George Bellows

Although he painted lush landscapes, cityscapes and portraits, George Bellows (1882-1925) is celebrated for his paintings of boxers. With decisive brushstrokes he describes the force and energy of a fight; his dramatic lighting and deep colors convey a grittiness that pulls the viewer ringside. He died at the young age of 42, but in his short lifetime, created an impressive body of work that captures the spirit and vitality of urban life.

Invisible man

Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.

~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 26

Author J.D. Salinger died last month at the age of 91 in Cornish, New Hampshire. Despite his reclusive existence; his last public interview took place 30 years ago, his last published work (a short story) appeared in a 1965 issue of The New Yorker, news of his death read like the passing of a great leader.

As writers go, his repertoire is small, but of course it includes the scripture of teenage alienation, The Catcher in the Rye. In Salinger's only novel, 17-year old Holden Caulfield wanders the streets of New York after he has been expelled from his private school. He faces his uncertain future and impending adulthood with equal measures of anxiety and irritation. Holden's engaging stream of consciousness conveys his feeling out of step, troubled and alone so convincingly he has become the authentic voice of every teenager.

Already, there's talk of biographies and fictionalized movies of the famously private author, stuff he would never have agreed to or accepted in his lifetime. Perhaps work he never intended for publication will be discovered and released posthumously. Knowing how vehemently Salinger sought seclusion, the possibilities sound awful.

When something perverty like that happens, I start sweating like a bastard. That kind of stuff's happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid. I can't stand it.

~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 24

Hip Paris

For those heading to the City of Light that want the adventure of exploring sans tour guide, The Hip Paris Blog offers insider tips and insights on dining, shopping, culture, renting, and living in Paris.

With serendipity as our guide, L. and I found the weathered bistro/bar, Aux Assassins nestled among the elegant antique shops on Rue Jacob in the 6th Arrondissement (known as the Latin Quarter). Aux Assassins should not be confused with L'Assassin, a popular restaurant in the 11th Arrondissement with a chef, ratings and a website; this bar is not for the tourist sector. With a simple menu, well worn tables and bawdy singers performing nightly, you can eat drink and enjoy. A sign posted at the door that shows a certain disdain for coziness and effusion reads: "Pas de Réservations, Pas de Cartes de Crédit, Pas de Café, Pas de Téléphone" (No reservations, credit cards, coffee or telephone), any questions?

Tour Eiffel

What it looks like...

...what it feels like.

The Art of Looking Sideways

"Personally, I always preferred inspiration to information" -Man Ray

Designer Alan Fletcher's The Art of Looking Sideways is a surprising collection of assorted visual and verbal insights, observations and trivia. The loose structure and diverse content read very much like a blog--that is, a very tasty, amusing and inspiring blog.

Up, up and away

In the 1960's, commercial flights were still a relatively exotic and luxurious mode of travel and those who worked for the industry, like the United Airlines flight attendant above, were well paid and their jobs highly prized.

There's nothing exotic or glamorous about air travel these days. If you don't like the cramped seating, the over priced food, and the additional fee for luggage, you can always stay home. This seems to be the attitude of the majority of carriers, despite the real threat of bankruptcy and dissolution.

I flew from Chicago to Los Angeles yesterday. Apparently, in the downward spiral to provide anything beside a slingshot from one city to another, the complimentary bag of peanuts has been discontinued. You never miss the water till the well runs dry.