Wherever researchers have been able to collect reliable data on happiness, the finding is always the same: greater educational, political, and employment opportunities have corresponded to decreases in life happiness for women as compared to men.
The second discover is this: Though women begin their lives more fulfilled than men, as they age, they gradually become less happy. Men, in contrast, get happier as they get older.
- from Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham
We spent Christmas and New Year's Eve of 1999 in Paris.
We toured Notre Dame Cathedral. Le Louvre. Avenue des Champs-Élysées. L'Arc de Triomphe.
We lit a candle for my dying grandfather in Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, beneath the sacred heart of Christ. I prayed for him. My candle - alone - went out. We left the cathedral in tears. We knew.
Later to the South. We toured the Langedoc: Montpellier. Carcassonne. Nîmes. Le Côte d'Azur. It was cold and grey.
We celebrated the Millennium at La Tour Eiffel. A German stranger planted a big wet sloppy kiss on my right cheek. We drank Champagne on the Avenue de New Year near the Palais de Chaillot, looking across the river to the fireworks. That effervescent edifice that signifies all things French.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world. But I missed him. Still do.
In my secret heart, I think the WWII Merchant Marine would have gotten a kick out of that city on that day. I know he'd have enjoyed my being there on that other day. All those other days. So, I try to make it up with my one remaining grandparent. Handsome's inimitable grandmother, the Capo di Tutti Capi of his clan.
I'm pretty sure it's not enough . . . that too late is just too late.
I think every woman should have a tube or three of red lipstick, one that is absolutely perfect for her skin-tone and personality. I happen to have about a dozen tubes of red lipstick, because I just love it and can't resist new colors.
But, for posterity, I'll share my current favorite: NARS Rouge D'Enfer*
It's luscious and satiny, goes on perfect every time even without lip liner, and it moisturizes lips all day long. I always feel like a million bucks wearing it. And unlike many other red lipsticks I've tried, I don't feel like "HERE COME JENNIFER'S LIPS!" Mostly, I feel like, "Watch out world, here comes Jennifer!" And that's a pretty good feeling.
*Should I be worried that Rouge D'Enfer means "Red From Hell"? Because it sounds . . . naughty? . . . wicked? . . . sinful? Ou peut-être "Rouge D'Enfer" est parfait pour moi. Non?
Not my favorite BBQ joint in Austin, to tell the truth. I prefer Rudy's, whose Sause is hot and tangy. Not sweet, which I DO NOT LIKE! So there.
Know what's hard dumb? Feeling jealous when others claim the top prize. Because they deserve their prize, really, they do. They kicked sales butt, as did everyone you know.
It doesn't help that I'm a bit (ha!) of a perfectionist and anything less that #1 is a huge disappointment leading to hours of self-flaggelation and resulting in self-induced depression.
Told you it was dumb.
Well, once the depression wears off, I'm still there. Hopefully more determined, with a better attitude, and a plan to claim that prize the coming year. Because I don't want to fight the green-eyed monster again.
Grrr!
work
living
time
life
wondering
nothing
o'clock
why
guess
always
seem
Bonus:
grind
Well, this is me. Playing along with National Blog Posting Month. Nearly missed the first day, which is an inauspicious beginning.
