Have A Good Fourth Of July Read
Sale at Amazon: Magazines, $8 or less.
What I'm reading now: David Sedaris' When You Are Engulfed in Flames.
What I just finished reading: A review copy of Debra Ollivier's terrific book, to be published in September (but available for pre-order), What French Women Know: About Love, Sex, and Other Matters of the Heart and Mind.
What I'm still reading: Arts & Letters Daily's Denis Dutton's The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution.
What I hope to read soon: Ev. psych prof Geoffrey Miller's Spent.
And finally, thanks to everybody who's been buying stuff through my links here and at Amy's Mall, to help me through the downturn in newspapers. I just lost a paper the other day -- their page count was cut in half -- but they hope to bring me back when they get their advertising back up.
"... they hope to bring me back when they get their advertising back up."
Well, if they're going to wait for that I hope they use the money saved to buy plenty of MREs. They're goin' to get a might peckish.
vanderleun at July 4, 2009 8:16 AM
> terrific book, to be published in
> September (but available for
> pre-order), What French Women Know:
> About Love, Sex, and Other Matters
> of the Heart and Mind.
What's it like to be obsessed with another nation like that?... Where you think their women know all sorts of special stuff "about love sex and other matter of the heart"?
Why do pornography-style photos of plates of food (unblinking, focal-length-oblivion closeups; tepid, aging stalks and slabs of flesh; congealing sauces) appear on your blog?
Cain't unnerstand it.
Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com] at July 4, 2009 12:41 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/07/04/have_a_good_fou.html#comment-1657027">comment from Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com]What's it like to be obsessed with another nation like that?...
They know a few things we don't about a few subjects. Why does my interest irk you so?
P.S. Debra's book is very good, and I'd quote from it, but this is an "uncorrected proof," so I'll wait until I get the book and it's about to be published or just published.
Amy Alkon at July 4, 2009 1:51 PM
> Why does my interest irk
Because there's no doubt that if you looked through American culture with the proper sensitivities, you'd find as good and much, much better
Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com] at July 4, 2009 2:24 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/07/04/have_a_good_fou.html#comment-1657034">comment from Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com]Because there's no doubt that if you looked through American culture with the proper sensitivities, you'd find as good and much, much better
But, I love American culture and being American. I particularly appreciate men from the Midwest, particularly Gregg from the Midwest, but in general, midwestern decency and do-as-you-say-you-will-ness.
I had somebody have somebody call me to tell me the first somebody was offended at something I e-mailed them, as if I was being diva-ish. I wasn't. Nor would any reasonable person read my e-mail and see it that way. I realized that it was probably about them not wanting to do the project anymore or not having the money. Instead of telling me that, they had somebody else call to say that my e-mail made them feel I wasn't that committed. What crap. You have an issue with something I wrote you, call me up and I'll explain, and I'll tell you if I'm no longer interested in the project. Straight out.
Mostly I blog about Americans and American culture. It's what I'm immersed in. But you're very determined to find nothing to like about France, but they do a few things very well, and better than we do. Note that French people are not fat like Americans are, that they don't have binge drinking like we do, that their children eat what the parents do at the dinner table (they are not catered to, made Mac 'n cheese), and that they are allowed to fall down on the playground and skin their knees. France is also a hierarchical society, filled with idiot socialists, and my friend there once told me he paid 65% income tax after bragging about his "free" health care.
Amy Alkon at July 4, 2009 2:39 PM
No one's accusing you of being un-American on the fourth of July! (Thomas Jefferson's wife shared your fascination wiht the place)
But for those of us who don't share the feeling for Frogistan, it's just strange. It's like something that must have some sort of cause, so that if you'd had some counseling in your youth or something, it could be fixed.
It's like gay porn. "Why would they do that?..."
Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com] at July 4, 2009 2:55 PM
>> What French Women Know...
They know that deep down, though most men won't admit it, on certain women, armpit hair is very very sexy! They have a certain I don't know what.
I like your French passion Amy. It can be a bit bitchy and elitist, but you're open to critique so it's interesting. My friend Sharon feels the same way about Mongolia.
Eric at July 4, 2009 3:22 PM
You didn't mean that about the pits. Take it back! Take it back!
Crid [CommentCrid@gmail.com] at July 4, 2009 3:44 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/07/04/have_a_good_fou.html#comment-1657039">comment from EricI'm a proud, bitchy elitist.
Amy Alkon at July 4, 2009 3:58 PM
Amy, I've read almost all of Sedaris' books. I can't get enough of him. I'll have to pick up his new one, I didn't realize it was out (although, I have several books lined up when I get unpacked from my move --ahhh finally finished today).
I remember reading Holidays on Ice on an airplane ride to North Dakota one year. I couldn't stop laughing and I was fairly sure I had annoyed every passanger within earshot. I was literally crying and weezing during his one story about the Christmas Letter. Turns out, two of the passangers read the book and were enjoying my enjoyment of it.
Don't care much for reading about all things French, but if there is one European I will read over and over, it's Orianna Fallaci.
Feebie at July 4, 2009 11:38 PM
That new Sedaris book is incredibly funny. I've been quoting him on this repeatedly:
"Think ahead and plan accordingly, especially when it comes to your vices."
sterling at July 5, 2009 4:21 PM
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