I first learned about WordPress post revisions when I began wondering why my blog entries aren’t consecutive numbers. For example, this entry is numbered “1599″ — something that WordPress does automatically. But the previous entry was “1576″. Shouldn’t this one be 1577? No, because WordPress uses the in-between numbers to save “post revisions”. That means[...]
I already own a home on a tiny little property. I like it. I plan to live here at least until it’s paid off. But, like many people, I enjoy browsing through the “Free! Take One!” home sales magazines you’ll often find stacked in corners of supermarkets. You can always dream of buying that well-appointed,[...]
One of my many pet peeves is shortened words. Well, words or phrases that are shortened poorly. For example, “cellular telephone” has been shortened to “cell” in the U.S. Fortunately, many people actually say “phone”, which is much better. Why? Phone already means telephone. Cell, on the other hand, never meant telephone. It referred to[...]
It’s always bugged me when a reporter (either in print, on the web, or on TV) uses himself or his/her news organization in the story — except for the rare case where it’s actually part of the story. And of course, when I actually got a job as a reporter, I learned it’s generally a[...]
Two decades ago, I was ahead of the times, even among my own generation. Now it appears I’m way behind. Though it was a conscious decision, it sometimes feels like the wrong decision. Discuss:
Two weeks ago, I mentioned the kinds of photography blogs I don’t like to read, and listed two specifically that I do like. Now I’m retracting part of that statement.
There seems to be quite a bit of confusion as to the origin of the phrase “Indian giver”. Wikipedia says it arose from the white man’s misunderstanding of Native American trading practices. Other sites of reference point to the Native practice of demanding a gift be returned if the recipient later dishonored the gift. Still[...]
It really bugs me when people make blanket statements about a region of the country (or part of the world) that not only is inaccurate, but shows that they’ve never been there — or worse, weren’t paying attention when they were there.
I’m getting tired of Google. No, I’m not the type of person who moves on to the next website simply because it’s there. I don’t follow trends or fads and I never have — even as a teenager. I like to find something that works for me and stick with it. Call me old-fashioned. That’s[...]
“Smart phone” users are starting to be more annoying than Facebook users. (Why I’m not on Facebook.) Perhaps the most annoying characteristic of a Facebook user (at least the ones I know) is that they can’t comprehend why the rest of us aren’t part of it — and of course they ignore the fact that[...]
“I thought the left loved freedom of the press and open government. I guess that’s only when ‘The Man’ is someone else.” That’s what one commenter said on a news story about the federal government hoping to charge a journalist for publishing news. It’s an astute observation about the way our two-party political system works:[...]
Commentary: A record Powerball jackpot isn’t a record to celebrate (Christian Science Monitor) The editorial board of CSM concluded their piece with this: Before the news media play up the next record-setting mega-lottery like Powerball, they may want to add these kinds of caveats in their reporting. It could deter people from rushing to the[...]
Following are some passages I underlined during a reading of To Sail Beyond The Sunset (1987) by Robert A. Heinlein, the last novel he published before dying in 1988: “I remember Earth. I knew her when she was clean and green, mankind’s beautiful bride, sweet and lush and lovable… It is futile to mourn over[...]
There is a school of thought, albeit a relatively unpopular one, that poor grammar or punctuation on printed signs should be corrected with a Sharpie or other tool, vigilante style. In the News: Vigilante Copy Editor (New York Times) And there are older instances, such as this one (The Virginian-Pilot).
Following are some passages I underlined during a reading of The Cat Who Walks Through Walls: A Comedy of Manners (1985) by Robert A. Heinlein: “It does not do to encourage bad banners; one should retaliate, urbanely but firmly.”
In The News: Adobe starts subscription for Photoshop and Dreamweaver (BBC News) This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone; many software companies are moving in this direction. Instead of having to ship millions of boxes and discs every year when they upgrade the software, they’re just going to add the updates to the online[...]
Following are some passages I underlined during a reading of I Will Fear No Evil (1970) by Robert Heinlein: “…most people think of money as something to pay the rent. But a money man thinks of money in terms of what he can do with it.” “…it’s impossible for a woman to lay it on[...]
For about $5, I made this measuring cup holder that’s hidden inside a kitchen cabinet: (Copyright © 2013 by Wil C. Fry. All rights reserved.)
My wife and I invoked our “30 minute rule” when watching this movie. The rule is: if the movie can’t interest either of us in 30 minutes, then we turn it off and quit wasting our time. According to Wikipedia, this film is based on a 1974 novel and “the story follows the hunt for[...]
Following are some passages I underlined during my 2002 reading of Stranger In A Strange Land (1961) by Robert Heinlein, of which I wrote on Nov. 14, 2002, “Perhaps the best book ever written.” (I no longer feel that way, but it’s still a pretty good book.)
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