First Lady Hair

Let's play a little game. It's called match the First Lady to the hair. Alternative game: which First Lady had the coolest hair? My votes go for Ellen Arthur.

Key after the break! (click to enlarge)



Hair-Portraits of First Ladies. From left to right:
1st row: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Martha Randolph, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams
2nd row: Rachel Jackson, Hannah Van Buren, Anna Harrison, Letitia Tyler, Julia Tyler
3rd row: Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, Jane Pierce, Harriet Lane
4th row: Mary Lincoln, Eliza Johnson, Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes, Lucretia Garfield
5th row: Ellen Arthur, Frances Cleveland, Caroline Harrison, Frances Cleveland, Ida McKinley
6th row: Edith Roosevelt, Helen Taft, Ellen Wilson, Edith Wilson, Florence Harding
7th row: Grace Coolidge, Lou Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower
8th row: Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter
9th row: Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama.

NY Times Published July 4, 2009
By Laura Jacobs Read More......

Might I Suggest a Mash-up?: Buffy and Betty

Welcome to a new media segment I'm going to call "Might I Suggest a Mash-up?" (as you may have noticed).

This weeks mash-up? Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Betty Draper...




Ever noticed how similar they look? Well, who's to say that Buffy's slaying predecessor wasn't a fussy, tight-lipped woman from the 50s/60s? I mean, slayers aren't known for having the longest life expectancy. It could have happened.

So here's the show: Betty Draper moves away (already happened), when she meets an older, wiser gent who tells her that she's got a destiny (a spin-off show)in which she's a rockin' vampire slayer (maybe FOX is jonesin' to get into the vampire market?).

Your mission: recommend songs for the soundtrack. Anything from the 50s/60s and even the 90s and today that could add some style to the show. Mash-ups preferred!!

My Mission: to recommend some research to you. If you're interested in vampire/history mash-ups, check out the new book "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (I know I will!)



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Love, Courtship, and Marriage, or How to Win a Lover.

Casey was so kind as to give me a small pamphlet, first published in 1880, called "Love, Courtship, and Marriage, or How to win a Lover" for my birthday. What better place to discuss it than the salon! After all, a bunch of spinsters like us could sure use the advice!

Todays discussion will revolve around..... Courtship!



(This picture is totally a literal depiction of how my "courtship" is going to go by the way.)

Moving on. Here are some tidbits to spark discussion.

Choosing Your Life Partner
"There are men, and very often the best too, who are shy and need encouragement, inasmuch as it should be remembered that the men who declare their love in most beautiful language are those who love least truly."

For Would-be Engaged Girls
"Do not forget that the girls who are most successful in securing husbands are those who do all in their power to fit themselves for the role of matrons while spinsters. Do not give way to the dangerous habit of playing at courtship. It has often nipped in the bud many a girl's good and perhaps sole chance of changing her name and condition."

May and December Relationships
Boiled down - this book advises - DON'T DO IT! It will end in heartache. Also, they seem to think that "elderly women rarely make such a mistake". Boy would they be disappointed by the emergence of "cougars"

Lover's Quarrels
"Some old writers used to say that the quarrels of lovers were the renewing of love. There is no truth in it."

Women Men Dislike (I feel the need to write out the whole of this section so we can fully avoid falling into any of these pitfalls.)
"The woman who excuses herself when telling an unpleasant thing, by stating it is her duty."
"The woman with a rasping voice, who has a troop of children with whom she must continually converse." (I don't even know what they're talking about with that one....)
"The woman who can talk of nothing but men and dress."
"The woman who intimates that her baby is much superior to any other." (But what if they really are???)
"The woman who spends the best part of her life in following the latest fashions."
"The woman who likes dogs better than children."
"The woman in the train or omnibus, who boasts about her private affairs so that everybody can hear." (Hello pet peeve! Modern day equivalent - talking too loudly on your cellphone, while on the omnibus.)
"The woman with a pet ailment"
"Men like a girl who is slow and soft in her speech. They dislike the girl who is the least bit rapid in her manner or speech. They may talk to her, flirt with her perhaps, but in their heart she is disliked."

To the Girl in Love
"The way to bore your friends is by constantly quoting what "he"says or thinks." (Funny how some things always stay the same, lol)
"Don't wear only the colours which "he" pronounces the most becoming, if they make you look a fright."
"Don't strive to make your younger sister jealous occasionally." (Something to keep in mind for the future.)
"Don't neglect the housework because you're in love."

The Appropriate Length of Courtship
"The longer the wooing, the better the contracting parties know each other; while the shorter is vice versa. Of course there is such a thing as carrying things to extremes, and a courtship which is too long is apt to be wearisome."

How to Choose a Sweetheart (again, I will transcribe all that they have to say on this subject. Seems pretty important to me.)
"First of all, respect yourself, then you will win respect."
"Love is blind, but marriage is a capital eye-opener."
"All have love, but few know how to use it right."
"Very dark or very light complexion persons should marry one with medium complexion." (and up until this point I was thinking how their proclamations were basically standing the test of time.)
"Very tall or very short persons should marry one medium built."
"Never marry extreme opposites or where there is too much sameness." (ahh, and now we get back to some legitimately good advice.)
"Never marry just for money or position or you may live to regret it."
"In choosing a wife see that she can mend a dress and cook a dinner." (Success on both parts! You're welcome mankind.)
"In choosing a husband see that he is kind to his mother and sisters." (Seriously - that is very good advice. I was literally thinking that very thing to myself just a couple days ago. Don't know why I thought about it in the first place though....)
"Keep your mind and eye upon those you love or care for."
"Don't talk too much in the presence of those you love; at times silence is golden."
"In conversation don't talk too much of 'Self'."
"Before getting married, send the Photo or Handwriting of your Sweetheart, to the address on the cover of this book, and find out if you are suited to each other." (How weird! But just in case you want to, here's the address: " Address all letters to - "Madame" 122, Railway Terrace, Padiham." Hello return to sender no zip code or state!)


That basically concludes all that this most useful pamphlet has to say on the subject of courtship. Now to discuss! And if you're interested in seeing ALL that this pamphlet has to say on the subject, feel free to book an appointment with me and I will allow you to peruse it at your leisure. Appointments are for 15 minutes, if you anticipate taking longer, please sign up for multiple time slots to avoid overbooking! Thank you.

Next week: Marriage.

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Losing their touch? Or just giving in to celeb crushes?

I present the E! Fashion Police picks for best dressed. I think we all know who took home Worst Dressed (but you know she had her own golden globes as consolation...)

According to Joan and crew, George Clooney took home men's best dressed, and Penelope Cruz took home women's best dressed

Ok, I like Penelope Cruz, and we all know that there are some who would go gay for her, but I personally would have given the prestigious best dressed to Anna Paquin. Or even Jennifer Garner...but that might be a personal bias. I wonder if the Fashion Police this year were taken in by Penelope's inexplicably lustrous hair in spite of the January rain. Hmmm...could it be that even celebrities can be sucked in by this Latin god-dess? And back to George. I love George. Who doesn't? He's helping out Haiti with that telethon, but best dressed? I thought he looked like he normally does in the Oceans movies. My vote went to Robert Downey, Jr. I enjoyed his lack of tie. It looked right on him. I also enjoyed his formal scruff-- NOT to be confused with Jon Hamm's formal beard. I'm just more of a scruff girl, I guess. Ok, ladies and Will. I've had my say. Discuss!
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Hello my costumed comrades

So this year I really couldn't decide between a few choice ideas for Halloween so I thought I'd consult my fellow Saloners. This year its all about looking back it seems. Whether it be to your childhood, classic film images or to a general era that no longer is. So your job, is to weigh in on which costume idea you like best. Your choices: Rainbow Brite, 70's Roller Girl, or Classic Jailbird. Let me know what you think! To help I have included some images of how I would interpret these ideas:

First is Rainbow Brite, a classic and beloved cartoon character from my youth. I would try and spin this in a more cute and not so much slutty direction, as it is vaguely creepy to sluttify cute cartoon children (yikes).

This is, of course, an idea I had last year that never came to fruition b/c of the genius clue characters theme. But I thought it was good enough to reconsider for this year. Really I just love coming up with ways to wear those sucks and my romper (love it).
Finally we have what I consider a classic Halloween option that I've always enjoyed and yet never seriously considered till now. I have no clue how I would swing the ball and chain or hand cuffs. I mean, does anybody have these lying around? I didn't think so. And one priority of this year's Halloween is slim to no budget for buying things. My goal is use what I already have in creative ways!

SO let me know what you all think and I guess everyone will see what I decide on October 31st!

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Disillusionment at its grandest.

Disney NOOOOOOOO. Say it ain't so.



Actually it doesn't really bother me that much. It's kind of more funny than anything. If I was an animator, heck yeah I would recycle scenes. Same some time and money, and hey - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I will say though, when a scene from Beauty and the Beast came up I was like "Not Beauty and the Beast!" but then since it's recycling from Sleeping Beauty - my SECOND favorite Disney movie, I guess I don't really care. And it kind of just makes sense, and yet - how boring that my two favorite Disney's are apparently so similar. So much for variety being the spice of life. I'll stick to my formula and like it! Apparently. lol.

What do you all think about this? I just think it's interesting if nothing else. And who doesn't love some good Disney every now and again? Read More......

What Happened to Worst Dressed?

A slight hiccup in our best/worst dressed pool. There was no worst dressed list this year. Stars and starlet's alike played it safe. In fact, rather than a worst dressed list People magazine ran a page of "Mistake?" dresses, not sure themselves if any blunders were made. So I leave it to you. Mistake?

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Modern Rakes?

I had a thought while watching the movie Made of Honor yesterday, and I think it is interesting enough to warrant its own Salon post. I'm interested to hear what you all think on the matter.

So my thought was this: We all know about the idea of "The Rake" (see below), and even better, "The Rake Reformed," but is there a modern day equivalent to this?




Some candidates:
The Douchebag

Pros: Exhibits such self-destructive, egocentric, lothario ways as seen in the historical rake.
Cons: I'm pretty sure a rake is supposed to be desirable. This douche is not. Would we even care about reforming this guy?

The Lothario

Russell Brand is quite the ladies man in England. Also so is Calum Best apparently - but do we even know who he is? I tried to think of some lotharios from America, but all I kept thinking of was Wilmer Valderrama and that was a little too vintage for me. So we'll just deal with Russell until someone can think of a better example.
Pros: A ladies man exhibits some pretty self-evident rake behavior: i.e. getting with a lot of ladies.
Cons: Rakes weren't only ladies men. They were debauchers of innocence! Purveyors of vice! The lothario just seems to be missing that extra spark.

"The Bro"

Pros: As best defined by Brody Jenner - this guy exhibits a little of the two categories already mentioned plus some. Dabbling in douche-baggery, with some womanizing on the side, "The Bro" also has a strong attachment to his group of guy friends (aka band of Bros). When together, these bros work as a team to increase their levels of debauchery and vice. I'm thinking that this need for male comraderie resembles the gentlemen's clubs of Regency fame.
Cons: When together, these bands of bros can experience a little "revertigo". I'm not sure rakes were ever as immature as these dudes seem to be when together. And would rakes really have had "bromances"? Not sure.

Barney Stinson

Pros: Ah Barney. Ladies Man. Bro. Sharp Dresser. Wee bit of a douche? You represent that little area in the Vin Diagram of dude-dom where all of the above categories intersect. And as we have seen from the show, you are already on your way to being reformed, and oh it is good. Robin you will be one lucky bitch when you two finally get together!
Cons: Fictional?

Are there any categories that you all think should be added to this discussion? And who do you all think is pulling ahead in the race for becoming the Modern Rake?
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It's Going to Be a Thing: Economic Crisis Edition

It's been a little while since I've made an It's Going to Be a Thing post, but honestly I just haven't been inspired recently (except in menswear type things, which I don't think y'all really care about - but note: a mass popularity of the knitted tie is imminent).

But as for fashion that will affect us... I've been at a bit of a loss. So I decided to make this into a discussion post. Namely, what I'm interested in, is how will our economic crisis affect what we wear?

Here are some things that I'm thinking:

1. Obviously we will spend less and use what we already have more.
2. What we DO choose to spend money on will be good basics - things that can go with what we already have and will be very functional.
3. Quality will become increasingly important. Quality of fabric, Quality of cut, etc.
4. The things we buy will be easy to care for. Nobody needs the extra costs of dry-cleaning now.

Here are some things I'm wondering about. Will neutrals become more popular than color as they can work with more? Will texture take precedence over pattern as that can work with more? Will the prevalence of pattern decrease? Will our clothes become more conservative to reflect the somber feeling our country is experiencing? OR will we go in the opposite direction and opt for happier clothing as a way to combat those hard time blues? So many interesting things to think about!

As for me - I certainly don't plan on buying less color - I want more color if anything! And I never really care for a lot of pattern anyway. But I definitely am more interested in thicker fabrics that last a long time, like wools for winter, and cottons for summer. Also, I feel like I want to buy more dresses (big surprise) - but seriously - it's a total outfit in one piece! MUCH more economical. I also definitely feel that I want things that are more well tailored and figure flattering - these are things that will boost your confidence and make you WANT to wear something over and over and over again so you don't have to go out buying more!

Here is something else to think about. In the past, times of financial depression encouraged more women to sew their own clothing. Do you think this is even possible today?! I feel like people are so out of touch with self-sufficiency that that idea wouldn't even occur to most people. I am totally going to actually make some of the patterns (see below) that I have for some of my new summer clothes instead of just buying all new clothes. But then I've had these patterns and have really wanted to make them anyway. But maybe before they wouldn't have been the bulk of my new clothes for the summer season like they probably will be this year.


So I feel like there is a lot to think about concerning this issue. What do you all think will be the effects of our economic depression on our clothing choices? What are you looking for/are you planning on changing anything in order to suit the times? I'm interested in what you all have to say.

(An aside - in my research for this post, I found a surprisingly interesting article which - though not relating to fashion per se - had some things to say about other style choices. Read if you dare.) Read More......

Book Review: Dana Thomas's "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster"

This book probably should have been reviewed by now since it was supposed to be read for August's Non-fiction month. BUT I just finished it a couple of days ago (and Casey was slacking?? :)) so it has unjustly gone unreviewed. Until now.




I really enjoyed this book. It was fully engrossing, and was very easy to read, which isn't always the perception of non-fictions. I suppose it helped that the subject matter is something that I'm very interested in - hence why the book was chosen in the first place. But yeah.

This book was great because it gave you information on ALL aspects of the Luxury industry - it's history, business structure, how the products are designed and made - you even get to learn about fake luxury goods. (Btw - I am NEVER buying another fake again in my life.) Even the aspects that wouldn't normally be as interesting to me - mostly the business stuff - were well written and presented so that it was still very interesting. There was nary a yawn-inducing chapter in this book.

So yeah - it was a very good read. But besides that - what did I think about what it had to say about the Luxury companies losing their luster? Is Luxury really dead?

I think that Dana Thomas had a very good case for the Luxury companies having lost their true sense of Luxury. Basically her point was that when Luxury companies went global and started focusing on making money rather than creating quality, specialized pieces for an elite group of customers, they lost their luxurious souls. In some aspects I agree with what Thomas says, but really you can only accept her arguments if you intrinsically agree with her concept of what Luxury is.

When it comes down to it, Dana Thomas basically thinks that Luxury is the experience. She talked about decreasing manufacturing quality, but the fact of the matter to me is that the luxury companies still produce clothes that are light-years better (in fabric choices, construction, fit, etc) than lower-end clothing choices. To me, it seemed that what Dana Thomas was really mourning is the loss of the EXPERIENCE of luxury. That is to say - the idea of going to this haute couturier where only the truly upper crust can afford to go, and the designers know you personally, and tailor everything exactly for you, and know your clothing preferences, etc, etc. Now, fashion has been democratized - the same looks are mass produced, there is no more one-of-a-kind clothing, there are no personal relationships with the couturiers. Luxury is officially dead.

I see what she's saying, but I don't totally agree. Luxury is still alive and well! It just may not exist where it used to. Yes, we've lost the experience of luxury as it used to be. But honestly - who was privy to that luxury before? I certainly wouldn't have been - nor would most of the population for that matter. So really, luxury is only lost for that upper crust who could afford it in the first place - and seriously, I think they've probably found other avenues. I don't mourn that loss for them at all. All that's happened is that the illusion of that luxury, in a diluted, mass-produced form has been made available to the rest of. No, we shouldn't delude ourselves into thinking that we're now one of the upper crust too because we can buy from the same brands that they do, because we're not. But now we do have these higher quality clothes to aspire to. What's wrong with that? I don't think there is anything wrong with it. The only thing that I think could be an issue for me is people thinking that these brands are better just because their name is well known. That for me is not true. Don't let the man decide what you like! If you find something that you love love love at Target - then that can be luxurious for you! It doesn't need to have the price tag, or the brand name to be luxurious. If you really love it, and it fits you well and makes you feel good, then it is luxurious.

All-in-all I think that book was great at making me question what is "Luxury" to me. I know that I've decided that "luxury" is a personal experience. My own personal luxury will be very different from any one else's personal luxury. The Luxury goods industry may have lost its soul to the corporate world, but true luxury will find its way out in other forms.

So what does luxury mean to you guys? It's something to think about for sure.
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Polite Applause

As some of you know I'm taking a new media class. That means that I attend lecture after lecture cataloguing the upcoming and popularly-used forms of media. This does include blogs. Of course, I have never been exactly a fan of the quotidient. However, I do have some comments about this blog in particular after having smapled quite a few varieties...

I am SO impressed with this blog. It has really grown from some comments about books or fashion to a really interesting read. I love the "It's going to be a thing" addition and all the inspiration posts. Sometimes you just need a little help with good ideas, writing wise and such. Seriously ladies, you've pushed this blog to greatness. I salute you with a polite golf clap.
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My go-to Romance Novel Site has proven themselves.

So I just went to my regular Romance Novel Site to check out what was going on, and I was very pleased to see that in their weekly writing post they discussed The Portable Dorothy Parker. As that was one of our books this year, I was very interested to see what they had to say. Here's a link to the article. I figured I should post it since it pertains to our book club.

http://www.likesbooks.com/atbfnew.html

ALSO, I just downloaded a couple songs from the new Carla Bruni album. I really like them a lot. Carla Bruni just has an incredible voice and if I could speak french fluently I imagine that her songs would be very singable, and those are my favorite kinds of songs. This new Carla Bruni album is just interesting in a lot of ways. Not only does it seem to be a really good album, how interesting is it that the first lady of France has put out an album?! What would Laura Bush's album be like if she put one out? How incendiary would that be if she did?! More importantly, what would our future first lady, Michelle Obama's album be like? Basically, I kind of think that Carla Bruni is a badass. And she is without a doubt the best dressed politician's wife of our time. Although Michelle Obama is really doin us proud in the U.S. Read More......

Guilty Pleasures

Guilty pleasures and I get along so well. Whether it be the sappy love ballad by Shania Twain or that double-stuffed oreo cookie dipped into milk. We get along. Here, though, is what grinds my gears about guilty pleasures...


Why do they have to be considered guilty? Why do I have to pretend to be ashamed(a-sham-ed) of sappy love ballads by Shania Twain, The Carpenters, Celine Dion, and Bryan Adams?

What's so bad about wanting to spend a day in bed reading a romance novel instead of a "literary classic" or a "Oprah recommended" novel? Although, as far as the whole Oprah thing goes, I feel that she actually places a stigma on really great novels. I appreciate what she has done for the literacy rates of the world, but come on, does she really have to put a STICKER on the cover? Whatever, Oprah. Whatever.

My pondering has lead to this main question: what defines a "guilty pleasure"? They're different for everyone, let's say that beefy Harley Davidson Motorcycle-riding man won't necessarily admit to enjoying knitting, but why are there certain things which all society views as a taboo thing to like? What do you consider a guilty pleasure and what can we do to erase the awkwardness associated with them? Or, are guilty pleasures actually serving a purpose? Do they maintain a level of privacy that is needed in our secret-less society? Are guilty pleasures providing innocence that we cannot otherwise have? I'm not sure. I just know that I want to be able to listen to my music, read my books, and eat my oreo cookies without being laughed at. Is that too much to ask?!
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Something to Talk About: The High Society Pooch

I think we all know that there is nothing so fine as a loyal pedigreed (or not) pooch by your side. Yes, our canine friends have been there for centuries (fact check pending) to show off to our friends. And this love of the breeds has led to a somewhat strange but also strangely alluring trend of dog shows. Admit it, when you see that poodle with a haircut that cost more than a years worth of haircuts for a regular human, you can't help but laugh as it prances around a circle leading or being lead by its human. So maybe it's not celebrating the finer points to this strange tradition but I've got pups on the brain and there's nothing finer than a good laugh at no ones expense.

I think he was going for the King George look. What do you think? Or maybe he just thought blondes have more fun. I also love that he's sitting on a velvet pin-tucked couch.

Here's one pageant goer thats not afraid to lay down the law. Say, what kind of ghetto dog show was this from anyway?
Okay, so this wasn't from a dog show at all but don't you think he would have won best costume if he were at a show? The Kinnel Club really missed the boat on this cutie.

You really can't buy irreverence like this.

Hope you enjoyed the healthy and fine shenanigans. Have a good month everybody!

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Something to Talk About: Books and Gender Bias

so I just read a post at this blog theartofmanliness.com (ok, I have been reading a lot of blogs about mens style lately - it just intrigues me - so thats how i found this blog) about the top 100 books a man should read. Here is a link to the article: http://artofmanliness.com/2008/05/14/100-must-read-books-the-essential-mans-library/

I think it was a really interesting read. And it got me thinking, if there was a list of the top 100 books a WOMAN should read, would it be much different from the list a man should read? What books do you think would be in the top 100 books list for women that wouldn't be in the list for men? And perhaps vice versa.

My votes are for (big surprise here):

Anne of Green Gables
Little House on the Prairie
Little Women

Those three books are just great classics that deal more with growing up a girl and have great examples of strong women who are really great, relatable role models for young girls.

I feel like there would be more Hemingway on the guys list than the womans list, just because Hem is so masculine. Really though, for the same reason thats why I think women should read Hemingway - to get a man's point of view on the world.

What do you all think? Read More......

Something to Talk About: Not All Writers are Readers Too

Writers Aren't Always Readers: The Woes of the Self-Publishing World

Okay - So I recently read an article in the New York Times called "You're an Author? Me too!" By Rachel Donadio.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/books/review/Donadio-t.html

The article is all about how self-publishing is on a major upswing, while nobody cares to read anymore. This seems obvious enough. We've all seen the cheap lit that floats around out there. But this has me raising a few questions.

1) Yes. We all have writing aspirations. Does this make us just another bunch of self-indulgent hacks?

~ I think not. We actually read, too. Good job book club! I hardly doubt half of these wanna-be-writers really have a clue what it takes to write well. If they did, they would be procrastinating like the rest of us. (Or at least doing their literary research). I mean: how depressing is it that people don't read?? Why do you think that is, and what do you think can change it?

2) Is self-publishing legit publishing at all?

~ I direct this on the behalf of the graphic artist. You see, most self-publishing companies I see, or self-published lit I've come across, has the WORST cover art. Yes. I AM judging a book by its cover. --The quality of the art on the outside of a book is a strong indicator of the quality of its pages, and I think that these lousy self-publishing companies are more clearly a joke because the art world isn't invested in them. Face it: if random house, or penguin isn't interested in what you have to say, and the cover of your book lacks oomph, then you, my friend, are a hack and wasting trees.

This brings me to a third question:

3) Is self-publishing a dirty, no-good business?

~Well, that's just it. It's business. It's like any other amusement park ride, or paid-for pleasure. Pay enough money and you can get a boy band to play at your birthday party. Pay enough money and you can hang out with the A-list. Buy a boat or go on a cruise. Keep an entourage. Put your name up in lights. - in short, self-publishing is like going to a strip club. It's not real love. Just titillation for the average joe who wants to pretend he's something more so he goes out and pays to have a book published and forces all of his acquaintances to buy copies for themselves and their children's Christmas stockings. It's virtual reality. It's business. It's just too darn American. How quaint.

And the big problem with self-publishing, in my humble opinion, is that it further individualizes the American populace rather than uniting it. In other words, if people can run around and say what they have to say so easily--if they don't take into consideration form, and history, and composition, and AUDIENCE--than we're losing the community that was the basis for literature, and for oral history before that. We lose the heart and soul of why it is we write, and it's no wonder that we're losing readers as we slowly branch off on our own--carelessly ambivalent to the constructive criticisms offered by our better critics. But maybe I'm being too hard on self-publishing companies.

Still, I'll say this: I'd rather go down swimming in the sea of sharks that is the publishing world, than piddle around in a wave pool and pretend I'm one of the big fish.

Thoughts?

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Something to Talk About: All who think Tyra is a bitch, say 'aye'

SO, Amy and I just finished watching an episode from the tenth cycle of ANTM. This is how it went down: Stacy-Ann went home, saving Fatima, a refugee from Africa, from the chopping block. Fatima escaped a culture of genital mutilation and female oppression to come into the competition of a lifetime. Then again, I doubt she meant to be ridiculed in the eyes of an "idol." Fatima missed her photo shoot because she had an appointment at the consulate to get her travel documents. Jay and Tyra reprimanded her for being irresponsible for not having the papers already. Well I don't know what exposure little miss my-life-has-been-SO-hard-as-a-top-model has had with the U.S. consulate, but I'm sure that refugees have a very difficult time securing these kinds of papers. I could be wrong. But I doubt it. Then just to add to Tyra's classy demeanor, she chose to constantly remind the whole panel that Fatima did not have a photo and probably would not move on. No slack there. Then just to remind all of the girls that Tyra Banks can never be topped or outdone, she sent the girls off to Rome announcing that she and the panel deserved first class treatment because they were already famous and then said, "You can enjoy your commercial flight." Bitch.

I would like to say here and now that I hope someone, someday knocks her off her throne, even if it is mostly self-erected. Read More......

Something to Talk About: Grave News

Some Sad News:

Today's New York Times Headline:
Charlton Heston, Epic Film Star and Voice of N.R.A., Dies at 84



Charlton Heston, who appeared in some 100 films in his 60-year acting career but who is remembered chiefly for his monumental, jut-jawed portrayals of Moses, Ben-Hur and Michelangelo, died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 84, according to his family. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's. Read More......

Something to Talk About: It's Not You, It's Your Taste in Books

Okay, so I've decided to pick up another regular post. Conversation Starters - anytime I read an interesting book, see a cool movie, or hear a provoking new clip I will bring my thoughts to our lovely round table here.

This, my premier post, is on Broken Up Over Books and Boys: Is Reading the Wrong Stuff a Deal Breaker?

Here is an attached article for the New York Times called
"It’s Not You, It’s Your Books"
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: March 30, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/books/review/Donadio-t.html?_r=1&8bu&emc=bub1&oref=slogin



Basically, what if you date someone who doesn't read, or only lifts his eyes for nutrition labels, and the backs of cereal boxes? Are there any books that would mark a guy as a no-go? I'd have to say, I'd be pretty sore to hear that someone considers The Da Vinci Code one of the best books ever, or lists The Bible as one of their all time faves (true or not, thats not something you should put on your facebook or myspace page. Show a little respect and keep your religious reads out of cheap pop culture meeting places). I'm not saying that guys have to read our divine Ms. Austen, but a little culture doesn't hurt anyone. I'll even settle for someone who keeps their eye on newspapers and decent nonfiction. So... now I throw it out to you. Thoughts? Would you break up over bad lit? Read More......