Bob

Mensa Words

words.pngThis has been all over the internet, but I wanted to post it here just because some of these pseudo-words and definitions are quite clever.

The Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are this year’s winners. Read them carefully. Each is an artificial word with only one letter altered to form a real word. Some are terrifically innovative:

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people, that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The Bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

4. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

5. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

6. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.

7. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

8. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

9. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

10. Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.

11. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

12. Glibido: All talk and no action.

13. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

14. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked throug h a spider web.

15. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

16. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you’re eating.

17. Ignoranus: A person who’s both stupid and an a$$.

Water Waster

Why is it that I have to take a seven minute shower, water for only 15 minutes after 4PM, turn off the faucet while I brush my teeth and overload the dishwasher to maximize efficiency? The city has this dude come out and flush the hydrant system and flood both sides of the street while thousands and thousands of gallons of water wash, literally, out to sea.

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An unfortunate by-product of hydrant flushing is that it turns tap water a deep brown color for hours afterwards. It’s disgusting to wash anything in it, let alone drink that crap.

I’m filing a complaint in the morning.

Happy Fourth of July

The neighbors two doors down got a permit to close part of the street to hold a block party. While that was in progress, this beautiful Torrance Fire Department Unit showed up in front of our house. I took two images from the front balcony and stitched this image together. Click to enlarge.

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A Bear for All Seasons

We took Bear to the vet today. The vet diagnosed her with skin allergies and seborrhea. The recommendation – give her a summer trim and medicated bath.

She looks like an entirely different dog. Images below: Winter Bear in the snow and Summer Bear on our driveway just after getting home from the groomer. Click to enlarge.

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Verna’s DVD Library

Dad checking out videosEveryone in the family knows how much Dad loved watching videos. When he wasn’t tuned into old western movies, he would have a DVD or VHS in the player.

Dad had several sources of videos – all of his kids shared their DVDs and tapes with him. One source he had was Verna’s DVD Collection. He would drop by the house and pick out several to take home with him. He would dutifully write the titles down as a way to keep track of which video belonged to whom. I took this image about five years ago when Dad had a handful of DVDs to log out (click image to enlarge).

Since then, I developed an on-line DVD database tool which has the feature of keeping track of videos loaned out. It keeps track of titles, genres, remarks and other details including our ratings for the video. When you click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see every DVD title, genre and our ratings. Those that are marked RETIRED have been given to charity.

Fountain in the Rose Garden – in 3D

garden-fountain.pngEvery time that we go to the Botanic Gardens, and we go often, we stroll through the Rose Garden. Last Friday was no exception. We were there a few weeks ago, and this fountain had been removed for cleaning and maintenance. Friday, it was back in its place and looked beautiful.

I stood at one end of the walkway and snapped two images for the 3D view.

Click on the image to see full sized in the image viewer.

Of course, in case you haven’t sent for your free pair of 3D glasses, you can see the 2D version here.