biannual

Warning: This entry is rated PG.

Biannual makes me think of Victoria's Secret semi-annual sale, which reminds me of Intimissimi in Venice, Italy.

I arrived in Venice with every intention of seeing the history, museums, cathedrals, and general culture of this famous little island, but when I strolled down the narrow pathways between boutiques, I saw a few cafés and many, many modern clothing and accessory shops. That's when I saw it. Glowing with bright, white light and speckled with beautiful little garments--some in rainbow colors, some shiny like silver and gold, all delicate and perfectly detailed--was Intimissimi.

It was the most amazing undergarment store I've ever seen.

Now everyone wears undergarments, so don't misunderstand me. This wasn't just lingerie, no this was everything you would ever want to make your clothes fit better, hide those annoying undie lines, tuck what needs tucked, lift what needs lifted, smooth what needs smoothed, and avoid the pinching, chaffing, and wrinkling of cheap imitations. What was so remarkable is that all of these perfectly functional and some quite sturdy garments were still so pretty!

Of course they had some things that were not quite so functional and sturdy, too. Hey, it's Italy!

I've been waiting for an Intimissimi to open up in Northwest Arkansas ever since, but I won't hold my breath. At least we've got Victoria's Secret biannual sale!

diaphanous

Main Entry: di·aph·a·nous
Pronunciation: \dī-ˈa-fə-nəs\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show

Date: 1614
1 : characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through 2 : characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal 3 : insubstantial , vague
— di·aph·a·nous·ly adverb
— di·aph·a·nous·ness noun

I'm applying "diaphanous" to the French controversy about whether or not Muslim girls could wear veils in public schools.

http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/France-and-the-veil-success-of-Act.html

The controversy is no surprise to those who are familiar with French culture and history. France has had their policy of Laïcité (secularism) for a while.

"The founding text of French secularism is the Act of 9 December 1905, which established the separation of the State from religion. For 60 years, the French Constitution has reflected the principle of secularism. The 1958 Constitution reaffirms this principle: 'France shall be an indivisible, secular and social Republic. It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race or religion. It shall respect all beliefs.' (Article 1)"

So is France respecting 'all beliefs' by forbidding students to wear their diaphanous head garments?

Muslims in France who wished their daughters to cover their heads at school had only a diaphanous hope of succeeding. The French law of secularism dictates that any sign of religious affiliation shall not be expressed at school. Period.

However, if head scarves suddenly became the style and women of all religions started wearing them just to be cool, public policy wouldn't forbid it. Maybe that's the solution! Let Muslim girls wear flowerdy, purple, or metallic head scarves and tie them in funky ways so that Christian, Jewish, and Athiest girls will want to wear them too! They can all be beautifully diaphanous so they'll flow behind their heads as lovely girls of all creeds stylishly float from class to class!