My Grandmere's Special Insight

Maman et Papa thrust me into a crate on my very first night in my new home.

It was early November. I'd endured a 13 hour airplane flight (changed in Dallas), pick up at the freight gate at Hartsfield-Jackson, 1 1/2 hour drive from Atlanta to Athens. And believe me, none of it was first class.

Exhausted and terrified describes us all, me, Maman et Papa. I vividly recall that it was still light out when Maman et Papa drew the (flimsy) curtains, plopped me in my crate, stretched out on their comfortable futon and whispered together, waiting for me to fall asleep.

I overheard this exchange: Maman, "animals always go to sleep when it's dark and quiet." Papa, "should we drape a cloth over the crate?" Maman, "too like a bird cage, but be very very quiet and she'll think it's night." So humiliating for all concerned.

Eight years later, my crate has been transformed into a loft. I have a snuggly bed and I've been promised a TV of my very own. My food is served in a (NYC) Museum of Modern Art bowl and my water goblet is Mondrian patterned.

But they say the more things change, the more they stay the same (in my native tongue: plus ca change, plus ca meme chose; Sorry, no French language key board). Grandmere may not be my biggest fan, but she's a realist and we share a bond of common sense that seems to be otherwise lacking in the Lester Roushanzamir clan. Here's the evidence; she clipped this from the Wall Street Journal and mailed it to me:

[it reads: I'd have to say the biggest lie they tell themselves is 'Oh he likes the crate!'...unbelievable.]

How often have I heard that absurd phrase, "Oh, she likes her crate," and how often have I cringed at its rank absurdity. Still, I suppose Maman et Papa mean well.

And admittedly, they shake and serve a good stiff martini.  Please make it a double.

Brief Wander through the Filmic Martini

The successful reception of the previous entry suggested a [rather banal] literary conceit to Mama [pauvre Mama].

"Mercury," she inquired, "why not follow the Chilblaines & Kid Gloves in Literature entry with something like the Martini in Film [& Literature]? Wouldn't that make a good follow-up-- a sort of thematic approach to your little blog?"

I listened to Mama's request & appeared to give my thoughtful consideration to her recommendation. [I noted the "little blog" crack, simply too pitiful to answer.] However, I decided to humor her:

"Shaken not stirred," said James Bond. How familiar is that bon mot! Almost a slogan for James Bond in film & print. The Nick & Nora films plots are driven by that shaken libation.

Here's one you may not be aware of [admittedly, nor was I] : the 1928 film, "Dry martini." Starring Mary Astor [a beautiful woman & personal favorite], it was directed by Argentinian Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast . A paeon to the dry martini? I shall view it & report.

The martini in film noir[along with ever-present cigarette smoke] is a powerful signifier of sophistication. [film noir is discussed in January 20/21, 2007]

As a sophisticate myself, I excell in the art of preparing a cold, crisp Vodka [ gin, by special request] Martini. Papa et Mama each endeavored to instruct me; it was a case of the student quickly outpacing the teachers. I may also prepare water cress & cucumber sandwiches upon request. Here I offer pictorial evidence of my special acumen--an ice cold martini; one could skate across the top:

Annoyingly, Papa, after reading a draft of today's entry, also chimed in with a concept: "Mercury, why not follow this entry with one about dogs in film [& literature], focusing on the relationship of dogs with children?" As if this blog were based on themes rather than aesthetic whims and literary inspiration. The creative dog is misunderstood in the world of humans.

And I plan to abandon the thematic approach, leaving on a high note. [i.e. this entry & for more on the martini, click the subject heading below].

No More Themes/ "No More Twist," remarked the talented non-humans in one of my favorite novels The Tailor of Gloucester [novel by Beatrix Potter].

Stitch in Time

Pauvre Mama!

She sliced her little finger on 12/06 & 2 stitches were taken.

As you may know, although I am the sole creative force behind the MercuryMurphy blog, Mama turns on the computer and sets me up on my chair. [For more about my creative process, including the recipe for innovation-inducing libations, see entry of November 25, 2006.]

Thus there will be a slight delay before my next posting.

In the meantime, feel free to review some of my earlier entries.

I suggest the series of mystery reviews [October 2006], musings on media interviews with Andy Lester [by Chris Matthews], Jerry Seinfeld, and Superman [September 2006], informative essays about global artifacts & pictures of me as a baby [August 2006], and specifics about a dog's life in the Roushanzamir family [July 2006; entry, July 28, a view of my loft].

For another pleasant read, click "view my complete profile" located at the end of "About Me" to the right of your screen.

Remember: blogs invite comments.

Click on "comments" at the end of each entry to record your own.

Til later, my good friends & fans,

Mercury Murphy Roushanzamir/M-squared

Post Script: Mama's suggestion: "go to BBC-America web site for days & times during the week when you can watch the Time Lords of Galifrey program Dr. Who; watch him travel through space & time in his Tardis [time and relative dimensions in space machine--see photos of outside & inside below]," she says.

Blogging Productivity

Many fans have asked what inspires my productivity. For some reason, I've encountered surprise on the part of humans about my prodigious output on such a wide variety of topics: a dog's life, the Roushanzamirs & their family and friends, literature of numerous genres, global artifacts, scholarly research, and so forth.

While I can not provide an unfailing recipe to be followed step-by-step, this photo supplies some clues.

Acquire a new, light-weight computer & a very fast internet connection: for resources.

Surround yourself with many books, papers, posters, and other media [music, television, films]: for inspiration.

Dress according to mood, certainly casual if you like, but full evening dress if such strikes your fancy.

Relfect on your life's experiences, the successes, the failures, the pleasures & pains, the beautiful and the ugly: the sum of phenomena influencing who you are today.

And finally: sip a martini. I recommend Svedka Vodka [no vermouth] shaken til icy cold, garnished with a twist of lime and served in an extravagant martini glass.