Category: "Potpourri"
Ten year hiatus, over
About 10 years ago, I wrote a post here saying that my focus was elsewhere and I didn't really think I would continue blogging. So, now I've done the Twitter. I've done the Facebook. I've done the LinkedIn and the other social media aggregating sites.… more »
"Meh" gains dictionary recognition
Sometimes new word need to be created to express a particular concept and the source is generally unimportant, so like "DOH!" the Simpsons get another credit. "Meh" fits into the same space as "Whatever" but it's shorter and -- for me at least -- lacks… more »
Time Magazine's Worst Cars List
Time's list of lousy cars is remarkably even-handed: it doesn't go just for the most ugly or unreliable but also for those which started unfortunate trends.
(Via Wired) more »
The law of unintended consequences strikes again
The Register comments on the IT field in the UK suffering from a lack of people with appropriate skills. It lays the blame at the foot of offshoring all the entry level jobs. After all, if you don't train people, they'll never be in a position to take… more »
Wired on urban gardening
Directly referencing the victory gardens of World War 2, Wired's Clive Thompson has an interesting article on the reviving popularity of growing food in an urban environment. Having come originally from the UK where this is not a terribly unusual thing… more »
Roof lawns
I've always liked the idea of a lawn or garden on top of a house, partially as insulator, but also as an interesting visual. I'd hate to try to maintain it and it wouldn't be much fun to try to maintain the structure under it either.
That said, Wired… more »
Things to blame on rising gas prices
Why is the answer to rising gas prices always surcharges? Why don't they build it into the price as an increase there 'cause that's exactly what it is.
(Via Kottke) more »
Top 10 home cooking mistakes
The list won't make you an uber-chef but it's a pretty good list of things to avoid.
(Via Kottke) more »
Irregular Webcomic on Scotland's Great Glen
Another fascinating annotation from the most erudite webcomic this side of Xkcd. Today's focus: planetary geology and the shared physical heritage of Scotland, Newfoundland and the Appalachians. more »
Interesting tourist places you can't go if you're an American
I have to say Iran does sound like an interesting destination. The Leptis Magna ruins in Libya (not listed) also strike my fancy. The old Silk Road route would be great too but that's just a little too dangerous these days for my liking. more »
Etsy.com
Etsy is sort of like an Amazon marketplace for the arts and crafts crowd. Specializing in homemade goods Etsy acts as the store front for the individuals who create all sorts of interesting items, most of which are unique. The clean front end makes for… more »
Young Me Now Me
This is an interesting concept from Ze Frank: recreating pictures of one's youth as an adult then posting the results side by side.
(Via Kottke) more »
Wikihistory
Creative short story about time travel written in the style of a Wikipedia discussion page. After reading it, take a gander at this earlier post on the inherent paradox.
Bonus link: alternate history as viewed through a commercial search engine.
(Via… more »
Literature as "fanfic"
Fanfic (or "Fan Fiction" to use its unabbreviated name) is typically considered a contemporary phenomenon. For those unfamiliar with the term, it's where readers of a particular story decide to continue it themselves. It's particularly common in the… more »
