A fuller convention report may come later. For the nonce, I had a fantastic time at Farpoint. I autographed all of three books — all three, copies of The Quality of Leadership. Kathleen, whomever you are, not that you’re reading this, I loved your reaction to the inscription. 🙂 It’s Monday morning. I still haveContinue reading “On Surviving the Weekend”
On Galileo’s Birthday
Four hundred and forty-five years ago today, Galileo was born. One of the leading scientists of the early modern period, Galileo pioneered the use of the telescope, championed the Copernican heliocentric system, and was considered the father of modern science. I received a few days ago a NASA press release 2009 has been namedContinue reading “On Galileo’s Birthday”
On the Weekend
This weekend, I’m at the Farpoint convention here in Baltimore. This is my fourth Farpoint. My first was back in the halcyon days of 2006. I remember it well, mostly because of the carpet at the Hunt Valley Marriott. The convention has moved, a little closer to Baltimore. Alan Tudyk, better known as Wash fromContinue reading “On the Weekend”
On Friday’s Quick Hits
It’s windy. Massively windy. Winds called up from the underworld, winds that howl and shake and make buildings groan and trees crack. Windy. I’ve not slept for two nights because the wind. It howls around the house, like a high-pitched roar. Small objects clatter outside. The wind goes on. I’d love to go outside andContinue reading “On Friday’s Quick Hits”
On Today’s Birthdays
Today, two hundred years ago, Charles Darwin was born. The man who formulated the theory of natural selection. Also, two hundred years ago today, across an ocean, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born. When I was growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, my schoolbus carried me every day past theContinue reading “On Today’s Birthdays”
On the Yes/No Meme
You know what’s awesome about memes? They’re cheap content. I don’t have to do a lot of thinking, and you get something to read that says something about me. And possibly something that you, dear reader, can interact with. 🙂 This one is Dayton‘s and Jim Johnson‘s faults. You can only answer Yes or No!Continue reading “On the Yes/No Meme”
On Word-Coinage
At work today it was decided — I had coined a new word. A good word. A perfect word. Clusterfuckery. I don’t claim the word. I see, from a quick Google search, that “clusterfuckery” has been in circulation for a few years now. It’s not my neologism. 🙂 Yet, I’m still going to use it.Continue reading “On Word-Coinage”
On This Week’s Subway Reading
As long-time Allyn-ologists know, I have a Saturday routine. I get up, I drink coffee, I put on NPR so I can listen to Weekend Edition with Scott Simon. I love listening to Scott Simon. His voice has the most incredible cadence I have ever heard, and with every word he enunciates, you feel itContinue reading “On This Week’s Subway Reading”
On James Lipton’s 10 Questions
I always like a good meme. This one comes from Dayton Ward, also known as “The Chosen One.” These are James Lipton’s Inside the Actor’s Studio “10 Questions” that he asks each of his guests, based upon the Proust Questionnaire. What is your favorite word?Cloud. What is your least favorite word?Fire. What turns you onContinue reading “On James Lipton’s 10 Questions”
On Completely Nerdy Knowledge
On Friday I mentioned how Snoopy made his annual report to the Head Beagle in a Peanuts strip that ran on Sunday the 4th of January, 1970. That date, it nagged me in the back of my mind yesterday and today. And then, this morning, I realized what’s so important about that date. I justContinue reading “On Completely Nerdy Knowledge”