February 16, 2008

Ready for love?

A question asked by an inexplicably sexy drug store:

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Next to it, on Montague Street, there's a used bookstore. And some of those titles caught my eye:

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I like the way Moliere is slotted in between "Pioneer Women" and "Vaginal Politics." "Pioneer Women" is an important book to me. It's the book I chose to read to manage my emotions as I faced the consequences of my decision — a quarter century ago — to move from NYC to Madison, Wisconsin.

13 comments:

George M. Spencer said...

Ready for Pemmican?

Captured by the Indians

15 Firsthand Accounts, 1750-1870....a good book, too.

Anonymous said...

For one dreadful moment I thought that title to the left of Pioneer Women read Chelsea '16.

Peter V. Bella said...

“Ricky’s is far more than a paramount venue to discover your inner drag queen.

Upstairs, check out the fun clothing and accessories, including body glitter, temporary and henna tattoos, and multiple varieties of double-stick tape, most embracing a teen-queen aesthetic.”


I am confused. The store appeals to the inner drag queen and the teen queen aesthetic?

ricpic said...

I hate filing, too. But it's that time of year.

former law student said...

One of my life's most painful experiences was watching Quilters -- a story in which Pioneer Women followed their men up to the point where they inevitably died in childbirth.

Madison was an incredibly cool place 25 years ago -- sure it was no Taking of Pelham 123, but just hanging out in the Rathskeller looking at the Battle between Beer and Wine was pleasant.

Brent said...

`
Ann:

1. Pioneer Women is a classic. Tell us more about your decision to move to Madison from NYC . . .

2. It's bad enough that I now have to wear glasses all the time, but your fish eye lens is driving me crazy. You are easily one of the best photographers on the web. But geez - a little moderation, please.

`

Ann Althouse said...

B: Well, I'm in Madison now, without my big camera, so I'll have some normal-looking snow pictures soon I think. Plus, the fun of the fisheye made me order another lens, one that pulls things in instead of pushing them away. So don't worry.

Is it odd that I've never written a post about moving to Madison? I've told very few stories about my personal life. Mostly only sidelong glances like the one here.

Mr. Forward said...

Pioneer Woman
Ready for Love
Yeehaw.

rhhardin said...

manage my emotions as I faced the consequences of my decision

Not a guy thing.

I moved to Ohio and liked it. Open space! See both horizons, unblocked by New Jersey trees! Highway signs with strange new words, like berm.

Commuting biweekly back between NJ and Ohio years ago, a drive made tolerable by the presence of Susie my Doberman in the passenger seat, I was always pleased to see the Welcome to Ohio sign over the interstate. Even the high tension line towers have a superior shape.

Managing my emotions wouldn't have occured to me. But guys abstract from complexity, and women add complexity.

I just liked the view and the room.

I did purchase a copy of The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory, finding the title hard to resist. I think I pulled a couple quotes from it, but can't find them now.

Everything is material.

The amazon reviews are even better than the book.

Bissage said...

I've told very few stories about my personal life.

Keep it that way. That’s my unsolicited advice.

Too many people on the internet are weirdos who cannot be trusted.

But then you know that already.

Bissage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bissage said...

"Pioneer Women" was doubtless better for managing the Althouse emotions than my point of reference for such tasks: "The Family Guy."

[Brian and Stewie have just carjacked Quamire’s RV Camper (the one with the banner on the side that says "Cross Cuntry [sic] or Bust") and they’re driving across the barren desert. Stewie is at the wheel in a highly aggitated state of mind.]

Brian: Are you okay?

Stewie: Never better!!! I took some pep pills I got from a trucker at the last stop!!! Keeps me awake!!!

Brian: You took pills?

Stewie: West Coast Turnarounds!!! Trucker said take one but I took all of them!!!

Brian: Maybe we should stop.

Stewie: Why!!! We’re making good time!!!

Brian: We're not even on the road.

Stewie: Huh???!!!

Brian: I said we're not even on the road!

Stewie: Don’t need to be!!! Compass says West!!! That’s where we’re headed!!!

Brian: Stewie, we're in the middle of the desert.

Stewie: EXACTLY!!! IMAGINE THE NADS ON THOSE GUYS WHO DID THIS IN A COVERED WAGON!!! PIONEERS, BRIAN!!! WE SHARE THEIR SPIRIT!!! MANIFEST DESTINY!!!

Brian: Okay that's it! Give, me the wheel!

Stewie: Go to hell!!!

[The RV crashes and Stewie falls asleep on the deployed driver’s air bag.]

Trooper York said...

Jim: You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons.
(Blazing Saddles, 1974)