Monday, January 30, 2006

Just Rolling... in my Benzo

Recently in Berkeley I've observed more uncharacteristically Bezerkeley things than usual. Perhaps they aren't actually out of character so much as they are bizarre and unexpected. If that's true, they are probably more Berkeley than tie-dyed, unwashed business hippies.

Example the first: Ladies are wearing the silliest, and furriest boots around this campus. Goodness gracious! I am accustomed to seeing people wear ridiculously warm clothing in California. For some reason it is chic to wear big winter hats, scarves, and gloves when it's around 50 degrees Farenheit. Until this year, (or last year's advent of the Ugg) these wintery staples were usually paired with flip-flops or sandals of some sort. While this Berkeley fashion statement was certainly incongruous, I was aghast when I saw the plethora of boots designed for very cold, even Siberian, weather this year. Now these boots are not just warm, they are goofy. They have fur, and tassels, and embroidery and they are hardly ever cute - at all. I just don't get it.

Example the second: Near the intersection of Bancroft and College last week I saw a white Mercedes Benz SUV. Now the SUVs near campus seem un-Berkeley to me in the first place but the most surprising aspect of this Benzo was it's vanity plate. That's right, as if you needed a vanity plate when you've already got the shiny new Benz. In any event, this vanity plate read, "Go Vegan."

What the heck? How gaz guzzling cars exemplify the vegan lifestyle is beyond me, but I sure am glad that this car owner had his or her priorities straight. I mean it's really critical not to eat honey - which was produced by oppressed bees. It's far less important to conserve fossil fuels and prevent destruction of our dear Mother Earth, home to, that's right, all living creatures. Even those adorable honeybees.

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