Why oh why did so much horribly designed and executed effluvia emerge from the decade of the 1970s? To look at many of the cars and styles of clothing that were considered the height of fashion, one wonders about the nation's mental status as a whole during that time. Case in point: the denim leisure suit. Half casual, half 'dressy', it was a mockery from the get go. Many were seduced by the siren call of the denim leisure suit, only to be haunted today by fears that any photographs that were taken at the time may be unleashed on the Internet, spoiling any chances of holding elected office. This is a fashion trend that mercifullly only held brief sway. Never to be heard from again. I hope.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic Acid. First derived from the leaves of the willow tree, Hippocrates described its use and left a recipe for what must have been a cure all for the Bacchanalean soirees of Ancient Greece. Bayer developed a synthetic form of it in 1897, and we've been using it to reduce fevers, and help along our various aches and pains ever since. As part of war reparations in the Treaty of Versailles after WWI, Germany gave up its trademark to aspirin in the US, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union, where it is referred to generically as 'aspirin' with a lower case 'a'. In more than 80 countries around the world, including Canada, it is 'Aspirin' because Bayer still holds the rights to it in those countries. Long live the magical properties of aspirin!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Wanderlust
Man has longed to wander from his immediate territory for who knows how long. Traveling used to mean looking for new places to subsist, and eventually expanded to include exploration for its own sake, as well as a method to discover new places and people to conquer. In the Middle Ages, traveling meant going on a pilgrimage, whether to Santiago de Campostela, Canterbury or other religious sites. In the Renaissance, the Grand Tour was de regeur for the monied of the day. The airplane age has seen the explosion of travel as leisure, a means unto itself. 8 countries in 5 days! We are dreaming of the ultimate travel destination, in which we can escape from our daily monotony if only for a brief interlude, and immerse ourselves into a novel version of life. Half of the fun of travel is the planning of where one will travel next. Where do you want to travel, o restless wanderer?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Flip-flops
They've been around for at least 100 years, they are cheap, fun, flexible, casual. They scream summer and fun times at the beach. Unlike the Northwestern women's lacrosse team, I would not wear them to a reception at the White House, no matter how 'dressy' they were. They are worn into the shower at summer camp, and with eccentric millionaires' tuxedos and a million places in between. How many pairs have you owned in your life, and don't you wish you were sporting some on Bora Bora right this moment?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Not Timeless- The 8 Track Tape
Developed in 1964 by a consortium of car manufacturers, Motorola, and Lear Jet, it was first introduced as a feature in Ford automobiles in 1965. By the late 70s it had been eclipsed by the cassette tape, and the nail in the coffin was the arrival of the compact disc in the 80s. For its brief moment in the sun, it was the first method for custom music delivery in the automobile. Who can forget those awkward pauses while the track needed to change? 8 track tape, you are not missed.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
La Bella Luna
The moon...our constantly changing companion in the sky. It glides in synchronous rotation with the Earth, which means we almost always see the same aspect of it. It has the same reflectance value as coal, yet still shines brightly in our night skies. It modulates Earth's tides. It inspires lovers and poets. It has been blamed for inducing 'lunacy' in people during the full moon phase. It inspires me to think deep thoughts, to dream, to sigh, to wonder. Have you ever been moonstruck?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Canis Lupis Familiaris
A dear friend lost her darling dog yesterday, far too soon, and I have been contemplating the topic of our love affair with dogs. They've been at our side for at least the last 15,000 years, hunting, working, herding, chasing, and playing by our sides. More than the sum of their utilitarian functions, though, they have developed into our stalwart companions that we lean on through thick and thin. They give us unconditional love so unselfishly, so lavishly, that it's no wonder that there is a bumper sticker with the saying, 'I hope to become the kind of person my dog thinks I am'. Because they love us so well, we love them right back, ever fiercer. And when they leave us, it is always too soon. Our hearts are broken. No other animal on Earth has such a bond with Man. We are so fortunate to share our lives with these wonderful creatures. The love of, and for, the Dog is Timeless.
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