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Katherine E. Standefer's avatar

"When you grow up in a trailer, there are certain lines in the sand, and one of them is owning any furniture named after an empire." I'm dead.

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

I should’ve had the courage to go cowhide

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Eulea Kiraly's avatar

Enjoyed your presentation at NfN and have added Son of Gun and In Cold Blood and to my read/reread list. Given your response to Chekov, Raymond Carver?

Regards, Eulea Kiraly

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

Thanks for going to the NFNow panel! No strong feelings about Carver, either way—I used to teach his work a lot. I liked his versions of his stories a lot better than Gordon Lish's, but I think I'm in the minority there ...

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Dave Madden's avatar

First: 'Love Takes Miles' indeed roolz and was the track I built my whole Valentine's Day woo-pitching playlist around (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1QyKm4ooqJRut4zxz89p52). Will investigate the album.

Now, my ottoman two cents is to go with something portable and easy to throw somewhere else when you don't need it on the floor. I like the unfortunately named 'pouf' ottomans, in a cube shape, ideally with a handle. Like, say, this one: https://www.gpwih.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/current-solid-linen-cube-ottomans-intended-for-ritz-cube-ottoman-sand-faux-linen-designer-handle-button-tuft-shop-for-affordable-home-furniture-decor-outdoors-and-more.jpg

Enjoy NfN. Sorry to be missing it this time. If you see Alex Perez there, can you inform him that gay men exist, in life and letters? To be fair, he does list John Cheever, specifically the journals, which is great because the entire story of those is watching closeted queer Cheever drink about how he's not as manly as Bellow or the Beats.

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

Saved the playlist! I feel like Spotify only suggests me songs you like. I've been avoiding poufs because of the name (Hemingway would never own a pouf), but also because I don't understand what they are. Is it a category of Ottoman? A thing unto itself? Also trying to avoid cubes, although the sand one's promising.

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Emily's avatar

On the topic of masculinity, I think you might like Jessa Crispin's new book! It’s pretty funny and centered on Michael Douglas films. I think she'll be at Powell's in July too!

On ottomans: I don’t know how you feel about bouclé fabric, but it’s very pet-friendly and scratch resistant: https://chitaliving.com/products/grace-round-storage-coffee-ottoman?variant=46251424088234 (sadly they aren’t as colorful as the Kelly Clarkson ones!)

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

Thanks! I admit I didn't know what bouclé was, so this is helpful. That one's nice, and would go with the couch, but now I'm realizing I also need to consider the ottoman's dimensions ...

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Dave Madden's avatar

Yes. Seconding anything bouclé.

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Michael Doyle's avatar

I'm happy to see you 'home' again. There's not much difference between a trailer and a bungalow when you're snoozing. I suggest you check out a La-Z-Boy, which includes an ottoman of sorts despite the empire connotation and the higher price tags. Get leather; it will go well with the pink couch.

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

It is tempting to just go with a recliner. Cupholders!

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Bridget Wade Radcliff's avatar

World Market always has an interesting array of ottoman choices that will surely pop with the coral couch. This book of essays on class - very much anticipating this read!

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

I’d forgotten all about World Market—thanks!

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Jeanne's avatar

I'm not the best ottoman consultant, but I have a purple, tufted half-moon shaped one at the foot of my bed. It has a hinged lid and holds quite a bit inside -- I love a good storage ottoman.

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

Adding half-moon to my list of potential shapes

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Amy Bautista's avatar

tbh there should be more TGI Fridays in airports

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Justin St. Germain's avatar

PDX needs like 4 or 5 for sure

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