Footnotes with Champagne

It's the Satyr's day . . .and the last Mercury retrograde of the year continues to Jan. 1, 2024.

To help with some of the shifting going on under the Mercurial umbrella: A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other. – Charles Dickens

The only novelist published before Charles Dickens whose books still sell thousands of copies every year – Jane Austen – was born on this date in 1775 Steventon, Hampshire, England.

The playwriter Sir Noël Coward was born on this date in 1899 Teddington, England.

Today is also the birthdate of science fiction/fantasy authors Philip K. Dick, and Arthur C. Clarke

~ Noel Coward ~

"Consider the public. Never fear it nor despise it. Coax it, charm it, interest it, stimulate it, shock it now and then if you must, make it laugh, make it cry, but above all never, never, never bore the living hell out of it."

"Familiarity breeds contempt, but without a little familiarity it's impossible to breed anything."

"I love criticism just so long as it's unqualified praise."

"Having to read footnotes resembles having to go downstairs to answer the door while in the midst of making love."

"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun; The Japanese don't care to, the Chinese wouldn't dare to; Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one, But Englishmen detest a siesta."

"Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn't everyone?"

"My importance to the world is relatively small. On the other hand, my importance to myself is tremendous. I am all I have to work with, to play with, to suffer and to enjoy. It is not the eyes of others that I am wary of, but of my own. I do not intend to let myself down more than I can possibly help, and I find that the fewer illusions I have about myself or the world around me, the better company I am for myself."