Waldina

Today is the 95th birthday of the author Harper Lee.  She is an essential part of the American experience through her book To Kill A Mockingbird, it resonates with so very many people, including me and probably many of you reading this right now.  She is an American treasure, we are very fortunate to have her in our lives and the world is a better place because she is in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Forty-six years ago today the science fiction sports film Death Race 2000 premiered. The film takes place in a dystopian American society in the year 2000, where a murderous transcontinental road race has become a form of national entertainment. It is really giving you more than you even knew you needed. The film was given one and even zero stars when it was released, but over time the critics have grown to appreciate it and universally considered a cult classic.

Today is the 149th birthday of the film director and unsolved murder victim William Desmond Taylor. He is one of the most famous classic Hollywood unsolved mysteries and the true crime junkie in me is fascinated with the story. Just the fact that it happened 99 years ago and there are seven possible murderers and it never got solved is enough to be the subject of numerous documentaries and podcasts.

Today is the 81st birthday of the music producer Giorgio Moroder. One word: LONGEVITY. He worked with Donna Summer in the 70s and Kylie Minogue two months ago. He is the living/breathing example of doing what you love and continuing to grow and learn and create for your entire life. The world is a better place he is in it.

Today is the 104th birthday of the architect I.M. Pei.  I first witnessed his work in person with the I. Magnin on Pine Street in Seattle, the store is long gone and windows have been chopped into the previously clean and sleek white stone facade, but you can still see a hint of his vision.  You just have to know where to look.  I have gone on to appreciate and become a fan of his work.  Adding beauty to utilitarian things is a service to the world. His longevity is admirable.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 104th birthday of the singer Ella Fitzgerald. I have included some of my favorite songs of hers below. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Today is the 147th birthday of the inventor Guglielmo Marconi. If you are reading this, you can thank him for it. His work created the foundation for everything you cannot live without in your life today: connectivity. His likeness is on money. I rest my case. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 165th birthday of the inventor Granville T. Woods. It is most likely that you needed something today that was based off of his inventions. All I have to do is mention third rail and those of you that know, know. Thomas Edison sued him for patent infringement and lost (so maybe Edison should be known as White Granville T. Woods?). The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 89th birthday of Halston.  He is one of the first luxury designers to produce a mainstream main street line that let everyone woman in America feel glamorous.  His townhouse at 101 East 63 Street is one of my not so secret obsessions (photos below).  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 93rd birthday of the child actor and adult diplomat Shirley Temple. We used to watch her films whenever they were on TV. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.