Roger Ebert has published a fascinating bit of correspondence between himself and Daniel Woodburn (a Little Person most known to me for his role on Seinfeld). Woodburn takes Ebert to task for using the word “midget,” and Ebert uses it as an excuse to educate himself and us on the history of the word. Did you know that historically “dwarfs” and “midgets” were entirely separate classifications of Little People? I sure didn’t. I admit, though, that I don’t perceive a lot of negative connotation in “midget,” but I’m willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Category: Random Links
Links that I’m reading/watching/listening to/thinking about
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There’s a hole in the Internet.
Where can one find truly local news online? Yesterday when I left work, there was a big commotion up at Home Yardage. Albert and I stood in the street trying to see what was happening. “I think somebody’s under a bus,” a guy said. Whoa. Somebody got hit by a bus? Our stretch of York Street is pretty bad for pedestrians, what with the cars (and often delivery vans) parked along both sides and only one cross-walk in the middle of the block. As we drove to our squash lesson we were passed by numerous police cars and an ambulance. Here’s the thing though: I can’t find one single word about the accident online. Not a thing. I want to know what happened! The ABC doesn’t seem to have local Sydney news, only regional stuff for the country. The Sydney Morning Herald doesn’t have it; neither does News. The Transport NSW sure as hell doesn’t have anything about it. So where can you hear truly local news in the city? Isn’t there even a police blotter? Or is this just something you can’t get in metropolitan areas?
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Daylight Savings
Wow. After thirty years, Indiana is finally going on Daylight Savings.
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Why Geeks and Nerds are Worth It
Why Geeks and Nerds are Worth It. Hee! The Snook and I got quite a kick out of that. He keeps telling me to “back that ass up” and “put on some make-up” now though. 🙂
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Blinkenlights.
Hmm. Check out this little blinkenlight that paces your bites of food at dinner. I can’t decide whether that’s brilliant or stupid. The Snook and I do have a tendency to wolf down our food rather quickly. (Link courtesy of Brigita, who is similarly of two minds.)
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Preggers
Yay! Princess Mary got knocked up.
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Pope Steve I
According to the BBC, Mac users are Catholic and Windows users are Protestant. Now put down that pirated copy of XP and go say three Hail Woz’s.
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Roo Poo Paper
Roo Poo Paper. The mind boggles. I didn’t know you could make paper out of poo! I guess it’s probably just mostly vegetable matter anyway, huh?
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Korean BBQ Dos and Don’ts
Korean Barbecue Do’s and Don’ts. I’m hoping to take the fam out to Korean BBQ in Strathfield if/when they come to visit in January… (Link courtesy of Not Martha.)