SherbeRt?

An interesting article about the evolution of a word:

Sherbet with no R-tificial ingredients.

I thought this part was particularly interesting:

In spite of what many people believe, dictionaries are supposed to follow the language, not the other way round. In fact, that's exactly how dictionaries are made: by observing and recording how people are using words. Every time you say or write a word, whether it's cursing or a three-page letter or a one-line e-mail, you are casting a vote for how language should move. You are marking a ballot for what a word should mean and how it should be pronounced.

EW's 18 Sexy Trips to the Library Stacks

Happy National Library Week!

In celebration, here are Entertainment Weekly's 18 Sexy Trips to the Library Stacks.

Ken Jennings gives Rustic a shout out

Yes, Ken Jennings the Jeopardy guy. In his blog, he listed the best band from each of the 50 states and he chose my very own favorites the Rustic Overtones as his choice from Maine. :)

Check it out.

I think we all know that now that I've brought up my very favorite band in the world who just happened to reunite within the past year, I'm about to bring up another favorite of mine that has also happened to reunite...in the last week: NKOTB. Yes, it's official. Yes, I'm freaking ecstatic.

R.I.P. Jeff Healey

Sometimes, I find that I am surprisingly upset by the death of a celebrity. I know I'm not alone in this, but it's kind of a strange phenomenon that we grieve so much for people we don't know.

First Roy Schneider, and now this:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003718419

And yes, I'll freely admit that the only reason I'd even heard of Jeff Healey is because I love the movie Road House, but that movie did make me a fan.

If you weren't previously aware of my Patrick Swayze or Jaws obsessions, now you are.

Funny 'cause it's true...

A little marching band humor for you.

http://xkcd.com/389/

And so it begins...

It's AI and DWTS time again! They just announced the celebrity dancers yesterday and I'm already pulling for Marlee Matlin. I lurve her. I'm pretty excited to see Kristi Yamaguchi, too.

As for last night's AI, I have only three observations:

1) Did they deliberately pick the 12 most awkward dudes in America?
2) 60's night = so unkind. To everyone.
3) Luke Menard, hell-o.

Just for the heck of it...

I figured I'd go ahead and post since it's been two months since the last time. Despite the fact that I haven't been posting, I have been partaking in the pop culture. I've seen some movies (Lions for Lambs was horrendous, as was I am Legend; National Treasure 2 was surprisingly enjoyable), read *lots* of books, and have pretty much given up on TV (due to a combo of a lack of time, the strike, and Heroes sucking this year). I tried American Gladiators, but the nostalgia factor was just not enough to overpower the cheese factor. At least Psych starts again tonight. Gus and Shawn are my favorite relationship on TV, followed by Ned and Chuck, JD and Turk, and Len and Bruno. ;) Oh, and speaking of, I know I failed to do my weekly DWTS posts during the fall, but I'm glad Marie Osmond didn't win. I thought Mel B. was the best dancer, but Maks' choreography for the finale was awful. That's my $.02 on that.

Most of what I've been reading I won't bother posting about (historical romances, I kid you not; I'm addicted to them.), but I did read a cool collection of short fiction that I got at the Texas Book Festival called The First Line. All of the stories in it start with the same first line. There are four issues a year, check it out: www.thefirstline.com.

PS I've recently discovered Google Reader. An excellent way to stay on top of the million or so pop culture blogs I like. :)

One last thing: http://thesuperest.com/archives/2007/10/16/k01_unopposinator/
A couple of friends draw "superheroes," each one bested by the next. An excellent time-waster. (Thanks to Pop Candy for linking to it!)