I came of age in the '60s, so I'm a little behind in the world of body beautification. How, I'd wonder, do so many women have blond hair, curls, tan breasts? Well, of course, it's dyed, it's permed, it's a tanning booth stupid. I understand the how of the latest trend in pubic hair or lack thereof (it's waxed), but I don't get the why.

I try to keep my observations to myself on various piercings, tattoos (can't really say 'so what's up with the green teddy in a pink nightcap on your chest, dude?'), and shavings, but recently I just had to ask a twenty-something whom I've known since she was in high school about her pubic hairstyle.

The pattern, she laughed, is called a landing strip. Or did she maybe say a parking stripe? Either way, I got the point.