Swedish monarchy and gender equality

Here's one interesting romance from overseas. In Sweden, there is a strong norm of gender equality; however, the Swedish princess wanted to have her father "give" her away at the altar. Digby writes:

This is one of the most hilariously confusing controversies ever, filled with anachronisms and enlightenment in varying degrees of irrelevance.

The short version is that a Swedish princess married her commoner fitness instructor but insisted on having her father the King give her away even though the Swedes stopped doing that eons ago in recognition of the equal status of women in marriage and the fact that fathers don't actually "give away" anything. Apparently, everyone in the country was upset about the princess's sexist request, especially the clergy. The excuse the Royal Family gave was that the King was her monarch who was giving his sanction to his heir, the princess --- which only became possible when the Swedes recently became the first monarchy to allow the succession to go to the firstborn regardless of gender.

What a case of archaic institutions colliding with modernity, eh? Wow.

BTW: they ended up compromising by having the King walk her halfway down the aisle and then meeting up with her groom to walk the rest of the way to the alter. I love those Scandinavians.

book club

Lately, I've had a hard time finishing a book. I could give you a list of excuses---too much work, the desire to zone out and listen to my ipod on the subway, greater interest in the New Yorker and New York magazine, onward and onward---but really, I guess the books I've been reading just aren't compelling enough for me to read compulsively (my typical state of reading). I wonder if I need a book club to keep me going. Tim and I have been saying for years that we want to read Proust's SWANN'S WAY together, but would it be easier to just try reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO?

my favorite sous chef

Unbeknownst to Tim, he has culinary skills that some would pay to acquire. His ability to mince garlic should be legendary. When it comes to seasoning, he can recognize when something's lacking, but is getting there when it comes to taking dishes beyond the basic. I have faith he'll get there. He's got a good palate and with practice, he'll be whipping up delicious meals for me by the time he returns to the States.

I love Lauren

I proclaim it to the world!