July 18, 2014

Acknowledgements (Part II of III)

The Beacons of Budapest



Jane Hattatt in Budapest Drawing Room


Lance Hattatt in Budapest Drawing Room



Hattattian (rhymes with Alsatian)
1. adj. to subtly elevate and enlighten
2. Hattattian Clause: in grammar, a clause in the middle of a sentence, framed by commas, that is traditionally referred to in the Style Manuals as "Non-Essential".  A Hattattian Clause is non-essential in the formal structure of a sentence but in Hattattian dialog it is essential to allow a reader/listener a moment to steady themselves in order to receive the rhetorical delicacy about to pass over like a warm breeze.
It wasn't so long ago that I discovered The Hattatts while making the rounds at my usual blog haunts. Jane and Lance aka "Darlings Jane and Lance" had been out of circulation for a while (as regards to the blogosphere) and suddenly reemerged and their rapier wit quickly caught my eye and could gather by their always warm receptions that they were a pair to be looked into.  I ventured over to their delightful blog HATTATT to see what all the fuss was about, pored through the archives, and felt like I'd found something, and two someones, quite special.  More research only confirmed first impressions.
I felt a very deep connection to them as kindred spirits because they were already doing the things I wanted to one day undertake.  They lived quite well at their elegant lodgings in Budapest and Brighton, traveled to exotic locales rendezvousing with dynamic and interesting people but what I most liked went much further than that and didn't require great wealth even if they did seem to be rather well-to-do.  I've known lots of people with ample resources, lots of fancy material possessions, and personal charm who didn't live nearly as beautifully as they did.  While I certainly became fascinated with their circle of friends and young artists they were introducing to the world, what impressed me most was how well they shared their experiences which in my case was in their wonderful blog HATTATT.
A post at HATTATT isn't like a post anywhere else.  I like to think of it as an elegant chamber piece where the reader is often introduced to some combination of interesting artist, destination, and cultural institution.  The Hattatts share this experience thru their eyes which, while well traveled and cultivated, still have an infectious enthusiasm.  You can't finish a post without wishing you were also there...with Jane and Lance.  One can't but be reminded how participating in these types of cultural excursions in person enrich the soul.  As good as all of that is, for me what follows is even better as it reveals a glimpse into their character.  They are flooded with so many comments that it exceeds the capacity of the standard comment warehouse; they need a separate link to handle overflow yet somehow answer each and every comment very thoughtfully with a  personal acknowledgement of the sender while expanding on the point the sender made in a way that can't help but draw that commenter even closer to the topic at hand and their generous hosts.  Every reader is richly rewarded with an introduction and invitation to a new cultural experience and the intimacy of sharing an aspect of that experience with a gracious host.  How many times in your life have you come across people that take the time and effort to do that?...and with people they've never met?
Well it goes even further than that as many of you already know.  They also bring the same generous spirit, inimitable charm, and beautiful writing with them when they go visit their reader's blogs.  On a few occasions I've seen them stop in at a new blogger who had just posted something not especially original, well written, or in any way noteworthy yet they always manage to illuminate an interesting perspective and deftly reflect their keen insight onto the author.  The best part of this exchange is sensing that blogger's exhilaration of (a) having the Hattatts stop by (b) receiving a thoughtful and beautifully expressed gesture of praise (c) and knowing the exhilaration, because of this transaction, will carry over into other 'IRL' aspects of that blogger.  This is what I really mean by Hattattian and what I aspire to.

~GSL


21 comments:

  1. Darling G,
    You are far too kind.

    For us, the most incredible part of blogging has been the sense of real connection and community that it brings. We never imagined that our readers (indeed, at first we thought that we may well be writing to ourselves)would become as 'real friends' to us or that we should be very much a part of their lives and, they in turn, a part of ours. Although the worlds of our blogging chums are in many cases so very different from our own, that makes the whole experience of sharing our adventures, our ups and downs with them so much more satisfying than we could have ever imagined. We are definitely the richer for all these experiences and we can now call so many of our fellow bloggers real rather than virtual friends. Indeed, we have been thrilled to meet several of them in real life and, without exception, the meetings have been far far better than we could have hoped for or imagined.

    It is now a dear hope of ours that we shall, one day, encounter you, darling G, in the real Lion's Den. What a day (and no doubt night) that will be. We generally need little encouragement to enter a bar and if it is one where you will be leaning in that Cary Grant kind of way, cocktail in hand and a cheeky grin at the ready, then we shall definitely be there too. We cannot wait!

    We have become addicted to the witty, apposite,encouraging and beautifully mannered comments left by GSL in the most intriguing corners of Blogtopia. And now, we have a dedicated blog to the international man of mystery, darling G, whom we cherish and to whom we wish every success!

    Cheers to the Lion's Den and all who drink its elixir of life!

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    1. Lovely post. I agree that the best part of blogging is the community it brings. It amazes me how much I am able to connect with and learn from other bloggers.

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    2. I agree BB as even among my dear friends, in many ways they are not kindred spirits in the way The Hattatts, Bebe, and a few others are.

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  2. What a lovely post so perfectly describing the Hattats! I also concur in your sentiments and find them very refreshing and inspiring. Like you said, they live well and seem to enjoy the pleasures of which ever place they find themselves in a way that is not tied to finances. They are also truly generous in every which way and I feel they would be such gracious hosts in real life always refilling my gin and tonics!

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    1. Thank you Naomi. We really need to all get together for some G & Ts someday soon!

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  3. Do you mind if I clap? That was so wonderful, I loved the title and that was only the start of a sublime piece of writing.

    'Hattattian' - I bow.

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  4. Well done! Absolutely everything you have said about the Hattatts is true. They make everyone feel creative, sophisticated and appreciated-such a graceful power. One feels enlightened and elevated just by basking in their blog presence. And I have always wondered how they have managed to spread so much encouragement and support to so many people while still keeping up with their adventures. Magic perhaps.
    You have many Hattattian qualities yourself, dear GSL, not the least of which is your writing. Great post!

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  5. dude...you nailed it. there really isn't anything or anybody that comes close to their class and style. and the fact that they answer every single comment they get with so much attention and grace...well they blow my mind. x

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    1. Janet, They do set a high bar don't they; but I do think they pull the rest of us up just a little.

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  6. Given that I do not have a blog and have on occasion only hovered over your dear friends' blog,what is immediately apparent there is pure unadulterated joy. Joy in their adventures,in the description and joy and delight in the comments and their responses! It reminds me of a grand salon or a round table at the Algonquin.
    With this lovely tribute to your friends I have no doubt that you will achieve the lofty goals you have set forth,dear G, as your spirit is shining thru across the www!

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    1. Thank you my dear Trudye! The Hattatts indeed would have been right at home at the Algonquin round table and I only wish to follow in their example of using the blogosphere as a conduit for sharing ideas as I do find it very uplifting when I Jane & Lance at the opera or an exhibition that the added benefit of sharing with kindred spirits will get me out of the house more. Which reminds me dear Trudye, there must be some conference that can bring you & Dr G to Chicago this Fall....you already have those fab cashmere lined suede gloves that must feel neglected down it H-Town!

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  7. Lovely post GSL, and so agree. I think you've summed the Hattatts up perfectly. To live an elegant life is not about having money, at all. More what you do with what you have. I think Europeans have long had that within their culture, and other countries in the West seem to not have grasped it… anyway, I'm rambling. Hooray for the Hattatts!

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  8. Your right Heidi, we Americans don't live nearly as well either and are too much about acquiring but even London with their oligarchs, Saudi princes, and stratospheric real estate market seem to be losing their way. It's easy to see how the Hattatts were drawn to Budapest where culture, i.e. J & L, is driving the renaissance.

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  9. Yes!

    "On a few occasions I've seen them stop in at a new blogger who had just posted something not especially original, well written, or in any way noteworthy yet they always manage to illuminate an interesting perspective and deftly reflect their keen insight onto the author"

    Yes! I can only imagine this is one of my posts, but I totally agree, their comments are far reaching and generous and considered which is always so appreciated.

    LoveThe Hattats, they remind me of my friend William who live in a little Victorian and just everything is beautiful and so well curated and going to their house is a special adult treat and something to think about every day after that. Even the Chicken Marbella is on silver and a better chook for it.

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    1. Jody, your ALW posts are a delight especially when my dear Tallulleh makes an appearance.

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  10. Mister GSL
    Thanks so much for turning me on to the Hattatt world, everything you said about them is true and more…

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    1. GF, I knew you'd like them. They are very much your kind of people in many ways...the best ways!

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