misc.
OK, that’s it. We’re having the body hair conversation.
The story goes that when John Ruskin caught sight of his wife’s ‘down there’ on his wedding night, he was so repelled that they never consummated the relationship. Possibly apocryphal, but weirdly relevant at the moment. The explanation I hear most often is “I have a boyfriend, you know.” And I find myself thinking….so? With the [...]
One or two things I learned from advertising.
I worked in advertising for something like fifteen years. During that time, I got fired a lot. Generally for insubordination, but sometimes for despair. Once in a while, however, I’m (reluctantly) forced to acknowledge the debt I owe to all those years selling snake oil. I learned to think laterally. Not to fall back on [...]
Ever wonder why it’s so hard to get people to read your unpublished proof?
Back in November, I received a proof copy of a first time novelist’s book, with the usual ecstatic letter. I liked the first chapter, and agreed to read the whole novel. Here’s what I emailed in response: From: Meg Rosoff Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:15 AM Hi XXXXX Thanks for sending XXXX book — I read [...]
NEWS FLASH: ECKS INVADE EUROPE.
Yes, a small number* of handmade and numbered Ecks have limbo-danced their hairy way across the secure border between Brooklyn and North London and are now available for adoption to discerning individuals. If you’re confident you can give an Eck a good home, please get in touch here, and a social worker will contact you for [...]
SLOGANS FOR OUR TIME
It started at the airport. The woman ahead of me had a sport utility bag with the words LIVE LOVE LAUGH BELIEVE HOPE DREAM DANCE on it. And I thought All at once? And then, Don’t tell me what to do. Especially on a cheap sports bag. But it was too late. Suddenly, slogans are everywhere. [...]
Anger Management
I keep asking other people if they’ve noticed, and a lot of people have. Not just road rage (though god knows, there’s plenty of that), but sidewalk rage, like the thirty something well-dressed woman who — when I bumped into her by mistake — turned to me and hissed ‘BITCH.’ Bitch? Really? Or the dog [...]
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