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.

Three Peanut Flowers

Well, peanut cactus flowers, that is. The little potted succulent whose flowers are seen here is called ‘Peanut Cactus’ – we got this one at the garden shop a while back and the display of the bright red flowers has been just spectacular since that time. Click on the image for full-size.

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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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