Wednesday, June 30, 2010

On The Stroll Again


" Just When the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." - Anonymous


Here I go, resurrecting a defunct blog which I first I created in the Fall of 2009. While reading the obituary and tribute to RISD professor and NYC man about town Richard Merkin, I came across the term "boulevardier". Mr. Merkin was a schooled, cultivated and dapper man seen all over The Big Apple and often traveled abroad. When not teaching, he might be at a charity event, art opening, taking in a play, concert or having a drink in a bar. But, he was always well dressed and cut an impressive figure wherever he went, hence his title of boulevardier. A search of the word and it's usage revealed to me that others had picked up on this word and ran with it. But, alas, the term is often confused with "dandy", "fop" or "playboy" and used in the wrong context. A boulevardier is not necessarily a "man of leisure" or a clothes horse who prances around in the latest fashion to draw attention. My definition, and thus mission statement as it were, is a man who, first and foremost, enjoys the adventure that everyday life can offer. He explores, he reads, he listens and he has a taste. And whenever possible, he travels, be it cross town or across the globe. He lives for discovery and the chance to get lost. Meeting people is the cherry on top. From the aristocrat to the alley cat, everyone's a star in the eyes of a true boulevardier. Life is unpredictable, tedious and even harsh. But a man of style (and substance) puts on his best face and outfit, and boldly faces the day. -VB