I’ve Worn the Same Watch For, Like, Eight Years

February 9th, 2009, 18 Comments »

My Old WatchIs that odd? It’s a totally unobtrusive Pulsar that Julie gave me years ago. I’ve probably changed the black leather strap on it at least five times, and the battery at least twice. The face is a bit dinged up, I guess, but it works perfectly.

All it does is tell time. It has no fancy digital functions (which have, not surprisingly, fallen out of fashion), nor is it good to 200 feet underwater. It has none of the silver and gold bulkiness that I frequently see in men’s magazines on the wrists of brooding male models and an even broodier Clive Owen. I cannot wind it by shaking my wrist.

I have friends who have lots of watches. Travis has, as last count, well, I’m not really sure, but I think it was north of 40. He’s a collector, though, so that seems like a different league altogether.

I have no urge to buy another watch until this one breaks. Is that a common or unusual perspective? How often do you buy watches? How do you decide that it’s time for a new one?

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Michelle Branch on the Cover of Maxim

December 30th, 2003, 33 Comments »

Michelle Branch, a folk-rock singer of some note, is appearing on the cover of Maxim next month. This has caused some consternation among her fans, who thought she’d be above using her (fetching) body to sell CDs. I guess they hadn’t seen this Cartier ad, where she’s using her face to sell watches and so forth. I’m reminded of some fine lyrics by the venerable Neil Young:

I ain’t singing for Pepsi
I ain’t singing for Coke
I ain’t singing for nobody
Makes me look like a joke

But selling out really isn’t my point. After all, everybody from Bob Dylan to Moby has sold out these days–it’s par for the course.

I’m more interested in Michelle Branch’s butt crack.

Read more…

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