Jimmy Kimmel Reveals “Worst Twerk Fail EVER – Girl Catches Fire” Prank
Brilliant. The combination of a looks-too-good-to-be-true video, the patina of respectability that comes when a TV talking head introduces the clip, and the internet as a means for spreading links illustrates just how easy it is to fool lots of people — including professionals who should know better. I did show the original video to…
This Is Not a Book: Thomas Jefferson & Apple’s App Store
Humanities professors from the University of Virginia describe their frustrating attempts to give away their innovative textual study tool via Apple’s App Store. The reason the App Review Team gave (again and again) was that our app was “simply” or “just a book” (their words), and that it therefore had to be formatted in Apple’s…
Where Are the Women?
Thanks for the suggestion, Nicole. The 4th Estate Project’s study of 2012 election-year coverage found that major U.S. newspapers and TV news programs featured up to seven times as many quotes from men as women. Men’s voices were dominant even in stories on abortion, birth control, Planned Parenthood, and women’s rights. The 2013 Status of…
“Daddy, I’m sick of your tears.”
“Daddy, I’m sick of your tears.” –my 11yo, after I misted up reading from Church’s 1897 “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial. Update, Sep 10: In the past few years, as my kids have become active in the arts, I have developed a habit of tearing up during their performances. I will silently…
My geekling is enthusiastically hurling herself ar…
My geekling is enthusiastically hurling herself around the living room as the Enterprise bridge rocks back and forth… #TOS #StarTrek
Son Doong Cave in Viet Nam Featurers Skylight, Jungle
As a fan of Colossal Cave Adventure, I’m curious to know whether there’s an active volcano in this cave. Or at least a gold nugget room. Jonathan Sims catches up with me. Between us and the sunlit passage ahead stands a stalagmite that in profile resembles the paw of a dog. “The Hand of God…
College bookstores adapting to changing times with additional services
In the corner of the Seton Hill University Bookstore sit a few short aisles stacked with textbooks. Most of the Sullivan Hall store is devoted to apparel, school supplies and gifts. A few shelves are stocked with personal care items, while a multi-tiered Boots cosmetics display and a collection of Crabtree & Evelyn lotions earn…
My wife & daughter are in the kitchen, yelling…
My wife & daughter are in the kitchen, yelling & crying in fake Italian accents. (Practicing their toy shop tantrum scene from Pinocchio.)
@penguins season tickets! @stagerightgbg is raffli…
@penguins season tickets! @stagerightgbg is raffling off $25 chances on 2 season tickets worth $4000. #pittsburgh #hockey Who’s interested?
5 of the Fiercest One-Liners in History
Yes, the Spartans’ one-word response to Philip’s threats was both laconic and bold. Yes, I chortled while making a *hilarious* graphic of the word “If,” set in Laconic, bold type. No, a joke that depends on knowledge of Ancient Greece and Macedonia and modern typography really isn’t all that funny. In 346 B.C, Philip sent…
Star Wars, Star Trek And V Author Ann Crispin Passes Away
As a high school student, I wrote a fan letter to AC Crispin, in which I critiqued her capitalization. (She gave me the address of her editor, Ann O’Malley, who agreed to critique a few sample chapters of my in-progress novel.) Crispin wrote several early Star Trek novels, as well as the novelization of the…
Snickering over Monday’s quiz question about the R…
Snickering over Monday’s quiz question about the Rosenthal rule. (Paraphrased: Reporters who BLEEP elephants can’t cover the circus.)
“Daddy, THAT gum costs. $1.59. If you buy THIS gum…
“Daddy, THAT gum costs. $1.59. If you buy THIS gum for me, you’ll save 30c!” “I know how we can save $1.59!” “You’re mean.” “No, I’m cheap.”
15 Twitter Users Overreacting to Life’s Small Problems
22 Words | Middle-class Problems
RT @SamekAshley: On a side note I’m going to feel…
RT @SamekAshley: On a side note I’m going to feel really weird tweeting during mass #el227 #openliturgy
When the theater major called his journalism minor…
When the theater major called his journalism minor a “safety,” the journalism majors (including former music & theater majors) laughed.
Date a girl who reads.
I earned a +8 or +9 spousal bonus when I told my wife this little essay, by Rosemarie Urquico, made me think of her. It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her…
This Is the Era of Carlos Danger. But Victor Frisbie … Sportsman and Philanthropist … Came First
“Mr. Frisbie,” I called to him, and he stopped and turned around, taking off his bowler hat and smiling as he shook my hand. I got right to the point. “I’m trying to come up with a column for the dog days of summer,” I told him. “Something quick and fun but smart. But I’m…
Beam me up, Chewie.