Malice, marshmallow fluff, and eyebrows
I just got back from the banquet (and post-banquet drinks), and I had a great time. Lots of fun authors and fans! And a good dinner, even if the chocolate mousse cake tasted disappointingly like brown marshmallow fluff.
And for those of you have been wondering about the Agathas, alas, the esteemed teapot didn't go home with me. It did, however, go home with Sandra Parshall, who is a lovely woman -- and, from everything I've heard, wrote a great book (it's called Heat of the Moon).
I got to hang out with a TON of authors and readers, though, and took even more photos I haven't downloaded yet. When I finally do get around to posting them all, it's going to be one picture-riffic post.
Oh -- and I've been saving up little tidbits the last few days -- have to share them.
First, when I complimented a woman in the Austin airport on her perfume, she informed me it was "CK Ethiopia."
To which I said: "Ethiopia? Do you mean Utopia?" (Easy to confuse, I know.)
Her response? "Yeah, that's it. Oh, and there's another good one. It's called Juicy Contour." (Correct me if I'm wrong -- I am not an aficionado of these things -- but isn't it "Juicy Couture?")
She was so nice, and the things coming out of her mouth were so fun, I just wanted to keep her talking (in part to see what other perfume names she could come up with), but alas, we were cruelly separated by the airline security lines.
My next unique discovery was a ladies' room in the DFW airport that smells EXACTLY like a donut shop. Weird.
And my last little tidbit came from the massive horde of highschool kids on the plane. One of the rather loud, blonde girls in the seats in front of mine shouted across the aisle to a friend (in a very urgent tone): "Brittany. You HAVE to come over here. We're discussing eyebrows!"
Another not-to-be-missed conversation, I'm sure. And it was doubtless documented by the twelve digital cameras they had with them, all of which probably exhausted their memory and battery life before we crossed over Tennessee. (We were headed to D.C.) I'm afraid the only pictorial memories of their big trip will involve the blue seatbacks of a 747 and a lot of braces.
Well, it's past midnight here, and I have to be up in six hours for the Sisters in Crime breakfast, but I just wanted to check in and say hi.
Toodles! More soon, I promise...
posted by Karen MacInerney @ 12:13 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Well, it's an honor just to be nominated and that's no lie!! You have come very far very fast and that's something to be very proud of. Now, I have a few comments about your blog which made me laugh out loud, by the way. 1) "Fluff" is such a wonderful Yankee word and I love it!! Years ago, I was in the Safeway on Lake Austin Boulevard and asked the clerk quite frantically (I was ovulating, I believe) "Where's the Fluff?" and he looked at me like I was a lunatic. I found out it's called marshmallow cream down in these here parts. B) You crack me up listening in on other people's conversations and I do that too; can't help myself. The eyebrow thing was hilarious. Do you think we were ever that shallow? I really doubt it. And, XVI) it's Calvin Klein Euphoria, not Utopia. I wear Euphoria and can't walk ten feet without being stopped by someone, cause it smells very, very nice! My wish for you is that you have tons of fun the rest of your trip and then you come home and sleep for 15 hours! Your pal, Melissa
I just adore the idea of "juicy contour" perfume! Glad you're having fun...even without the teapot.
Melissa,
What do you know? I can come up with great perfume names, too! Speaking of which, maybe I'll come up with my own: UTOPIA, by Karen MacInerney.
And Fluff is a Yankee word, and I was always jealous of the kids whose moms made them PB & fluff sandwiches. (I got PB&J on sesame seed buns -- ugh.)
And I'll have to buy some Euphoria myself. Which IS a good name for a perfume.
I know it's 10:20, but I'm going to take a bath now. Because I am wiped out.
Thanks, Melissa. :)
Karen (who evidently needs to buy InStyle to keep up with the perfume industry)
Laura,
I know. Juicy contour -- it's wonderful. And she was so sweet about it! To be fair, I don't think English is her first language; and since I've announced in other languages that I wanted to (a) cook myself for dinner and (b) purchase an elevator (I meant train ticket), I have to give her a ton of credit for being brave enough to strike up a conversation.
Karen (who hopes to see you at one of these things someday)
I had forgotten that some people (those of you not from these parts!) use the word "fluff" to denote an actual foodstuff. But I laughed anyway because what you said reminded me of that brown foamy stuff called "mousse" we got served in college.
The bit about the perfume reminded me of the Calvin Klein parodies from Saturday Night Live: "Canis" (a perfume for dogs) and "Compulsion" (a household disinfectant).
Again, kudos, even though you didn't win! I'm happy for you.
John
Yes, it is "CK Ethiopia".
I think I read about CK Ethiopia in one of the Ethiopian website, I believe it was in the portal site:
http://www.EthioPortal.com
I said TWO TIMES at a women's planning meeting for a luncheon at church that I was going to bring the photos of the centerfolds to the next meeting. I meant CENTERPIECES! Luckily, they were very understanding of my brain fog.
John, yes, I am still a Yankee.
Nothing I can do about it.
And I must have blocked out all memories of the mousse...
Love the product names. And thanks for the kudos. :) I'm just happy to be back to a normal life...
K
anonymous,
Who knew? :)
Melissa,
An obvious mistake. And doubtless had NOTHING to do with your reading material at home... ;)
Just kidding, of course. I know there aren't any centerfolds in Outlander. :)
Ever since I read this post, I've been obsessing about chocolate marshmallow fluff. What kind of chocolate do you think I should use? Sick, huh?
On the topic of perfumes, my local organic food store carries a line of scents with names like "funeral", "rain", and even "gin & tonic" which I think I'll send to a mutual writer pal with the initials SWA. LOL. They actually smell rather nice, despite also smelling like their namesakes. Curious phenomenon.
Congratulations on the nomination! I was rooting for you and Julie, which is probably what ruined it for both of you.... I confess and take full responsibility. Grin.
Dani
Dani,
I am SO glad it's not just me. I'll read about a food in a book, and won't be able to stop thinking about it until I've gotten my hands on it. (Which perhaps explains my grocery bills.)
Hmm... Here in Austin, I usually have to use the Jet-Puft stuff. That with a little melted semi-sweet chocolate -- and maybe some vanilla, if you're feeling adventurous -- should do it.
Now you've got ME hungry for it.
Thanks for the congrats on the nomination. Now I know where the jinx came from! ;)
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