Archive for November 2010
He makes a fine, fine point
Worst things ever
The protagonist in the book that I am currently writing lists these as the worst things ever: 1. Waiting 2. Not knowing 3. Not existing It’s not my list, mind you, but I think it’s a pretty good list and I’m considering making it my own as well. And it’s a big improvement on his…
Read MoreTalk Soup: A solution to my cultural blindness?
In the past three days, I have failed to understand cultural references related to a celebrity chef, a Kardashian person (made from someone old enough to be my father), and (I think) the woman engaged to Prince I–Still-Don’t-Know-His-Name. While watching 30 Rock last night (two episodes on DVD), I counted at least three jokes that…
Read MoreRoyal wedding stupidity
Here’s the most disturbing aspect of the attention that Prince Whoever (Harry? William? I’m thankfully not sure) and his future princess are receiving in light of their recent engagement: I have not seen a single story about their engagement from a single news source, yet I know that the coverage has been wall-to-wall. I consume…
Read MoreTwo more allergens to add to my list
My wife would like me to go to the allergist for reasons that I do not fully understand. I am allergic to bee stings. I know this and have an ample supply of Epi-Pens in case I am ever stung. They aren’t always readily available but I have an ample, if sometimes inaccessible, supply. On…
Read MoreSlightly disingenuous but outstanding nonetheless
Not everything that is stated in the first commercial is entirely true, but I thought both of these GM commercials were excellent. Two of the most effective of the year, though admittedly I only see commercials that air during sporting events. For the first time in a long time, I felt a little bit of…
Read MoreHow to know your Supreme Court justices
My admittedly unfair and terribly biased list of determiners of intelligence begins with: The number of Supreme Court justices that a person can name While my list has been surprisingly well received by a multitude of readers (I expected to be excoriated on the basis of my criteria), several have questioned me on this first…
Read MoreFlip-flop throwing and pending nuptials
I just love this note from Mike Reiss on the ESPN Patriots blog: The Titans will start rookie quarterback Rusty Smith, a sixth-round draft choice out of Florida Atlantic, today in Houston. Bill Belichick privately worked out Smith before the draft, and it just so happened the workout was one day before Smith’s wedding. Smith’s…
Read MoreNational Geographic photo contest
National Geographic is once again holding their annual photo contest, with the deadline for submissions coming up on November 30th. There are about fifty entries so far. Many of them are remarkable. This is my favorite so far, and I’m allergic to bees. That’s saying something.
Read MoreDeterminers of intelligence
I judge intelligence (rather unfairly) by the following criteria: The number of Supreme Court justices that a person can name The amount of time a person spends watching television Smoker or non-smoker The scope of a person’s musical interests A person’s overall ratio of speaking to listening A person’s willingness to act self-deprecating The total…
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