Can you repeat the question?

What do Vanity Fair, Quincy Jones, Ellen Degeneres, Deepish Thoughts, and American Express have in common?

Marcel Proust. Duh.

I just got a copy of The Proust Questionnaire, a slim blue book with a survey popularized by the French writer and designed to measure the thoughts and desires of its respondents. It's where the idea for the current AmEx campaign came from, as well as the interviews in the back of Vanity Fair each month. The book has Proust's answers from different times in his life, answers from other writers and celebrities, and blank pages so you can record your own responses.




Here's a snippet of my interview with Rob:

Me: Your chief characteristic?

Rob: Smelly.

Me: What?

Rob: What’s the question?

Me: What is your chief characteristic?

Rob: Ohhh. I thought you said cheese characteristic. I don’t have one. I’m well-rounded.

More on names

If your name is Elizabeth or James, I have good news for you today. Other people think you're successful. If your name is Helen or Brian, sorry. Other people want to kick your ass. Or at least doubt your abilities.

Don't get mad at me. The BBC said it. A study was done, the people spoke, and these were the results. Names like Jack and Lucy were considered lucky. Sophie and Ryan were probably attractive people, the respondents agreed. It's rather amazing how much is in a name.

"Past research has shown that such perceptions can become self-fulfilling prophesies, with teachers giving higher marks to children with attractive names and employers being more likely to promote those who sound successful."

This was according to Richard Wiseman, who led the study and probably does not like it when people call him "Dickie."

Turns out none of the names the study illuminated, however, made it onto the 10 Most Popular Baby Names from 2007, courtesy of Babynames.com. Here's what did:

GIRLS
Ava
Abigail
Cailyn
Madeline
Isabella
Emma
Caitlyn
Olivia
Chloe
Brianna

BOYS
Aidan
Braden
Kaden
Ethan
Caleb
Noah
Jaden
Connor
Landon
Jacob

Wow. Aidan, Braden, Kaden, and Jaden. Doesn't anyone like Hayden anymore?

Signs of the Times

New York City, March 2008. Earth Day approaches, the Fed cuts interest rates, the Euro continues to gain strength, and one 23rd Street guitar store makes its move.

Have a tiny carbon footprint, New Yorkers? Pat yourselves on the back and make some music. Tired of spending all your money in the Apple store, Europeans? Come in; where once we would have scoffed if you offered us foreign currency, now we might lick it off your fingers. It's so colorful. And valuable. Where are you going? Out to dinner at Per Se? Take us with you.

OK, that's me talking, not Dan or his guitars. They're not desperate, after all. All they're saying is that they take Euros now. (I expect next week's sign to read "We speak French.")* Because in their last store meeting they decided that a good marketing plan would be to target the people with the money.

*Somewhere in middle America, a guy who still eats "freedom fries" is having a heart attack.

What's wrong with this picture?*

I was looking through old pictures tonight and found myself jabbing Rob in the arm each time I got to a memorable one (until he threatened me with violence and wandered off to hang socks on Smokey because "Smokey wants to wear clothes, too.")

Anyway, there were a couple of really old ones, and I am including one here because I've discovered that as you get older, if you can't laugh at yourself, then you can at least laugh at your sister. For not wearing pants.



*So, so many things.

Little names

A couple of years ago, when I thought I might try to become some kind of corporate ass-kicker, I bought a book called Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office. Among the nuggets of wisdom (Learn to waste a little time, Don't feed others, Don't smile too much) was one section that says it is a mistake to use the diminutive of your name in the office.

"Even if you've gone by Kathy, Debbie, Maggie, or Sandy your entire life, begin introducing yourself using your formal name. Over time, people will take your cue. Change your business cards, desk nameplate, or formal letterhead to read Kathleen, Debra, Margaret, or Sandra. You'll be much more likely to be taken seriously..."

I wonder what Betty Spence, president of the National Association for Female Executives, would think of this.

To me, it sounds like an outdated opinion, but obviously it's not an issue I have to deal with. I definitely work with and know several women who use their nicknames in the business world and don't seem to suffer from it. But I also know those who have decided to go formal in the corporate setting and perhaps they're better off.

Just to be safe, I'm going to change the name on my letterhead to read Debra. I can't wait to see the looks of impressed awe on the faces of my coworkers.

Also in the world of names, Tiger Woods now has his own energy drink, "Gatorade Tiger." His parents made a good choice with that one. There's a reason we don't have "Gatorade Arnold" or "Gatorade Phil." Although focus groups suggest that the latter would go over well with math teachers and meteorologists.

Happy Friday!

I saw this painting the other day and thought "Whoa, am I looking into a mirror?"* This is exactly how I felt all week. I am truly glad it's Friday.

This is Gustave Courbet's Le Désespéré, in case anyone is curious.

*Yes, I am overdue for a waxing appt.

Little gifts in unexpected places

A woman named Hazel comes to clean the apartment twice a month. She may be familiar to some of you as the woman who can never remember my name. She is a really sweet person who gives me big hugs when I see her, leaves us flowery notes, and unfortunately also sometimes leaves other things...in the toilet.

I feel sort of bad telling this, but it's now the fourth or fifth time this has happened and so I am sharing. I don't think she is doing this on purpose, though I clearly can't prove that. But I will try:

Exhibit A: Once she left her lunch in the fridge, so perhaps she is just forgetful.

Exhibit B: She takes all unused plugs out of the outlets, so it's possible she's extremely environmentally conscious and believes that you shouldn't flush every time. Even when you really really should.

Whatever the reason, I forgive her. As I hope she forgives me if she ever finds out I wrote about this.