"Not all those who wander are lost"
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Word of the Week 8
Tchotch∙ke \ ‘chäch-kə, tsäts-\ n:
- A Yiddish word for trinkets, derived from a Slavic word for “toys”. [1], [2]
- Connotation for worthlessness or disposability, as well as tackiness. [2]
Where first seen or heard: NFT: Not for Tourists Guide to NEW YORK CITY
When: June 23, 2009
Usage in a sentence: “Tourists may be attracted to the numerous tchotchke shops in the 
(http://www.archimuse.com/mw2005/papers/drake/drake4.jpg)
[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tchotchke
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TchotchkeMonday, June 22, 2009
Quote of the Week 7
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity"
-Albert Schweitzer
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sounds that make me feel all warm and fuzzy...
Jet plane engines spooling up for takeoff and thrust reversers deploying upon landing
Every time I fly, I look forward to hearing and feeling these acoustic vibrations that give a sense of power to the flying experience, as well as show the engineered beauty of these flying metal birds. This is particularly poignant in DC9s and the larger Boeing aircraft. Here are two examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1mrFy_KgA&feature=related (start at 3:10) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPc3oYMiDfI
Ice hockey players running into the boards
When hockey players run into the boards, either tussling with other players looking for the puck or getting hit into the boards, I strain my ears for the bowling alley sound. You know, the one where the pins are knocked down by the bowling ball and clatter on the polished wooden panels of the alley.
Birds chirping in the mornings
I usually wake up early on weekday mornings, just an hour or so after the sun has come up. Accompanying the sunlight filtering through my windows is the playful whistling of the cardinal and blue jay that like to perch on the branches of the big tree outside my room. This always puts me in a good mood. That and the squirrel running up the tree, looking for his acorn collection.
Roar of the waves, alternating with the water lapping on the shores
It's been a while since I have heard either sound, but it always makes me appreciate the power and beautiful tranquility of nature.
Every time I fly, I look forward to hearing and feeling these acoustic vibrations that give a sense of power to the flying experience, as well as show the engineered beauty of these flying metal birds. This is particularly poignant in DC9s and the larger Boeing aircraft. Here are two examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1mrFy_KgA&feature=related (start at 3:10) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPc3oYMiDfI
Ice hockey players running into the boards
When hockey players run into the boards, either tussling with other players looking for the puck or getting hit into the boards, I strain my ears for the bowling alley sound. You know, the one where the pins are knocked down by the bowling ball and clatter on the polished wooden panels of the alley.
Birds chirping in the mornings
I usually wake up early on weekday mornings, just an hour or so after the sun has come up. Accompanying the sunlight filtering through my windows is the playful whistling of the cardinal and blue jay that like to perch on the branches of the big tree outside my room. This always puts me in a good mood. That and the squirrel running up the tree, looking for his acorn collection.
Roar of the waves, alternating with the water lapping on the shores
It's been a while since I have heard either sound, but it always makes me appreciate the power and beautiful tranquility of nature.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Word of the Week 7
Verst \ ‘vərst\ n:
An obsolete Russian unit of length, equal to 500 sazhen, or 0.6629 mile (1.067 kilometer), long. [1],[2]
Where first seen or heard: The Eight by Katherine Neville
When: June 16, 2009
Usage in a sentence: “Tomorrow, I’ll run over 9 verst around my neighborhood.”
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verst
[2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verst
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Quote of the Week 6
"Wenn ihr's nicht fühlt, ihr werdet's nicht erjagen"
(If you don't feel it, you'll never get it)
(If you don't feel it, you'll never get it)
- Faust by Johann Wolfgang Göethe, read in The Eight by Katherine Neville
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Word of the Week 6
Ki∙a∙su \ kiaⁿ-su\ n:
1. Afraid to lose out to others. Always wanting the upper hand or something for free. [1]
2. Literally “fear of losing” (Hokkien, Mandarin). [2]
Where first seen or heard:
When: Early 2005
Usage in a sentence: “Sometimes I think Singaporeans will appreciate the kiasu approach of Long Islanders when it comes to driving- cutting off people, running red lights, driving on the shoulder, driving without lights on in the rain, driving with high beams, anything to get to their destination faster- of course without the rule-breaking.”
[1] An Essential Guide to Singlish.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiasu
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Word of the Week 5
Men∙hir \ ‘men-,hir\ n:
a single upright rough monolith usually of prehistoric origin. [1]
Where first seen or heard: The Adventures of Asterix (series of comic strips)
When: Mid-1990s
Usage in a sentence: “Jawaad fondly remembered Obelix tossing a menhir or two at the Romans when the word came up in the National Spelling Bee.”
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjtyKc65K_1wihTWYlOQMVHUzYtM_8F6aIrjo8TI0r4Qu8ObIMExPRrw0StJSyEzmMkmhor2MZhDcqv4SQVvDKQwdBqTEXY1gN5LfwUsb3WdRYrAhV7kOBsdEHnx5-Uq3LD4kC2WXeg/s1600-h/obelixgif)
[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menhir
Monday, June 1, 2009
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