The Art of Gift Giving

Most people suffer from a slight depressions in January because the days are colder, darker and there is all sorts of bad news on TV—ominous reports about the economy that don't mean much of anything to anybody, endless reruns, and thousands of health ads that suggest an immediate diet or a funeral is in order. And then there is that uncomfortable feeling that credit card bills are coming soon—and reality sets in—you spent too much money on the holidays.  In fact, everything and everybody just stops until Superbowl Sunday—which is in February this year. There is that familiar feeling that Spring is coming,...

There is a tunnel between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, called the Devil's Slide Tunnel, which I love, because as I drive through it, I see nothing but green lights.  I am not sure why there are so many lights in a tunnel because there is no cross-traffic at all. But, I get a thrill because the green lights reflect off the shiny walls so it seems like there are even more lights then there really are, and when I come out of the tunnel, I am met with an extraordinary view of the sea. It is my opinion that this experience should be listed...

There is a small alleyway in Paris called Rue du Bourg Tibourg where a savvy traveler can find an unforgettable perfumery called L'Artisian Perfumeur located at number 32. I found this unique shop quite by accident many years ago when I was caught in an unexpected downpour without an umbrella. As the story goes, L'Artisian Perfumeur was founded in 1976, which is not all that long ago, but it had a different story than so many other brands.  First of all, they referred to their scents as a "movement" where exclusive niche fragrance houses became "inspired by nature and a desire to do things a little...

I stopped going to Paris to see landmarks many years ago. There is no doubt I love them, but I have seen them many times and now they are more of a comfort to me than anything else. When I visit Paris now, I see friends and get lost in countless fascinating conversations about life, art, love—and then one other thing—hot chocolate, or chocolate chaud, as they call it in France.  I have been conducting a grand experiment over the years to find the best hot chocolate in the world. It's a tricky subject.  What makes it the best? Is it the ingredients? Or is...

Time is always on my mind.  I once referred to myself as a "time-chaser."  I've spent most of my professional life with jobs where deadlines were a way of life—starting with the newspaper business where deadlines came and went every few hours—then I began producing international events where every second was captured. Well, years have now passed, and I still try to cram so much into every second of the day—always imagining that I am accomplishing so much. And at the end of each day, I fall into bed, exhausted, but usually exclaim—wow, I got so much done today! Recently, I have been wondering why I...