“God, she’s trashy.” Stop. That’s a terrible thing to say. Shaking the head. Clucking the tongue. Pursing the lips. It’s all unconscious – this physical manifestation of disapproval. And something deeper. Anger. No, more than anger. Outrage. “Well it’s true. She bad mouths everyone. You’d think she’d realize how classless it is. And people pay […]
Making a Difference
We look up and wonder where the years have gone. We glance at pictures, at our lanky teens, at our own furrowed brows reflected in the mirror and we feel the weight of our years. Midlife isn’t what we once envisioned. Then again, it just may be better. There may be new opportunities, if we’re […]
Work of Art Season 2 Episode 5 Ripped From the Headlines
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Simon rousts the artists in the early a.m., they take a road trip beyond the city skyscrapers, and find themselves watching the New York Times presses roll. The challenge? They’re to rip their inspiration from the headlines – literally – and incorporate newspapers into their artwork. Extra incentive? A […]
Bah, Humbug. Pass the Soup.
It was gorgeous, clear, and mild. It was a heavenly drive, as I made an early morning trek to the Farmer’s Market – fall foliage ablaze with reds and golden yellows. Until. Until a short stretch of road through a small but bustling commercial area, complete with iron lamp posts decorated in shiny bows, berry-bedecked wreaths, […]
Eat, Pray, Love… And?
Zapping around on cable during a sleepless night, I tuned into Eat, Pray, Love on the tube. It seemed a reasonable selection; like many women I enjoy a good relationship film, and I anticipated gorgeous scenes of countries I’ve never visited. I’m also well aware of the irritation raised in some circles over this book […]
French Bras for Little Girls? Seriously?
This issue came to my attention via Twitter and a link to The Illusionists, with this article on marketing bras to little girls, aged 4 and up – some of the bras, padded. And no, you won’t find these worrisome wares at your local Macy’s, but you will find them in a number of French […]
Work of Art Season 2 Episode 4: Back To School
Child’s play? Not exactly. This episode’s challenge: to create an artwork that compliments and relates to a child’s work of art, as each participant arrives in the studio to find an elementary school student at his or her desk. Growth opportunity? Collaborative sparks? Some of the artists seem to think so, yet the results are […]
Teaching The Teacher In All Of Us
In my marketing days, I was taught to present the benefits of the product, service, or idea I represented. It may be effective in the short-term to utilize scare tactics, but for the sake of long-term success, it’s important to address genuine needs with real solutions. And you’d be wise to explain why and how […]
Contemplating. . . This, That. . . And The French
I am contemplating the need to sweep my small deck which is covered in a carpet of pine needles, and a few scattered golden leaves. I am contemplating a walk in the sunshine though it is cold, and the necessity of sticking to a brisk pace. I am contemplating a surprise dinner last evening – […]
The Plague
From The Plague, by Albert Camus: I see no need to dwell on the manner of loving in our town. The men and women consume each other rapidly in what is called ‘the act of love’, or else settle down to a mild habit of conjugality… for lack of time and thinking, people have to […]