tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post1354367531855919251..comments2024-03-29T09:51:06.888-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/29/24: Holding up the skyNeil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-36347876166261932332017-11-18T16:47:42.759-06:002017-11-18T16:47:42.759-06:00Did I not know which branch you were in I might th...Did I not know which branch you were in I might think your anti-umbrella stance and attribution of effeminacy a relic of military service. Army uniform regulations forbid the carrying of umbrellas by male soldiers, but females are now allowed such protection from the elements in some circumstances. The Air Force and Navy, less hidebound, eliminated the proscription sometime in the 1980's. I believe the Jarheads, although organizationally part of the Navy continue to go unsheltered in the rain. <br /><br />Somehow, the topic brought to mind famous films. "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," of course. And a classic Hitchcock flic, I forget which one, opens with an aerial shot of a crowded piazza in the rain, nothing but glistening umbrellas. I misremembered the ending of "Miracle in Milan" having the abused poor people taking flight away from their emiseration mounted on umbrellas, but Mr. Google advises it was broomsticks. <br /><br />Anyway. A nice topic for a rainy day.<br /><br />TomTomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09641357239788323783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-19514394006311503192017-11-18T13:52:35.736-06:002017-11-18T13:52:35.736-06:00I had a Cinzano umbrellas. It was from the Vemouth...I had a Cinzano umbrellas. It was from the Vemouth company. I believe it was a golf type of umbrella. I don't think I was ever in a place where I used it where there were many people walking around. I usually used it when walking the dog or walking from the parking lot at Miller Park. It was great even in a pretty stiff win. I was really upset that I lost it somewhere. sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-6139427586375806872017-11-18T11:08:05.145-06:002017-11-18T11:08:05.145-06:00I suspect another factor is commercialism. I see d...I suspect another factor is commercialism. I see downtown establishments (e.g. Hannah’s Bretzel) with stands of these oversized umbrellas, colorfully branded, for customers to borrow, turning them into walking billboards. And with visual advertising, bigger is better. Same goes for umbrellas given away as promotions. Many of us would never buy one of these monstrosities, but if we got one for free….kganderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005895232135682751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-35983373048016183752017-11-18T09:13:25.089-06:002017-11-18T09:13:25.089-06:00Holding up the sky, not the Earth. I won't fo...Holding up the sky, not the Earth. I won't forget that nugget of information.<br /><br />I was surprised that "umbrella" would be connected to protection from the sun, since we have a perfectly good word for that: parasol, whose origin is masked somewhat by its pronunciation in English. Para Sol, for [the] sun. I can attest to the use of the umbrella as an Asian status symbol. In Korean history dramas, one often sees the king parading forth with a beach-size umbrella held over his head by eunuchs or maid servants.<br />Personally, I find it impractical (and irrationally consider it somewhat effeminate) to use an umbrella, especially on a crowded sidewalk. If there's any wind (which you find almost always in Chicago), the umbrella does no good whatsoever and soon reveals its inherent design flaws by flying away or collapsing, not to speak of poking someone's eye out.<br /><br />johntatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088632798195131329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-10278962947364379002017-11-18T07:49:21.401-06:002017-11-18T07:49:21.401-06:00There are too many high wind spots in Chicago'...There are too many high wind spots in Chicago's downtown for a large umbrella to be practical. As a general rule I do not take joy in other people's misery, but there seems to be one exception. Whoosh an inverted biggy, ha what a pleasant sight.Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-14412849560338925702017-11-18T05:33:18.866-06:002017-11-18T05:33:18.866-06:00Generally, big umbrella people lack spacial awaren...Generally, big umbrella people lack spacial awareness. They suffer from a disability and polite society accommodates them. They're genuinely befuddled when they put your eye out with their enormous pointy tips. These are the same people who open their car doors into traffic and wonder at the sudden cacophony of horns. They're the same people who stop to get their bearings at the top of an escalator, and are surprised to be jostled by the "inconsiderate" people pushing past them. On the other hand, maybe they're just jerks, and if you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of their space.<br /> Tony Galatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944671504245191140noreply@blogger.com