I’m a big fan of second chances. Like when someone puts pinstripe pants and saddle shoes in the same pile to use at a shoot, you have to be forgiving. When someone accidentally puts Splenda in your coffee, you have to let it go. I’m writing this out because my doctor has told me that if I don’t let things go I might have a stroke, and in that process I’d probably have to learn how to hold a pen again. I can barely read my own handwriting now, I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had lost all function in my right hand.

Now, I told you that story to tell you this story. My daughter is in college and they’re making her re-read Romeo and Juliet in her English Literature class (which seems sort of elementary to me, but I guess it’s important enough to be re-done to the tune of her outrageous tuition). She came home for the weekend and proposed an interesting question. “If they had actually gotten married and done the whole honeymoon thing, happily ever after and all that jazz, would they still be as romantic as they were in the time frame of the days the play covers?” What a smart cookie, got me thinking about those crazy emotions of love, hate, revenge, turmoil. Words like that always get thrown in to a larger pot, romanticized in to something noteworthy, but does the context they're placed in take away the meaning of the word? Or even add to it? Case in point, I could say that I'm agonizing over a lover and suddenly it becomes romantic. Now I switch out lover to 'monthly layout' and 'financial aid forms' and it's sort of like throwing a bucket of ice down your pants. Am I correct? Incorrect? Give me your thoughts on the use of such strong words if you're game for the essay question. I've got a prize bag around here somewhere.

I suppose that was more diversion than introduction, but I've never been all that great at getting to the point on my own without heading down a road with all sorts of twists and turns. For the sake of introductions:

Hey kids, I’m Claire, even that sideshow character at Six Flags can’t guess how old I am, and I’ll be your Fashion Editor – though I suppose nothing about what I’ve said before this is entirely indicative of that fact. I also apparently like long winded discussions if you're in the mood to ramble. If you need help locating me, just look for the new decoration I put on my door. If you’re feeling feisty, ask me if I intend to use it.