there's just something so un-children's-book like about Katie (and I suppose this is the primary reason we're all posting images of her on websites across the globe).  I understand that Katie/Jordan is all the rage in Europe, with millions of hyper dedicated fans - licensing this and that (most of us have no clue who she is over in the US BTW).

Anyway, the kid's books are apparently semi-autobiographical to make the photo op even more humorous -the stories feature a blonde mermaid called Katie and a pirate called Peter (her real life hubbie).   Oh those crazy Brits!   

 

mid-life chocohologie

I've been musing over this NYT's Modern Love essay for the past couple days.

The article, entitled "A Valley of Misery between peaks of Joy" discusses the happiness arc of people around the world.

To paraphrase the article:

"...researchers had compiled data on two million people from around the world and determined that the average earthling’s happiness chart was in the shape of a U, with the trough representing the decades-long downer of middle age and the narrow tips being twin emotional highs of youth and old age.......when it comes to tales from my fellow mid-lifers, I most often find myself reading about regret and claustrophobia, fantasies surreptitiously indulged, old flames cyberstalked...."

Come on now, really?  My Mother always told me that life begins at 40, but I believe it doesn't get going these days till 50.  Personally, my 20's were a continuous scramble to come up with rent money while trying to get through college, internships, and an insatiable appetite for going to clubs.  (My excuse is the scientific fact that human brains aren't fully developed until late 20's). That was no happiness peak for me...

So who are these miserable mid-lifers?  Oh, naturally, the ones trapped in bad, or at least boring, marriages the article goes on.  Which leads me to a point I'd like to make, tomorrow being Valentine's Day and all.   When the temptation to stay in a bad relationship gnaws at you, with the rationale that being alone on Valentine's Day is somehow worse than being with someone that's really not right for you, shake yourself out of it.  Think of the day as a celebration of avoiding regret and claustrophobia....

A lovely box of chocolates from the world famous Knipschildt Chocolatier and a copy of the visually indulgent Marie Antoinette is a great way to enjoy V-day, with or without a significant other. 

BTW, this Fritz Knipschildt Chocolatier fellow makes his chocolates much as they do in the film Chocolat, (another great V-day film) with spices, ginger, chile peppers, and if you want to spend the big bucks, real truffles (those are a $250 a bite treat that topped Forbes most expensive chocolate list recently).

His little works of art can be found at Dean & Deluca, Whole Foods, Balducci's and online.

Knipschildt also operates Chocopologie, a chocolate cafe (!!!!) and retail store in Norwalk, Connecticut.  Are you serious???  Sounds like my new second home and a place that will be very busy tomorrow.

BTW - the New York Times Modern Love is hosting a college essay contest that looks exciting.  All you 20 something kids working your way through your first happiness peak should get your 2000 words in before your decades long mid-life crisis sets in.