Why do people bother keeping up with fashion?

Firstly, bravo to the tone of fear in your first sentence, Martin. It's only taken a decade of me working in journalism for readers – or a reader, anyway – to see me as they should: as the Josef Stalin of fashion journalism, ruling with a fist of titanium (iron is so last season) and a terrifyingly whimsical nature. Well done, Martin. Your supplication does you credit and it pleases me.

Now, to your email in which there are actually two more points to address and not just the one you think, and don't worry, I won't yell at you for that. In honour of the death of Waterstone's two-for-three yellow stickers, this week this column will do a three-issues-for-one-letter special.

There is, obviously, no "point" in keeping up with fashion any more than there is in charting the progress of one's football team through the different leagues. (Coo-ee! Check me out with my sporty lingo! The only reason I'm not this paper's chief football correspondent is because I would give all the other sports journalists in the office and, indeed, the world, massive inferiority complexes. True story!) I mean, what's the point in watching every football match when you can just catch up at the end of the season and see where your team is, right? Or even, why bother with that seeing as they'll only be in a different position next year, right? Right, Martin? Right?

Wrong, obviously. People follow sports teams for the same reason they follow soap operas for the same reason they follow fashion: because it's fun. It's enjoyable to talk about the progression of Arsenal/EastEnders/hemlines with fellow devotees because it's fun to feel part of a club and to talk in shared codes with other club members and, for heaven's sake, it's just nice to take a break from bills and bus queues and the general tedium of real life. The changeability is part of the thrill.

I appreciate that the bossy tone of a lot of fashion journalism – including, absolutely, this column – suggests to some readers that they are being told that they must wear blue this season and red the next, but that's only because those readers don't speak Fashion Code. No one is ordering you to wear anything, any more than a match report about Chelsea and Arsenal is telling you that you must support either of the teams. It's not personal. It's just fashion.

Now, as to your point that fashion always changes, only last week I would have agreed with you. But, proving that I don't just write about fashion but that I am fashion, I have since changed my mind.

Last week, a friend announced that he had found an article from 1950 called "Cheap Clothes for Fat, Old Women" and it made him think of me. After making a mental note that I really most try to scare my friends as much as I scare at least one reader of this column, I granted him permission to elaborate. This article, written by the wonderful Marghanita Laski, dissected the ridiculous fashion speak of her day, providing spot-on translations for Fashion Speak, such as "dramatic" ("virtually unwearable; photographs well") and "Bulge, unseemly" ("stomach fat").

These code words are as prevalent in fashion magazines today as they were in Laski's, and the translations are still the same. So what I'm saying, Martin, is that fashion isn't quite as changeable as you think. Trends come back and daft fashion lingo remains impressively immutable – more so, really, than any other language I know.

So in short, Martin, join the fun. Fashion isn't as baffling as you think. Nor is it scary. But I am. Very.

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My silence, West decide this guy, christian louboutin sale really nice, why you can never learn to lie?

I put the cup filled with water, forced to put in front of him, a word for word with emphasis:" uncle, this is black tea, nuanwei."

" Still useful?" He looked at me sadly.

"Don't say enough." I didn't say the command by using the tone.

Uncle laugh out, while patting meThis, and my grandmother share.

" Uncle," I think the fingertips numb, suffering increasingly heavy feeling of suffocation, I asked him," the girl, who is born dead girl, is my sister? She have a name?"

"." Uncle nodded," she told West Yang, flying Yang, is your uncle from."

" Living for thirty years," I laugh at myself," I didn't know there was a man named Zheng Xiyang."

" Later on like this for ten years," Uncle crossed his arm in the chest "" West decide a little big, who is also smart, I think has forgot that he is not your uncle biological children, but there is such a day, I go to work, pick up the" City daily", see above a missing person, said to be looking for August 2, 1981 11 at noon in the city people's Hospital at the door that one family. There are particular described an old woman and her three sons. This advertisement is very strange, our colleagues are still in discussion. But I was confused, I know the advertiser must be Xi Jue birth parents, I will go to your father and your uncle called them, your dad said we spent the night together to discuss countermeasures -- but in the afternoon, your uncle go -- heart disease, we all don't know, he was so young to have heart disease, your dad said, is to be always on tenterhooks years of, boiled. Who knows! Uncle cup, drink some cold drop of black tea," the rest of the things you'll see. The first is your uncle, then is your aunt, then West decide to my child. At that time the house so big things, we also have no mind to the ad, and later, the notice and no longer appeared in the newspaper, also no other news, flash, so many years passed."

" Uncle," I licked the chapped lips," really great, such a big thing, these year you every day watching the West decide in front of you dangling, you should eat to sleep, you."

I'm used to it. He sighed heavily," I thought that as long as I live for the day, I kept this secret for a day. Then one day I discovered that, apart from me, who know the secret, not in. Now I don't know myself -- so I think there should be a person knows this matter, if my body is not a problem, I said to you when I didn't come today. If I really ... If Xi Jue parents one day come, I said the event, home to at least know what happened -- your grandmother said, they would have no place, I want to tell you three", it is her that everything to hang on the face, you, you more attention, more will decide, and I can't see it, it is up to you to decide whether to tell you, three uncles, let the West decide I know, if someone comes looking for him to do, are you, I out of sight out of mind." He hesitated for a moment, "and, in any case, you are good, the West decide it, help me to stretch the company, until at least the music can really independent so far ... East Ni, I put the home to you."

Person who knows the secret will die, but uncle decided to let the secret to live, so, he chose me.

" I thought," a stiff smile make my cheek feel a little strange itch," I thought, I am not the child -- but, however, is actually the West decide, what a joke."

" It is your father or uncle," undoubtedly waving his arm," he nothing, he needed an excuse to complete your mother -- how can you not this child? You don't know, you little time longer and your aunt is as like as two peas,, you have an aunt, my sister, your uncle 's sister, but she only live eight years old .... I mean, until the age of eight, you are like her, you are grown up after getting more like your mother -- so those at sixes and sevens. I never believe. East neon, the children crying ... ...."

I jumped as if wakening from a dream. Think mind abnormal awake, awake to the surrounding all things quietly issued a tiny vibrating sound. " Uncle," go to the bedroom door and asked me suddenly look back," you believe me, I have something to tell you," I try to smile," but I don't tell you now. I will wait for your body no problem will cheap christian louboutin shoes tell you, no matter it is diagnosed, or after the operation, but uncle, do you remember, you have to refuel, physicians should you do you listen to -- you have not listened to my story." No time to see the expression on his face, I turned around, with the last bit of strength and spirit support their final normal sentence words," not early, uncle let me send you home, then I will go to the store." Follow me into the room, closing the door behind, I know my body like a broken broken strings, also know their own shed floods down one's cheeks.

You fool, Xi jue. Fool, Xi jue. Thank you, Xi Jue, thank you.

Back in eleventh.

Meimei

Rubber band in the fracture of the moment has come to life,

Because this seems to come unexpectedly fracture,

Can finally released

It hides the burst.

On those days I just wake up, in the shop. From opening to closing, - sometimes I take Zheng Chenggong, because uncle soon to be operation, only open his stomach, the doctor can determine whether or not the shadows of evil, so this time I do not want to let the three uncles to worry about my things. I can put his walker is fixed in a corner behind the bar -- he never walk, only barely stand it, give him a gadget, is sometimes presented to the customer key chain, sometimes is an empty of sugar small iron box, he can eat with appetite to do good for a long time. I sat on the stool top overlooking him quietly, suddenly I feel that he is a hidden in the light in the forest small mushrooms, completely invisible bar wall behind those shaking of the face, the guests laugh or below for him but is cross head wind.

My Thoughts On Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception

A day one purchase is a verbal vow that some of us promise ourselves. It’s something we internally agree on as early as the viewing of the first trailer or even teaser of a certain game. Recently, I’ve been going through an annoying lack of time issue when it comes to wanting to play games. When I eventually get time off work and when I’m not using that time for dance training, I usually spend the hours playing Starcraft 2 or Final Fantasy XIV. (now that it’s much more playable) The great advantage I get from mentally deciding on a day one purchase, is that I will plan very far into the future and make sure that on the morning of the chosen games release, I have no commitments on that day other than to be a couch potato with a rotting video game addiction. Thanks to Naughty Dog and their great craftsmanship, from the minute I completed Uncharted 2, Uncharted 3 received the title of day one purchase. Little did I know that I would be somewhat disappointed with my purchase and that I would have much rather waited until the game went down to at least £25. I really would like to start off by saying that I don’t feel that Uncharted 3 made a big enough leap from the previous game but I can see where it could be debated that the second game didn’t leave much room to be improved upon due to it being such a masterpiece. Due to that fair and understandable counter argument, I won’t make that statement. What I will say though, is that while UC3 didn’t exactly need to refine the majority of its mechanics, that shouldn’t have given it a free pass to bore me to death with the exact same things. Resuming control of Nathan Drake 2 years after Among Thieves was like a weird friendship that gradually degenerated from a happy reunion into trying to remember why and how you became such close friends in the first place. This slow grinding realisation came into fruition at about 40% through the game. There is only so much I can take of running, shooting and climbing in one sitting. I completed the game in 2 days but was tempted to put the game down to carry on later quite a few times. Yes, Uncharted 3 is a third person action game. I know this. It’s about a brave, witty and acrobatic treasure hunter who reminds us of his wit whenever things aren’t going his way. Bad guys come after him all the time, so you have to hide behind cover and shoot people in the face. Occasionally, a puzzle will have to be solved which will require you to look through Drakes nicely organised notes in order to get an idea on how to solve it and you can bet your two shoes that once you have, you’ll be right back to the gunplay because you most likely just solved the puzzle for your enemy that was too dumb to do it himself. Believe me, I understand what this game is all about but I can’t help but feel insulted when I climb a ladder, then climb another ladder. Then I almost reach the top but then the middle bit breaks causing Drake to fall and potentially break his neck, but wait!… it stopped half way! Phew! Then I’m climbing a ledge that crumbles but Drake manages jumps on to something else at the last second! That was close! After that I’m climbing on a giant chandelier that suddenly falls apart but then Drake uses the broken apparatus to help him in his climb. How nimble you are mister Drake!
It was nice in Uncharted 2 and I understand that “it wouldn’t be Uncharted if that didn’t happen” but there is no need to constantly shoehorn it into almost every single climbing encounter in the game. I didn’t have a problem with it in UC2 because it was still a bit fresh to me but I can’t say the same anymore now that I’ve been strangled with the run, shoot, climb cycle. It becomes extremely predictable and I start to get annoyed. Not because it began to get so pre-emptively obvious but because I wonder if the developers actually thought I would be shocked and entertained each and every time it happened. It’s just like when I was 6 years old and I would suddenly jump into my older brother’s room while he did his school work, in a foolish attempt to scare him. Instead I would fail, wait round the corner for 2 minutes and then do the exact same thing hoping that maybe, just maybe, I might get a jump out of him. With these instances, Naughty Dog insulted my intelligence, which is something I was very displeased with.

Do Clothes Really Make the Man?

Give or take a century or so, what we know as golf was first engaged regularly by sheepherders in Scotland. Holland, China and France may dispute the game's origins, but history has laid it on the Scots. That works for me.

The game, legend has it, consisted of the bored herders occupied themselves by hitting pebbles into rabbit holes, or "scrapes," into the corrugated landscape on which the animals grazed. Ultimately, the pebbles evolved into feather-filled leather balls and have since evolved into the dimpled darlings that we curse at least once a round of contemporary golf.

Back to the sheepherders. What were they wearing? This was seaside Scotland: windy, cold and usually wet. Probably woolen caps with ear flaps, wool pants and jackets, maybe sheepskin in the colder months. On their feet were no doubt boots of some sort, probably precursors of the "Wellies" so common today in the British Isles.

Like the golf ball's evolution clothing has evolved over the centuries. In an 1857 magazine, probably one of the earliest references to shoes dedicated to the game declared that people playing golf ought wear stout shoes "roughed with small nails or sprigs" to help maintain footing in slippery turf. Styles have changed over the centuries because of that suggestion, and as technology advanced screw-in spikes appeared near the end of the 1800s.

Shoes, not boots, were not the thing to wear on a golf course and early in the 20th century the first saddle shoes made their appearance as a fashion statement that continued for almost a hundred years. One only has to look at the footwear available today to mark the change in materials, spikes going from metal to soft plastic and to shoe colors. This could bring us to Rickie Fowler, but we'll hold off on him for a bit.

Clothing, of course, made changes as well. Hats, for example, have come through countless permutations since the shepherds in their woolies. A hundred years ago most "serious" golfers wore what were called "fisherman's" caps. Ben Hogan's was one of these and if you want one on eBay, just type in "Ben Hogan Cap" and there will be a plethora of choices.

One does not see that headwear around very much anymore, other than adorning a few individualists or in retro golf tournaments that require early 20th century apparel and equipment. What we call the baseball cap is pretty much the standard and, even this basic topper has gone through changes, from domed to flat-top ("painters' caps"), long-billed and short, preformed flat or curved bills. Greg Norman introduced to golf what the Texicans have worn forever, "big hats," cowboy style.

But the toppers worn by The Shark were not Stetsons, they were of a different style and material with flashier adornments. Jesper Parnevik wore the bill of his cap pointed upward, displaying his sponsor's logo. We're getting closer to Rickie here.

Whereas golfers in the first half of the 20th century's wore long-sleeved shirts, many with neckties, a little alligator sewed on the breast of a polo shirt changed all that. Izod's replica of a prehistoric beastie set the tone for the standard golf shirt, even now in the 21st century.

Aside from equipment and textiles, there were other changes. Hair, over millennia, was not styled; it was cut to any given length or not cut at all. In the latter years of 1960s styles became fashionable and somehow, along with these, as Arnie's Army was retiring, came the clone era of golf: Same hair style, same clothing, albeit in different colors and patterns (Oh God, those plaids!) and they all began to look alike. Doug Sanders, whose career was then in decline, was the exception. He was that era's Fowler. So here, we come to the estimable Rickie.

Fowler is the fashion plate of the PGA Tour. It is on television that 98 percent of us get to see the players. When Rickie appeared in Scotland dressed entirely in burnt orange from cap to shoes, one Brit noted that he looked "like an escaped convict." When Fowler appeared in the press room after a Masters round he had his cap on backwards. He shortly had his cap turned "correctly" to by an august Augusta member, which made the news. He commented rightly that he considered the press room an informal and loose environment. "I wear my cap backwards so people can see my face," he commented, adding that he was not aware of the gaffe.

Lest you think I am picking on him, the contrary is true. I admire him for being an individual. The same goes for life-ravaged John Daly. The same goes for Charly Hoffman, whose long hair at least once in a telecast will be mentioned in words a tee-width short of derogatory. My admiration goes to Adam Scott, Ian Poulter and the others who are individuals, not clones. Chief among the fashion critics is Johnny Miller, who seems to regard a pause in commentary as tantamount to inhaling sharply during a polygraph.

I must interject here that by mentioning only male golfers, I am not disregarding women who golf. I don't see enough LPGA events to make any comments, but from what I have seen and heard the women have a far better handle on their wardrobes, individuality and commentary from the booth.

Quoting from "Uncyclopedia": "Golf clothing is a longstanding practical joke . . ."

Taking a look at the hair, the tartans and plaid pants of Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller in the 1980s brings forth another quote, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Lauritzen Gardens always in season

The Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Neb., started with a rose garden in 1995. Today, beautiful plantings, water features, educational classes, shows, and events bring 200,000 visitors a year to the 100-acre botanical garden.

The Omaha Botanical Center is on the site of woods and rolling terraces on a bluff, giving spectacular views from some locations. The Missouri River is a short distance to the east and is visible from Kenefick Park that houses Union Pacific Railroad's Big Boy No. 4023 and Centennial No. 6900.

The walk from the railroad cars to the museum itself is through well-tended perennial and annual beds as well as giant containers of flowers and plantings.

Visitors enter Lauritzen through a 32,000 square-foot visitor/education center which by itself is worth a trip. At the center of the building there is a dramatic 65-foot tall vaulted glass roof that is visible from the highway. When we visited a few weeks ago the 5,000 square-foot display hall housed a fall chrysanthemum show and a bonsai show.

The four-acre arboretum at Lauritzen Gardens has several plant communities to wander through including: Oak, Savannah, Prairie, Hickory forest, Maple Linden forest, Farmstead, Marsh and Floodplain. The gardens to visit include: Herb, Children's, Japanese, Shade/Hosta, Victorian, Song of the Lark Meadow, and others.

The Song of the Lark Meadow is filled with native plants. It is a wonder to watch the constant movement of the birds and butterflies moving around its flowers. The meadow is named after a Willa Cather short story and the bronze sculpture in the garden is “Startled” is by Kent Ullberg.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Hitchcock-Kountze Victorian Garden is English. Its design is formal and restful and full of artistic features, a gazing pond and walkways.

There is also a traditional English perennial border nearby. Gardeners have installed 300 plant species that include sun and shade perennials.

Wear comfortable shoes and plan to walk to The Garden in the Glen, on the woodland trail with pools, waterfalls, and a stream.

The six-acre Japanese Garden's Sunpu Castle Gate and Mt. Fuji replica were planned and constructed by Japanese artisans in 2005. Twenty-four stone lanterns were contributed by Mr. Yoichiro Suzuki and Mr. Tsutomu Asada of Shizuoka Japan.

One of the most popular gardens is the model railroad with seven trains running through scenes of the area and replicas of famous local buildings.

The Model Train Garden is made of twigs, bark, pinecones, gourds, leaves, etc. Omaha landmark buildings made of the same materials include the Livestock Exchange Building, St. Cecelia Cathedral, and the Durham Museum.

The trains, Big Boy, a freight and passenger train and a covered bridge run on miles of track that travel through gardens, over bridges and around natural features. Paul Busse of Applied Imagination landscape designed and built the train garden.

From Thanksgiving and through December Lauritzen Garden puts on its annual Poinsettia Show with almost 6,000 poinsettias and parts of the Model Train Garden. January will feature plants from Amy Stewart's “Wicked Plants.” The exhibit will showcase dozens of infamous plants with bad reputations.

Next spring, the highlight will be The David and Pamela Gross Family Spring Flowering Walk where thousands of bulbs, trees and shrubs will be in bloom. Dozens of magnolia varieties, crabapples, redbuds, dogwoods and serviceberries keep the flowers coming from March through May.

The Lauritzen Gardens is open 362 days a year.

85 Years of Wonder

Performers this year include Rodney Atkins, Mary J. Blige, Cobra Starship, Neil Diamond, Cee Lo Green, Avril Lavigne, Scotty McCreery, Daniel Radcliffe and the cast of Broadway's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

--New Balloons include Paul Frank's Julius, Sonic the Hedgehog, Aflac Duck and Tim Burton's B.

--New Floats include Fall Frozen Fun, Gift of Freedom, Hats Off To Our Heritage!, P.B. Polar Bear, and ZHU-NIVERSE!

America's favorite holiday tradition returns once more to dazzle and enchant millions nationwide with its signature magic. On Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011 at 9 a.m., the 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R) will take to the streets of New York City with a cornucopia of whimsical treats for the whole family. From new giant character helium balloons to out-of--this world floats, the magic begins at the sound of Let's Have A Parade! More than 8,000 participants including a gaggle of clowns, exciting performance groups, pulse-pounding marching bands, celebrities and the one-and-only Santa Claus will kick-off the holidays with the 85th march of unrivaled wonder.

In 1924, a foundation was set for an incomparable procession that has grown into a world-famous icon. Giving thanks while giving back to New York and the nation, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become the benchmark for pageantry and the official celebration that marks the start of the holiday season. Yearly, America's parade delights more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide.

"Since the first storied march in 1924, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a call to celebration. Over the years, gathering to watch the parade, whether in person or on television, has become a tradition for families across the nation and synonymous with the start of the holiday season," said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "This year as we celebrate 85 years of magical moments, we are truly humbled by the unique role the Macy's parade now fills in the lives of Americans, and we are thrilled to celebrate this special milestone with an unparalleled line-up of new balloons, floats and the nation's best performers - all here to kick-off the spectacular holiday season."

Taking the stage to help spread holiday cheer will be stars from music, film, stage, sports and television, who are set to perform for the nation at Macy's famed red star mark on 34th Street. Stars joining the festivities this year include Rodney Atkins; the Big Apple Circus; Mary J. Blige; Cobra Starship; Neil Diamond; Michael Feinstein; The Fresh Beat Band; Cee Lo Green; Avril Lavigne; Shelby Lynne; Mannheim Steamroller; China Anne McClain; Scotty McCreery; Ingrid Michaelson; the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street; Savannah Outen; Power Rangers Samurai; Daniel Radcliffe and the cast of Broadway's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan; Willard Scott; cast of Broadway's Sister Act; cast of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Straight No Chaser; U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club; Johnny Weir; and Zendaya.

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