A World of Possibilities Caged Within an Unknown Universe

I wrote a comment in response to the luxurious lifestyle of a family whose French summer home was profiled by Elle Decor:

http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/032206/news/elle-decor-featured-home-007306

The eight-bedroom château in the French countryside is the summer-home of American Furniture designer Todd Hase and his family. It is stunning. As the article suggests, it’s hard not to envy their life.

“In the morning, the village baker leaves a fresh baguette by the gate as he bicycles by. In another ritual, the family walks to the nearby patisserie for café au lait and buys dessert for dinner that night. The children take riding lessons. A daily market provides fresh produce. Michelin awarded a notable three fork-and-spoon rating to the local restaurant. And in nearby Rouen, a ready supply of museums and art shows keeps the days stimulating.”

My comment:
Keep in mind that wealth begats freedom and more wealth. Many of the people we read about who live these wonderful lives come from families who already have a comfortable background. Their family's initial wealth allows them the freedom to pursue careers and goals that are non-traditional and gives them the chance to pursue their dreams.

Success usually takes at least a few failures. If they fail, these people can try again without worrying about not making rent or having enough money to pay for the next few days of meals.

That is why it is so hard for poor people to make that big break. It not only takes an immense amount of self-belief, but also exposure to a universe of possibilities that most people never get to see. It is my belief that it is usually the latter that keeps people from living extraordinary lives. How can you aspire to do or be something you've never seen?

America is one of the few places where significant upward mobility in one generation is possible, but the playing field is still fairly steep.

Thomas

Miscellaneous March

When I moved out for college, I stopped watching TV. Prior to meeting Aisha, I did not have a TV for eight years. When we moved in together, we used to argue all the time about having a TV. It was integral to her life and I saw it as the main delivery vehicle for all the mass-media consumerist garbage that makes me wish I had the balls to be an active anarchist.

After having gone through innumerable relationships, I capitulated as there is no fighting a determined woman. Surprisingly it's worked out well. We've achieved a sort of balanced detente as a result:

Aisha loves the Food Network
Thomas hates the Food Network
Result: Thomas now loves Rachel Ray

Aisha hates NBA Basketball
Thomas loves NBA Basketball
Result: Aisha allows Thomas to watch most NBA games when they are on

Aisha loves Law & Order
Thomas loves Homicide: Life on the Streets
Result: Aisha and Thomas watch at least 10 hours of Law & Order on the Law & Order station (aka TNT) per week

Law & Order is what we eat dinner by now. It's become a hallowed tradition.

Next up:
Aisha loves Project Runway
Thomas loathes Project Bitchfest
Result: Thomas has to sit through season 1 and 2 and is now contemplating the bright sides of losing one's vision.
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Aisha and I are going to take our first official vacation together in Italy at the end of the month. No more shoe-horning weekends from business trips. No more piggy-backing a few days off from visiting family. Italy is going to be all about us only.

With Aisha by my side, I have no doubt it will be completely memorable.