Talks in The Head

 ****

"One of these days someone will come out of the darkness and into your life for hidden skeletons in your closet. You wouldn't like it. But it would be fun for him, like how you now jangle some of mine right in my face."

****



"We sometimes learn the most valuable life-lessons from the wretched".

****





Just these. After 7 hours of late sleep, too much analysis and too much movies and books, after oh so many talk in the head about oh so many things. It is only January 23, 2013.

Before Ever After Samantha Sotto

One part romance novel, one part historical fiction; a pastiche. Non of its romance-novel-cliches of a title nor its nondescript cover gave a hint of the kind of story Samantha Sotto had in store even for the most curios reader. I read it and loved it for its subtle womanly prose, its easy to love protagonists (who were too perfect for me, but) and its kaleidoscopic European adventures. Samantha Sotto is a writer from the Philippines. This is how her book looks like.

David Ackert on Singers and Musicians

"Singers and Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Everyday, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Everyday, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life - the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because musicians and singers are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. Singers and Musicians are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.” - David Ackert, LA Times

Sarah Turnbull's "Almost French: Love and A New Life in Paris"

Among the books my sister kept in one of her car's pockets was of Australian journalist Sarah Turnbull’s “Almost French: Love and A New Life in Paris”. A delightful read about her “fish out of water” experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris. If you happen to be someone who had a life-long dream to set foot on this romantic city, this is a book for you. She talked about Paris, its charms and complications. From people, places, culture, her her low points to her exciting accounts on finding an invite to fashion runways and eventually interviews with fashion bigwigs.  One will find this real-life stories entertaining if not an education on why Paris is still one of the most interesting places to be in.  

The French on fashion w Ines de la Fressange: