The French Revolution

I'm piecing together, the Black Nobility, the Crimean War, Palmerston, US Civil war and the Royal Family and the City of London.

The latter two are still in control of a lot more than the charade called government.

This documentary on the French Revolution was quite useful, and through it, I got a good primer on Robespierre and the Jacobins.

This production is from the time when the History Channel produced informative history programmes because these days they just want the kids to breast feed on Ghost Hunters and Ancient Aliens.

Not all kids stop there but a lot do and have no idea of their manipulation. Neither did I at their age but I'm learning more each day and I was raised on more stimulating content.

Recently I read Clif High's post on the spiritual revolution taking place (for want of a better description) and I was delighted that he articulated many of the thoughts I'm having recently. Particularly that most academic history is just a pile of rubbish and that it will take years for us to really sort out the depth of deception. As a general rule of thumb, those the media lionize are arseholes and those they smear are much more interesting. Like say Nixon  and Carter. Two of the more independent Presidents of the United States.

1969 - Apollo 11 Moon Landing

There's a lot of history that went down in 1969 including this and this not to mention DARPANET, which indirectly led me to have a brand infatuation moment yesterday in Causeway Bay. I used to live in the area there on Haven Street, which is a groovy place because locals in the know, drop by during the wee hours for famous local desserts.

But what really turned me on was the New Omega Shop which looks a little bit like it could be a flagship store. I mentioned that the IWC "Top Gun" Official USAF watch was kind of OK on me back here but I think they're a little too showy even though the sales staff are awesome.

I've also been toying with buying a Chanel number that caught my eye.

The strap is ceramic like the Rado watches of recent decades and it's a thing of beauty, although once again a little ostentatious. But now I've seen the watch I want, because it ticks all the right boxes on lots of levels. Through their renovation display, Omega have sold me a watch that is the Omega Speedmaster. The first and only watch worn on the moon.

 You're probably wondering why I'm waffling on about watches. I should point out that inside the suitcase stolen by the taxi driver, was the only luxury watch I've ever bought. It was the beautiful and robust Montblanc watch that I once had to go head to head with Rob on his blog about. I also coincidentally bought this watch the last time I was in Hong Kong from a delightful sales lady called Van Wong at the Montblanc Store. Here is a very similar model as it's the unique rubber strap and elegant face that sold me this watch.

 I'm pretty much reconciled to losing this fine friend because it's now been three weeks since it was stolen and the application process for determining a license plate is arbitrary as I understand it. But that's OK because this damm Omega is telling me that despite having quite funky tastes in watches....

....I still need a piece of craftsmanship on my wrist. It's not so much about having the correct time. For me it's about reminding me how valuable time is. Life my friends, is beautiful. Even when we lose everything we own. I'm going to write a bit more about that. Time is something you can't save. Only lose.

Below is one more shop picture of the striking shop renovation for Omega that celebrates the first and only watch on the moon. I think they're onto something. The watch, which I cannot afford till I get a new computer and some clothes firts, will be on my wrist one day. You can count on it. Here's the bit of the moon that the Apollo 11 space capsule in which the Omega Speedmaster was worn landed on. Neat huh? I think we're made for each other.

Challenging Conventions

The Telegraph posted this trailer for Coco Chanel and I thought maybe a few of you would know if it's your sort of thing if my review was rubbish but the embed conveyed the style a bit better than I was able to explain.

Chanel

Ed just posted about Chanel and so I've got to get this off my chest. Chanel are kicking retail ass at the moment in so many ways that I can only describe as creative tumescence pour moi. 

I passed their flagship store in Bejing and pulled out the Canon to snap their window display. It's on another level and frankly I could write about just their shoes for a few hundred words. 

I realise that luxury is the opposite of a lot of values I espouse on this blog but never confuse true beauty and design genius with high bills.