Word
A sporadically promulgated annotated listing of arguably worthwhile, recently published online reading, new or revised websites of potential utility or ostensible interest, and other internet-accessible experiences that, were it not for the casually collected, cavalierly collated, & capriciously collocated components comprising these posts, could easily be overlooked - which would be, in some cases, a shame
In The Beginning Was The Word; It Was, Of Course, Leonard Cohen’s Word
Hail, Hail, Rock’n'Roll by Laura Barton The Guardian June 1, 2007
How can escape being enthralled by an article that begins
The entire piece is a joyful and thoughtful consideration of the power of the right word precisely placed in its syntactical, lyrical, and metric context. As a non-teacher, I feel secure in declaring that this essay should be required reading in poetry classes and workshops.
At the risk of stealing Ms Barton’s thunder, I include this excerpt that identifies the word in question, but I also assure readers that there is much more in this brief, rewarding article.
The Word On Dating
Nerve.com’s obsession last week was dating. Whether you’re currently an active participant in the flesh market or not, these selections provide an interestingly skewed look at contemporary mating.
Too Much Information
The writer laments that blogs and such have put an end to the mystery that was a delicious element of dating.
Nope. These days, you can’t swing a cat in this town without hitting a boy with a blog . . . or a chat group, or listserv, or food diary, family website, online poetry monograph, or collection of unpublished photos of meerkat babies accompanied by a lengthy bio that he is eager to share with you, the stranger he’s just met.
Better Mating Through Circuitry
A Q&A book review of a new volume about online dating.
Going Gentile Into That Good Night
This article answers the burning question, Why are non-Jews flocking to Jdate.com?
The 50 Best Date Movies
Yeah, it’s a classic list, but still interesting.
Love Machines
It will disappoint some and relieve others to discover that “Love Machines” is a list of the 10 Best Date Video Games.
The most interesting aspect of the list is the rationale for each of the choices. Here’s a free sample, the #2 game on the list.
Psychedelic monkeys and ass-shaking are like video-game Spanish Fly. While Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution popularized the rhythm-based game for everyone from the high-school set to retirement-home singles, neither can touch the sheer weirdness of Samba de Amigo. You have to shake maracas in time with a monkey. The monkey looks like he’s been eating mushrooms. The wild primary colored visuals and salsa music are downright hallucinatory and lend themselves to off-color remarks and incredulous laughter. Amigo is what you and your date do after you’ve gone back to your place for another drink and before you’ve finally made your way to the bedroom at dawn, already mostly undressed.
I am compelled to also include this excerpt from the #3 listing,
Two words: naked karaoke.
What Do Those Words Mean?
Patrick Smith, writing the Ask The Pilot column at Slate.com provides a two-part glossary for decoding airline argot. For example,
This one goes first because I’m been asked about it more often than any other word or phrase. “Cross-check” is a generic term used by pilots and flight attendants meaning that one person has verified the action of another. It’s quite common, for instance, during the read/response choreography of the cockpit checklist. In the cabin, it pertains to verifying the arming or disarming function of the emergency escape slides that are attached to the doors. When armed, a slide will automatically deploy the instant its door is opened. Disarmed, it needs to be deployed manually. After the plane leaves the gate, the slides have to be armed in case of an emergency evacuation; when it docks, they’re disarmed to keep them from billowing into the boarding tunnel, or onto the apron, when the doors are opened for servicing or DEPLANING. The flight attendants cross-check one another’s stations to make sure everything is in the right position. The exact phraseology varies airline to airline. Some don’t use “cross-check” at all, but say only, “doors to arrival/departure,” or “arm doors,” or “doors to automatic,” or something to that effect. (Note: Contrary to what many people think, these announcements are made exclusively for and by the flight attendants, not the pilots.)
