Mary Christine "Teena Marie" Brockert
"Lady T"
March 5, 1056 - December 26, 2010

Where were you when the music stopped? It was just confirmed that one of the most dynamic singers of our time, Teena Marie, passed away early yesterday. She was only 54 years old.

Often, we link music to events in our lives: weddings, funerals, births, first kisses, so on and so forth, and while I'm not one who can remember exactly where I was or what I was doing when a particular song played, I'm certain that Teena Marie's music  was there, somewhere in the background.  From the time I purchased her first album, "Wild and Peaceful" as a child (which, coincidentally, was the first album that I had saved my allowance to purchase), she has provided the soundtrack of my life; from slow and languid ballads like Deja Vu and Cassanova Brown to the sexier compositions such as Portuguese Love and Dear Lover to the more infectious, up-tempo pieces like Behind The Groove and Square Biz. Teena Marie's musical talents encompassed all genres: R&B, Jazz, blues, pop, rock and even hip-hop. There have been very few musicians who are/were as talented as Lady T. She was a writer, arranger, composer, producer,  instrumentalist and percussionist. Other than Prince and Stevie Wonder,  who else, in our time, can claim to be this gifted? I was fortunate to have met her on several occasions around town, and I'm very happy to note that she was as warm and inviting in person as she appeared on stage; welcoming you into her lyrical embrace. When she walked out on that stage, you knew that you were going to get a full TWO HOUR show. You never felt shortchanged at one of her concerts, as I've often felt with other musicians. She always sang the classics (in their entirety!) as well as a sprinkling of the new pieces.  Without hyperbole, I can say that she was indeed the best at what she did. Prayers and sympathy to her family and loved-ones, particularly, her only child, daughter, Alia Rose. Rest in Peace, Lady T.

Here's a snippet of Lady T doing what she did best...

Teena's Discography: 1979-2009

FROM TOP, Left to Right:  1. Wild and Peaceful, 1979   2. Lady T, 1980 
3. Irons In The Fire, 1980   4. It Must Be Magic, 1981   5. Robbery, 1983 
6. Starchild, 1984   7. Emerald City, 1986   8. Naked To The World, 1988 
9. Ivory, 1990   10. Passion Play, 1994   11. La Dona, 2004   
12. Sapphire, 2006   13. Congo Square, 2009

Teena, in her own words, 2009.

Scenes from Teena's memorial service at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, CA., January 2011

I once had a friend who, upon her return from safari, said that she was  having trouble remembering numbers. Never having been on safari, who was I to argue this statement's truth? (Its plausibility, maybe) And since it was said without even the slightest hint of a smile, I took it to be true. Barring an ailment such as Alzheimers or amnesia, does one normally unlearn something as fundamental as math? Wouldn't it be similiar to riding a bicycle? Well, recently I was helping my little cousin with her times tables and, for the life of me, I could not remember the answer to 9x6. Seriously, no matter how hard I tried - NOTHING! And yet I've never had the luxury of traipsing across the Serengeti. (Though I was at the Los Angeles Zoo several months back.) Granted, English was always my strong suit in school, but I have definitely known my multiplication tables since third grade. Thankfully, I've recently come upon the simply amazing math-based tutorial website, Khan Academy,founded by Salman Khan in 2004, which has even been recognized (and apparently, used) by Mr. Bill Gates. Originally, the site was started to help his out-of-state cousins with their math studies; the site now has over 1,800 video tutorials and has reached tens of millions in just a few short years. Mr. Khan (the sole instructor) takes you from basic  Arithmetic through Linear Algebra, touching on Biology, Chemistry and Physics along the way. I was just thinking, in case times tables aren't my only issue, maybe I should look for my abacus, in the meantime.

Studies have shown that one of the best and most effective ways to stave off Alzheimer's is by routinely performing mental exercises like Brain Teasers and Crossword Puzzles. At Khan Academy, you'll get these fun exercises, as well as, the core mathematics that you came for. Check it out.

ugattis, Porsches, Ferraris  (and, of course,  the occasional Morgan, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz), are  all there in the most extraordinary and impressively prodigious vintage car collection of  Ralph Lauren. Having collected and meticulously restored 60 plus automobiles over the last several decades, this is a man who has indeed proven to be driven and influenced by his automotive passions; parts of which are often re-interpreted  sartorially and have been known to show up in one of his collections (the RL-CF1 Carbon Fiber lounge chair, for example). He is definitely not a collector of  the nouveaux riche variety: those who are, often too eager to show the world what their money can buy. The fact that he routinely drives these asphalt demons is further testament to his (in)vested interest and dedication to these most breathtakingly sexy, exotic and sophisticated "toys." Handsomely showcased in this month's issue of Vanity Fair,  are but a few of Mr. Lauren's priceless and frightfully well-kept mistresses.                                    

(All Photographs by Todd Eberle for Vanity Fair)

While watching the documentary channel several weeks back, I came across  this wonderfully executed piece, "SPEED, STYLE & BEAUTY:  The Ralph Lauren Car Collection, which apparently is based on his book of the same name. To look at still images in a book is one thing, but to see moving video of these exquisite (and often extraordinarily rare) automobiles is breathtaking. How the camera pans and glides over the curves and lines of the Mercedes Gullwing can only be surpassed by seeing it in person. The shine on the vehicles (the red & black ones, in particular) looked as brilliantly polished as a woman's manicure; each seemingly lacquered to a high-gloss.  Had  I been aware of this eclectic melange of automotive perfection when it was shown in gallery, I really do think that I would have purchased an airplane ticket just to have been able to witness, first hand, the visually intoxicating glory of this amazingly seductive car collection up close and personal. Oh well, in the meantime...

I've been following the New York based style blog, Street Etiquette, since I saw the write-up in this past June's issue of GQ. The article showcased  the site's two creators, Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi and their keen sartorial aesthetic. While I'm definitely beyond the age of wearing most of the items that they often wear, I applaud their creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to their style.  A couple of months back, they collaborated with  F.E. Castleberry of Unabashedly Prep  to do this brilliant pictorial titled, The Black Ivy.  It's a modern day take on the recently re-released book, Take Ivy, but of course, with a tad bit more flair. Here's a collage of some of the images that were shown. 

Video via Street Etiquette

Do you enjoy the HBO series, In Treament, as much as I do? While I've never been in therapy, if I were to find it necessary, I could only hope to be fortunate enough to be analyzed by the likes of Dr. Paul Weston (Gabriel Byrne); a seemingly most compassionate and human pscyhotheraphist. So far Season 2, which featured "patients" Oliver (Aaron Shaw), Walter (John Mahoney), April (Allison Pill), as well as, Paul's therapist, Gina (Dianne Wiest) has been my favorite season...

Season 2: "April"

...though it's been great seeing Debra Winger as "Frances" this season.