* Illegal immigrants are often referred to as "wetbacks" in the U.S. When Serge was there, people jokingly (or not so jokingly) called him an "iceback".
* I've come to the realization that I have a horrible habit. I keep wasting my "nows" dreading the future.
* Oopsie, I accidentally shut off nude dancer's hot water. (He probably won't notice though, he seems to be staying elsewhere.)
* It is still a mystery why mass extinctions (over 95% of all life on the planet) occur regularly on the planet. What is known is that similar climatic trends occurred before each extinction. Eerily, our current climate trend is the same.
* For me, the weather and sky are magic. I don't understand how people can ignore the constant amazing movie playing out over our heads.
* Conversely, I don't understand people's fixation on the private lives of celebrities. Blogger's lives are far more interesting. (and real)
* A student asked me what an ox was. Since I've never encountered one, I had to guess. I said it was like a cow-slash-horse and we make their tails into soup.
* The Japanese proverb for the English expression, "Nobody's perfect," is "Even monkeys fall out of trees."
* I don't miss black Friday in the states. I imagine that as I type, crowds are congregating before every Walmart in the country.
29 comments:
I'm so greatful to live in an urban center where the closest wal-mart is 45 miles away. That being said, I will be going to a (gasp!) mall tomorrow.
And where did you find the Japanese proverb info?
I enjoyed the entire post, but "iceback" is the keeper from it. :)
* For me, the weather and sky are magic. I don't understand how people can ignore the constant amazing movie playing out over our heads.
Not only do people not watch, they don't listen.
I posted a remedy for Black Friday on my blog, check it out. Let me know what you think!?
"ice back" made me smile.
What is black Friday? Does it have something to do with Thanksgiving shopping?
I love "iceback" too!
Jane
Let me tackle the word OX. Growing up in farm country I knew that an Ox is a castrated male cow. Just like a castrated male chicken (a Capon) it grows very large and muscular. A team of Oxen were used to pull the heavy wagons that moved along the Oreagon and Santa Fe trails that help to settle the west of America. Love the snippets!
Wiki says .... "Oxen (plural of ox) are large and heavy set breeds of Bos Taurus cattle trained as draft animals. Often they are adult, castrated males. Usually an ox is over four years old due to the need for training and to allow it to grow to full size. "
Now we know.
I'd say, as you're typing, crowds of slack-jawed inbred yokels are fighting thier way into Wal-Marts all over thr country for discounts on things most people wouldn't take for free.
Some of my relatives included.
HUGS...
I'm not worrying about our extinction. Even if humanity evades extinction, we'll be dead anyway.
I keep wasting my "nows" dreading the future.
If you ever figure out how to kick the habit, please post a long, detailed explanation.
I didn't know Japan had a lot of monkeys. Of course, I don't know the internals of their politics.
Nude dancer is going to be a "dryback"!
How much dancerboy is dumb enough to call and ask about the hot water... and only here could I be amazed by the say AND learn about ox - that is why I LOVE your blog Torn...
Good for you!
Little nude Lap Queen can just deal with it.
You know, you're doing him a great favor. When he quits being pretty and his jelly roll sags and his 30 year old face looks 50, he's going to have to learn to do business, or else his suppliers will teach him in a much harsher way than you ever would.
Sometimes I regret the current tendency in English language usage toward the abstract. Figurative language is so much more fun.
Oh yes, and even I have succumbed to Black Friday Fever. There's a deal on a printer/scanner at Wal-Mart that I just can't pass up. It fills me with a vague sense of shame, however, that I'm giving in to consumer greed.
I long ago pledged not to shop at Wal-Mart again. First, it started because I just couldn't take the frenetic pace and the screaming babies that seem to dot every other aisle. Later, when all of their (not surprising) labor and environmental crimes came to light, I just felt more justified. It's handy when your personal preferences neatly match an ethical stance.
On the other hand, I just can't live without a Target nearby...
I love that you shut off the hot water.
Seems we all for that "now" stuff.
I like the Japanese saying. That is like the American saying "To each his own" In Spainsih, it is Cada Loco con su tema
Which translated literally is
Each Crazy with his own thing
The one below is for you ;) Since you are a teacher (eventhough ESL one) I think you will appreciate the sentiment.
http://www.jumbojoke.com/you_know_youre_a_teacher_if_825.html
And this one too
http://www.jumbojoke.com/aussies_brits_canadians_and_americans_compared_821.html
I wondered if you and Serge fit these comparisons...
black friday? what pray tell is black friday?
is it something like, the day of the year stores go into the black (instead of red) because christmas sales pick up?
isn't random guessing fun? *grin*
Bloggers are facinating!
They can talk about the cold weather, while turning off the hot water - all in one fell swoop.
I agree that blogger lives are much more interesting. Kinda the Reality TV of the web! That is why I read so many...I am fixated on other's lives...prolly a little too much.
I totally agree with you about the weather and sky...so true! Ditto on the lives of Celebs. Who cares! Love your blog. keep posting.
Have to admit that I laughed out loud over your "oopsie."
Hey you!?
It's Saturday, where are you?!
You usually post on Sat and Sun.
Did you decide to change a few things?!
Let us know!?
J
Do you know that yesterday there were actually live reports on TV from malls in my area? Is this really necessary? Apparently. Every once in awhile we'd see people tackle each other for a good deal, so I guess it was worth it.
I never went near a store on Black Friday. Nor today (Saturday).
I hear they are coming for my passport.
I did know what an ox was (having been raised in the boonies), but somehow the information in your post and the comments made me reflect on my dad telling me that I was "dumb as an ox". I never realized that castration affected that too!
I don't do Black Friday.
Love the Japanese proverb.
I don't understand the fascination with celebrities' lives either. I think only people who have no life of their own can be interested in the details of celebrities.
I skip Black Friday. Who needs the hassle? I started my holiday shopping on Sat instead.
Mark in DC
Post a Comment