I was at Barnes & Noble, only looking for a copy of The Sun (which they didn't carry, damn it), and walked out with a reprint of the 1938 "classic" Better than Beauty -- A Guide to Charm, by Helen Valentine.

Here's an excerpt from the section about posture:

"Do you toe out in the genteel, outmoded fashion of 1912? Make a conscious effort to get those toes straight ahead. Have you the arrogant bustle walk, your hips thrown out behind? Start today, learning to walk as though someone were about to spank you -- and watch those hips go back where they came from."

And from the section entitled "What should you weigh?":

"Before you consider your weight remember that, in general, it is well for a woman under thirty to be slightly overweight. During these early years the body still can use this extra defense against disease."

And from the section "Do you exercise?":

"If you do housework, the chances are you get plenty of exercise...."

This is very entertaining. I've also learned I should change my underwear "not less frequently than every other day."

I tend to be scared of HR people, period.

Yes, indeedy, except substitute "mistrust" for scare"; usually I scare them, which it makes it doubly fortunate that I don't work in corporate America. I'm far too decisive and "do it this way and don't forget to kiss my ring" in an office setting for anyone's comfort.

But my feelings about HR people are yet another reason I don't entrust dissecting my highly gamma personality to them.

ita, truth to tell? I think there were other circs involved in the last job, if we're talking about MI. Such as, one person, deliberately crazy-making.

Damn. I need this book. Is it in the remainders section?

Do you toe out in the genteel, outmoded fashion of 1912?

I'm just happy to know that toeing out was ever in fashion.

I'm just happy to know that toeing out was ever in fashion.

"Now, don't forget your bustle, dear, and remember, walking like a duck is dainty.

Damn. I need this book. Is it in the remainders section?

You mean where they have all the "Best Irish Horror Stories" anthologies for $3.98? If so, yes. It was $5.98. Blue cover, with a chic woman wearing a zebra-striped coat on the front.

Betsy, this edition. Hardcover.

"Before you consider your weight remember that, in general, it is well for a woman under thirty to be slightly overweight. During these early years the body still can use this extra defense against disease."

Sweet!

How do you people read and keep up with buffistas as well? I haven't had time to clean my room, and that was my only goal for the day!

How do you people read and keep up with buffistas as well?

We don't sleep.