It’s true: there are 34 kinds of rootbeer in the fridge, in preparation for the forthcoming Rootbeer Tasting Soiree (the rootbeer will be accompanied by what is certain to be a terrible (where”terrible” means “wonderful”) film, starring Rock Hudson as a young soda jerk in love with Piper Laurie. Sounds great). Also, hilariously, Mr. John Nese, owner of the Soda Pop Stop, helped us carry our collection of exotic rootbeers to the car, because he is gentlemanly.
There are few things in the world that are better than having 34 different varieties of rootbeer in the kitchen. However, there have been other good things going on as well. I just got back from San Diego, where it was hazy and sleepy and I did a lot of swimming in a hotel pool in the nighttime. We saw a baby panda at the zoo, but, alas, the slow loris was hiding somewhere in its enclosure and wouldn’t come out to shower us with cuteness. Luckily, the internet continues to deliver.
Also, I’ve been planning my girl group class, which starts this week and is going to be wonderful fun. We’re starting with Gidget. I feel that it’s important for the undergraduates to see excerpts from Gidget Goes Hawaiian, the moral of which is “don’t talk to anyone, ever, or everyone will think you’re a slut, also, try surfing,” as it provides important context regarding representations of girl identity in the early 1960s.
Discussion Questions:
Who is cuter? Slow loris or Maru, the internet’s best greatest cat? (Category of “internet’s greatest cat” was bestowed upon Maru by a non-partisan panel of internet cat video experts, consisting of myself.)
How much rootbeer would a slow loris drink if a slow loris were larger than a bottle of rootbeer?
Why is Gidget played by a different actress in every Gidget movie, when clearly Deborah Walley is the best Gidget? And why is It’s a Bikini World (hilarious, quasi-feminist beach party movie, involving a skateboard race, and cameo from the Animals who perform “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place” at the Haunted House, which was once a monster-themed club with giant papier mache lizard creatures, and is now a porn theatre , her Greatest Film Ever, not available on DVD?
Who wants a postcard with a panda on it? I have three left, I’ll even sign them with a lipstick kiss so your mailman thinks you’re getting love letters from a Hollywood starlet. Ooh, gossip and excitement could circulate about you in your very own hometown!



