purse or porn?

the purse i've been using recently has part of botticelli's birth of venus printed on it. i originally bought it because the juxtaposition of a master's painting and cheap plastic handbag (i don't think it even ranks as pleather) appeal to my sense of irony. it amused me, i had to have it. plus the colors are wonderful.

it turns out that the real amusement value, though, is in how people react to it, and how often. only one person has recognized it as a botticelli (out loud, at least). pretty much the rest of the world finds it necessary to inform me, like i somehow missed it, that i have a naked lady on my purse. one girl that i work with points it out to everyone; i can't tell if she's insulted or just doesn't understand. my favorites, however, have to be the guys. first of all, what self-respecting man a) notices a handbag or b) lets anyone know that he has noticed it? more than i expected, that's for sure. but mostly, it's how they get right to the point; instead of pointing out the naked woman, they point out the naked boob. and then they look at me kind of sideways to see how i'll react. cracks me up, every time.

it continues to amaze me just how completely and continuously i can be entertained by very simple things.

**9/5/05** trust my mother to come up with something like this: she's decided we should just cut to the chase and put abstract pictures of a boob on a purse. and then see who gets it. and stay away from those who get it too quickly...