Monthly Archives: April 2009
I’ll take “SPLIT HAIRS” for $400, Alex
Call me pedantic or just plain persnickety, but my exegetical geekiness kicked in today on reading a piece from The New York Times (reprinted by The News & Observer) about an IBM project to program a supercomputer contestant for the … Continue reading
Filed under left field
Killing the forest to save its animals
It’s decided: I’m withholding all future support to the Humane Society of the United States, at least until it stops sending mixed messages by the ton care of the U.S. Postal Service. I say this even as the national animal … Continue reading
Filed under man bites bear, spleen
Smart commuters challenged at every turn
When the SmartCommute Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, I could’ve told campaign planners and sponsors that the biggest challenge would be getting participants — specifically, anyone trying to ride a bus — where they needed to go on time. But … Continue reading
Filed under civics 101, commerce
Sudden outbreak of speechlessness
What cat is it that seems to have the tongues of so many officials and spokespeople this month? Every time I pick up the local paper, I’m reading quotes from someone who’s invoking “no comment” to reporters. In most cases, … Continue reading
Filed under civics 101
Google: It’s what it can’t find that’s funny
I’m not someone who gets addicted to much, but that doesn’t mean I’m immune to the occasional wiles of a novelty. For instance, the contemporary fascination with video games is totally lost on me; I can’t relate to it in … Continue reading
Filed under left field
Forget tapes. We want DVDs.
Yet unable to live down its reputation as the Rose Mary Woods of the Bush administration, the Central Intelligence Agency and its interrogation tape fiasco resurfaced on the public radar last month, and with it my growing impatience with news … Continue reading
Filed under civics 101
All dressed up
Samantha Thompson Smith’s article in today’s News & Observer, “Sending the right message” — one of a seeming string lately related to workplace fashion — sure sent a message, alright: the world of commerce is either a sick, sick place … Continue reading
Filed under commerce, man of letters
Don’t ask why
Photography and I go a long way back. It’s hard to say when I first got it into my head to pick up a camera and begin flash-freezing my world into silver halide clumps. I entered my formative years when … Continue reading
Filed under in my image
“In the criminal justice system …”
“… sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous … which is why we like rubbing your noses in them each week in all their salacious and prurient detail. Plus, it’s good for the ratings.” Really, does anyone actually give a … Continue reading
Filed under spleen
Initiating ignition sequence
Fasten your seat belts, kids, we’re gonna’ light the fuse to this rambunctious puppy. Naturally, the question everyone’s asking: what will Andrew’s first topic be? Well, perhaps a lesson on proper verb placement? I’m open to suggestions …
Filed under uncategorized
Somebody show me the exits!
The pressure’s on and self-doubt is kickin’ in. Can I pull this off on time? Well, perhaps it’s more relevant to ask myself, will anyone care if I miss the mark by a day or two … or twelve … … Continue reading
Filed under uncategorized
In notorious company
Just three more days … and she’s gonna blow! And speaking of that … I see Illinois’ ousted guv, Rod Blagojevich, took to the airwaves last week as guest announcer for a Chicago radio station. Seems he redefined what it … Continue reading
Filed under civics 101
