Archive for February, 2007

Snow

Published by
gradster1
at February 15, 2007 in cold, blizzard, snow day, snow, Valentine's Day, radio, weather, winter and school. 0 Comments

As the last flakes fall from the Valentine’s day blizzard, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I only got two snow days?! I think. But I suppose should be grateful, I mean, even up here in Vermont we haven’t had snow (or snow days) like this in about four years.

I guess that’s what I’m disappointed about, that four winters went to waste without a snow level of over4 inches. I find myself cursing god, if there is one (I’m an agnostic, more on that later), for all this non-winter fun. But now, with this Valentine’s day storm sweeping the nation, I suppose I can, at last, sigh with relief. Merry Christmas (because we never really had it) to all, and to all, a good night.

And now, leave me alone! I wanna enjoy my snow day.

Ay Pome Thatt Iz Speeld Rite

Published by
gradster1
at February 6, 2007 in education, Microsoft and writing. 1 Comment

Hazzn’t thiz evvr hapned two yoo?

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.

Ass soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.

Stoopid werrd. Gata gett eit ann ejookayshunn.

This American Life

Published by
gradster1
at February 6, 2007 in VPR, education, media, Apple and radio. 0 Comments

As I don’t want to stray into the vast realms that are possible when becoming a subject blogger, I don’t want to continue blogging about math. Although I might have only once. I don’t know, humor me. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you, if you don’t already know, about a little CPR program (no, not that, Chicago Public Radio) called “This American Life”.

When I was around 12, I was listening to the radio, a thing I rarely did those days. It was a Sunday night, you know those ones where all your homework is finished (adults, keep quiet) and you have nothing to do but relax and remember that school is tomorrow. Grr. So anyway, I was listening to VPR, 107.9 if you’re in the area, and happened to hear the opening lines of a show that was just coming on. I don’t even remember what the show was about, it doesn’t even really matter, but immediately I was entranced by the voice of Ira Glass, the show’s host. I happen to remember that the subject he was talking about was funny; maybe this was what drew my attention, but most likely it was his personal view on the subject. The way he talks about all the things that he does on the show and off is very compelling; it makes you want to listen, and listen I did.

For the next hour (the show goes on from 8-9 on Sundays, as I mentioned) I listened, and was amazed. Ira’s unique worldview interested me, so I listened again next Sunday. Now, I am a faithful listener, tuning in whenever I can, and subscribing to the podcast when I can’t.

I will warn you, the shows are not always funny, but usually are interesting. There are a couple which I thought were rather boring, but most of the time when you tune in next week the show will be more interesting. There are also a couple of special events every year, such as this year’s Christmas Spectacular, and they have a website from which you can download the podcast, although I highly recommend iTunes for the job.

So the next time you see a radio (at 8 o’clock on a Sunday…), switch it on. Even if it isn’t 8 o’clock on a Sunday, there should be something interesting on your public radio service.