Dormir: I was perusing through the paper today on the way into work and noticed the ads for mattresses on the back page of Section D. Here's a representative sample of the model names for the spring/foam/wood/metal contraptions: "Avignon", "Ashworth", "Rebecca", "Bainbridge", and "Euro Top".

Imagine, sleeping in European comfort! Little do most Americans know that the Europeans don't spend a quarter of the time and money we do in investing in a mattress. Yes, sleep is important, but let's face it; the human race did okay sleeping on (progressively speaking) dirt to canvas and rope cots. Only in the last 40 years or so did we start naming our mattresses after what we imagine to be English castles or French nobility.

Having lived in France for a bit, I can attest to the fact that many of them eschew the box spring and just plop a mattress on the floor. Having stayed in a fair share of European hotels, I can attest to the fact that when you do get a box spring/mattress combo, chances are you're about ten years into it.

I wonder what the Europeans would name their brands: "Abilene", "Tuscon", "Milwaukee"?