Say YES to Life.

"In hoc signo vinces (You'll Win Under this Sign)" by Bettina Werner; NO.3 panels 80 x 24 inches each © Bettina Werner 1993;Painting created with textured colorized salt technique invented by Bettina Werner in the early 1980’s

A human being
is a unique being,
single and unrepeatable.
Work hard at fulfilling yourself.
With courage,
mark out in your life
irreversible red cross,
and keep going, erect,
along your marvelous path.
Learn to be alone
and keep yourself company.
Let your mind listen and absorb.
Let the most dazzling secret salt of the earth
penetrate you.
Demand intransigence, rigorous verticality.
Don’t be afraid of facing the unknown,
and with violent desire
say YES to life.
–Bettina Werner

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine invited me to a cocktail party in this really great penthouse overlooking the East River.  The view was magnificent, but what really caught my eye was the painting above and, particularly, the poem that accompanies it. 

In hoc signo vinces in Latin means “in this [sign] you will conquer.”  As the legend goes, while marching with his army Constantine looked up in the sky and saw a cross of light and the Greek words “by this, be victorious!”, (or In hoc signo vinces in Latin).   That night, Constantine had a dream in which Christ told him that he should use the sign of the cross against his enemies, making it one of the earliest Christian symbols.  Centuries later, acclaimed Italian artist Bettina Werner used the same symbol and phrase when creating the artwork above. 

Both her painting and her poem inspire me, and I hope they provide inspiration for you too.  For more information on Bettina Werner and her artwork click HERE.

“YES” indeed,

—TRAVERS

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Texas Toast

This makes me want a bike.

For more Click here.

Have a great weekend,

—Travers

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Sad to See You Go: Dr. John Hope Franklin

I was saddened yesterday to hear of the death of Dr. John Hope Franklin, a great American historian.  The following is a brief, but fitting obituary via Gawker:

John Hope Franklin, the author of From Slavery to Freedom and possibly the greatest historian of the black American experience, died Wednesday at the age of 94. He lived well.

Franklin grew up in Oklahoma, and eventually made his way to Harvard and around the world as one of the leading scholars of America’s racial history. He wrote nearly 20 books, the most famous being the epic black history chronicle From Slavery to Freedom, called by one scholar “a landmark in the interpretation of American civilization.” If you go to college and take an African-American history class, you will read it.

He helped win the Brown v. Board of Education case. He went on to win the Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton, and taught at Duke up to the end. RIP, John Hope.

Rest in peace, indeed.

For a more thorough obituary, CLICK HERE to read the one from The New York Times.

—-Travers

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And the Flyness Award Goes to…Arlo Weiner

Meet Arlo Weiner: the flyest little boy I’ve ever seen since THIS photo.  Arlo is the son of Max Weiner, the creator of the TV series Mad Men, and is featured in his own GQ photo spread.  This kid rocks bow-ties, ascots, fedoras, and top hats on a regular basis, counts Black Sabbath and Bob Dylan among his favorite musicians, and considers Frank Sinatra his style inspiration. 

Oh yeah, and he’s only in the second grade.  (When I was that age, I was barely interested in tying my shoestrings, much less a bow-tie!)

Keep reading for more of his flyness, and to hear what he has to say about his unparalleled style CLICK HERE.

I bet THIS will make you think twice about rolling out of bed and throwing on the first thing you see. Lol.

—-Travers

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Stevie Wonder at the White House

President and First Lady to Host Concert Honoring Stevie Wonder in the East Room

On Wednesday, February 25th, the President and First Lady will host a concert in the East Room honoring Stevie Wonder, who will be awarded the 2nd annual Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Library of Congress.  The concert will be broadcast February 26th on PBS as part of its “In Performance at the White House” series in celebration of African American History Month. 

SOURCE: The White House Press Office

Get into more pics below, and be sure to check out the concert TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS Stations nationwide.

—Travers

 

In the words of Stevie Wonder, “Isn’t She Lovely?”

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You Should Know Bobby Jindal

If you don’t already, you should really get to know Governor Piyush “Bobby” Jindal.  In 2007 Jindal became the first Indian American to be elected Governor of Louisiana and the first Indian American to ever be elected to a statewide political office in U.S. history.  He is the father of three young children with his wife Supriya, who is a chemical engineer and has an MBA.  In the 2008 presidential election, there was widespread speculation that Sen. John McCain was going to tap Jindal to be his running mate, but we all know how that turned out. 

But don’t you dare think that Jindal is through with national politics.  In fact, at age 37, it looks like he’s just getting started.  The Republicans are grooming him to be a serious contender to President Barack Obama in the next election, and you can already see “Jindal 2012” sites popping up all over the internet.  He is a pretty staunch conservative, has a good political history, and has an inspiring story.  Jindal as a human being is likeable and respected by non-Republicans in the same way that President Obama is likeable among non-Democrats and those who didn’t vote for him. (Well at least those who don’t think he’s a terrorist or the anti-Christ ). 

And the non-political similarities between Jindal and Obama are un-freaking-canny: both are young (although Jindal’s younger) and are relative political newcomers; both have beautiful, accomplished, professional wives; both have adorable young children; both have RIDICULOUSLY photographic families;  both are the “American Dream” personified. 

Jindal will be giving the official Republican response after President Obama’s first State of the Union address tonight. (This is a HUGE deal, and is usually a strong indicator of someone who has eyes on the presidency).  You may not agree with his political stances but you can’t deny that this guy is bringing MAJOR heat.  Keep your eyes on Bobby Jindal—he may be just what the Republicans need.

What do you think of Bobby Jindal?  Do you think he’ll be a presidential contender in 2012? Is this the younger, Republican, Indian-American version of Obama?  Let me know.

Keep reading for more facts about and photos of Jindal and his family.

—Travers

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The Vanity Fair Oscar Party On Your Coffee Table

I love books.  They are on of my biggest passions and are my biggest extravagance.  Even though I work around books all day long, I can still go into a Barnes and Noble and get lost for hours, just roaming the shelves.  I am amassing quite a collection of all types of books, and my Vanity Fair “Oscar Night” coffee table book is def one of my favorites.  I was at work one day, and this treasure (and I mean that in every sense of the word—the book costs $75) was sitting on one of our free book shelves.  Now you KNOW I couldn’t pass this one up!  With many of us still in a post Slumdogs, (oops, I mean post Oscars) hangover, I thought you might enjoy some of these amazing photos from this great book as much as I do.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy,

Travers

Angela Bassett and Oprah Winfrey react to Halle Berry's Best Actress win in 2002

 

Halle Berry and then-husband, Eric Benet, celebrate after her Best Actress win in 2002

Michael Jackson was Madonna's date to the Oscars in 1991

11 years earlier, in 1980, the King of Pop was Diana Ross' date to the Academy Awards

Former "it" couples, (left) Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt (right) Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, in happier times

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon after winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for "Good Will Hunting" in 1997

Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta after winning the Best Supporting Actor in 1989

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The Obamas Host the Nation’s Governors

Forget the Oscars—THIS is the Red Carpet you should care about.  While millions of people across the globe were tuned in to the 81st Annual Academy Awards last night, President and First Lady Obama hosted a dinner for the nation’s Governors in the State Dining Room of the White House.  This was the first formal dinner that the President and First Lady have hosted since being in office. 

The governors are in town for the The National Governors Association meeting.  Well, most of the governors.  Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was not in attendance.  Hmm.

Get into the pics below.  But before you do, let me just say this:  NO ONE (at the Oscars or the White House) could touch the First Lady last night!  She killed it as only she can!

Enjoy,

Travers

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

New York Governor David Paterson and wife Michelle

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and wife Supriya

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver

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REAL People: Fall Fashion Week Flyness

So if you haven’t heard, this week was New York Fashion Week.  To be honest, I’ve never really cared too much about it because I’m not really interested in the latest trends or what the models/”celebrities” have on.  In my eyes, personal style (not fashion—there’s a difference) is more important than what’s hot at the moment, and besides, I’ve always been more inpsired by what “real” people are wearing anyway. 

That’s why I love these photos by Scott Schuman (aka “The Sartorialist) of what everyday New Yorkers were rocking over the past week.  For more photos like these CLICK HERE , and to see what was hot on the runways this week  CLICK HERE to visit my friend Sierra’s blog.

Enjoy,

—Travers

“Miranda Priestly” 2009

I see you, boo.

This dude got it all right.

This little girl is everything.

You can’t tell her SH*T!

Ok, so technically this photo was taken in Milan.  But who cares if he’s not a New Y orker—this guy is FLY.

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Happy Birthday, Mr. Poitier

Mr. Poitier and me, February 2007

Academy Award-winning actor, film director, author, and diplomat Sidney Poitier turned 82 today.  I met Mr. Poitier a couple years ago when I was a student presenter at the 2007 Morehouse College ” A Candle in the Dark” Gala where he received a Lifetime Achievement award.

“Welcome, Mr. Poitier,” I said. “My name is Travers Johnson”

“Hello.  I’ve seen that face before,” he replied.

“Really?” I said.

“Yes.”

Now, I HIGHLY doubt that he had ever seen my face before.  (If he had, that would actually be kind of weird).  Maybe he’s seen someone who looks like me; maybe he says that to every new person he meets.  But Mr. Poitier’s presence is so mesmerizing that, at that moment, he probably could have convinced me that I was his long lost grandson.

When you get a chance you should read his memoir The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography. 

This is one of the most meaningful books I’ve ever cracked open.

Happy Birthday, sir.

—-Travers

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