Friday, October 16, 2009

Week's End - Don't Shoot the Piano Player

"Please do not shoot the pianist. He is doing his best."

Laughed out loud this morning when reminded of Oscar Wilde's reaction to an American saloon sign as "the only rational method of art criticism I have ever come across." Thanks to Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac.

Happy 155th Birthday, Oscar. You don't look a day over 30, darling. Never l'esprit d'escalier for you.

[Oscar Wilde in his favourite coat. New York. Picture by Napoleon Sarony(1821-1896) via Library of Congress.]

4 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

I've always loved that image of Wilde. In that coat with the big fur collar, he looks as if he should be up in the Klondike!

Susan said...

I agree...he's so stylish, no matter what. xoxo

Mary-Laure said...

I adore Wilde! The wittiest, most snobbish, most endearing of all.

Susan said...

Yes. How many times have you wished you had that quickness? (Though, I'm sure you are quick:) I think I reread him/about him for vicarious thrill (otherwise, I'll never know what it's like).

xo