I'm sick of him, too,
but animal sacrifice
is not going to help.
The Standard Hotel
reminds guests windows are clear
and we can see you.
New York City's old
"skinny house" has limited
furnishing options.
At one time insured
for half-a-million dollars,
moon rock is a fake.
Robbed banks on Thursdays?
And here I was just writing
Haiku News Thursdays.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday Photography - 2009 Minnesota Garlic Festival
Last week was the Wright County Fair. This week, its the 2009 Minnesota Garlic Festival. Summer outdoor events are awesome and in Minnesota, there seems to be one every weekend!
I've written about the Minnesota Garlic Festival before so I won't say a lot about it, but I will point out what was different. Instead of being held at the Wright County Fairgrounds, it was held at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. Mainly because the county fair had a late start this year and was still on the grounds on the third weekend of August, the pre-determined time for the festival. It seemed bigger this year and there was a wider variety of items to buy. There were several honeybee and honey displays, reflecting the fact that back-yard beekeeping in Minnesota is on the rise. There was a tasting of local wines. And I was able to pick up a few more jars of the tasty jam I bought there last year.
I guess even though it rained, the turnout before the waterworks was very good. That makes me glad, because I like this event and hope it continues to grow. I'll certainly be going again next year. See more photos of the 2009 Minnesota Garlic Festival.
Can't get enough photo Friday? My Green Side likes to explore the Great Outdoors with a photography themed post on Fridays as well! Also, Barker & Hedges has Friday Photos. This week it is a look at one of my favorite places, the Science Museum of Minnesota.
I've written about the Minnesota Garlic Festival before so I won't say a lot about it, but I will point out what was different. Instead of being held at the Wright County Fairgrounds, it was held at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. Mainly because the county fair had a late start this year and was still on the grounds on the third weekend of August, the pre-determined time for the festival. It seemed bigger this year and there was a wider variety of items to buy. There were several honeybee and honey displays, reflecting the fact that back-yard beekeeping in Minnesota is on the rise. There was a tasting of local wines. And I was able to pick up a few more jars of the tasty jam I bought there last year.
I guess even though it rained, the turnout before the waterworks was very good. That makes me glad, because I like this event and hope it continues to grow. I'll certainly be going again next year. See more photos of the 2009 Minnesota Garlic Festival.
Can't get enough photo Friday? My Green Side likes to explore the Great Outdoors with a photography themed post on Fridays as well! Also, Barker & Hedges has Friday Photos. This week it is a look at one of my favorite places, the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Language Electric
Through a convoluted series of clicks while websurfing, today's blog subject zapped me like a bolt of lightning. I hadn't even planned on posting until Friday Photography! But this article on How Fail Went From Verb to Interjection got me thinking about "electronic language," or communication that occurs with an electronic medium. That is, e-mails, texting, chatting, Twittering, Facebooking, and all the other "ings" that might fall into this category.
We've seen in this electronic age just how fast language can transform. 20 years ago, acronyms that we see and use every day, like LOL, ROFL, OMG, and NSFW didn't have a place in our vernacular because most communication was done in person, over the phone, or by mail. Now texting, e-mailing, online social networking and instant messaging have shoved at least "phone" and "snailmail" off of that list.
With the use of these mediums exploding, shorthand has been launched into a whole new realm and like this Telegraph article shows, texting is making English a foreign language. If you're not up on some of the new e-lingo, it could be detrimental. You've heard of people losing their jobs over poorly planned Tweets and Facebook status messages. Now you can also read about Kate Washburn, who didn't know what NSFW meant and was consequently fired from her job after viewing an e-mail that was "Not Safe For Work." Or in the same article, you can read about Cassandra McSparin who thought LOL meant "lots of love": “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother passing away. LOL. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Mortifying!
This is something that people even 10 years ago didn't have to worry about but language evolves very quickly. Especially when its combined with electrical devices that we carry with us all the time and use as constant communication tools. Some people say that it may be detrimental to the English language, but I disagree (and so does the first person in the world to get a PhD in texting).
Forms of popular communication have gotten shorter and shorter and now, with the advent of Twitter, we're squeezing out profound thoughts, recipes, inane banter, and all other matters in between in 140 characters or less. As I said in my post Language Obsessed, the constraints have only expanded my vocabulary and understanding of language. It makes language like a mini game of Tetris where the point is to get words of different shapes and sizes to stack well into 140 character spaces. I know I'm not alone in thinking its fun, as the Twitter service has exploded with new users and SMS text messaging has now surpassed mobile phone calling.
E-mailing, texting, and social networking are here to stay. As a result, language from now one will always be in flux. With sent text messages to hit 2.3 trillion by 2010 and no sign of its popularity slowing down, English will continue to evolve quite rapidly for years to come.
We've seen in this electronic age just how fast language can transform. 20 years ago, acronyms that we see and use every day, like LOL, ROFL, OMG, and NSFW didn't have a place in our vernacular because most communication was done in person, over the phone, or by mail. Now texting, e-mailing, online social networking and instant messaging have shoved at least "phone" and "snailmail" off of that list.
With the use of these mediums exploding, shorthand has been launched into a whole new realm and like this Telegraph article shows, texting is making English a foreign language. If you're not up on some of the new e-lingo, it could be detrimental. You've heard of people losing their jobs over poorly planned Tweets and Facebook status messages. Now you can also read about Kate Washburn, who didn't know what NSFW meant and was consequently fired from her job after viewing an e-mail that was "Not Safe For Work." Or in the same article, you can read about Cassandra McSparin who thought LOL meant "lots of love": “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother passing away. LOL. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Mortifying!
This is something that people even 10 years ago didn't have to worry about but language evolves very quickly. Especially when its combined with electrical devices that we carry with us all the time and use as constant communication tools. Some people say that it may be detrimental to the English language, but I disagree (and so does the first person in the world to get a PhD in texting).
Forms of popular communication have gotten shorter and shorter and now, with the advent of Twitter, we're squeezing out profound thoughts, recipes, inane banter, and all other matters in between in 140 characters or less. As I said in my post Language Obsessed, the constraints have only expanded my vocabulary and understanding of language. It makes language like a mini game of Tetris where the point is to get words of different shapes and sizes to stack well into 140 character spaces. I know I'm not alone in thinking its fun, as the Twitter service has exploded with new users and SMS text messaging has now surpassed mobile phone calling.
E-mailing, texting, and social networking are here to stay. As a result, language from now one will always be in flux. With sent text messages to hit 2.3 trillion by 2010 and no sign of its popularity slowing down, English will continue to evolve quite rapidly for years to come.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Haiku News - August 18 2009
Seeking the truth first
might have been less costly,
City of Franklin.
"One-hundred fifty?
Our cupcake will be nearly
thirteen-hundred pounds!"
If your child forgets
their instrument on the bus,
it could have been worse.
Diamonds may be a
girl's best friend but his cheating
made the family rich.
How would you like to
spend your eternity near
Marilyn Monroe?
might have been less costly,
City of Franklin.
"One-hundred fifty?
Our cupcake will be nearly
thirteen-hundred pounds!"
If your child forgets
their instrument on the bus,
it could have been worse.
Diamonds may be a
girl's best friend but his cheating
made the family rich.
How would you like to
spend your eternity near
Marilyn Monroe?
Friday, August 14, 2009
Photography Friday - Ferris Wheel Ride
I tabled for the Rockford Area Historical Society and the Ames Florida Stork House at the Wright County Fair in Minnesota earlier this week. Afterward, I explored the festivities. I've lived here for 5 years and have never been to the county fair.
The blue sky looks refreshing, but don't let it fool you. It was HOT. And humid. I even saw a camel - a CAMEL - throw a temper tantrum and lay down, refusing to give even one more kid a ride.
I kind of wish it had been a little more overcast like this black and white picture makes it look, then I probably would have stuck around longer. I feel like I got my fill of Wright County Fair, though, especially since tomorrow I will be attending the Fourth Annual Minnesota Garlic Festival at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. It was so much fun last year and now I'm better prepared for what I'm going to find there. I'm going to stock up on some of the extra yummy Minnesota gourmet garlic, that's for sure! Maybe even dare myself to try the garlic chip cookies. I still don't know about the garlic ice cream.
Can't get enough photo Friday? My Green Side has a Friday photography theme as well! Today there is a picture of a vehicle that uses no fossil fuels. There's a spot for my dogs, I'd totally drive it! Also, Barker & Hedges has Friday Photos, too. This week it is a history of the St. Paul State Capitol building along with some great photos. Being a University of Minnesota alumnus, I like the maroon and gold flower bed you can see in in front of the second photo!
The blue sky looks refreshing, but don't let it fool you. It was HOT. And humid. I even saw a camel - a CAMEL - throw a temper tantrum and lay down, refusing to give even one more kid a ride.I kind of wish it had been a little more overcast like this black and white picture makes it look, then I probably would have stuck around longer. I feel like I got my fill of Wright County Fair, though, especially since tomorrow I will be attending the Fourth Annual Minnesota Garlic Festival at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. It was so much fun last year and now I'm better prepared for what I'm going to find there. I'm going to stock up on some of the extra yummy Minnesota gourmet garlic, that's for sure! Maybe even dare myself to try the garlic chip cookies. I still don't know about the garlic ice cream.Can't get enough photo Friday? My Green Side has a Friday photography theme as well! Today there is a picture of a vehicle that uses no fossil fuels. There's a spot for my dogs, I'd totally drive it! Also, Barker & Hedges has Friday Photos, too. This week it is a history of the St. Paul State Capitol building along with some great photos. Being a University of Minnesota alumnus, I like the maroon and gold flower bed you can see in in front of the second photo!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Haiku News - August 13 2009
Pride and Prejudice -
and Zombies: Because zombies
make stories better.
The mysterious
vanished merchant vessel is
a ghost on the waves.
Eat, drink, be merry -
and hope you did not ingest
a poisonous weed.
Every so often
mortals are allowed to see
karma in action.
Land of 10,000
Lakes native, my love for great
fish tales is ample.
and Zombies: Because zombies
make stories better.
The mysterious
vanished merchant vessel is
a ghost on the waves.
Eat, drink, be merry -
and hope you did not ingest
a poisonous weed.
Every so often
mortals are allowed to see
karma in action.
Land of 10,000
Lakes native, my love for great
fish tales is ample.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Paul Edlund Law
I have contributed to another web site that was recently finished and released into the Internet ether.
Paul Edlund Attorney at Law is a growing force in the Twin Cities legal defense community. In 2008, he was named by the award-winning magazine Minnesota Law and Politics as a "Rising Star" in Criminal Defense, a designation that is awarded only to the top 2.5% of up-and-coming attorneys in the state under the age of 40. And he's home grown, having received his undergraduate degree in law at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and his Master’s at the William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul. If you're in a jam and you need a really good criminal defense attorney in the Twin Cities or Greater Minnesota, this is your guy.
I wrote the text copy for Paul Edlund's website. It was designed and created by Echo Creative.
Paul Edlund Attorney at Law is a growing force in the Twin Cities legal defense community. In 2008, he was named by the award-winning magazine Minnesota Law and Politics as a "Rising Star" in Criminal Defense, a designation that is awarded only to the top 2.5% of up-and-coming attorneys in the state under the age of 40. And he's home grown, having received his undergraduate degree in law at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and his Master’s at the William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul. If you're in a jam and you need a really good criminal defense attorney in the Twin Cities or Greater Minnesota, this is your guy.
I wrote the text copy for Paul Edlund's website. It was designed and created by Echo Creative.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday Photography - Sail Away
This picture is too perfect for this week's Friday photograph. This may be a picture of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, but it could be any one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. Perfect, because I'm going "Up North" this weekend to Cross Lake, where I will swim, boat, and relax while I watch the sun set over the water with 10 of my closest friends. And there will be no life guard on duty.
Now you know exactly why I picked this picture for today. I didn't even include the black and white one like I usually do because, well, its not nearly as colorful and fun. But of course, you can check it out if you're feeling like a Lonely Beach.
Want to see more photos? My Green Side has a Friday photography theme as well! Barker & Hedges does Friday Photos, too. This week it is a look and some history about the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Now you know exactly why I picked this picture for today. I didn't even include the black and white one like I usually do because, well, its not nearly as colorful and fun. But of course, you can check it out if you're feeling like a Lonely Beach.Want to see more photos? My Green Side has a Friday photography theme as well! Barker & Hedges does Friday Photos, too. This week it is a look and some history about the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Bad Ad Placement Example 1
Okay, this is just a quick note because I saw this newspaper article online and clicked to read. I was a little taken aback at first by the ad that appeared next to the headline, then I laughed. Then I thought about how other people might view this, and decided I should write a quick post. So, what's wrong with this picture?
The article, obviously, is about a man who committed a murder with a sledgehammer. The ad, as you can see, features a sledgehammer.
You couldn't tell it right away, but its an ad for The Campaign for Responsible Healthcare Reform, which is innocent enough. But long story short: This was placed badly.
I see this type of stuff happen all the time, so watch for future posts of badly placed advertisements!
EDIT: I suppose I should give a source for this! Sledgehammer murder article can be found at the Denver Post. Thank you, Denver Post, for making this blog entry possible.
The article, obviously, is about a man who committed a murder with a sledgehammer. The ad, as you can see, features a sledgehammer.
You couldn't tell it right away, but its an ad for The Campaign for Responsible Healthcare Reform, which is innocent enough. But long story short: This was placed badly.I see this type of stuff happen all the time, so watch for future posts of badly placed advertisements!
EDIT: I suppose I should give a source for this! Sledgehammer murder article can be found at the Denver Post. Thank you, Denver Post, for making this blog entry possible.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
OCK
I just found a slip of paper with one of my favorite little poems written on it, and I wanted to share it. It originally appeared in The Mikado or, The Town of Titipu, a comic opera in two acts written by Sir William Schwenck Gilbert and Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan first performed on March 14, 1885, in London. And now I've given more background on it than the length of the poem, so here it is.
OCK
To sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock,
In a pestilential prison, with a life-long lock,
Awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp shock,
From a cheap and chippy chopper on a big black block!
To sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock,
In a pestilential prison, with a life-long lock,
Awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp shock,
From a cheap and chippy chopper on a big black block!
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