Dryope

You probably already know about this, but....

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A lot of people made banners, but this is my favorite:

This must be a use of the word "courtesy" of which I was previously unaware.

So, I just got woken up by the Maryland State Troopers. They wanted a woman who answered to my husband's last name. When I told them there was no one here by that name, he pressed on. Naturally. He doesn't care what my name is or who he's talking to. He just wants the wallet-with-ears type.

He explained it was a courtesy call. Then he began to ask for money.

Why do they always do that? I understand how it's a "call" but why do they persist in the Orwellian mangling of words that makes it out to be somehow polite?

Just to make sure, I looked up "courtesy call" in the dictionary. Not there. They did have "courtesy" though, which contained this meaning I had completely forgotten about:

cour·te·sy (adj.)

1. Given or done as a polite gesture: paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
2. Free of charge: courtesy tickets for the reporters.

As calling people up to hit them for money is not technically "courtesy" under the first meaning, I can only assume they meant the second meaning--for themselves. They are calling me for my courtesy, ie, free cash.

So, I stand corrected. It is a courtesy call. Except, does it count if I don't give them anything?

Muppet Terror

Trust me--you don't want to be at Elmo.

Slushies are the greatest

No reason. They just are.

Anyway, I learned a new word today:

meme - n. A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.
(from www.dictionary.com)

I think this is the key to world peace, people. Now, if only we had a way to do it apart from mass marketing campaigns...

White Castle

Okay, so I haven't seen Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle yet (it's definitely a rent movie), but I think it is desperately needed, even in this day and age.

This guy at work told me today in conversation that all Asians/Asian-descended people in this country are wealthy, smart, and well-educated. Like, all of them. It's that kind of myopic, clever-sounding racism that makes people feel good about themselves and their outlook on the world.

Anyway, it all falls apart as soon as you go in the corporate cafeteria, where the people mopping the floor are chatting to each other in Cantonese.

And this person does East Asian studies for a living! Sheesh!

Back

And ready to gab. Actually, though, not in this post. But more regularly. (I promise, rcc!)

Any requests?