First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Candy Hierarchy

A few years ago, I was ridiculed by a 13-year old for handing out Nestle Crunch and Mounds Bars on Halloween. “Those candies are so, yesterday,” she said. It’s true. I based my choice on wanting the leftovers. But I hadn’t realized until this was bluntly pointed out to me, that candy is a generational thing. I thought about that last week when I decided to go with the bag of Snickers. And I was relieved to see, according to the Candy Hierarchy chart that this selection is 2011 top tier.

Expand Your Perspective

Image: La Clef des Songs, 1930, by René Magritte

Figure of Speech

I learned a new word today. Pangram. That means a sentence, like the one above, that combines all the letters of the alphabet. I’ve checked, and this one really does. And besides that, it’s got truth.

Image: Frances Muggeridge Studio

Less is More

Since becoming a full-fledged adult, I’ve stayed clear of Halloween. Apart from the mounds of candy which I love, the holiday leaves me cold. I’m freaked by the look of zombies and gooey brains and I lack whatever fantasy gene must be required to enjoy dressing up. In my early twenties when dragged to a party, I went looking like Charlie Chaplin. Though my costume included good menswear chic, it was a lousy idea for attracting a date. I learned my lesson. The next Halloween, I chose to go as a flapper. And on that night, I met one of the great loves of my life.

It’s So Hard to Keep Up

Image: Flux design studio

Are You Happy With Your Hair?

Image: Marc Johns

Expect the Unexpected

Fly Me to the Moon

Please. Especially after the day I’m having.

Image: Vintage Japanese poster

Delectable Tongue Twisters

How many different ways can you say, Peter piper picked a pickled pepper? Apparently, a lot. Check out Lips of Babel, a beautiful, short video by photographer Elle Muliarchyk.

Best Use Yet For an Iron

Image: Christopher Labrooy