GrammarGirl on irony, Twitter/CAUSE research, and a 51-year mistaken lyric…

Irony is a multi-faceted rhetorical device, as explained by GrammarGirl (On video! So that’s what she looks like.) using a Sarah Palin event to illustrate the plethora of considerations involved in producing, and understanding, irony: We had turkey sausage patties on Portuguese sweet rolls this morning for breakfast, and ham salad and Swiss on rye … Read more

A Six Feet Under marathon…

Robert came over at a little after noontime and we began a “Six Feet Under Marathon,” during which we: Watched 12 hours worth of episodes—pretty much the entire second season, and the first episode of season three. Lunch: Had ham salad and Swiss cheese squares on cracked wheat sesame crackers Salty: Popcorn Sweet: Hershey’s Kisses … Read more

2008’s first Christmas joke, a low-key day at the office, and off to Jacksonville w/Robert…

2008’s First Christmas Joke Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. “In honor of this holy season” Saint Peter said, “You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.” The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked … Read more

Race relations, lunch with Susan, good news about dad, brinner, and some laundry…

Due to disconcerting news items such as these, in which, sadly, the “free expression tunnel incident” in my very own university is referenced: Obama election spurs race crimes around country After Obama’s win, white backlash festers in US N.C. State is sponsoring this, which I plan to attend: If anyone reading this wants to attend … Read more

Visiting dad in ICU…

I was up at 9:30, and I was surprised to find my mom still asleep. I let her sleep until 9:30, as we had agreed on getting to breakfast by 10:00 today to get to the hospital by 11 or noon. We had breakfast at the IHOP at a window table facing Western Boulevard, which … Read more