Was reading an article about the difference between marriages, unions, and domestic partnerships when I realized a good word to use for how legislation is making folks feel is estranged.
Estrange - To cause to feel less close or friendly; alienate; To remove from an accustomed place or set of associations.
Basically, it pushes you past your comfort zone, yet in a way that doesn't allow you to foresee and cope appropriately. Usually denoting hostility due to the brashness of the action.
Personally, I think less people should look for domestic partnerships, marriage, and other unions and work more on building themselves up as solid, educated, competent, and social individuals.
There's too much opiate of the masses style behavior these days, where people do things because they get swept up by the current in society. Many don't make decisions because they *really, really* want to do something. And that's a crying shame. But more serious is when someone wants to do that something that they *really, really* want to do, and someone gets in their way. That's just wrong.
Showing posts with label word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label word. Show all posts
8.20.2010
1.08.2010
...By Any Other Name
I received an e-mail forward from a friend, with what seemed like an innocuous link. Find out how popular your first name is, it said.
I examined the URL (http://www.birthdayalarm.com/name) and noticed it was from Birthday Alarm, a service I use to keep updated via e-mail whenever friends and family's birthdays and anniversaries are popping up soon.
Well, they're right. Just as the wording on the page said, this is addicting!
My results showed that, in the US according to the Social Security administration records, there has been a remarkable increase in girls being named Jessica since the 1960s. At that time, the name went from a low likelihood (at #234), to the 1980s when the ranking went all the way up to #1 most popular, to the 1990s when the name became #2 (down a notch). I wonder what it's like in the 2000s! No such data is available yet, however.
So then I started thinking...what could make a name become so popular from the 60s onward? I figured it might have been because of a character in a popular movie or television series. According to IMDb, there are 82 entries for the name Jessica as a character. Some of the ones that stick out the most in my mind are:
I'm not sure what it could have been...maybe there was a famous person w the name and everyone wanted to use it for their baby girls. Who knows.
My mom was actually going to name me Samantha, but another baby born about a week before me w that name died shortly after being born. Therefore, due to some very non-characteristic superstitiousness, voilá, I was forever monickered this way.
I examined the URL (http://www.birthdayalarm.com/name) and noticed it was from Birthday Alarm, a service I use to keep updated via e-mail whenever friends and family's birthdays and anniversaries are popping up soon.
Well, they're right. Just as the wording on the page said, this is addicting!
My results showed that, in the US according to the Social Security administration records, there has been a remarkable increase in girls being named Jessica since the 1960s. At that time, the name went from a low likelihood (at #234), to the 1980s when the ranking went all the way up to #1 most popular, to the 1990s when the name became #2 (down a notch). I wonder what it's like in the 2000s! No such data is available yet, however.So then I started thinking...what could make a name become so popular from the 60s onward? I figured it might have been because of a character in a popular movie or television series. According to IMDb, there are 82 entries for the name Jessica as a character. Some of the ones that stick out the most in my mind are:
- Jessica Brennan, from the soap One Life To Live (1969)
- Jessica Van Helsing, from The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
- Jessica 6, from Logan's Run (1976)
- Jessica Marbles, from Murder by Death (1976)
- Jessica Tate, from Soap (1977)
- Lady Jessica Atreides, from Dune (1984)
- Jessica Fletcher, from Murder She Wrote (1984)
- Jessica, from The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
I'm not sure what it could have been...maybe there was a famous person w the name and everyone wanted to use it for their baby girls. Who knows.
My mom was actually going to name me Samantha, but another baby born about a week before me w that name died shortly after being born. Therefore, due to some very non-characteristic superstitiousness, voilá, I was forever monickered this way.
11.03.2009
Word of the Day: Pay Wall
I was reading an article about paid vs. unpaid content on newspaper websites -- yes, the ominous black clouds thundering above shivering, naked, starving journalists everywhere. Apparently, the choice to leave most content under the paid/member category is called a pay wall. This pay wall typically whittles down the traffic flow, sometimes to the extent that the site shrivels on the vine.
9.30.2009
Word of the Day
Nihilism - Nihilism is a doctrine. It defends that nothing can be really known or communicated. In other words, it is an extreme skepticism regarding knowledge and reality itself, and it can be equated with nothingness. Nihilism can also mean the rejection of all established religious values and morals. The adjective is nihilistic.
6.29.2009
Word of the Day
Sculduggery -
: underhanded or unscrupulous behavior ; also : a devious device or trick
6.23.2009
Word of the Day
Butterface - a girl or woman with a nice body but a really ugly, mismatched face. Really hot but for her face (butterface).
I was reading a car review and one of the "lows/cons" was that it had a butterface - can't say I'd heard about this before...
I was reading a car review and one of the "lows/cons" was that it had a butterface - can't say I'd heard about this before...
4.23.2009
Word of the Day: Jump the Shark
It's actually more like a phrase...
Jump the shark - a colloquialism meaning that something (such as a television show or company) has reached its peak and is on its way down/is declining in culture. This phrase originated during an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie makes a water-ski jump over a shark. This was completely against the character and out of tone for the show.
Jump the shark - a colloquialism meaning that something (such as a television show or company) has reached its peak and is on its way down/is declining in culture. This phrase originated during an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie makes a water-ski jump over a shark. This was completely against the character and out of tone for the show.
4.22.2009
Word of the Day: Fuckwittage, Emotional Manipulation
Fuckwittage - as used in the book Bridget Jones's Diary, and elsewhere, can be used to refer to an emotionally manipulative person within one or more concurrent relationships, and is typically associated to a womanizing or commitment-wary male.
Emotional manipulation - controlling an interaction or series of interactions, subtly, leading into a desired outcome or result to benefit the instigator in some way. Typically associated with self-esteem issues on both sides of the interaction (codependency/weakness, narcisim/abusive personality.
Also see, Jude Law's character in Closer, or Hugh Grant's character in Bridget Jones's Diary.
Emotional manipulation - controlling an interaction or series of interactions, subtly, leading into a desired outcome or result to benefit the instigator in some way. Typically associated with self-esteem issues on both sides of the interaction (codependency/weakness, narcisim/abusive personality.
Also see, Jude Law's character in Closer, or Hugh Grant's character in Bridget Jones's Diary.
4.02.2009
Word of the Day: Synchronicity, Apophenia
Today there's two, closely (somewhat) related words:
Synchronicity: The concept does not question, or compete with, the notion of causality. Instead, it maintains that just as events may be grouped by cause, they may also be grouped by their meaning. Since meaning is a complex mental construction, subject to conscious and subconscious influence, not every correlation in the grouping of events by meaning needs to have an explanation in terms of cause and effect.
Apophenia: the experience of seeing patterns or connections in random or meaningless data. The term was coined in 1958 by Klaus Conrad, who defined it as the "unmotivated seeing of connections" accompanied by a "specific experience of an abnormal meaningfulness."
Just as a side note, though I've experienced some uncanny coincidences, and still do, I've decided to blow those off more. Keep your fingers crossed ^_^
Synchronicity: The concept does not question, or compete with, the notion of causality. Instead, it maintains that just as events may be grouped by cause, they may also be grouped by their meaning. Since meaning is a complex mental construction, subject to conscious and subconscious influence, not every correlation in the grouping of events by meaning needs to have an explanation in terms of cause and effect.
Apophenia: the experience of seeing patterns or connections in random or meaningless data. The term was coined in 1958 by Klaus Conrad, who defined it as the "unmotivated seeing of connections" accompanied by a "specific experience of an abnormal meaningfulness."
Just as a side note, though I've experienced some uncanny coincidences, and still do, I've decided to blow those off more. Keep your fingers crossed ^_^
3.10.2009
Word of the Day: Yammer
YAMMER: Yet Another Method of Molesting Everyone Relentlessly
yes... this is a bit of an exasperated response from some folks, to the prolific social media world out there on the Internets ^_^
But check the link out because it's a fascinating article on company-only restrictions in some social media outlets (or would it be inlets in this case?). I can't imagine why they don't just do a member-only LinkedIn group or member-only Facebook page though, seems much easier.
yes... this is a bit of an exasperated response from some folks, to the prolific social media world out there on the Internets ^_^
But check the link out because it's a fascinating article on company-only restrictions in some social media outlets (or would it be inlets in this case?). I can't imagine why they don't just do a member-only LinkedIn group or member-only Facebook page though, seems much easier.
2.26.2009
2.09.2009
2.04.2009
Word of the Day: 4chan
This was truly fascinating and hilarious. I didn't know what the word 4chan meant, after reading a blog post somewhere that mentioned it. So, I looked it up on trusty ole Google--which led me to trusty ole Urban Dictionary--so here's a direct cut and paste, you just have to read this (beware adult themes and language):
1. 4chan
you have just entered the very heart, soul, and life force of the internet. this is a place beyond sanity, wild and untamed. there is nothing new here. "new" content on 4chan is not found; it is created from old material. every interesting, offensive, shocking, or debate inspiring topic youve seen elsewhere has been posted here ad infinitum. we are the reason for "not safe for work". we are the anonymous army. cross us and you will fail. anonymous is everywhere. you depend on us every day. we bag your groceries, we fix your computers. anonymous sees you before you see him. sitting at desks around the world right now is a nameless, faceless, unforgiving mafia composed of the best of the best.
we are 4channers. the people devoid of any type of soul or conscience. products of cynicism and apathy, spreading those very sentiments daily. anonymous is the hardened war veteran of the internet. he does not forgive or forget. we have seen things that defy explantions. heard stories that would make any god-fearing, law abiding citzen empty their stomach where they stand. we have experienced them multiple times and eagerly await their return.
4chan is a place of sheer genius and utter stupidity, and there is often a thin line dividing the two. here you will see a state of mind that exists in most human beings, but is rarely if ever shown. this is a place where taboos do not exist. 4chan cannot simply be regarded as a simple website or imageboard. it is so much more than code. 4chan is alive and constantly changing. this is a subculture, a self-governing sect of the world. rich in history and foundation. to become a 4chan user is to speak a different language. to leave behind any methods of conventional thinking you once knew.
there are things here that you will not understand and things you never will understand. if you cannot accept this then GTFO now. because there is no turning back.
this is 4chan
2. 4chan
The sphincter of the internet.
Where integrity goes to die.
...look, another anonymous middle aged fucktwit on 4Chan posted some more pics of cartoon babies having sex...
yay.
3. 4chan
A message board and image board on the Internet where people congregate to post various kinds of pictures, flash animations, and discuss things such as anime. It is the English version of the original Japanese board with a similar system: 2chan.
The system that 4chan uses is Anonymous, so one can safely post one's opinion without worrying. One can use a name and a tripcode (a # followed by a 'password') to gain 'status' on 4chan.
1. 4chan
you have just entered the very heart, soul, and life force of the internet. this is a place beyond sanity, wild and untamed. there is nothing new here. "new" content on 4chan is not found; it is created from old material. every interesting, offensive, shocking, or debate inspiring topic youve seen elsewhere has been posted here ad infinitum. we are the reason for "not safe for work". we are the anonymous army. cross us and you will fail. anonymous is everywhere. you depend on us every day. we bag your groceries, we fix your computers. anonymous sees you before you see him. sitting at desks around the world right now is a nameless, faceless, unforgiving mafia composed of the best of the best.
we are 4channers. the people devoid of any type of soul or conscience. products of cynicism and apathy, spreading those very sentiments daily. anonymous is the hardened war veteran of the internet. he does not forgive or forget. we have seen things that defy explantions. heard stories that would make any god-fearing, law abiding citzen empty their stomach where they stand. we have experienced them multiple times and eagerly await their return.
4chan is a place of sheer genius and utter stupidity, and there is often a thin line dividing the two. here you will see a state of mind that exists in most human beings, but is rarely if ever shown. this is a place where taboos do not exist. 4chan cannot simply be regarded as a simple website or imageboard. it is so much more than code. 4chan is alive and constantly changing. this is a subculture, a self-governing sect of the world. rich in history and foundation. to become a 4chan user is to speak a different language. to leave behind any methods of conventional thinking you once knew.
there are things here that you will not understand and things you never will understand. if you cannot accept this then GTFO now. because there is no turning back.
this is 4chan
2. 4chan
The sphincter of the internet.
Where integrity goes to die.
...look, another anonymous middle aged fucktwit on 4Chan posted some more pics of cartoon babies having sex...
yay.
3. 4chan
A message board and image board on the Internet where people congregate to post various kinds of pictures, flash animations, and discuss things such as anime. It is the English version of the original Japanese board with a similar system: 2chan.
The system that 4chan uses is Anonymous, so one can safely post one's opinion without worrying. One can use a name and a tripcode (a # followed by a 'password') to gain 'status' on 4chan.
1.23.2009
Word of the Day: Heuristic
Heuristic - leads to learning, discovery, and problem-solving
Think this word's a good descriptor for me. hm.
Think this word's a good descriptor for me. hm.
1.16.2009
Word of the Day: Attention Black Hole
attention black hole: as in something online...a blog, your blog, twitter, facebook, myspace, a new website, an article, google reader rss feeds, etc... that will sap the time right out of your day, particularly when there's a deadline or project that's waiting impatiently, quickly drumming its imaginary fingers while glaring, for your attention to refocus on it.
Via Wil Wheaton's (yes of Star Trek The Next Generation fame) Twitter timeline...of all places.
Via Wil Wheaton's (yes of Star Trek The Next Generation fame) Twitter timeline...of all places.
12.23.2008
Words of the Day: Schaudenfreude, Natch
Two words of the day today:
1) schadenfreude - taking pleasure from another's unfortunate situation or circumstances
2) natch - short for naturally as in: I obediently lined up outside my local Starbucks this morning, natch.
1) schadenfreude - taking pleasure from another's unfortunate situation or circumstances
2) natch - short for naturally as in: I obediently lined up outside my local Starbucks this morning, natch.
12.17.2008
Word of the Day: Macy Field's
Macy Field's, as in referring to a Macy's (previously Marshall Fields) in downtown Chicago, per a blog entry on Chicagoist...about, all things, a hamburger.
11.13.2008
Word of the Day: Bluejacking
Bluejacking: a prank played in a public area, where the victim is a person with an active bluetooth-enabled device.
7.23.2008
Word of the Day: Hypermiling
Hypermiling
As in the combined set of activities and methods used to improve car gas mileage due to the increase in gasoline prices
As in the combined set of activities and methods used to improve car gas mileage due to the increase in gasoline prices
7.17.2008
Word of the Day: greige
greige -- as in that ugly, organic textile color that's a cross between gray and beige, that pure organic textiles often tend to have (particularly reusable, cloth shopping bags).
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