I have not read E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey for lots of reasons. Despite the first person narrative of way too many posts on this blog, I dislike books written in the first person.[1] And based on the excerpts I have read (because I was curious, and some of the smartest women I know have read this book) Anastasia Steele Grey’s inner manic meta-being is just too exhausting (two halves of which are presented by her Inner Goddess and her half moon glasses wearing Subconscious, which unlike the IG, doesn’t get to pant along in post-climatic afterglow) and exhaustingly stupid, as is James incorrect use of “metaphorically,” “figuratively,” and her overall abuse of poor Icarus. You are hang gliding, dumbass, not flying into the sun. IHOP is not Mount Olympus. [2] Continue reading “Conduct Unbecoming an Inner Goddess”
Watching Sesame Street in Egypt
I had been trying to find a way to express the coolness of Sesame Street – the Workshop has released both Sesame Street episodes and Electric Company episodes (complete with Bill Cosby and sweaters!) basically from inception to current episodes. While in Egypt last year, we were able to watch a lot of both. It was an incredible experience to watch Emmett, then not quite 3, connect with something so wholeheartedly American and be able to find also episodes of the Arabic broadcast Alam Simsim and Shara’a SimSim (the Palestinian broadcast) on YouTube. The Sesame Street Workshop produces versions of the show that are broadcast in over 140 countries around the world. Continue reading “Watching Sesame Street in Egypt”
How to Abandon Ship, Pt 1
The Drink Needs a New Name
On St Patrick’s Day, a group of friends and I were listening to the most insipid set I’d ever heard, at a bar in Allentown, Buffalo- no toes were tapping, and even the rowdiest Poques song was done in a mournful, off-key wail – when suddenly, a group of five people walked in, setting everyone else on alert. It wasn’t just the two incredibly drunk men wearing red t-shirts bearing the Polish Orzeł Biały – the white eagle on the crest of Poland – or the two women wearing green t-shirts that asked they be kissed because they weren’t Irish; mostly it was the fifth person. This guy wore a green shirt with a simple math equation done in symbols and the words “craic agus ceol” (translated from the Irish – craic and music, which essentially means a good time) on it.
The composition of the equation was: an outline of a stout glass with a shamrock in it + an outline of a jigger with, yep, a shamrock in it = an exploding car, with craic agus ceol immediately below it. At least the designer put only three leafs on each clover. Continue reading “The Drink Needs a New Name”
Egypt On Offer
In case you were wondering, the sales are still going in Egypt; when there’s a revolution, luxury resorts go on sale! Check out Bloomspot’s latest deal. (And good luck with the wifi!)
If you can deal with a guide to every tourist now is the time to go.
azimuths compass 