A Person’s Beauty

I took this photo yesterday of a mannequin that shows off her hair. 

It’s amazing what hair does for a person.

I remember learning in Yeshiva that hair is considered the crown on a person’s head. 

People go through all sorts of time and expense to keep their hair, grow it out, clean it, and style it.

Often not having hair means that person is sick and on heavy doses of medication or chemotherapy that makes their hair fall out. 

People put on wigs or other head coverings for religious piety, modesty, and to consecrate themselves to G-d and/or their beloved–so that only they should see it–as something special between them. 

Sometimes, a person’s hair is cut off to dehumanize them like the Nazi’s did to the Jews and as happens to other prisoners. 

Also, when people go to the military, they are given a crew cut to take away their hair and individuality while they learn to conform and be obedient to their chain of command. 

Often in fights, people grab and pull a person by their hair to control and hurt them. 

But mostly, hair is soft, sensual and looks good on a person (except when it doesn’t)–generally, it evokes youth, vibrance, freedom, and sexuality. 

Of course beauty is only skin deep, but the hair is truly the majestic crown that G-d gave us. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Wild Advertising Art

I took this photo of an ad for Milagro Tequila on the side of a tour bus in Washington, D.C.

Milagro (“Miracle”) is a company that prides itself on it’s collaboration with artists to create cool murals to advertise it’s liquor. 

Tequila is made from the sweet, fruity, blue agave plant from northwest Mexico, hence the writing over the mural saying, “Agave Expressionism.”

It must be challenging to look out the windows of this tour bus covered in this very blue mural and messaging. 

Why is this ad effective? 

First, it is intense and exciting–the vibrant colors, the big mask with the bulging eyes, and the skulls with the green leafy stuff growing out of the head. 

Second, it really is a work of art, and you wouldn’t expect to see this on a regular tour bus shlepping around town. 

Third, the cultural contrast between the Mexican artistic expressionism and the rest of the comparatively humdrum city life is standout. 

Fourth, after a long hard day at work, people are tired, thirsty, and ready for some fun–so this is a welcome message.

Overall, this has the creativity and connection with the people to hit the mark–pretty neat. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Learning To Compromise

My wife and I decided after living in the same condo for the last 15 years that maybe it was time for a change. 

There is a great area that we hang out in with workout, grocery, pharmacy, and–most importantly to my wife–Starbucks–all right there.

So my wife made an appointment for us to look at this rental right above all the action….

The apartment was nice, modern, and best of all in this vibrant neighborhood–but on the smallish side (we would definitely be cramped) and with a substantial monthly. 

My wife, the perennial city dweller, loved it, and I didn’t.

Next, my turn up, we went with a real estate broker to see a charm of a house–this was the one we’d “been waiting for,” all these years. 

Solid, roomy, castle-like…but it would have some ongoing house maintenance things and was a little distance from public transportation (i.e. we’d mostly have to drive). 

This time, my wife hated it, and I loved it.

Back and forth–argue and debate–getting no where (this is a very egalitarian relationship–my wife tells me what to do!) 🙂

Thinking about this, I say “Okay, let’s compromise”–let’s look for a more upscale and roomy condo that we can make our own but in the neighborhood she really likes (and yeah, I like it too). 

1-2-3, with a little searching, we find something online we like, and back to the real estate broker to make an appointment. 

This story is not over in terms of where (or if) we are going to move to, but along the way we continue to learn as a couple to get along, love each other, and of course, compromise. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Gorgeous Dragon

I just thought this Dragon was completely awesome. 

The lifelike sculpture and vibrant colors made me stop in my tracks to snap this photo of it in a storefront gallery in Fort Lauderdale. 

With all the detail, including it’s scaly skin, muscle tone, and look at the eyes…this creature is amazing. 

It’s so interesting though…this dragon is perched on what looks like a treasure chest and appears to be licking an ice cream cone (go figure!)–what happens when it breathes fire?

Anyway I love it…especially when it a friendly-looking dragon like this. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)