"Kenya Dig It?"

I have a lot of writing to do tonight, and none of it's the fun kind. What's more, it has zapped all the interesting things out of my head. More likely, it has trapped the "interesting to the public" things in a back corner, barricaded by theoretical jargon (and possibly solidified caffeine deposits - gross). I am hopeful that these interesting things are hanging out with my new postal code, the recipe for marshmallow frosting, and an explanation of Sigma notation. Maybe they'll all burst onto the scene together.

Until then, I will (as usual) make a list.

Things That Make Me Cringe:
1. Incorrect use of semicolons
2. Finger and/or toe-related injuries
3. Water-hole scenes featuring infant wildlife in National Geographic programming
4. Anti-climactic sneezes
5. Sigma notation


PS The title of this post is a song by the Ruby Suns. Thanks, Mark!

Sartre Soundtrack

I read an entire existentialist morality play last night, and can conclude firmly that Communism has never done me any favours. However, according to a French guy who turned down the Nobel Prize in Literature, it would be really helpful to Jews and ethnic minorities. He'll back that up with 154 pages of wisdom...and a 26 page prologue if you need "context."

In the spirit of multi-tasking, I also listened to Peaches' new album on repeat - reading an existentialist, listening to a feminist, and drinking coffee from Ikea.

Happy Birthday, Hilary!

The Suffix Awards

Most Widespread:

- ism

The ideology-maker! Choose something you like and make it an ideolgoy.
Ex. I like females - let's call that feminism!
Unfortunately too many people caught on, and 'ideologies' like 'Cheesism' were born.


Runner-Up for Most Widespread:

- ist

We can take our hip ideology-maker one step further, and use it to self-identify!
Ex. I like females - let's call that feminism - and I'll be a feminist!
If you're in the mood for some self-identifying, see http://phrontistery.info/isms.html for 234 such - isms that you can - ist.


Most Effective for Verb-Faking:

- ify (also '- isify')

Choose an adjective and make it a verb.
Ex. Diverse - Diversify (this is an actual verb)
Green - Greenify (this is not)


Most Void of Meaning:

- ificationism

The bastard child of - ification and - ism. Please don't use this in speech. Or writing. It has the effect of discrediting much of what you are saying to my pretentious ears.


Too much theory can breed cynicism.

Instant Coffee = Gross

I am drinking instant coffee and reading a psycho-analytic manifesto on racialization theory published in 1952. My right leg has temporarily gone to sleep.
Two weeks ago I awoke to bowling shoes at the foot of my bed.
On Tuesday I saw the Dalai Lama.
Tomorrow I invoke my African roots and tie a mattress to the roof of my car.
Next week, the investigation of two more writing gigs and pursuit of more meaningful blogging.

I still can't believe I willingly enrolled in a three hour seminar on a Friday afternoon.