A Rose is a Rose But Patchouli is My Fix
Apr 14th, 2008 by Nola
I wax philosophical about my law school days. They were probably more akin to the experience most people have in college. It was in law school that I first lived on my own and really began to know myself and test my mettle. It was also when I was a groupie huge fan of Big Sun.
The lead singer of Big Sun, Joe, and I became fast friends. He introduced me to the works of Hunter Thompson, telling me of a line from the opening scene of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas that went something like, “My attorney had taken off his shirt and was pouring beer down his chest to facilitate the tanning process.” He thought as a would-be attorney, it was imperative that I know Thompson’s work. He was right.
Joe often wore patchouli. My mostly-steady boyfriend during law school (it was a long distance relationship that fit nicely with the schedule of a law student) spent a lot of time as a child in Hawaii. He hated the smell of patchouli, saying it smelled like hippie sweat.
I began to wear Patchouli too. I wore it mainly when I’d go out (without my beau). I also started wearing it during finals. It always reminded me that I had a life outside of the particular test I was taking. I’d smell it and smile knowing that the test would be over soon enough and I’d be back in my world; that I was taking said test because it was my choice to be in law school to put my life on a path I chose for myself; that I had more facets than just the studious side. I am not sure my classmates appreciated my approach to test-taking; patchouli isn’t a shy, dainty aroma. But no one ever moved away from sitting near me and I wouldn’t have cared if they had.
I still have patchouli and wear it very infrequently. I am now concerned what others will think of me when they smell it on me. I have never worn it to the office. I can only imagine what the other attorneys and staffers would think about me–probably that I’d gone off the deep end.
I have never worn it to the office, that is, until today. I was still in a funk and knew finishing six tax returns really wasn’t gonna put a smile on my face. So I resorted to a very old tactic: I wore patchouli. I don’t know if that is why folks avoided me at work today or whether they intuitively knew I’d be grumpy since it was April 14th or whether I was overtly grumpy (a very distinct possibility). But as far as I am concerned, the patchouli did the trick of warding off being bugged.
Wearing patchouli today also reminded me that I am still that same person who found herself in law school; that I still know how to do what it takes to get through a tough spot; that I still have enough confidence to take care of myself without regard to what others will think of my ways. And it reminded me that I still love the way patchouli smells today as much as I ever have.
Stumble it!
I love this entry! I dont’ think I’ve ever smelled Patuchouli before, but now I think I will go find it.
I have a strong sense of smell and tend to flash back quickly to the past with certain ones. The smell of urine/beer/sweat/crawfish makes me think of Mardi Gras and the French Quarter in the summer. I had this one Bath & Body Works fragrance that I only used on special occasions in high school: proms, dates, parties. For some reason, even though it was cheap stuff, I would only use it then. The first time I used it years later instantly threw me back to a younger life where I was a much different girl.
My brother-in-law had a very “earthy” girlfriend who wore Patuchouli and now when I smell it of course it reminds me of her - and oh! how I despised that girl!
To me Patuchouli smells like bug spray!
But I know what you mean about scents and the associations they have. Coty Wild Musk (not that I ever wear it now,lol) always will remind me of my roller skating days in Jr. high. Polo reminds me of all the boys in college….
You know, Nola, if Patchouli is what it takes, then you go on with your bad self.
For me, it’s a run-in with Vosges Haut Chocolate. They do a mean bar of dark chocolate and Louisiana chicory…good stuff. You have to eat it in small doses though because it is heaaaaady.
I love everything that patchouli seemingly stands for and represents. It calls to mind a carefree and unencumbered life. It also makes me sneeze uncontrollably. It’s a paradox!
Good for you staying true to you.
I wonder if the people at work are gearing up to ask you for a drug test. TeeHee!
I am not a fan of patchouli, but I love that you wore it to get through the doldrums. And to remind yourself of your self.
I am dying. to smell Patchouli now…
[...] Nola says patchouli is a mighty fine pick-me-up. [...]
I have never heard of patchouli… what exactly is it and where do you get it?
The pure stuff is way too powerful. Can’t stand it. Ewwww.
What a lovely post. Scents also have a powerful effect on me and spark memories more readily than anything else.
I’ve never smelled Patchouli before. Now I’ll have to look for it.
So glad you found your way through with what works for you
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It is amazing what we associate with smells. Red licorice with my pre-teen years. Curve and Clean and Clear with my teen years. Leather and baby oil with my college years (I’m not discussing this one). And, Desitin with, well, now.
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I am not a fan at all of Patchouli, it gives me an awful headache. So I would have been one of the ones avoiding you.
I love though how certain scents will help recall the memories of a different time.
I need to find out what patchouli smells like now.. you have me on a mission.
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Hey Patchouli Pal! Good for you! (God help us if we’re ever in the same place at the same time…well, we’ll likely have it all to ourselves..).
It’s spring in our corner of the world now and Saturday’s farmer’s market was heady with the scent. Yay Spring! Yay Patchouli!
(n.b. A year or so ago I got a nice patchouli blend at the Body Shop which doesn’t seem to make as many people gag).
In herbal medicine it’s used externally for the treatment of eczema, acne and varicose veins. It’s frequently used in chinese herbal remedies.
Patchouli in aromatherapy is beneficial for depression and anxiety and is considered a “grounding” influence on the wearer. That’s why it works for you in times of stress! I keep a vial of the essential oil in my klatch of oils although I don’t practice aromatherapy as much as I used to.
I sometimes wear a perfume from Hove ( in da quarter) called “Kiss in the Dark” that has essence of Patchouli and sandalwood (my fave)…you should try it.
This was a fun and interesting post, Nola.
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You know how much I love you, right? But patchouli??
Just thinking about that smell makes me gag.
I love the idea of what it does for you though. I use Hawaiian Tropic lip balm for the same reason.
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Instead of Patchouli, get some plants from which the resin results in the incense: Plumaria. Have three plants, and as they bloom for months, you could have year-round scent.
I love the scent of this plant. Details:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frangipani
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