Category: Manliness

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Names for Your Baby

Powerful names for accomplished young women

Well, if you’re going to have a boy, you might like to stay away from some of them down home names like… Sue, Sherrill or Pearl. I knew a Sherrill once and he had lots of trouble. Here’s a true story:

(Phone Rings)

Sherrill: “Hello”
Caller: “May I talk to Sherrill LaPorte?”
Sherrill: “Go ahead”
Caller: “er, I mean, the lady of the house, Sherrill LaPorte?”
Sherrill: “got ’em,  what do you want?”
Caller: “Sorry, Ma’am, you have such a … nice… low voice.”

(CLICK – expletives deleted)

However, for girls, a slightly masculine name or ‘handle’ works out just fine. I never thought that General “Muffy” was a good idea. In choosing a name for your daughter… it really does make a difference and it really does matter… so says this latest study.

In  “Baby Name report card”,  Dr. Albert Mahrabian  says:

“…Names like Katherine, James or Alexander, convey images of success to these names; in contrast, names like Fifi, Didi, Brandy or Trixie evoke images of a hat check girl or a cocktail waitress.”

Laura and I gave our daughters names a lot of thought and here are a few things we agreed:

1) We wanted to give them a reasonable middle name as a ‘back up”

2) One of the names (middle names) should come from a female family member

3) The first name should be warm, positive, strong and should sound nice if preceeded by “General” or “President” or “Mom”.

So, take some time to think about how it would be to grow up with any name….

Roger Freberg

 

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Fragrance 101 — Perfume for Beginners

Aaaaah... the joys of fragrance, it's transports us somewhere very specialFirst, I claim no rare  expertise … I am just a fan with a long time interest in fragrances. Nevertheless, recently, I was ‘asked’ by my wife to discuss the sense of ‘smell’ in her “Sensation & Perception” class.

The problem — for me — was not in teaching as I have taught university classes before . The challenge was to take a mountain of information and distill (no pun intended) it all into something that the students would find interesting and — possibly — enjoyable.

Taking a subject you love and creating a spark then a flame of interest is always a challenge…. especially among young American males, of which a few were in attendance.

The world of fragrance is one of analogy… and it was with the use of analogy that I put together a brief — at least to me — presentation within 2 hours.

To do it right, I thought we needed a demonstration. I located aromatherapy jars containing various mysteries and paired them with 4 of Guerlain’s wonders and asked the students to discover which came from which. After all, you can’t shove some perfume under someone’s nose and ask them what’s in it… you must provide a reference point. This is where aromatherapy essentials come in.

Which contained Ylang Yang? Sandalwood? Jasmine? I was surprised how well they did. Top marks all around.

It is important to put perfume in context of societal norms of the times. How did fragrances develop through history culminating in the Designer fragrances of today? 

Lastly and most importantly, I was able to acquire samples of a few current products for the students to take home… some Armani for men and some Juicy Couture for women … and for the most adventurous and fortunate some of Frederick Malle’s collection to explore.

I enjoyed myself…

Here are a few links for fun!

Karen Freberg’s Links on Perfume!
the American Society of Perfumers
Fifi Award!
Grasse’s Perfume Museum
House of Guerlain
Luca Turin’s Guide!

Roger Freberg

 

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For the Love of Wine!

the more lusty comrades of King Author's Court

I think to truly appreciate the human experience requires many understandings, certainly the enjoyment of wine is among them.

Years ago, I joined a fun troup of wine lovers entitled Knights of the Vine. They further introduced me into the lore and rich history of Wine… in particular, California Wine. The founder, the late Norman Gates, brought me into the brotherhood back in 1979. Although I have not been active in the organization for quite some time, I found it educational and enjoyable.

” Water divides world population, wine gather it”

Another way to get started is to try something new now and again, sign up for periodic wine purchases, and possibly buy a book or two on the subject.

Then there is the story of Jean Montidier… aaaah, that’s for another time.

Jean Montdidier... an amusing fellow

Related link: L’Auberge Edge of Seattle Cooking

“Per Vitem ! Ad Vitam !”

Roger Freberg

 

 

 

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Harry Potter’s Trunk… now for sale!

a trunk full of magic and imagination!Okay, this will sound like an advertisement to some … but it is really a note from one of the many fans of the six Harry Potter books by ‘Joe’ Rowling….waiting… it seems… like so many others to read Book 7.

As so many others have speculated, will the seventh book attempt to appeal to the critics by providing an ‘ending’ that is truly depressing, sad and hopeless? OR… will the ending provide hope and encourage the best in all of us?

Certainly, the series has had a generous dose of reality. Cruelty is not overdone, but it is present. Generousity and self sacrifice are virtues displayed throughout the pages… which lead me to be optimistic about the final chapter of the Potter series.

However, whatever the outcome… the final chapter will be what people remember and embrace… or dismiss.

In the meantime, I recieved this note from Amazon.com offering a Harry Potter Trunk and books… seems like a great deal.

Can’t wait for Book 7.

Roger Freberg

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What to name your baby girl….

Give me that old tomboy every time!

Is it just me or do I love that little ‘tom boy’ in every woman?

Naturally, when it came to naming my daughters, I chose names that would resonate with titles like “General”, “President”, “CEO” or just plain “good woman.” I could never follow anyone named ‘General Muffy’ or President ‘Tiffany’ or ‘Tyffannie’.

In a recent study, just naming your daughter with a overly ‘feminine’ name seems to … well… just ‘dumb her down.’ So, I guess ‘Barbie’ is out…. so to are the recently popular names of: Isabella , Anna , Elizabeth , Emma , Jessica , Samantha , Sarah , Olivia , Hannah , Emily , Lauren , Ashley , Grace , Abigail , Alex … plus anything too cutesy.

What is it about masculine women? smart? adventurous? sexy?I guess… like most men… we all like women with male ‘handles’… like ‘Sam.’

Roger Freberg

PS… see ladies, Mom and I did right by you.