Archive for the ‘wtf??’ Category
did you hear there was a quake? »
Friday, August 26th, 2011
I heard it first from a close friend (and friend of Chasm) out in DC that there was an earthquake. This isn’t common, so that was noteworthy. (Most of our conversation is fantastic, but not necessarily noteworthy.)
Then Lovely Wife sent a message that a friend of hers (ours, really) in town felt it.
I assume it was all over the news. I know that New York stole it. I know this happened. This literally happened. That’s enough for me. I’m as excited about The End Times as anyone, but does shifting of the Earth’s plates in rapid fashion really need this much coverage? (more…)
my interesting day on a bike »
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Saturday, I was tasked with going into work for testing of our new release.* Having spent the winter on trains and holed up in our apartment, I’ve been trying to get back to regular cycling. Conditions were good, so I gave it a go.
First, there were the crowds. According to some research after the fact, I ran smack into Ragnar. I swerved my way gently and attentively through the crowd. It was a total mess.
Organizers failed to mask off any area for other path users. Sure, it’s nine in the morning on a Saturday and who can be bothered to recreation at such an hour, but still. Not two feet for a bike, a jogger, or two? (more…)
our brief affair with representative democracy »
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of spending time with my parents. They were on the way back homeward after a long road trip, part of which was spent in colonial Williamsburg.
This is noteworthy for two reasons. First, did you know we were once colonies? That whole thing with Will and Kate (or, you know, Wite) makes a lot more sense.
Second, it was mentioned that, before our Revolution, only nobility could vote. I vaguely remembered this but, having been reminded, it’s fun to see how we’ve come full circle. (more…)
Wisconsin’s a symptom »
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
The protests and the uproar are nonsense. That’s sad, right? I mean, DEMOCRACY!! and the PEOPLE and whatever?
Early last November, a highly conservative, mostly elderly crowd, made their way to vote across the nation. There was no uproar, no shipping of pizzas from all over the world for volunteers and no schools closed.
On that day, the events of the past weeks were set. A mass of uninformed ideologues took to the streets, single file. In an orderly fashion, the battle was won without signs, chants or sleeping bags. (more…)
Skins is MTV’s death rattle but it’s still an icon! »
Friday, January 21st, 2011
“At one point, MTV wasn’t terrible. It was a cultural icon, in fact,” I will tell my grandchildren. When did it first become the rotting pile of teenage flesh that made your childhood weep, they will inquire (they are smart, attractive)?
Most of you would reply with “Jersey Shore.” (Of those, ninety percent are probably avid viewers.) Reasonable.
Others point to when the “music” ratio dropped below .05 hours of music videos for every two of reality shame. That’s hard to pinpoint. (more…)