Where Fun Comes to Die

For my maiden voyage on this blog, I’ve decided to class up the joint with a little “celebrity” gossip (well, considering the subject, perhaps quasi-celebrity) and food talk. (Oh yes, we are definitely heading in the right direction.)

Today’s post is brought to you by the pear tart at Patisserie Claude, a tiny little place near me with a proprietor by the name of — you guessed it — Claude. Monsieur Claude reminds me of dear old Professor Helmholz — a notorious curmudgeon until you discover that, underneath it all, he is really just an ooey gooey softie.  Claude’s pear tart makes me squeal. The shell with buttery layer after layer of flaky crust tenderly cups the thin wedges of pear as it makes its way directly into my piehole. Yum.

While I’m on the topic of tarts, the career arc of Ashley Alexandra Dupré (a.k.a. the Eliot Spitzer “escort,” the quasi-celebrity portion of this post) may merit closer inspection in these economically uncertain times.  Ms. Dupré’s interview in People magazine this week brought a few things to mind. While I’m NOT saying that we should all run out and commit some misdemeanors, let us consider these facts: (1) already offered $1 million to pose for Hustler, she has millions of dollars in potential income as a result of (2) her participation in a crime for which she has received immunity, for which she will not be punished (by the law), and (3) for which she continues to receive (undue?) national attention in People magazine and an interview with Diane Sawyer. Her punishment obviously lies in the eyes of the public and the tainted reputation she totes with her from that day forward, but this leads me to the question “how does one value a reputation?” Or, in these circumstances, perhaps more appropriately “what is the value of morality?”

With perfect information, would people actually choose the above path? Are there people out there who may envy an ex-escort her (possible) millions, regardless of the baggage and reputation (or lack thereof) that she carries along with her?

Fame is fleeting, and fame acquired through these means rather distateful in my opinion.  But in this celebrity-obsessed world, fame is almost always followed by some degree (or, in the case of Ms. Dupré, likely millions of dollars worth) of fortune. I wonder, then: Is it true that everyone has his/her price?