I didn’t. A coworker was talking about him the other day, and despite my art history background, the name wasn’t really ringing any bells with me. I thought perhaps that I simply wasn’t remembering his work, but when I researched him, I discovered that I had never learned about Erte. His work is pretty fascinating; to see samples click here. Here’s a short bio from the same site:
The Russian-born painter Romain de Tirtoff, who called himself Erté after the French pronunciation of his initials, was one of the foremost fashion and stage designers of the early twentieth century. From the sensational silver lamé costume, complete with pearl wings and ebony-plumed cap, that he wore to a ball in 1914, to his magical and elegant designs for the Broadway musical Stardust in 1988, Erté pursued his chosen career with unflagging zest and creativity for almost 80 years. On his death in 1990, he was hailed as the "prince of the music hall" and "a mirror of fashion for 75 years."
Neat.
I had John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things sitting on my nightstand for weeks. I kept renewing it, because even though I wanted to read it, I was just never in the mood. Finally, the other day I was just hanging around, so I picked it up and plunged in. What a treat! Set in WWII England, the story follows David, a 12-year-old who has just lost his mother. While still reeling from her death, he finds out that his father is remarrying and his soon-to-be stepmother is pregnant. Suddenly David finds himself living in a large country house, with only his stepmother and new brother to keep him company. He grows more and more distant from his family, losing himself in the dark, disturbing fairy tales that line the walls of his new room.
And that’s when the Crooked Man appears.
Suddenly, David’s world changes violently. He is pulled into a dangerous alternate universe, populated by terrifying creatures and ruled by a helpless king. It soon becomes clear that David must find the king and the mysterious Book of Lost Things if he is ever to return home. Thus David embarks on a quest, his every move tracked by the evil and dangerous Crooked Man. But there’s more at stake on this quest than even David realizes, and only by completing his journey can David come to terms with his new life and finally begin the process of growing up.
Heather Nova, Only Love
I used to think that I knew what we needed.
Just assumed we would always be fine.
Now I don’t think that we lost the feeling
but we let everything build up inside.It’s only love,
but love should make us strong.
It’s only love,
but love has been hurting so long.What a challenge, honesty.
What a struggle to learn to speak.
Who’d have thought that
pretending was easier?It’s only love,
but love should make us strong.
It’s only love,
but love has been hurting so long.And its all a part of me, it tears at my heart.
Only love.
And it’s all an eternity, hoping to learn.
Only love.There’s a part of you I’m trying to reach;
still a part I don’t know.
Tell me, is devotion a gift or a thief?
Do you wish I’d let go?
