A lesson on culture more than the ins and outs of spelling and grammar.
The entire point of this PSA is to inform you that mardi gras literally means "Fat Tuesday."
mardi = Tuesday
gras = fat
Consequently, you cannot have the following exchange in good conscience:
"Hey! What are you doing for Mardi Gras?"
"Going to New Orleans!"
"Really?! Will you still be there on Fat Tuesday?"
"Yeah!"
. . . This makes absolutely no sense.
Allow me to reiterate:
MARDI GRAS = FAT TUESDAY
Mardi gras, Fat Tuesday, is the last day of Carnivale, the festive season preceding Lent. When most people say "Mardi Gras" what they should be saying is "Carnivale." The celebrations in New Orleans date back to French colonial rule.
Now, let's go back through our dialogue, adapting it in light of our newfound knowledge:
"Hey! What are you doing for Carnivale?"
"Going to New Orleans!"
"Really?! Will you still be there on Mardi Gras?"
"Yeah!"
Much better.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hopping on the Bandwagon
Answers to a survey from the Brian of 2003, with new answers and commentary in bold.
Name: Brian Alan King Yup . . .
Age/Grade: 16/Sophomore ('06!) 21/Junior
Where do you want to go on your honeymoon? Somewhere warm . . . say Brazil or Mexico. Still digging this answer, though I may add Paris or Morocco onto the list.
First son's name: Robert Edward Lee King WOW. Not sure now, but not that.
First daughter's name: Mary Anne Scarlett King I really like Ella.
What makes you happy? JESUS! et mon amis Sure, why not.
How many buddies on your AIM buddy list? 104!!! Just signed in for the first time in ages. 248.
What do you like to do? Read, write, read my Book, play strategy games, listen to music, etc. Not dissimilar to my hobbies now. Maybe add more art onto the list.
Last person you talked to on the phone: Uncle Arthur. I think. Mom.
What are you afraid of: *furtive glance to either side* That Woman! HA. Sarah Palin?
Do you wear contacts or glasses? No, I have good eye sight, praise Jesus. Amen!
Eye color: Brown! Same . . . Kelly's mom once said this was because I was full of something . . .
Hair color: Brown! Brunette power! Go team, go!
Height: somewhere between 5'8''/5'9'' . . . I honestly think I've shrunk. Probably closer to 5'7".
Describe your perfect man/woman: Hmmm . . . PA, P, F . . . hehe
Worst thing about the opposite sex: in general, they're STUPID Haha, fair statement. ;)
Siblings: John, 12 John, 17 . . . I think.
Fave veggie: FRIED OKRA!!! Forever and for always. Though soy beans are now a close second.
Fave fruit: BANANA PUDDING!!! Sans pudding? I probably eat apples the most often.
Fave food: MEXICAN!!! Still love Mexican, but make it a four-way tie with Indian, Italian, and Ethiopian. I like me some food.
Fave singer: Hmmmm . . . generally anyone, so long as it's relatively clean. Myself? In the shower? I don't know . . .
Fave band: See above. See above.
Fave drink: WATER W/ LEMON!!! . . . have some every day!
Fave movies: RETURN OF THE KING, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN, Muppet Treasure Island, The Emperor's New Groove, Holes, anything else Star Wars or LOTR Most of these still hold, with the possible addition of some foreign films and the Bourne series. See my profile.
Fave TV show: The Jeffersons BONES!!!
Fave actress: Hmmmm . . . don't really have one Ditto.
Fave actor: See above. Ditto.
Fave place to visit: MEXICO!!! and VIRGINIA!!! I really liked Spain.
Fave colors: White Warm colors . . . yellows, reds, oranges.
Fave sport: Don't like the things in general, but football is okay to watch. If I'm going to watch a sport, it's soccer.
Fave saying: Wow, gone through a lotta these . . . can't think of any I use a lot right now, can you? Any number of phrases involving Buddha.
Future career: Something important Ha! Haha! Hahahahaha! Yeah, God knows. Maybe.
Fave books: the Bible I really enjoyed reading The Alchemist.
Dream car: one with wheels. I think smart cars are about the cutest thing ever.
Nicknames: KingB, and a buncha others Don't really go by any anymore . . . I guess the one that stuck the longest is Brian King Kenobi, though. Thanks, Graham. :)
Last movie you saw in theatres: RETURN OF THE KING!!! Slumdog Millionaire. It was amazing. GO.
What are you listening to? Only Hope-Switchfoot All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow. iTunes on random shuffle. Don't judge me.
What color is the shirt you are currently wearing? blue and orange Light gray . . . it's my shirt from the summer program I did with Graffiti 2 in the Bronx.
Do you like your (whole) name: not really Yeah, it's not bad. I've gotten used to it. Gonna give my kids crazy names to make up for "Brian" and "Alan," though.
Do you like your life: it's aight Does it matter? . . . Yeah, it's not bad. Ready for school to be over, though.
Your best physical attribute: psssh . . . Everything. I'm awesome.
Your best personality trait: pssssh . . . Humility.
Do you wear retainers/braces? Have you? No/Never Nope! . . . Isn't this a rather odd question to end a survey on?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Everyone Else Was Doing It
Biological Anthropology and Human Prehistory
. . . is more interesting than it sounds, I swear. The professor seems fun and the topic is interesting (I just decided to add an Anth minor). The downside? Thursday nights for 3 hours.
International Economics
AKA Death. Not the biggest fan of economics, but this professor can actually teach, unlike my last one who preferred to go off on tangents about his children. I don't think this will be as bad as I'm expecting it to be.
Economic Geography
By attaching "geography" onto the end of "economic," hopefully this class will become more interesting. Should deal with globalization and why certain industries have hubs in different areas. Has real potential.
World Civilization II
A world history course. I could do this in my sleep.
History of the Soviet Union
Taught by an actual Russian with--no joke--the exact accent you would give the stereotypical Russian. The same guy teaches my World Civ class. Should be extremely interesting, but a little heavy on the workload.
Sociology of International Development
The professor walked into this class and said the syllabus was online so she wouldn't have to kill trees to give us copies. She also said we should buy our books online to avoid putting more money in the pockets of the corporatist [expletive]s at Barnes & Noble. I think it's true love. Oh, and the class should be fun, too.
So, those are my classes.
A bit of advice, internet masses?
I've got 18 hours as it stands and am a little concerned about the workload. Should I drop the Soviet Union course? I don't need it like I need the other classes, and could probably take it again later.
Le shrug.
Thoughts?
. . . is more interesting than it sounds, I swear. The professor seems fun and the topic is interesting (I just decided to add an Anth minor). The downside? Thursday nights for 3 hours.
International Economics
AKA Death. Not the biggest fan of economics, but this professor can actually teach, unlike my last one who preferred to go off on tangents about his children. I don't think this will be as bad as I'm expecting it to be.
Economic Geography
By attaching "geography" onto the end of "economic," hopefully this class will become more interesting. Should deal with globalization and why certain industries have hubs in different areas. Has real potential.
World Civilization II
A world history course. I could do this in my sleep.
History of the Soviet Union
Taught by an actual Russian with--no joke--the exact accent you would give the stereotypical Russian. The same guy teaches my World Civ class. Should be extremely interesting, but a little heavy on the workload.
Sociology of International Development
The professor walked into this class and said the syllabus was online so she wouldn't have to kill trees to give us copies. She also said we should buy our books online to avoid putting more money in the pockets of the corporatist [expletive]s at Barnes & Noble. I think it's true love. Oh, and the class should be fun, too.
So, those are my classes.
A bit of advice, internet masses?
I've got 18 hours as it stands and am a little concerned about the workload. Should I drop the Soviet Union course? I don't need it like I need the other classes, and could probably take it again later.
Le shrug.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Explain to Me
I sat at a table alone in the cafeteria eating a bowl of rice and vegetables, reading up for class.
Catching a piece of conversation dropped from the next table, I pondered the words in my heart, disturbed.
Sensing this--I can only assume--a Face appeared from the crowd and pulled up a chair next to me, love in His eyes. I closed my book.
"What's the matter?" He asked, "I am not accustomed to seeing your face so glum in My presence."
"I'm confused," I started with a sigh.
He raised His eyebrows--concerned--imploring me to continue.
"Explain to me--" I began after a sip of water,
"Explain to me a perspective that can throw up arms against the 'murder of unborn innocents' while doing little or nothing to help the orphaned children already born in their country.
"Explain to me how that belief can be coupled with support for an unjust war with thousands dead on both sides.
"Explain to me how those can be paired with support of the death penalty.
"Explain to me the unconditional support of a nation who feels the indiscriminate use of tanks and missiles to murder hundreds of civilian men, women, and children cowering in schools and hospitals is an appropriate retribution for the death of thirteen people.
"And please," I begged, a little out of breath from my tirade, "explain to me how all of this can be done with Your approval, in Your Name."
He shook His head sadly, never unlocking His sympathetic gaze.
"Simply put," He began,
"It can't."
I regarded Him suspiciously, a little horrified.
"Then how can all these things happen? What changes the value--the sanctity--of life?"
"Nothing," He answered calmly.
"Nothing can change the value of My greatest gift,
"Only the perception of it by others may change.
"To Me, it is all the same."
While I pondered this, He ventured a sad smile--I returned it with a hug.
We sat there for some time in silence, just soaking each other in.
I opened my book.
He left.
Catching a piece of conversation dropped from the next table, I pondered the words in my heart, disturbed.
Sensing this--I can only assume--a Face appeared from the crowd and pulled up a chair next to me, love in His eyes. I closed my book.
"What's the matter?" He asked, "I am not accustomed to seeing your face so glum in My presence."
"I'm confused," I started with a sigh.
He raised His eyebrows--concerned--imploring me to continue.
"Explain to me--" I began after a sip of water,
"Explain to me a perspective that can throw up arms against the 'murder of unborn innocents' while doing little or nothing to help the orphaned children already born in their country.
"Explain to me how that belief can be coupled with support for an unjust war with thousands dead on both sides.
"Explain to me how those can be paired with support of the death penalty.
"Explain to me the unconditional support of a nation who feels the indiscriminate use of tanks and missiles to murder hundreds of civilian men, women, and children cowering in schools and hospitals is an appropriate retribution for the death of thirteen people.
"And please," I begged, a little out of breath from my tirade, "explain to me how all of this can be done with Your approval, in Your Name."
He shook His head sadly, never unlocking His sympathetic gaze.
"Simply put," He began,
"It can't."
I regarded Him suspiciously, a little horrified.
"Then how can all these things happen? What changes the value--the sanctity--of life?"
"Nothing," He answered calmly.
"Nothing can change the value of My greatest gift,
"Only the perception of it by others may change.
"To Me, it is all the same."
While I pondered this, He ventured a sad smile--I returned it with a hug.
We sat there for some time in silence, just soaking each other in.
I opened my book.
He left.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
One night as I sat meditating, God
came and sat down beside me.
"Can you see Me?" He asked.
"Of course," I replied.
"I've sat here until
I can see You in
every child's laugh,
every flower's beauty,
and every bird's song."
"It's not enough."
He stood back up.
"Sit here until
you can see Me in
every murderer's eyes,
every rapist's lips,
and every war's dead."
Silence.
"That could take a while."
He smiled.
"I know."
came and sat down beside me.
"Can you see Me?" He asked.
"Of course," I replied.
"I've sat here until
I can see You in
every child's laugh,
every flower's beauty,
and every bird's song."
"It's not enough."
He stood back up.
"Sit here until
you can see Me in
every murderer's eyes,
every rapist's lips,
and every war's dead."
Silence.
"That could take a while."
He smiled.
"I know."
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dear Anonymous,
It is not amusing to pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building in the middle of the night during finals.
Certainly not twice.
So, whoever you are, I hope you're on videotape. I hope they catch you and do things to you that would make the guys at Guantanamo blush. I hope you fail your finals.
Rawr.
Brian is not happy when he's awake and doesn't want to be.
Pray I never find you.
Yours truly,
An (Awake and) Annoyed Resident of Richardson Towers South
Certainly not twice.
So, whoever you are, I hope you're on videotape. I hope they catch you and do things to you that would make the guys at Guantanamo blush. I hope you fail your finals.
Rawr.
Brian is not happy when he's awake and doesn't want to be.
Pray I never find you.
Yours truly,
An (Awake and) Annoyed Resident of Richardson Towers South
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
