As readers begin to delve into the values, priorities, habits, and customs of Old Money–people who’ve enjoyed wealth and privilege for 3 generations or more–they often have questions. These sometimes run along the lines of “What kind of shoes do Old Money Guys wear?” or “Would this (fill in the blank) be considered appropriate for … More Old Money: The Culture
August is upon us here in Paris. A majority of the residents have fled for the coast, the mountains, or the countryside. Parisians who still remain–healthcare workers and those in hospitality–ask my wife and I where we’re going for vacation. When we reply that we’re staying in Paris, they look at us as if we … More A Few Updates from Paris and Elsewhere
Greetings from Paris. I wanted to share some news on the screenplay front. Our Untitled French Thriller script that was an Official Selection at the Montreal Independent Film Festival has just been selected as one of the Quarterfinalists in the 2022 Page International Screenwriting Awards competition. Almost 9,000 screenplays were submitted in this competition, one … More Film News: 2022 Page International Screenwriting Awards – Quarterfinalist
The slow retreat of Covid 19 and its Omicron variant have allowed me to safely plan a trip back to the United States this month. My last visit was in November of 2019. It’s been an eventful time in between, to say the least: a once-in-a-century pandemic, subsequent global travel bans, local and national lockdowns, … More The Mixed Bag: Returning to the US…Two Years Later
A very predictable thing happens at the end of each year: we have the time and the inclination to contemplate. Often we look back on the last 11 3/4 months. We wince with regret or sigh with satisfaction at our choices or our experiences. Sometimes our minds wander farther afield. We pour through thicker volumes … More Old Money…With Issues
One of the things I’ve noticed since relocating to France in 2017 is the absence of firearms. I’ve only seen them in the possession of on-duty law enforcement officers. Of course, I live in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Here, being civilized is one of the most highly prized attributes one can exhibit, often communicated … More Old Money Talks Guns
The wonderful and sometimes irritating thing about travel and learning is that, on occasion, it requires you to rethink your position on certain things. While we have to hold fast to certain values and ideals, we should allow ourselves some flexibility as we consider other, perhaps less important, issues and choices. One such item that … More Jaeger-LeCoultre – A Wristwatch to Consider
It’s always interesting when Old Money steps up, speaks out, and takes a public position on an issue of immediate importance. The culture’s behavioral compass almost always points toward a constellation of polestars: reserve, discretion, privacy, silence, and secrecy. Voicing one’s opinions on public affairs is for politicians, who, Old Money or not, have thrown … More Old Money Talks Climate Change
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the late, great Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post during the Watergate era. His commitment to excellence–and to the truth–during a critical time in this country’s history is inspirational. He embodied a no nonsense approach to journalism. He also embraced lofty ideals concerning the role ‘the … More Ben Bradlee on Journalism
The pandemic brought more than a few issues to light, especially for the United States. These issues have, at their core, our notion of individuality: our self-reliant, go-it-alone, pioneer spirit that we believe is central to our identity as Americans. Governors and state governments found themselves at odds with the federal government, not for the … More Re-Thinking Individualism