Only 4 days into the blog experiment and the response has already been tremendous! And I've already received some useful feedback from all the armchair bloggers out there.
1. "Why don't you add some pictures to your blog?" - Anonymous
Thanks for the suggestion, Anonymous! I will give your idea some careful consideration. You can definitely expect pictures when the travel begins, but otherwise I'm a bit hesitant to detract from my brilliant prose. It's often been said that one of my words is worth a thousand pictures. However, I am nothing if not a man of the people. And it just so happens I recently invested in a new Polaroid camera. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a bargain when I was buying my new RAZR phone. I'm a sucker for new technology...mostly for the status it brings. I can't tell you how many stares of admiration I get every time I whip out my RAZR and flip it open to answer a call.
2. "Why don't you distribute your blog to a wider audience? It's so awesome!!!" - Sister C.
Thanks Sis! I agree...it is awesome. But, not being one to toot my own horn or self-promote, I'm leaving the promotion to my loyal readers.
3. "Can you please use more ellipses when you write?" - Three Dots Rule
Thanks Three Dots...I couldn't agree more. I've always felt the ellipsis is way under used in written English.
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Thank you guys for the feedback and support! I'll try to fulfill as many requests as I can...so bring them on.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Required reading list for blog followers…
Ok, so we’re now a few posts into the new blog and I can sense that everyone is thinking the same thing, “how can I be as cool, hip, and insightful as this guy?” The truthful answer is…you probably can’t. However, as not to dash anyone’s dreams, I will tell you that a strong reading base is a crucial starting point. Because nothing says cool and hip like reading books on Friday and Saturday nights.
Without further ado, here are the top books I have read so far this calendar year (happily, this selection criterion, versus…say…considering only books published this year, makes it more about me). Unfortunately, I read several truly outstanding books (mentioned at the bottom of this post) in November and December of 2009 and those didn’t make the cut due to my arbitrary deadline. I hope they won’t be too disappointed.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Got a letter in the mail today...
...addressed to Adolph Kraker (no joke, I promise). I'm trying to determine if it's hate mail...will let you know if this escalates.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Attribution errors...
Put yourself in the following situation...
You're peering through the curtains of your front window hoping to spy on your neighbors (I mean let's be serious...who doesn't do this on a daily basis). Or better yet, sitting in a lawn chair in the driveway enjoying a Natty Light (I mean...who in Titusville doesn't do this on a regular basis). When, just your luck, the devilishly handsome young man from across the street and his breathtakingly beautiful wife pull up in their luxury sedan. The man gets out of the driver's side and carries two large suitcases into the house. His arm and back muscles rippling under his shirt from the weight of the bags. The woman gets out of the passenger's side and carries in a duffle bag and an arm full of clothes on hangers. You know for a fact they haven't been on vacation. They both were accounted for yesterday (remember...you watch their every move). Intriguingly, the woman is barefoot...
What's your explanation of choice?
(A) The couple had the mother of all fights last night - befitting their rockstar personalities - and the man was so upset he kicked his wife out and didn't even let her take shoes.
(B) The couple found out yesterday they were going to rent their house in 3 days...they promptly moved all their clothes off the premises (including all the woman's shoes)...and the prospective renter then reneged hours later.
(C) Neither - both explanations are equally ridiculous
If you chose any answer other than B...you would be wrong. Take home lesson...beware the attribution error (and Natty Light)...
You're peering through the curtains of your front window hoping to spy on your neighbors (I mean let's be serious...who doesn't do this on a daily basis). Or better yet, sitting in a lawn chair in the driveway enjoying a Natty Light (I mean...who in Titusville doesn't do this on a regular basis). When, just your luck, the devilishly handsome young man from across the street and his breathtakingly beautiful wife pull up in their luxury sedan. The man gets out of the driver's side and carries two large suitcases into the house. His arm and back muscles rippling under his shirt from the weight of the bags. The woman gets out of the passenger's side and carries in a duffle bag and an arm full of clothes on hangers. You know for a fact they haven't been on vacation. They both were accounted for yesterday (remember...you watch their every move). Intriguingly, the woman is barefoot...
What's your explanation of choice?
(A) The couple had the mother of all fights last night - befitting their rockstar personalities - and the man was so upset he kicked his wife out and didn't even let her take shoes.
(B) The couple found out yesterday they were going to rent their house in 3 days...they promptly moved all their clothes off the premises (including all the woman's shoes)...and the prospective renter then reneged hours later.
(C) Neither - both explanations are equally ridiculous
If you chose any answer other than B...you would be wrong. Take home lesson...beware the attribution error (and Natty Light)...
How to identify food rut...
Today I reached a new level of what I like to call "food rut." Went to my traditional lunch spot (Qdoba in the Student Union) today between 11:30 and 11:52...as is customary.
It didn't bother me too much when the guy that hadn 't worked the counter in the last couple weeks said "veggie, black" (i.e., veggie burrito with black beans) when I walked up. I'm used to that...if there is no one waiting, I can literally skip the serving line and head straight to the register confident that my order will be prepared to my specifications. Even the checkout girl has relented in her seemingly never-ending quest to persuade me "to have a drink with that." We actually don't converse anymore...simply exchange cards and receipts. (Though I did shock her, and myself, by ordering a drink one time a couple weeks back...we were both clearly frazzled).
What did surprise me today was that one of the girls on the line gave me a sample of the BBQ sauce to try with my veggie burrito. So, now it's like the workers are practically imploring me to mix it up...like my food rut is actually causing them psychological pain. Maybe this move thing is actually much needed...though I can't help but wonder if the Qdoba staff will miss me when I'm gone.
I wonder if they have Qdoba in Cambridge???
It didn't bother me too much when the guy that hadn 't worked the counter in the last couple weeks said "veggie, black" (i.e., veggie burrito with black beans) when I walked up. I'm used to that...if there is no one waiting, I can literally skip the serving line and head straight to the register confident that my order will be prepared to my specifications. Even the checkout girl has relented in her seemingly never-ending quest to persuade me "to have a drink with that." We actually don't converse anymore...simply exchange cards and receipts. (Though I did shock her, and myself, by ordering a drink one time a couple weeks back...we were both clearly frazzled).
What did surprise me today was that one of the girls on the line gave me a sample of the BBQ sauce to try with my veggie burrito. So, now it's like the workers are practically imploring me to mix it up...like my food rut is actually causing them psychological pain. Maybe this move thing is actually much needed...though I can't help but wonder if the Qdoba staff will miss me when I'm gone.
I wonder if they have Qdoba in Cambridge???
Let the moving begin...or not
Well, yesterday was certainly interesting...
We had a prospective renter come look at the house at 11:30 am, agree to rent for one year starting on August 1 (Sunday), and promptly renege on the deal at around 10:00 pm. In the mean time, Michelle (aka my beautiful wife aka Mochelle aka baby deliverer extraordinaire aka future contributor to this blog?) and I embarked on a panicked frenzy of packing and cleaning. With the adrenaline rush induced by the sudden change in circumstances, we managed to box what seemed like half the house in a few hours. Our friend Matt (aka PhatMatt aka master kitchen packer aka dog sitting extraordinaire aka fitness guru aka security boss) came to our rescue with a veggie legend from Domino's (which I might add is a very solid chain pizza option), a bottle of Sprite, and some killer kitchen packing skills that I didn't know he possessed! That guy is like a freakin' jack of all trades. Pay attention ladies.
Anyway, so the end result was that the renters backed out and left us back at square one...with a half boxed up house. On the bright side, I get to play golf this weekend. On the not so bright side, we still need to unload the house before September.
Oh well, I'm marking this down as the first in what will certainly be a series of adventures and mishaps in the next year.
We had a prospective renter come look at the house at 11:30 am, agree to rent for one year starting on August 1 (Sunday), and promptly renege on the deal at around 10:00 pm. In the mean time, Michelle (aka my beautiful wife aka Mochelle aka baby deliverer extraordinaire aka future contributor to this blog?) and I embarked on a panicked frenzy of packing and cleaning. With the adrenaline rush induced by the sudden change in circumstances, we managed to box what seemed like half the house in a few hours. Our friend Matt (aka PhatMatt aka master kitchen packer aka dog sitting extraordinaire aka fitness guru aka security boss) came to our rescue with a veggie legend from Domino's (which I might add is a very solid chain pizza option), a bottle of Sprite, and some killer kitchen packing skills that I didn't know he possessed! That guy is like a freakin' jack of all trades. Pay attention ladies.
Anyway, so the end result was that the renters backed out and left us back at square one...with a half boxed up house. On the bright side, I get to play golf this weekend. On the not so bright side, we still need to unload the house before September.
Oh well, I'm marking this down as the first in what will certainly be a series of adventures and mishaps in the next year.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Confession...
Ok, ok...I have to admit there is one other reason I decided to start a blog. Just saw the movie "Julie and Julia" the other night on DVD. And yes, if anyone out there would like to discover me and offer me a lucrative book contract, I welcome all offers. (However, to all my fans...please don't send lobsters or anything. I'm vegetarian all the way.).
Getting Started...
So...I created a blog. Not sure how I should feel about this at the moment, but there you go. My reasons for this new endeavor...mainly boredom and the fact that I like to write, love to hear myself talk (in print), and feel I can provide hilarious and insightful takes on pretty much anything. (Note: For those that don't know me well, one of my favorite devices is sarcasm...particularly sarcasm that makes me seem completely egotistical and self-important. I guess it's up to you to judge whether I am either of those, but just a fair warning).
More practically, I feel like I can use this medium to share information about important topics I'm interested in such as international development and to keep my family and friends (the very few that might be interested) up to date on my (and my beautiful wife Michelle's) upcoming travels and studies in the UK.
However, I must confess, despite such lofty aspirations, I am easily distracted by three things: 1. Professional and U.S. College Sports, 2. Celebrities, and 3. U.S. Politics. Alas, for better or worse they are my weaknesses. So, suffice it to say you can expect the occasional (or not so occasional) random posting on these topics - though I kind of promise to keep the politics to a minimum as not to offend too many people. :) However, you can fully expect me to weigh in on any Lebron related news (because he is currently the undisputed center of the universe)...and so help us all if Lady Gaga, Katie Holmes, Leo, Roger Federer, and JT team up for some sort of collaboration in the near future.
Anyway, I think that's enough for a start. I'll hopefully be back when I have something to write about.
More practically, I feel like I can use this medium to share information about important topics I'm interested in such as international development and to keep my family and friends (the very few that might be interested) up to date on my (and my beautiful wife Michelle's) upcoming travels and studies in the UK.
However, I must confess, despite such lofty aspirations, I am easily distracted by three things: 1. Professional and U.S. College Sports, 2. Celebrities, and 3. U.S. Politics. Alas, for better or worse they are my weaknesses. So, suffice it to say you can expect the occasional (or not so occasional) random posting on these topics - though I kind of promise to keep the politics to a minimum as not to offend too many people. :) However, you can fully expect me to weigh in on any Lebron related news (because he is currently the undisputed center of the universe)...and so help us all if Lady Gaga, Katie Holmes, Leo, Roger Federer, and JT team up for some sort of collaboration in the near future.
Anyway, I think that's enough for a start. I'll hopefully be back when I have something to write about.
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