To my Big Brother, on the Occasion of his 30th Birthday

And now...a Moment of Silence

Left Nike Tennis Shoe (1998-2006)

Tennis Shoe, Nike, age 8, beloved by Owner, Linnea. Used extensively on her left foot, exclusively for rowing during its waning existence. Left Tennis Shoe enjoyed doing many activities with Owner Linnea, including running, basketball and the like. Lost to the Mississippi River Saturday, September 16th, 2006. Last seen by Owner Linnea on dock on Raspberry Island, disappearance shrouded in mystery: may have have involved wind or dog while Owner Linnea was out on River. Survived by fraternal twin, Right (Nike) Tennis Shoe.


...


Right Nike Tennis Shoe (1998-2006)

Tennis Shoe, Nike, age 8, no longer beloved by Owner, Linnea. Formerly used extensively on her right foot for many activities, including running, basketball and rowing. Preceded in death by Left (Nike) Tennis Shoe. Survived by Right (Newer) Nike Tennis Shoe and Left (Now Old) Nike Tennis Shoe. Euthanized Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 due to old age and uselessness.

Devil's in the (Dry) Details

Any book that has the following quote on the front flap is a book that I must purchase - and soon:

Happiness is "an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another."
--Ambrose Bierce, The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

I've always found myself getting lost when I look words up in dictionaries - the real kind of dictionary, not the fake online version I find myself frequenting so oft as of late where you cannot page through beautiful words to your heart's content - and now that I will be able to find humor there, too, will I ever read anything else?

I do wonder, though: will these words count in Scrabble?

Craig, the Columnist

I usually enjoy Craig Westover's column, but I especially enjoyed his column on Pluto and local Politicos from a lil' while ago. My favorite quote happens to be "from" the DFL Party Chairman, Brian Melendez.

DFL Chair Brian Melendez demanded (to no one in particular) that the designation "dwarf planet" be changed to "orbitally challenged." He blasted the Bush administration for not doing enough to correct Pluto's orbit while it promoted the interests of "Big Planets" on the backs of planets without color.

I have to admit that the entire column is rather satirically accurate on all parties and their persuasions.

Happy Primary Voting today, everyone.

7/16"

I won a wrench on Saturday. It's a jolly good little wrench, too.

I rowed the 2006 Pike Island Challenge on Saturday morning. Foul weather: upper 40s when i awoke, winds whipping up the Mississippi. But it was fun.