Category: words mean things (Page 121 of 223)

Apparently “A Confederacy of Dunces” might finally be made into a movie. I can’t believe that Hollywood, which is grinding its way through the Nick at Nite canon after seemingly exhausting the Library of Congress, is finally getting around to this incredible gem. If you haven’t read this book, I beg of you to go out right now and find a copy and read it. I’ll wait.

Now, you see what I mean? Hilarious, grand and sad all at once. The only book I’ve ever read that made me laugh out loud while reading it – and I laughed so hard I thought I would burst.

And what a showpiece the lead role of Ignatius J. Reilly could be for the right actor. I used to think Robbie Coltrane would have been perfect, but he’s way too old now. Maybe Oliver Platt? Jack Black?

On one hand, I love this book too much to see the potential butchering it could face in the hands of Hollywood hacks. But in this case, I think I’ll take the chance.

Just because you’re a hypochondriac doesn’t mean there isn’t something wrong with you.

For those with serious health problems, the internet is a godsend. You can get a wealth of both clinical and anecdotal information online about any problem you or your family might have, at any time of the day or night.

But for hypochondriacs like me, the internet can be their worst enemy. I’ve been feeling really lightheaded the last week or so, a symptom, most likely, of stress and anxiety. But here’s only part of what I found in a simple search on “dizziness and vertigo”:

Disorders that cause dizziness and affect the inner ear itself include Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, endolymphatic hydrops, labyrinthitis, cupulolithiasis, acoustic neuroma, and perilymph fistula. Other diseases that can affect the inner ear or the parts of the brain devoted to balance include allergies, multiple sclerosis, syphilis and other bacterial and viral infections, and diabetes.

Oh yeah. I feel so much better now.

I’m surprised it’s taken this long

Someone has created the anti-lucky8ball. Still, it’s funny. (Stolen from ***Dave, who has some great suggestions for a Hysterical Conservative Magic Eightball.)

Learning about management from sci-fi novels

“The difference between a good administrator and a bad one is about five heartbeats. Good administrators make immediate choices…A bad administrator, on the other hand, hesitates, diddles around, asks for committees, for research and reports. Eventually, he acts in ways which create serious problems.

“A bad administrator is more concerned with reports than with decisions. He wants the hard record which he can display as an excuse for his errors.”

“And good administrators?”

“Oh, they depend on verbal orders. They never lie about what they’ve done if their verbal orders cause problems, and they surround themselves with people able to act wisely on the basis of verbal orders. Often, the most important piece of information is that something has gone wrong. Bad administrators hide their mistakes until it’s too late to make corrections.”

–Leto II, “God Emperor of Dune,” Frank Herbert

Remind you of anyone you’ve worked for?

What’s in a name?

For some cosmic reason which escapes me, it suddenly occurred to me that Seamus (pron. Shamus) is probably the coolest name in existence. I would love to have people start calling me Seamus, but I don’t think I could carry it off. At the very least, you would need a cool last name too, like the Xbox guy. I don’t think “Blust” is going to cut it with Seamus.

When I was growing up I hated the name Adam, because it was extremely unusual in those days, unlike today where just about every 5- to 10-year-old has that name. (I still whip my head around when my name is shouted out at, say, Target, only to find the object of the yell is some meandering toddler.) And we all know how great it is to have something that the other kids can latch onto at that age – I had enough problems, as my picture on the about page makes painfully clear. But now I like the name, since it’s still distinctive and it seems to fit me.

If you were going to change your name, what would it be? And why?

Tongue-in-cheek backhanded compliment of the week

“I wish I had interests as common and vulgar as yours.”

–Mike Benedetto, during an AIM conversation about “American Idol”

Interesting. I have a feeling this will be a good place to check in the near future for some cool new writing and perspectives. Also, a huge boost for Userland Software and Dave Winer.

Before and after. I’m pleased.

Phrase You Just Don’t Hear Enough These Days:

Heaven forfend!

Funny Double-Oxymoron Business Division Title

Marketing Communications.