Il Conformista

The Conformist

Bernardo Bertolucci

1970

A visually captivating movie set in 1930 pre-war France and Italy. The film features Ferdinando Scarfiotti's cool production design and brilliant cinematography by Vittorio Storaro (of Apocalypse Now fame) set to a poetic / surreal European backdrop.

This character's impeccable wardrobes make me long for more Italian and French clothes - if you've seen the movie, you know what I mean.

Love Is All You Need

Universal Love is a quality that allows a person to see beauty in every aspect of life. (Simply put) it's an altruistic love for everything and everyone.

Yes, it's Valentine's Day- a holiday otherwise known as "Singles Awareness Day." But don't depress! Even if you're a bird flying solo, you can still celebrate love, Universally.

Most religions and philosophies in some way encompass the concept of Universal Love. In the Buddhist religion, the philosophy and practice of Universal Love is known as "Metta." Metta is basically a strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others- an unselfish, all-embracing love for every person and every thing. A pretty nice objective, right?

So, even if you didn't receive a heart-shaped box, a romantic dinner and a dozen roses this year, you can always use this holiday as a pretext to give love, universally, without romantic conditions.

"(All You Need is Love) was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a clear message saying that love is everything."- Brian Epstein.

The song was broadcast live, via satellite on "Our World," the first global television link. It was watched by 400 million people in 26 countries.

Happy Universal Love Day to all the lone birds and love birds out there! I hope your day is brimming with happiness and affection.