January 2008
14 posts
Word Error o' the Day
Reading through the student posts in the online course I’m teaching, I just encountered two straight posts that used “defiantly” to mean “definitely.” I am defiantly annoyed.
Strangest Toothpaste Ever
Whitening Plus Scope Citrus Splash Crest’s ad copy: “Scope it out! Now, along with the cavity-fighting power of Crest, you also get teeth whitening action that helps prevent tartar buildup and stains. But that’s not all. You’ll also have a blast — the zesty citrus flavor blast of Scope that helps you freshen your breath.” It’s like brushing your teeth with...
Oh, Sherry, All Alone
Journey’s “Oh Sherry” was playing at the dentist’s on Tuesday, and can’t get it out of my head. Reading the lyrics, though, I wonder if it’s actually about a social disease?
Weird Google Ad
I’m often amused by the contextual ads that pop up in Gmail based on the content of the message I’m reading. I just got an update email from the Star Tribune about a big contract for one of the Minnesota Twins, and alongside was this ad: Conjoined Twins & Surgery Experienced, expert help & advice Board Certified, World Renowned Not quite right.
Let's Race! (Or Not) →
The national SuperTour may have the fastest racers, but not the toughest: this weekend’s events at Mt. Itasca, Minnesota, were canceled based on forecasts of cold weather. Down here at Carleton, the nordic ski club is probably going to hold its Crazy Carleton relay on Saturday, and in freestyle, no less. You can’t get that cold in 3km! Or maybe you can: the race just got rescheduled...
S-Chanf
I twittered the other day about the “best town name ever: S-Chanf, Switzerland. More on the town: municipal website - Wikipedia (English). It’s easy on the eyes.
Gettin' Some Tail
Getting out of the car this afternoon in a campus parking lot, I noticed a tiny little squirrel lippity-lippitying across the snow - but it had no tail at all, just a tiny little stem of one. Mutant? Low man on the totem pole?
Our Town →
This morning, Minnesota Public Radio aired a perfectly-pitched story on Northfield’s ongoing civic troubles. The article on the MPR website has a full transcript, but honestly Sea Stachura’s tone of voice was the best part. The open: “For those of you who might not have been following, let’s recap the last six months in Northfield. In July 2007, the police chief announced...
End of an Era (Error?)
This morning I threw out (okay, recycled) the last of the zillion or so articles, offprints, books, etc. that I photocopied for my dissertation research, back in the day. It’s a milestone of sorts. Putting young-adultish things aside, I guess. Next up (honest, honey!): the dozen bins full of photocopies of actual primary-source documents.
This Is That Hat
From the webpage of a cool running cap: “You wear a hat. You workout. This is that hat.”
Bug
It’s only at the freezing point here today and the sunlight is weak, but somehow it was enough to reanimate a single yellowjacket which has been slowly crawling around on the portico of my building all day. Poor little bug. Nighttime will come soon.
Boys (and Girls) Are Back in Town
Campus is buzzing again: the students are back. They’d been trickling in all day yesterday, but sometime around noon today, things shifted noticeably and they’re everywhere again - the temporary but clear masters and commanders of the campus. It’s nice to hear and see them trooping through the buildings and across the sidewalks.
Fast Moving Objects
My digital camera includes this setting: “Children: To take a picture of fast moving objects, for example, children.”
A New Year's Coinage
slowalking (n.) - slowing your walking pace so as to avoid catching up to someone with whom you’d rather not talk