Heavy Head

In my continuing historical fiction fascination, I started watching Marie Antoinette, directed by Sofia Coppola. She and the King are waiting for the guillotine.

So, I started thinking about how much a human head weighs. Thank you Wikipedia, it weighs between 10 and 11 lbs. In Marie Antoinette’s case you can add 30lbs to that with wigs and elaborate head gear. Such as a replica of a sailing vessel. According to the queen’s hairdresser, a rodent would sometimes appear. I am not old enough to have been there, but I’m presuming Madame was not wearing her wigs on the way to the Bastille.

One of the teasers in this film was the lack of sexual intimacy between Marie A. and the King. It was critical for a dauphin (male heir to the throne) be conceived. There are several amusing scenes where Marie Antoinette tries to seduce Louis XVI. Not until they attend the Paris Opera, is he inspired to perform conjugal intimacy.

An unrelated story, but sexual in nature: Before I went to the U. Of Paris, my partner, Mel Gordon, gave me a vibrator. I unpacked it with the rest of my things as I settled into my apartment in the 11ieme. One afternoon, before classes began and I’d completed all the matriculation requirements, I thought, why not give this thing a try? I plugged it in. It immediately fried. Fortunately not near delicate parts. Whew!

On a pre-class exploration of Paris, I visited Sacre Coeur, the church in Montmartre. It was near the Metro stop Pigalle. As you may know, Pigalle is the red light district, famous for le Moulin Rouge. I thought, I should be able to replace the vibrator here. The lady salesclerk was very helpful. But some creep had been following me. I most certainly did not want to give him any ideas. I stayed in the shop until the coast was clear.

At least I learned the difference between French and U.S. voltage. Vive la difference? It just is.