“I guess there are some guys who want to bed women who haven’t bathed in two months…”
Yeah, there were a lot of them when I was growing up, most of the guys I knew. Not so much that they were looking for that, but if it presented itself, they didn’t hesitate…
Then there’s Napolean. There’s a quote out there about how he took at time-out from the Russian front to go see Joséphine. He sent a messenger ahead to tell her that he was on the way, and ‘not to bathe.’
I remember being shocked while at city college I mentioned that I had chosen a certain teacher for algebra, and someone said, “Yeah, he stinks.”
“Whadaya mean?” I said, thinking that he was a ‘bad’ teacher.
“He’s French. They don’t bathe regularly.”
I’ve been to France a half dozen times and I never noticed. I actually like the French and their culture. And I hope they can keep it (France, and their culture.) But the millions of Muslims they’ve imported may have other ideas. Sorry to digress.
Concerning your thoughts on Wurtzel’s post.... “….It was full of wisdom and kindness and I felt bad that I’d disliked her for just doing what she had to do succeed in a cutthroat industry.” A little serendipity here… I don’t know how, but I stumbled on a reference to The Bestseller, by Alessandro Gallenzi. It’s all about the Publishing Biz, indeed, a cutthroat industry. It’s ‘laugh out loud’ and also quieting when you see yourself in it. I intend to post about this and some other books I’ve recently read soon.
All the stuff she says about writing, the new challenges (half the country now is authoring a book)… it all resonates with me too. We have to be fatalistic about it. Anyway, I share your sadness about it all.
Aside from Wurtzel for a moment... I know someone who went on Prozac. Big change in their behaviors, most notably they seemed to lose their self-awareness, like talking too loud around others, rudeness, even personal hygiene. And I think Prozac-like drugs is why our country is so messed up. Once on those things, people begin to care less, if at all, about stuff like freedom, morals, the important things. They say that more than half our elected officials are on something. Seems likely to me.
Great piece! Since I have never had any mirth I guess I ain't got nothing to lose.
I can remember a few moments of fleeting contentment: age six or seven, holding my dad's hand, walking through the streets of Prague stilled with powdery snow. Almost 70 years ago - still a fresh and comforting memory. Dad's been gone for 43 years, peace upon him - עליו השלו - and no fleeting moment of contentment has yet matched it
Thanks for a very enjoyable and informative post!
“I guess there are some guys who want to bed women who haven’t bathed in two months…”
Yeah, there were a lot of them when I was growing up, most of the guys I knew. Not so much that they were looking for that, but if it presented itself, they didn’t hesitate…
Then there’s Napolean. There’s a quote out there about how he took at time-out from the Russian front to go see Joséphine. He sent a messenger ahead to tell her that he was on the way, and ‘not to bathe.’
I remember being shocked while at city college I mentioned that I had chosen a certain teacher for algebra, and someone said, “Yeah, he stinks.”
“Whadaya mean?” I said, thinking that he was a ‘bad’ teacher.
“He’s French. They don’t bathe regularly.”
I’ve been to France a half dozen times and I never noticed. I actually like the French and their culture. And I hope they can keep it (France, and their culture.) But the millions of Muslims they’ve imported may have other ideas. Sorry to digress.
Concerning your thoughts on Wurtzel’s post.... “….It was full of wisdom and kindness and I felt bad that I’d disliked her for just doing what she had to do succeed in a cutthroat industry.” A little serendipity here… I don’t know how, but I stumbled on a reference to The Bestseller, by Alessandro Gallenzi. It’s all about the Publishing Biz, indeed, a cutthroat industry. It’s ‘laugh out loud’ and also quieting when you see yourself in it. I intend to post about this and some other books I’ve recently read soon.
All the stuff she says about writing, the new challenges (half the country now is authoring a book)… it all resonates with me too. We have to be fatalistic about it. Anyway, I share your sadness about it all.
Aside from Wurtzel for a moment... I know someone who went on Prozac. Big change in their behaviors, most notably they seemed to lose their self-awareness, like talking too loud around others, rudeness, even personal hygiene. And I think Prozac-like drugs is why our country is so messed up. Once on those things, people begin to care less, if at all, about stuff like freedom, morals, the important things. They say that more than half our elected officials are on something. Seems likely to me.
Thanks for a great read!
Sorry you’re feeling without mirth today. I was in that place yesterday.
Even so, your writing is beautiful. Love the quotes.
Great piece! Since I have never had any mirth I guess I ain't got nothing to lose.
I can remember a few moments of fleeting contentment: age six or seven, holding my dad's hand, walking through the streets of Prague stilled with powdery snow. Almost 70 years ago - still a fresh and comforting memory. Dad's been gone for 43 years, peace upon him - עליו השלו - and no fleeting moment of contentment has yet matched it
No mirth even in the dark, ironic central European way?
Well, yes, mirth disguised as despair