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relapse March 7, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history, kitchen adventures, language & literature, music & concerts, the photo project , add a comment

I guess I felt entitled to a little bit of indulgence, since I had taken a stab at chipping away at my stack of reading. I’ve read less than half a book and skimmed another, though: progress which definitely does not justify my purchase of two more books this afternoon. I was in Barnes & Noble searching for a book the University bookstores didn’t carry that I need for research on a final paper and I succumbed to the temptation of Rushdie and Keillor.

I know.

So, on my way home from the bookstore, books in hand and tail between legs, I came up with a set of goals for spring break, which starts officially in a few weeks and practically Monday afternoon when I finish my last class and move to reading week and finals.

And here they are.

A Set of Goals for Spring Break

There you have it. I’ll let you know how it goes.


This photo is in honor of the birth of Wanda Sykes, exactly 44 years ago.
It makes sense. Just trust me on this one.

-@

I wish I were my cat right now March 6, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history, games & systems, the photo project , add a comment

She’s fast asleep in a sunny spot, somewhat twined around the wheel mechanism of my desk chair. I’m afraid to move because I don’t want to roll over her tiny sleeping paws. She will never know what I give up for her.

I did end up sleeping last night, because I was able to finish the Hamlet text adventure game rather quickly. I have read Hamlet a few times, as well as most of the other Shakespeare plays referenced in the game. I also worked on the New Student Week production of The Compleat Works of Willm Shkspr (Abridged) this year so even for the plays I haven’t read, I know what parts are comedy fodder and that’s all you really need to get through this game with a score of 100%. I found upon further exploration of the site that Hamlet was written simply as a proof-of-concept for the game engine. No wonder it was so easy!

The other text adventure by the author, though, is another story. Aunts and Butlers is (or so far seems to be) a  full-length text adventure comedy of the highest degree. I’d explain further, but frankly, I’d rather get back to playing it, and I suggest that you do the same.

A hastily-chosen photo to satisfy the day’s requirement:


Ting-a-ling-a-ling!

Happy birthday to Shaq!

-@

it’s spring. March 5, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history, fun with google, music & concerts, rants & raves, the photo project , 5 comments

No matter what you try to tell me, the little men in my head have decided that it’s finally spring and my mood today reflects that proclamation. I feel great today.

For starters, I have a new favorite song. Not an all-time favorite song, mind you - Madonna still has that market cornered for me. I just have a new song of the moment. I bought Brandi Carlile’s most recent album The Story yesterday after “Turpentine” was playing on the radio when I woke up, and I’ve been listening to that song ever since. Take a listen in a background window while you read the rest of this entry, and you will be afforded a multidimensional sensory image of my current state.

Another great thing about today, aside from the bright sun and the thirty-five degree weather, was something that happened to me at the Rock as I was coming out of my first English class on the way to my second. I generally ignore whoever’s out there when I pass by - they’re trying to get me to sign up for their club or come to their event or do something else I have no interest in - but today, there were dueling causes. One kid was sitting at his dinky little table trying to sell baked goods for the benefit some human rights protest somewhere. I can’t be sure. He didn’t even have a sign.

(more…)

happy national grammar day! March 4, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history, language & literature, rants & raves, the photo project , 1 comment

Tuesday, March 4th is more than just Antonio Vivaldi’s 330th birthday and my half-birthday, ladies and gentlemen. It is, apparently, National Grammar Day. From the website:

“We believe language is something to be celebrated. March 4th is the perfect day to do it. It’s not only a date, it’s an imperative. So March forth on March 4th! Celebrate your mother tongue!

Also, there’s already a National Punctuation Day, and it didn’t seem fair to leave clauses and such things by the wayside when the commas that embrace them get such attention.”

The thing that I love about this day that I’ve just discovered, other than having cause to celebrate one of the nerdy things I enjoy on my half birthday, is the name of the organization behind it: SPOGG. The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. Join here. You’ll be glad you did.

In other news, I wish I had a motorcycle, and that it was warm enough to drive one up and down Lakeshore Drive. That would be perfect. Speaking of which:

My theoretical bike would have to be that shiny.

-@

various items of the day March 3, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history, fun with google, ten-second updates, the photo project , add a comment

Google search term of the day:
“lobster harness vault”

Photo of the day:

(It’s a post. Get it? A post!)

Historical birthday of the day:
Frank Wigglesworth (1918). Best name ever? I think so.

-@

happy birthday to… February 24, 2008

Posted by Abby T in : birthdays in history , add a comment

Sunday - Barry Bostwick (1945)
Monday - Carrot Top (1965)
Tuesday - Buffalo Bill (1846)
Wednesday - Chelsea Clinton (1980)
Thursday - Zero Mostel (1915)
Friday - Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvin John Kenneth Lloyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor William Xerxes Yancy Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff, Senior (1904) (seriously, no shit)
Saturday - Frederic Chopin aka Fryderyk Szopen, in the Polish (1810)

-@

(historical birthdays via brainyhistory.com)