Tuesday, September 13, 2005

My word!

“Are those the pants you’re wearing to your first job interview?”
My uncle Joe (former Marine, newspaperman, sharp dresser) clearly disapproved.
“Just a minute,” he said. He left the room, reappeared shortly with a pair of these. “Served me well in the Corps. Never got a gig.”
A gig?
“A demerit. Passed every inspection with the Gunny. He could spot an Irish pennant a mile away.”
Irish pennant?
“Wear the pants, John.”
No-Gig Pants (No. 1599). Trim-cut legs. Precise buttonflap
[sic] rear pockets and vertical side-seam pockets. Full dresspants [sic] construction. Threeseason [sic] weight, non-scratchy wool that holds a crisp crease. Save a trip to the Quantico PX.
Men’s even sizes: 32 through 46. Hemming (max: 37”) or cuffing (max: 34”), add $2 per pair.
Color: Marine Corps Green.
Price: $148.

Go here for that...

Literary party at a London townhouse. South American Nobel laureate and two Booker Prize winners in attendance.
Good thing there are no sharp knives on the hors d’oeuvre trays.
I step out into the private garden during a discussion of magic realism. She’s already there, inspecting peonies in the twilight.
Our conversation is of merciful inconsequence. The latest Tate show, our favorite cheese shops.
I like the one on Moxon Street, she says.
Gaslights flicker on, making her velvet dress glow.
I like that one too, I say. I like it very much.
Belgravia Dress (No. 1590). Lush, glowing rayon/silk cut velvet, lined in pure silk. Wraps down from V-neck to asymmetrical tie-closure at waist, continues to low-calf length. Flattering princess seams.
For special occasions, parties, romantic dinners, assignations in the garden (with the right planting, in the right light, you and the garden merge). Price: $248.
Sizes: 4 through 16. Color: Crimson and Green floral on rich Taupe.

... and go here for that.

All from the J.Peterman catalog. Apparently Elaine's boss from Seinfeld is not wholly fictional. The mind boggles.

8 comments:

Sridhar Raman said...

People actually pay money to buy such stuff???!

kay said...

geez, and i thought i was reading a story of yours.

Anonymous said...

Hi
I'm leaving a comment on your blog probably for the first and last time. You write brilliantly and your sense of humour rocks!
If you were to actually think of publishing a book I think you'd make money and some! (I do wonder if you speak as well as you write, usually the former is a deficiency noted in most good writers who use their penmanship as a veil).
I love the way you crib and rave and rant about everything but tinged with just that edgy sarcasm and humour that keeps me guffawing whenever I do read your blog. If you were here, I'd have probably asked you out on a date...:)...I'm not an adoring, starry eyed fan, but I like! I truly like!
Keep at it, and yeah! come back dude!..:)

freakphase said...

a) Apparently so.
b) I wish.
c) I'm flattered :)

Anonymous said...

You wouldn't be if you knew me...:) but good for you. Keep at it. Wish I could let you read my blog and comment, but I'm far too possessive...:)

Siddharth said...

well...well...

Anonymous said...

If i were to take a guess at Ms Marple's identity ....

Maithri has give ME the right answer...

Sigh again.... everyone ... no-one's spared .....no-one

Come back dude ..... Chinkies galore at Shankar Mutt ...

Anonymous said...

Devil, nope you don't know me and you can't hazard a guess at all. Not even in your wildest...:)

Have a good weekend everybody!