Manolo the Columnist
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
I’ve bitten the bullet and left academia and gone back to my true love—baking. I am opening a small bakery and I need to some comfortable, yet stylish shoes that have non-slip soles, can bear being covered in butter and sugar, but would still look good when I help in the front.
Kay
The Manolo says, of the course, there are those who believe that one would be foolish to give up the golden perks of academia, such as the pleasures of frequently reading the papers in which the word “hermeneutics” appears twice in the first sentence, once juxtaposed next to the phrase “Gilligan’s Island”.What? No more faculty meetings in which the professor of Marxist marketing comes to blows with the elderly Emily Bronte scholar over the matter of parking spaces?
Just cupcakes with sprinkles and beautiful pastel frosting, happy children buying the sweet treats, and giant tubs of chocolate fondant in the back room.
Here is the colorful and practical Minie from the Camper. Yes, it is the slightly goofy shoe, but it is also the joyful shoe, one that would give you much pleasure as you fulfill this noble dream.








February 16th, 2007 at 10:28 am
As a baker-at-home herself, the Annalucia is happy to hear that Kay has exchanged the dreariness of academe for the chocolate, the fine flours, and lots and lots of butter and eggs. Think how her new vocation will bring joy to the multitudes; one cannot help but smile.
And yes, the goofy-but-joyful shoe looks like an excellent choice. In fact it is such a cheerful shoe that the Annalucia will go look it up right now. She hopes it is available in the Wide.
February 16th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I have thse campers with a higher heel and they are great. So practical and comfortable yet they look so good. They garantee you lots of compliments.
February 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
hi manolo.
I actually like these shoes. They look so comfortable.perfect to wear for a day of walking round lots of shops!
February 16th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
These are a little Minnie Mouse…but look totally comfy.
http://gogoglamour.blogspot.com
February 16th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hooray for Kay! Now she will make the simple folk smile & groan instead of simply groan! And I like the Camper shoes from the Minnie, too! Kind of like perky Nanny shoes. I like them both. Very cute!
February 16th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
These shoes are just plain “yummy”! Perfect for a sweet tooth.
February 16th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Oh those comments about academia are too true! As a professor myself, I can refine Sartre’s commentary to be more specific: “Hell is other… professors in a faculty meeting.”
But I like the shoes and think they’d be appropriate for standing long hours in the classroom as well, working through problems on the chalkboard for the vacant eyed students that still don’t understand why probabilities can’t be negative.
February 16th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Many congratulations to Miss Kay and her choice to bring delicious pastries to the world! The world can’t have too many delicious pastries. (Opinions on how many academians the world needs withheld in the intrests of diplomacy.)
February 16th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
your academia comments made me laugh so hard I cried.
February 16th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
But what do you expect from people who work only 180 days a year and have jobs for life?
February 16th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
ohhh, Minie from the Camper. Ummmmm.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:48 am
oh manolo, these shoes are just too dowdy for my tastebuds. The Mary Janes/ Marty Poppins are rather soul-less. May i recommend leather round-toed pumps with a 2-inch heel (comfy and sexy), in a bright colour to go with the yummies. How I’d love a baker with a sense of humour.
February 17th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Manolo, Your academic comments are spot-on. Could it be that the Manolo has a graduate degree on his vita? The mystery deepens.
May I add a follow-up query? What can a stylish literature professor wear on her feet in the college classroom? I tend to have quite eccentric taste, such as Chie Mihara or Manuela’s shoes from Te Casan’s new line.
What delightful but not overly distracting shoes with heels might you recommend for professors who take their footwear as seriously (but whimsically) as their literary theory?
February 18th, 2007 at 2:16 am
Wow. Am I the only one who thinks those shoes are just plain ugly? I hope the Manolo doesn’t mind my saying so…
Here’s to personal preference!
February 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
no, la petite chou chou, you are not alone in thinking so.
February 19th, 2007 at 2:21 am
I thought you needed to see this:
http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2007/02/HASSELDRESS.JPG
February 19th, 2007 at 3:30 am
Being made of nubuck, I was wondering how the Minie would handle being covered in everyday baking messes of butter and sugar.
February 19th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Many thanks for the kind words of support! I am excited to be carrying on the tradition of my family.
I think they are the super-cutest shoe to choose to work in, and as far as nubuck/butter/sugar, well, they come in red leather!! Mmmm… high-heeled work shoes. I can’t wait to order them! Thanks, Manolo!
February 19th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Is it just me or do these shoes bear a striking resemblance to the “number” shoes the Manolo mocked on July 24, 2006? (Check the archives for a refresher.) Was it only the numbers that made those shoes bad? I thought it was also or mostly because they looked like they had been formed in one piece by being poured into a clumsily sculpted rubber mold. These ones look like they were made on the same principle–although I will allow that these are better than the “number” shoes, if only slightly.
Sorry Manolo…and no offense to anybody who does like them.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Ugh! What was that link about, Latara!!
mmmm. Baking.
February 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
re: Hasseldress:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! My eyes, they are burning!