A German man told me recently that after moving to the U.S.A. he has developed a “zero tolerance for religion.” “Every other day,” he said “there’s someone at the door wanting to change me. And the fanatics… the fanatics get the power. Just look at the American government. On est tous dans la merde.” ThisContinue reading “With brotherhood”
Author Archives: Katie Botkin
Wedding
Two things worth mentioning happened at Josh and Paula’s wedding on Saturday. The first was Paula’s face as she rounded the corner and the second was the length of the wedding Homily. As to the first, it was beautiful: just for the hairbredth of a second, between seeking and finding his glance, she knew nothingContinue reading “Wedding”
Devil’s Dictionary, College edition
Course: from French, course: race, racetrack. A forum for profuse sweating. Essay question: from French, essai: try. An attempt to satisfy the unsatisfiable. Hunger: sensation of physical need, usually occurring in conjunction with a scholastic urgency. “Intro to the study of” classes: In which one is taught a little about the subject at hand, thoughContinue reading “Devil’s Dictionary, College edition”
One of the boys
Maybe it’s because they see less often the connection from this moment to the burning toast of five minutes hence, and thus are less distracted. Maybe it’s because they’ve been trained to cut to the chase, or maybe it’s an abundance of stimulants naturally present in their minds. Maybe they’re trying to impress me. WhateverContinue reading “One of the boys”
Superbowl highlights: if I could just remember who played
I’ve watched the Superbowl almost every year since I was 11. I remember that first time… at my parents’ friends’ house… a cornucopia of partially hydrogenated snacks and fizzy syrup, this sport I knew nothing about, and A BOY TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME. Actually, I don’t think he had a clue either; we talkedContinue reading “Superbowl highlights: if I could just remember who played”
Theory
Davis has a hilarious post on the reasonability of desiring the impossibly beautiful girl here. I don’t think he is alone in his quest. He is right on many counts, not least of which is that girls often want to be extreme; the best. If not the best at beauty, then the best at flippingContinue reading “Theory”
Take that, Cream Puff
Apparently, France is fattening at about the same rate as America (“France following the path of the United States,” runs the headline. Otherwise, all you may get from this is a nice picture of a fat woman’s derriere). How did we get to this point, you ask? Was it the Normandy butter, the four thousandContinue reading “Take that, Cream Puff”
Aphasia
On the way back to my apartment, I see my parents have called twice. No message. I call back anyway. “Can you check on B?” Dad asks “She’s having one of her complicated migraines.” Complicated migraines, meaning the vasodialation of the vessels in her brain have depleted blood to certain regions of it, usually theContinue reading “Aphasia”
School
Third day of classes, and I’m back in the mindset of a careful sponge. I try not to sound too pedantic or too shy, roll my eyes at the list of journals we’re supposed to look up to develop good study habits, hang my attention on the space between the proff’s lips and teeth, tryingContinue reading “School”
2005 in review
It was a strange year, dawning on the Champs Elysees with a few friends and ending in Sandpoint, Idaho with a few friends — one of which was an overlap. Last April, in the South of France, my contact proff’s husband was teaching me how to snorkle. The water was freezing, streching from gray toContinue reading “2005 in review”
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