MEEMEE
These are clever as hell.
They must have taken quite a while to make, too. I hope he sells copies some day; I’d totally buy a few!
I have nothing to say today…
…other than my shock and joy at this video still being up on YouTube.
I think about this every once and a while, mainly because that harmonizing part actually slaps and I’d love to hear the whole song performed on this toy.
Also, I love how the comments are with me on how much people just randomly think about this vid, haha.
Book Review: A Confederacy of Dunces (Toole)
Have I read this before: Nope. This is actually one of the books I recently added to my list to help expand it from 200 books to 250.
Review: This was easily one of the most entertaining books I’ve read on my list. Ignatius is simultaneously annoying as shit and entertaining as all hell. As Wiki describes him, “Ignatius Jacques Reilly is an overweight and unemployed thirty-year-old with a degree in Medieval History who still lives with his mother, Irene Reilly.”
But I think the best indicator of how ridiculous and amusing this book is are the various covers. Check ‘em:
Great fun.
Favorite Part: Ignatius. Just…Ignatius.
Rating: 7/10
Movie!
So Nate and I watched The Prince of Egypt tonight. I’d seen it many times before, but this was the first time he’d seen it. I hope he liked it, because I think it’s one of the most well-done animated movies out there. I like how it doesn’t shy away from showing the darker parts of the story; that’s what makes it so impactful.
The plagues scene terrified me as a kid, haha.
I love the way his dream is animated (about halfway through this clip). Again, not shying away from the darker parts.
And, of course, the stunning parting of the Red Sea:
Watch it if you haven’t before. It’s phenomenal.
*Kanye West voice* POOP!!! POOP!!!
This is both hilarious and kinda terrifying.
I feel like if I had been on this cruise I would have volunteered to help with the stinky stuff. ‘Cause I could deal with it a lot better than most could, haha.
(Also, title reference)
If the first verse of “All Star” was written by Guy Fieri
Somebody once sold me
A bunch of ravioli
With 40,000 spices inside
It was looking kind of wild
But actually was mild
So I went into my trailer and cried
That’s…that’s all. This stems from a Jeopardy question, don’t even ask.
The Dreaded Sankey Diagram
When they are used unnecessarily, I hate Sankey diagrams.
And because I’m a member of r/dataisbeautiful, I see them used ALL THE TIME
They are, in my opinion, a really distracting way to present information in a lot of cases because they’re just so bulky. Usually the “thread” of interest ends up being so small it’s like…why did we need all this other information?
I get that they’re supposed to show some sort of flow, but like with all other graphs, ya gotta do it right, bro. It’s so easy to make them way too cluttered.
(Source)
Or way too…weird.
(Source)
We can do better, yo.
Book Review: The Bell Jar (Plath)
Have I read this before: Yes. I don’t remember when, but I do remember reading it at some point.
Review: Like a lot of the books on this list that I read when I was quite young, I have a very different interpretation of it than I did the first time around. Esther is still an incredibly annoying, spoiled, self-aggrandizing character, but it’s easier now to separate those aspects of her from her mental illness, whereas when I read it the first time, they were all intertwined. But she was still hard to empathize with, and perhaps because I’d read this before and knew how everything played out, I did not have much interest hearing about her mental health issues and the developments that followed her treatment(s).
Favorite Part: Her time in New York City is described nicely, as is her reaction to it all.
Rating: 4/10
Book Review: Arrowsmith (Lewis)
Have I read this before: I feel like I started reading this back in junior high (I distinctly remember seeing a copy on the library bookshelves at school) but I must have thought “oh god this is hard” and stopped.
(It wasn’t hard to read; I was just an idiot.)
Review: This book was absolutely not what I was expecting, but was still quite enjoyable. It was a bit dry, but not unbearably so. It was actually quite interesting reading this book given the current COVID climate today, as a decent portion of the book deals with an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the Caribbean and how ethics play into testing and distributing a treatment to those infected. COVID obviously isn’t as serious as the plague, but the discussion of the development of a treatment for the plague, distribution of it, and the ethics of it all seem very…relatable.
Favorite Part: Some of Lewis’ short, blunt descriptions are great.
“Professor Max Gottlieb was about to assassinate a guinea pig with anthrax germs, and the bacteriology class were nervous.”
“Like all ardent agnostics, Martin was a religious man.”
“Clif Clawson, at forty, was gross.”
Rating: 6/10
Oooooooooooh noooooooooo
So for WHATEVER THE HELL REASON, the phrase “oh no, Mr. Bill” arose from the depths of my cavernous memory this afternoon and so I of course had to see if the old Claymation (and I use that word very loosely) sketches were anywhere to be found on YouTube.
And of course they were.
There’s more, too.
I think my dad had a VHS tape will all the Mr. Bill shorts from SNL on it. I have very vivid memories of watching repeated Mr. Bills on his old TV in the condo.
PRING
Whenever I’m sad (which is like all the time now), I take a look at the list of potential cat names that I’m saving for potential cats. The current list consists of the following:
- Potato Bun Sidekick
- Mr. Goodbutt
- Zesty Cheese
- Jabberwocky
- Beany Meat Stew for You
- Senator Nice Rear
- Douglas Fatbanks
- Captain Fatberg
- Kiwiberry Ruckus
- Disproportionate Fisk
- No Name Pepperoni Chub
- Poofy Crust
- Sticky Colander
- Cracker McSwatt
I’m sure Nate will try to veto some all of these names, but I shall prevail!
The buuuuuuurn
I totally have “COVID arm” from the booster shot, haha. Check it:
It looks a lot worse in person than in the picture. It’s also super hot to the touch.
But hey…beats a higher odds of getting COVID later.
BOOSH A THING
It’s just a survey, calm down.
Do you own a tablet of any kind?
I have a Kindle (named “Kondle”) and an iPad. It’s an old iPad…like 2nd gen or something. He’s a hefty boy. He’s around here somewhere.
What’s something people always assume about you that isn’t true?
That I’m good at math. I am absolutely not.
On a scale of 1-10, how much do elevators scare you?
A zero.
When you’re upset, do you vent to people or do you keep to yourself?
Depends. I actually prefer venting to no one, as in vocally voicing my complaints to an empty room. I do this a lot in the shower. And in my office. And when I’m walking.
Have you ever watched a meteor shower?
I think we watched one on our deck once here.
Do you tend to put things off until the last minute?
I try not to, especially with work-related stuff.
How do you react to random strangers suddenly trying to make conversation with you?
I try to be polite and converse back, but it stresses me out, haha.
Do you have a lucky number?
I don’t know if I have any lucky numbers, but I do seem to have a lot of double numbers in my life, like 22 or 55 or things like that.
Would you go out to dinner with Oprah?
Sure.
Did you ever play sports?
HA. I guess I did t-ball when I was itty bitty. I’m sure I sucked at it. I did marching band, too. That totally counts.
Do you think you could make it as a baker?
Of all the possible culinary pursuits, baking is probably the one I could handle with my anosmia. I don’t know if I could “make it,” though.
Are you one of those people who are wearing scarves with everything?
I only wear a scarf when absolutely necessary. Like, -20 and below.
Have you ever been in a castle?
I went to one in London, I think.
When you were little, did you ever play with Playdoh?
A little. Not as much as you’d probably think, but I preferred clay.
Would you rather write a mystery or love story?
A mysterious love story!
Tell me about your worst fashion mistake:
Me. I’m the worst fashion mistake.
Do you hate it when people smoke around you?
Of course. I can’t smell it, but I am rather fond of my lungs and being able to breathe with them.
How are you wearing your hair right now?
It’s short. It looks terrible. You know, like always.
When’s the last time you were sick?
It’s been a long time. 2018 I think?
Would you rather have OJ or milk with your breakfast?
Milk.
What were you doing thirty minutes ago?
Uhhhhhhh listening to music.
Do you own any school related clothing articles?
I have a University of Calgary sweatshirt and a few Vandals shirts. And my Vandal Marching Band hat.
Would you rather call people or have them call you?
Bro, neither.
Can you carry a tune?
Sure.
Who do you text the most?
My mom!
Boosted!
In preparation for the upcoming semester, I got my COVID booster shot today!
After cancelling and re-booking my appointment like twenty times (just like I said I’d do), I got a good appointment time this morning at the pharmacy just across the street. Which is great, because it’s still too freaking cold to walk anywhere else.
I wonder what side effects I’ll have this time, haha. I guess we’ll see!
Gobbledygook?
Sure.
Do you like apple soda?
The hell is apple soda?
Are there any writing utensils close to you?
Five highlighters, a few pens, and a mechanical pencil that’s out of lead.
Are you registered to vote?
In the States, yes. I can’t vote up here yet.
Do you watch football regularly?
Nope.
Look up, what do you see?
The dining room light. A heating vent.
Do you have a bigger upper or lower lip?
Lower.
Are you currently doing any big projects?
My 2020 NaNoWriMo is still being worked on, if that counts. Plus yearly mileage and all that stuff.
When was the last time you really laughed out loud when you typed ‘lol’?
I don’t tend to use lol when I’m actually lol-ing.
Do you have any screen names with spelling errors?
Nope.
Open the nearest drawer and tell me what’s inside it:
Sponges.
What was the last thing that shocked you?
I think I’m too dulled by all the pandemic stuff to be shocked anymore.
How many other rooms can you currently see into?
If you count the living room and kitchen as separate from the dining room, then two.
Do you need to take the trash out?
Nope.
Do you need to clean your room right now?
I don’t have a room.
Do you need to clean out a litter box right now?
I do it every morning, so no.
Are these questions reminding you of things you put off to do this survey?
Nope.
How about dishes?
Always.
How many days have you been wearing those clothes?
Just today.
Do you like listening to 60’s music?
Sure.
Can you move your nose?
Like…scrunch it up? Sure.
Can you flip your eyelids inside out?
I wouldn’t want to try.
Can you wiggle your ears?
No.
Can you make a clover with your tongue?
That’s like the only thing I can’t do with my tongue.
(Giggety.)
Can you put your foot behind your head?
Bro, I can’t even tough my toes.
When was your last break-up?
In…2009.
Would you rather not be reminded of that?
Eh. It was mutual and amicable. I was moving to Canada.
What one thing never fails to amuse you?
My own stupid jokes.
How many songs have you downloaded this week?
The week is just starting.
Would you rather be a ninja or a samurai?
Neither.
Would you rather be a pirate or robot?
A robotic pirate!
Would you rather be a ghost or a zombie?
Ghost.
Have you ever considered living in a bomb shelter?
We had a bomb shelter at one of our old houses.
How lonely are you right now?
I miss my mom. A lot. I saw her for a week or so back in…August?…but that wasn’t nearly long enough to make up for the Covid absence.
If I gave you a piano and told you hit middle c, could you?
Yup!
Have you ever typed out a long rant, then your computer died?
Not a rant, but there have been many times that I’ve coded a question in WeBWorK only to accidentally lose it one way or another. Frustrating, frustrating.
Trendy
So there’s this thing going around on Twitter asking people to list the five topics they can talk about for 30 minutes without any preparation.
So of course I have to join in by posting my answers on my blog.
Because I’m cool like that.
LET’S GO!
- Topic 1: Leibniz
- Topic 2: Statistics
- Topic 3: The Kilogram
- Topic 4: The History of Calculus
- Topic 5: Determinism/Free Will
What are yours?
RESSIPEES
Have some tasty things blah blah blah I don’t care about anything anymore bye.
Can you tell I like carbs?
Book Review: You Can’t Go Home Again (Wolfe)
Have I read this before: Nope.
Review: ‘Twas good! I liked the portrayal of how people in George’s hometown reacted badly to his novel that was based on the town and their lives. I also liked the interweaving of the 1929 stock market crash and the emphasis on how George feels like – as the title states – he can’t go home again due to various factors.
Favorite Part: I love this description of the stock market crash. I think it’s easy to view that event as something that was sudden and catastrophic to everyone, when in fact it took time for its effects to actually hit everyone:
“The collapse of the Stock Market, which had begun in late October, was in some ways like the fall of a gigantic boulder into the still waters of a lake. The suddenness of it sent waves of desperate fear moving in ever-widening circles throughout America. Millions of people in the far-off hamlets, towns, and cities did not know what to make of it. Would its effects touch them? They hoped not.”
Rating: 6/10
FOAM
Man, this has some serious late aughts vibes.
The clothing, the way they talk, everything.
I dig their happiness, man.
Book Review: Wuthering Heights (Bronte)
Have I read this before: Nopers.
Review: I liked this one. I like how it’s framed by Mr. Lockwood meeting his landlord, Heathcliff, getting sick, and then is told the actual story by the housekeeper. I love the complexity of Heathcliff and how he’s not just a one-note villain (or hero or anything). All the characters are decently complex, which is not something that can be said about every “here’s another story set in England!” book on my list.
Favorite Part: The changes Heathcliff undergoes, whether they’re for the better or for the worse. Even though he’s an extreme character, he retains a degree of relatability throughout (at least in my opinion).
Rating: 6/10
Suck It, 2015-2020
Remember that “running total” graph I made for my yearly walking mileages? I did one last year and the year before, both showing running total for each year from 2015 up to the current year.
I love repeating my content, so here it is again – now including the running total for 2021.
[Edit: okay, so apparently old versions of this graphic just automatically update with the most recent data I’ve fed it, which is why 2022’s mileage is in there. Just…ignore that for now.]
My cumulative mileage in 2020 was higher than that in 2021 on January 7, but then 2021 dominated until 2017 took over a little while in July (because of my 30-mile days and that one 50-mile day). Then it was 2021 again.
Can I beat 2021’s running total this year? I GUESS WE’LL SEE LOL THERE’S GOT TO BE AN UPPER LIMIT TO THIS NONSENSE BUT I HAVEN’T HIT IT YET
Best Books: 2021 Edition
I read 58 books last year! Let’s pick the top five, shall we? From fifth best to best.
#5: East of Eden (Steinbeck)
Y’all probably never thought I’d put a Steinbeck on a Top Five list, eh? Though The Grapes of Wrath is probably his most famous work, I think this is the one that Steinbeck himself said was his magnum opus. I can see why. This is an epic story with so many intricacies and relationships and underlying meanings. It’s very well crafted.
#4: How Green Was My Valley (Llewellyn)
This is a fairly long book that spends a lot of time building up the characters of a tightly-knit, hardworking family. This ultimately makes the ending of the book an even bigger emotional punch than it already would have been by its nature.
#3: Dracula (Stoker)
I think this is on here mainly because it was absolutely not what I was expecting when I started reading. It’s one of those books where you’re like “oh, [subject represented often in common media]. I know all about that!” and then you read the source material and you’re like “ooooooooooh, now I get it!” and it’s so much better. This was a much more engaging story than I thought it would be and played out very differently than I was expecting.
#2: Moby Dick (Melville)
I love stories involving the sea, I’m sorry. And I know Melville gets a bad rap because he loves his fish-related tangents (it’s almost like he was writing a story about fishing and accidentally turned it into a novel), but I love his writing style and I love how one chapter can be all technical and the next can be this beautiful philosophical reflection on life.
#1: The Pickwick Papers (Dickens)
I was never expecting a Dickens tale to be funny, but this was absolutely hysterical in places. The characters are wonderful (except Mr. Winkle, oh my GOD he’s annoying) and you want to keep reading.
Walk da Walk 2021
Are you ready for walking stats that NO ONE CARES ABOUT??????
Me too!
Here are my walking stats for January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Total number of walks: 363 (I didn’t walk/run on the day Jazzy died and I didn’t walk/run on the day I thought I had COVID.)
Total mileage: 5,315
Total number of steps: 11,604,343
Total calories burned: 382,492
Total walking time (minutes): 78,890.32 [that’s about 54.78 days]
Average speed (mph) per walk: 3.71
5,315 miles is approximately the great circle distance between Portland, Oregon to Moscow, Russia or between Lisbon, Portugal and Cape Town, South Africa.
Let’s do better next year!
Eigenblogger 
