Disqus - Latest Comments for joannabc

Re: It’s a…

joannabc — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:35:13 -0000

Joan mid-lick is just spectacular up there. A girl gang! Very on trend. Many congrats.

Re: white flag

joannabc — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:19:07 -0000

Good job, Rachael! Wait, what's wrong with good job?

(Been meaning to post this comment for weeks, and am reminded to do it every time I tell my son, "good job!" But, like you, I cannot write an email (or blog comment) in the presence of my child to save my life.)

Re: Two So Far

joannabc — Fri, 09 May 2014 18:21:03 -0000

Does anyone still listen to voicemail?

Re: alienation in the first year

joannabc — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 08:52:42 -0000

Perfect last line.

Re: my kitchen wants…

joannabc — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 14:09:14 -0000

Yes, I use mine nearly every day (I have two sizes, and want a third, actually). It is perfect for everything, lives on the stove, and is the easiest thing ever to clean.

Re: Anthony Weiner And Liberal Morality

joannabc — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 17:11:56 -0000

And a fourth possibility: that he has such a tremendous capacity for self-deception that he truly believed he wouldn't get caught, that this was "the last time," that it "isn't cheating," etc.etc. etc. and thus it would never hurt her.

I have, unfortunately, been in a relationship with someone whose ambitions, tendencies and desires are similar to those of Weiner's, and the persistent, willful, continual self-deception that accompanies these traits, in the face of all evidence, logic and common-sense, is baffling and horrifying.

To me, this is where Clinton and Weiner are different types of characters. I think Clinton is your basic womanizer whose power augmented his perceptions of his license and impunity. I think for Weiner these "engagements" actually meet a deep emotional need for him (for perpetual attention and validation), and are probably compulsive. Not to give him any sort of pass -- we're all responsible for our actions and for dealing with our own shit -- but his case seems grosser on one level, colored as it is by such an evident lack of self-awareness (and, sequiter, intelligence).

Re: French Is A No Huddle Offense

joannabc — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 16:23:46 -0000

FYI TNC and others: they have this in Paris too. It's called Franglish. Easily googled. The nice thing is it's usually full for French native speakers, so there are almost always spots for native English speakers.

Re: French Is A No Huddle Offense

joannabc — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 16:09:23 -0000

I empathize! I always felt like there wasn't enough spoken practice with the instructor ("someone with expertise listening and correcting") in the courses I took at AF. In addition to orals, I would recommend, if you have any interest in working specifically on your accent and intonation, taking Pronunciation. The professor, Madame Denise, is both terrifying and glorious. Totally dramatic and over-the-top, old school French style meanness "you are miserable! this is a disgrace!" (in French, bien sur), punctuated with my dears, my loves, my darling, my sweet thing. I found it exhilarating and fascinating, but a wonderful experience. Her approach to the language is much more about its music: hearing it, being able to replicate it -- we studied (and had to memorize for recitation) French plays and poetry and music to understand how the inflection and intonation works. It was theoretically wholly different from the day-to-day language class and helped me think conceptually about the language on a whole different plane, which was also really stimulating. The most memorable demonstration she gave was when she spoke with a heavy Spanish accent but French diction, then spoke French, but with English diction. The first sounded so much more like French than the second; it was bizarre and amazing and gorgeous and really helped illuminate the heart of the matter: being able to be understood is about how you're saying it as well as what you're saying (this is particularly and especially true of French (vs. English) which is one of the things I think is difficult to understand as a native English speaker coming to French).

I could also recommend a French Phonetician who gives lessons in Paris -- I found him really good, and he has an interesting self-developed technique for understanding how to form and hear the sounds. The nice thing about him is that you could take 4-6 lessons and walk away having significantly improved how you are actually speaking French.

Re: <em>The Atlantic</em> In Paris--Dispatch #4

joannabc — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 18:52:08 -0000

Are you at the Alliance francaise on Raspail? Rue de Rennes tipped me off, if so, as well as your description of the other students (though I suppose they're quite young wherever you go). I just finished up 6 weeks there myself -- had an excellent experience and thought the teachers were quite good, as were the materials -- in fact, I bought the next level up book so I could keep on practicing. Take heart! One of my classmates was a 60+ year old Italian man who was learning French because he'd always loved the language -- and he killed the younger ones who were there because their parents/job/school were requiring it. But I also was shocked/humbled by the fact that for all of the non-US students, French was their 3rd+ language.

In any case, the Monday/Friday marche at Raspail, and the bio marche on Sunday, in particular, is not to be missed. Try the potato pancakes (with onion) that the seller is fresh-frying on the big black griddles -- he's usually closest to Rue de Cherche-Midi. And buy all the varieties of fruits that you don't recognize -- check out the many, many varieties of just strawberries! Gariguettes are our favorite, though Mara des Bois are also not to be missed. Just get a barquette of each kind to be able to make your own decision. Blackberries taste different too. Oh, and ask for the 18+ month aged comte from one of the fromageries. Tastes different (better) in France!

Now we are back in New York after 9 months living in France, and of all the things I miss, that comte and those strawberries are at the top of my and my (French) husband's list.

Re: Good Voyage Cards

joannabc — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:02:06 -0000

likely you know that kate o, of this company, is a taylor grad and very good friends with kate bojo. if not -- isn't that fun?

Re: Social Clubs of Boston

joannabc — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:46:37 -0000

Technically I "know how." My desire to ever actually drive stick shift, though, is nil.

Actually I'm not drawn to the word commune at all, but I'm drawn to the idea of a social epicenter where like-minded people can gather to participate in activities planned and unplanned, all of which is in some intentional or loose way orchestrated by me. Commune's the only word I have for that! I did grow up on an organic farm, y'know.

Re: Social Clubs of Boston

joannabc — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:20:30 -0000

You can start your social club at my writer's commune, which is currently located in Dordogne, France. G taught me to drive stick-shift one day in Paris and I have never driven it since that day.

Re: The Seeking Heart

joannabc — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:33:02 -0000

Re: Favorite Mugs

joannabc — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:40:53 -0000

I definitely have favorite mugs. Actually, there's a hierarchy of mugs, and sometimes it depends on what is going to go in the mug. A mug for applesauce is not necessarily the right mug for orange juice, for instance. I never thought I was one of those weird OCD ritualistic people about anything, but now that you've asked this question I am reconsidering.

Re: Learning a Foreign Language Is Like Learning a Sport

joannabc — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:55:17 -0000

Fascinating discussion. My French husband also has two different voices depending on the language he's speaking. Family comments that his voice in English is deeper than his voice in French.

TNC, if you find yourself wanting to visit Paris sometime in the next 6 months, let me know. We have a 2-bedroom apartment there that is currently unoccupied, as we are doing a stint in the US.

Re: A Year of Biblical Womanhood

joannabc — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:12:26 -0000

i agree from a theoretical point of view that "biblical womanhood" exists. or rather, that "biblical personhood" exists (though i would phrase even that much differently). what i take issue with is the way in which the language of "biblical womanhood" and the way in which the concept is used as a weapon against women in the church -- from subtly segregating women as such, and thus communicating that their importance lies not first in their identities as children of god, but in their identities as women, to dictating what behaviors and qualities characterize a "good christian woman," a feature of the evangelical church in america that harms and alienates not only women, but men, too. not to even get into the odd and revealing fact that there is a much more vociferous cohort exalting and scrutinizing biblical womanhood than do the same for "biblical manhood."

i do like RHE though, and trust the book captures the warmth and honesty of her personality, as does her other writing. that is, I agree, the best endorsement for her writing.

Re: Warmth and cold

joannabc — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:20:57 -0000

nice sentence, RR: "Those beam the promise of warmth as if each haphazard row captures a little more heat, kept close by your side."

Re: Your Brain On French - Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Atlantic

joannabc — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 18:15:40 -0000

Hi there -- I am interested in the French tutor's information. (Can't seem to find your direct email address, so sorry for the general post!) My husband (who is French) and I just moved from Paris to New York, where we'll be based for the next 6 months. After that it's back to France, and so I really need to keep working on my French. Classes are definitely not enough!

Re: A Fistful of Scholars’ First Meeting Tonight

joannabc — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:43:53 -0000

this is such an excellent idea. right on.

Re: thoughts on a wedding deejay

joannabc — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:56:59 -0000

runner up: "i really admire her commitment... to being a super normal person."

Re: Brand Degradation - Atlantic Mobile

joannabc — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:53:27 -0000

Here it is. http://nymag.com/fashion/11...

The broader point of the article is that the definition of "upper class," especially w/r/t how and to what extent wearing elite fashion brands signifies an individual's class rank (by one's peers, the media, etc.) is evolving. Increasingly, thanks to the sisters Middleton & co., "upper class" does not exclude mass brands but incorporates, celebrating a look and not just a label.

Of course this raises a host of questions about appropriation, the hi/lo culture mix, and also the recursive nature of fashion itself. If the ultimate goal of mass brands is to deliver the aspirational pay-off of a "label" brand at a price appropriate for mass consumption, what do label brands have to offer (and to whom?) when endemic to what's en vogue is its very mass-ness?

Re: i wanted it to work out

joannabc — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:06:22 -0000

I knew you would come through for me, kbj.

why i can't get with FNL (non-exhaustive):

the speechifying: rare is the actual conversation. instead all the characters just give each other speeches all the effing time

multiple after school special topics in every episode: drug use, sexual assault, mental illness, cheating, abuse, racism, etc. etc. etc.

warp-speed resolution of said issues: before the opening credits the issue has already been speechified to death, and all is smoothed over and moved along by the end of 40 minutes.

i do like tami taylor, though.

(and i like you, for liking a show like this for the reasons you like it, even if i can't like it for the same reasons.)

Re: i wanted it to work out

joannabc — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:54:29 -0000

the whole first season!

Re: things for which i pay more

joannabc — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:22:25 -0000

i'm flattered you assumed this list was exhaustive.agree that the marketing is blah. but i am a devotee (though recently strayed: instant regret) because it is actually a superior sponge -- efficacy, longevity & aesthetics.

Re: http://eagleflieswiththedove.tumblr.com/post/4934592108

joannabc — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:12:53 -0000

also, he watches friday night lights i will point out again.