(Apologies to Jim Davis and Dave Walsh)
Tag: humor
Tips for the Modern Language Association
In the spirit of my fake advice for National Novel Writing Month, last month I began posting "tips" on Twitter for the upcoming Modern Language Association conference, an annual exercise in masochism for literature professors and graduate students the world over. This year's conference was held in Philadelphia, from December 27 to December 30, and… Continue reading Tips for the Modern Language Association
National Novel Writing Month Tips
November has been decreed National Novel Writing Month by some wise guy in California. The idea is that you have 30 days to write a 50,000 word novel. A noble endeavor to be sure, but one that seems doomed to not succeed on any satisfying level. I imagine it's like running a marathon, but without… Continue reading National Novel Writing Month Tips
Twitter is a Snark Valve
Last week I described the intensive role of social networking in my teaching. Although I explained how I track and archive my students' Twitter activity, I didn't describe what they actually do on Twitter. That's because I wasn't sure myself what they do. I mean, of course I've reading their tweets and sending my own,… Continue reading Twitter is a Snark Valve
Southern States Web Expo and Exchange
While it seems like Web 2.0 outfits are dying left and right and venture capital for dot coms has all but dried up, I've noticed that there is still a market in Web 2.0 events: demos, expos, workshops, summits, conferences and so on, with tickets running $200/head. There may be no money in perpetually beta… Continue reading Southern States Web Expo and Exchange
Facebook, Intellectual Property, and Why am I not richer than I am?
I am glad to see that Facebook relented and reverted back to its old Terms of Service. Having had my likeness used without my permission (you know who you are, Kirk Cameron), my songs stolen from me repeatedly (yes, I'm looking at you Beyoncé), and even movie ideas ripped off (see below), I was appalled… Continue reading Facebook, Intellectual Property, and Why am I not richer than I am?
Meeting Notes
Meeting Notes Originally uploaded by samplereality I don't recall what was said at the meeting, but something about chickens sure made a big impression on me.
Where do Republicans want to move if Obama wins?
I've already been hearing the same sentiment from my liberal and progressive friends that I heard in 2000 and again in 2004: they're going to want to move to Canada if McCain wins the 2008 presidential election. So I got to wondering, where would right-wing conservatives and fundamentalists want to move if Obama wins the… Continue reading Where do Republicans want to move if Obama wins?
Is this fireman a little too happy?
This firetruck is a Melissa & Doug puzzle our son used to play with. I was staring at the puzzle the other day, in an odd moment of nothing to do. And it dawned on me that perhaps one of the firemen is a little too happy? Now, I'm not the kind of person inclined… Continue reading Is this fireman a little too happy?
The CIA, Interrogation, and Mortimer Snerd
I've written before about the creepy interrogation manual the CIA issued in 1983 on "Human Resource Exploitation." The precursor to this manual is the infamous Kubark report, written in 1963. This CIA document outlines various coercive and non-coercive methods of gathering "counterintelligence information" from uncooperative sources. Over forty years later, some of the coercive techniques… Continue reading The CIA, Interrogation, and Mortimer Snerd
Before Borat…
Long before Borat from Kazakhstan, there was Zladko Vladcik from Molvania... [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp_PIjc2ga4]
WWJB?
What would Jesus blog? It's a question theologians have pondered for centuries. But the answer, finally, is here. Yes, the Prince of Peace is back, and he's online. Blogging under the cryptic pen-name "Long Haired Jew," Jesus tackles the issues of the day, such as terrorism (although he's no Pope Benedict), global warming, and of… Continue reading WWJB?
Simulated Terrorist Attacks; or, Drag Me out of the Ball Park
Here's the chance of a lifetime, the opportunity we've all been dying for: playing a victim in a mock terrorist attack. And this isn't just any simulated terrorist attack. This is a terrorist attack on a baseball team! The Reds, no less! As the Cincinnati Reds press release reads: On Saturday, September 30 the Department… Continue reading Simulated Terrorist Attacks; or, Drag Me out of the Ball Park
More liberty from the liberty-loving Liberty Baptist Church
Yesterday I focused on the bag I received, like manna from heaven, except it wasn't the desert and it wasn't edible, and it wasn't from God either, from the Liberty Baptist Church. Now I'd like to share, because that's WWJD, what was in the shiny, plastic, shopping bag from what I like to think of… Continue reading More liberty from the liberty-loving Liberty Baptist Church
Liberty Baptist Church Wants Me!!!
Yesterday I had the good fortune of receiving, on my front porch, a gift bag from Liberty Baptist Church in nearby Mooresville ("Race City U.S.A."). At left is this fabulous surprise, which made my day (click the image for a larger photograph). How ironic that just moments before finding the bag, I had been pondering… Continue reading Liberty Baptist Church Wants Me!!!