So, Kurt Vonnegut died, huh? It's a little surprising, I imagine, for some of you to hear that I've only read one Vonnegut book - his most recent one. He's an American literary icon, and I've only taken it upon myself to read one measly novel? On top of that, I didn't even technically read it! Audiobooks!
So I've now decided that I will read his corpus by the end of the year. I've got one out of the way - only like 18 more! Fortunately, I own Slaughterhouse-Five. He's a satirist, so I imagine I'll enjoy the books. But that kind of doesn't matter. Often, I find myself reading things that I don't enjoy. I read them because of the value. And I wonder if that makes me a little bit crazy. There's always that twinge in the back of my head that wonders what makes it valuable if it's not enjoyable (think Shakespeare). And that's coming from an English teacher.
While we're talking about Vonnegut, I'd like to point out that he died as a result of a fall at his home a few weeks ago. I didn't know he fell a few weeks ago. How did I miss that memo?!?!? It's not like I've been neglecting to put the cover sheet on my TPS reports and so there was some justification to just stop including me on the memos...
Anyway, Vonnegut's death obviously won't impact me, or American subculture, in any major way for a few years. Someone needs to replace him - which really only means periodically writing a book - as the iconoclastic satirist. I nominate Philip Roth. And maybe one day, if I can start sustaining plotlines, I'll throw my hat in the ring too.
Thursday, April 19
Thursday, April 5
Stupid Internet
Interesting Idea here: I heard recently on some news station (radio) that one of the upper echelon members of al Qaida said that he hasn't used the phone or internet in 4 years. Could you imagine performing dastardly deeds without your picture phone in your pocket? How would you prove to your friends that you knew ObL (that's my special little nickname for Osama bin Laden)?
Speaking of Nicknames: Why do we give them out? It's like a free pass to coolness credit - even when we give nicknames to people simply because they're NOT cool. Take, for example, those annoying little bastards behind the wheel in front of you. Granted, they get boring, loserish nicknames like "New Jersey" or "New York" or "Woman Driver" ... but they have still affected us enough to give them a nickname. Those of you teachers out there (and I know there are some), take a second and think about your students. There are some you just call by name. Others you have nicknames for. How do you decide?
Decisions, decisions: Oh good lawd deciding things is hard. I mean, all it really takes is a simple prioritizing moment. But isn't that sometimes too hard? And other times it's instinctual. What did you have for dinner last night? Why? Did I just prove my point? or do you not prioritize? or are you too dimwitted (no offense) to think about why you had pork even though you could have enjoyed those taquitos in a salsa glaze with a Mint Mojito while dining by candlelight with your favorite pet rock? or did I just blow your mind?
Wait, Mind Blowing?: Ever talk to someone and just not have an answer because they blew your mind?
Like I Said: Stupid internet. I had this really great post all written up the other day (it was about ... I don't remember. I just remember that it was really good). And then I hit "Save as Draft" and left the room. A couple of hours later, I return to said computer only to see that I had forgotten to close one of my tags (it's an html thing, it doesn't matter). And then I tried to recover it .. NO DICE! So I'm whining about it. Whine. Go ahead ... I've earned a trip in the waaaaahmbulance. And I guess that completes the circle.
PS>> For those of my loyal readers who are more adept at html coding than I am ... Deal with it. I try to make sure my content speaks louder than my little tricks with html ... so what if my best little trick is (what I like to call) Old School. Feel free to share some knowledge with me. Computer literacy hogs.
Speaking of Nicknames: Why do we give them out? It's like a free pass to coolness credit - even when we give nicknames to people simply because they're NOT cool. Take, for example, those annoying little bastards behind the wheel in front of you. Granted, they get boring, loserish nicknames like "New Jersey" or "New York" or "Woman Driver" ... but they have still affected us enough to give them a nickname. Those of you teachers out there (and I know there are some), take a second and think about your students. There are some you just call by name. Others you have nicknames for. How do you decide?
Decisions, decisions: Oh good lawd deciding things is hard. I mean, all it really takes is a simple prioritizing moment. But isn't that sometimes too hard? And other times it's instinctual. What did you have for dinner last night? Why? Did I just prove my point? or do you not prioritize? or are you too dimwitted (no offense) to think about why you had pork even though you could have enjoyed those taquitos in a salsa glaze with a Mint Mojito while dining by candlelight with your favorite pet rock? or did I just blow your mind?
Wait, Mind Blowing?: Ever talk to someone and just not have an answer because they blew your mind?
Like I Said: Stupid internet. I had this really great post all written up the other day (it was about ... I don't remember. I just remember that it was really good). And then I hit "Save as Draft" and left the room. A couple of hours later, I return to said computer only to see that I had forgotten to close one of my tags (it's an html thing, it doesn't matter). And then I tried to recover it .. NO DICE! So I'm whining about it. Whine. Go ahead ... I've earned a trip in the waaaaahmbulance. And I guess that completes the circle.
PS>> For those of my loyal readers who are more adept at html coding than I am ... Deal with it. I try to make sure my content speaks louder than my little tricks with html ... so what if my best little trick is (what I like to call) Old School. Feel free to share some knowledge with me. Computer literacy hogs.
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