Despite any rumors to the contrary, I'm
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A new discovery
Well, I've recently been further exploring the world of online Manga. http://www.genkigirl.com/comics.html is one I just found today. It's really sweet, well told story, interesting characters - but what really gets me is the art. I've been reading Manga in print for a while - and webcomics for even longer - and this is the first one I've read where the art itself is inspiring. And just when NaNoWriMo is about to get started, too! How lucky am I?! Pretty lucky!
P.S. - Expect a post about NaNoWriMo soon.
P.S. - Expect a post about NaNoWriMo soon.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
English Major Alert!
in·or·di·nate [in-awr-dn-it] –adjective
1. not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate; excessive: He drank an inordinate amount of wine.
2. unrestrained in conduct, feelings, etc.: an inordinate admirer of beauty.
3. disorderly; uncontrolled.
4. not regulated; irregular: inordinate hours
Why am I pushing this rather fun word? Because I used "inordinately" in normal conversation and thought to myself..."I know I'm using this word correctly, but it's just because I've read it so many times. I wonder what it ACTUALLY means." And therefore, here are the results of my wonderings. And it's all thanks to the marvels of the interwebs!
1. not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate; excessive: He drank an inordinate amount of wine.
2. unrestrained in conduct, feelings, etc.: an inordinate admirer of beauty.
3. disorderly; uncontrolled.
4. not regulated; irregular: inordinate hours
Why am I pushing this rather fun word? Because I used "inordinately" in normal conversation and thought to myself..."I know I'm using this word correctly, but it's just because I've read it so many times. I wonder what it ACTUALLY means." And therefore, here are the results of my wonderings. And it's all thanks to the marvels of the interwebs!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Gone Incognito
Okay, so I decided to check out the Incognito function of Google chrome - pretty cool if I want to buy Scott a birthday present or whatever, right? I open a new Incognito window and I get the following message, proving once again that this is a piece of Google software:
You've gone incognito. Pages you view in this window won't appear in your browser history or search history, and they won't leave other traces, like cookies, on your computer after you close the incognito window. Any files you download or bookmarks you create will be preserved, however.
Going incognito doesn't affect the behavior of other people, servers, or software. Be wary of:
Websites that collect or share information about you
Internet service providers or employers that track the pages you visit
Malicious software that tracks your keystrokes in exchange for free smileys
Surveillance by secret agents
People standing behind you
You've gone incognito. Pages you view in this window won't appear in your browser history or search history, and they won't leave other traces, like cookies, on your computer after you close the incognito window. Any files you download or bookmarks you create will be preserved, however.
Going incognito doesn't affect the behavior of other people, servers, or software. Be wary of:
Websites that collect or share information about you
Internet service providers or employers that track the pages you visit
Malicious software that tracks your keystrokes in exchange for free smileys
Surveillance by secret agents
People standing behind you
I am soooo amused by the things to be wary of.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Banned Book Week
This week (Sept 27-Oct 4) is Banned Books Week.
This morning, on my way to work, I heard a NPR story about some scientists who are attempting to change the Texas curriculum so that teachers are not allowed to teach the strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution.
The combination of the two present an interesting juxtaposition and, like flint and iron, spark up the bit of me that really wishes I WAS a High School Teacher. (Yes, that bit is also insane. But, hey, MOST of me is insane.)
In the end, it all comes down to Critical Thinking. I firmly believe that each individual has the right to make up their own mind. Now, of course, please do not think me the idiot who would have our children fend for themselves with things like stranger danger, hot stoves, or even marijuana. But, if it enters the realm of thought, then I believe that the best approach is to encourage each individual to engage with the beliefs of others. When an authority, like a school or library, decides to arbitrarily ban things like books or concepts, I get more than a little upset.
Americans are sheep. Hey, I admit it - I'm a sheep. I consume with the very best of consumers and only occasionally do I take the time to stop and inspect the contents of what I'm gulping down. What values do my favorite TV shows espouse? When was the last time I read a non-genre fiction book? I miss FNW soooo much when I think about that - because ya'll would encourage my critical thinking brain to wake up and smell the bacon & eggs. (mmm, Bacon! Now, tell me, oh "I'm Not A Consumer" - what commercial did you just think of? Do you even own a dog?)
So, yes, there is a part of me that wants to dash to the public schools and work my butt off encouraging free speech, critical thinking and a lack of apathy. But the rest of me just wants to go home and watch Criminal Minds. Guess which half will win?
This morning, on my way to work, I heard a NPR story about some scientists who are attempting to change the Texas curriculum so that teachers are not allowed to teach the strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution.
The combination of the two present an interesting juxtaposition and, like flint and iron, spark up the bit of me that really wishes I WAS a High School Teacher. (Yes, that bit is also insane. But, hey, MOST of me is insane.)
In the end, it all comes down to Critical Thinking. I firmly believe that each individual has the right to make up their own mind. Now, of course, please do not think me the idiot who would have our children fend for themselves with things like stranger danger, hot stoves, or even marijuana. But, if it enters the realm of thought, then I believe that the best approach is to encourage each individual to engage with the beliefs of others. When an authority, like a school or library, decides to arbitrarily ban things like books or concepts, I get more than a little upset.
Americans are sheep. Hey, I admit it - I'm a sheep. I consume with the very best of consumers and only occasionally do I take the time to stop and inspect the contents of what I'm gulping down. What values do my favorite TV shows espouse? When was the last time I read a non-genre fiction book? I miss FNW soooo much when I think about that - because ya'll would encourage my critical thinking brain to wake up and smell the bacon & eggs. (mmm, Bacon! Now, tell me, oh "I'm Not A Consumer" - what commercial did you just think of? Do you even own a dog?)
So, yes, there is a part of me that wants to dash to the public schools and work my butt off encouraging free speech, critical thinking and a lack of apathy. But the rest of me just wants to go home and watch Criminal Minds. Guess which half will win?
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