Misc

All posts tagged radar

“Such is the dilemma of the linguist, or at least the linguist who has any desire to reach anyone outside their—excuse me, his or her—discipline. A sizable group of people is partial to attending discussions and reading books about language. But what this group wants to hear is antithetical to what scholars of this subject want to say.

—Ben Yagoda, In Defense of Common English. The cathartic rants on this subject that my friends have endured could fill a book. (I would write that book, but it would be full of graphic profanity, and national bookstores would certainly refuse to carry it.)
My shell always has the best advice

My shell always has the best advice

Ciudad by obstinato
Dictionary pronounces Myanmar “Burma” in British English (Language Log: Fun with pronunciation guides)

Dictionary pronounces Myanmar “Burma” in British English (Language Log: Fun with pronunciation guides)

Tumblr Tag Cloud Generator, in case you use tags. (Tumblr API = love.)

Tumblr Tag Cloud Generator, in case you use tags. (Tumblr API = love.)

Coding Horror: A Tribute to the Windows 3.1 “Hot Dog Stand” Color Scheme

“The truly funny thing about this color scheme is that all the other Windows 3.1 color schemes are surprisingly rational, totally reasonable color schemes. And then you get to ‘Hot Dog Stand’. Which is utterly insane.”

Coding Horror: A Tribute to the Windows 3.1 “Hot Dog Stand” Color Scheme

“The truly funny thing about this color scheme is that all the other Windows 3.1 color schemes are surprisingly rational, totally reasonable color schemes. And then you get to ‘Hot Dog Stand’. Which is utterly insane.”

Apologetically American

I love traveling, meeting people from all over the world, and comparing and contrasting our respective life experiences. It’s a fun and fascinating process and I’ve made some very good friends along the way.

But this year, being the only American in most situations, I’ve grown so weary of apologizing for where I was born. In particular, whenever I find myself in a group of Western Europeans, some of them really seem to make a mission of reminding me how ashamed I should feel of my citizenship.

You know what? I do feel that way a lot, but the more misdirected anger I accept, the more I secretly think I’m not the only one who should be ashamed.

New theme: Black Tie

(In which I explore sIFR and my dark side)

New theme: Black Tie

(In which I explore sIFR and my dark side)

Semicolon: the latest adorable wallpaper from His Vladness

(All elements made with Georgia)

Semicolon: the latest adorable wallpaper from His Vladness

(All elements made with Georgia)