This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Jan
31
2012
Inspired by yesterday’s post about bola, I am writing today about bolic.
“What is bolic?” you may ask.
It’s a word. Here it is:
That’s the standard word. Now comes the quiz part, where I draw bolic differently.
What are the words that each of the following drawings represent?
Jan
30
2012
Today, I will be demonstrating how to pluralize the word bola:
Now you’ll be tempted to switch the emphasized syllable the next time you see the word parabola. Remember, it’s paraBOla, not paRAbola.
You’re welcome.
Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
Proverbs 26:8
Jan
25
2012
“Today is opposite day!”
That’s what Alpha told me a while back.
I forget to what he was responding. Whatever it was, he said something and then said it was opposite day, in order to let me know that his answer was the opposite of what he said. I’m sure he heard that somewhere at school, because I know we had never used that phrase here before that point.
I decided to use his declaration as a teaching point, both in logic and in truth. “Truth” being to mean what you say and “logic” being to have your words make sense.
The truth part of the lesson is obvious, and I didn’t dwell on that. Mainly because that wasn’t the fun part. The fun part was the logic part.
“If today really is Opposite Day, then what you said is false, which means that today is not opposite day,” I countered. I then went on to explain that opposite day can never happen. Or, more specifically, if a day really were opposite day, you could never tell anyone.
The phrase “today is opposite day” is always false.
And the phrase “today is not opposite day” is always true.
So if the only phrase that is ever correct is “today is not opposite day”, how can you tell the difference between a normal day and opposite day?
According to the internet, most people seem to think that January 25th is National Opposite Day. However, that makes no sense. My vote is for 12/21. Although 11/11 would qualify, it isn’t as obvious and it is already taken, as far as national days go.
Maybe, if those 1/25 guys as too entrenched for opposite day, I could start lobbying for 12/21 to be National Palindrome Day every year.
Now the sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah.
1 Chronicles 5:11
Jan
23
2012
H&R Block has a simple, recognizable logo.
I would dare say it’s in need of updating, mainly to appeal to those of us who like fonts.
To those who aren’t as well-versed in fonts: let me start by saying that block is a style of font. Sans-serif. Probably all caps.
So I updated H&R Block to use other styles of fonts:
That last one is not a font update, but rather a nod to those people who don’t like sharp corners. You never know – maybe there is a market for H&R Circle.
He said to His disciples, “ It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
Luke 17:1
Jan
18
2012
A problem with society today is impatience. Cable TV (a generic term that includes satellite and internet TV also) is part of that problem.
No, not the shows on television, although I’m sure they aren’t helping any.
The main problem is the name of their services:
On Demand
You want this show? Demand it!
You want that show? Demand it!
You want anything from your TV? Demand it!
And the problem is that you get what you demand, immediately.
It’s tough enough to teach children to wait their turn and ask politely. We don’t need another influence to teach impatience and rudeness.
If I ever own a TV or video service, I’m instituting an On Request service.
And you would have to say “please”.
And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.
Luke 23:24
Jan
16
2012
In the business world, there’s a quality-control technique called “The Five Whys”. It involves asking “Why?” to solve problems. I am tempted to mock the concept (e.g. “my 3-year-old came up with that on his own”), but that is not the point of this post.
Rather, I’ve adapted the concept for learning how to play a new game. This was inspired by my attempt to play Seven Wonders recently. The guy who brought the game did a valiant effort of trying to explain how to play, but I didn’t really understand it until after we played.
I call my technique “The Five Hows”. Other people may want to learn a game differently, but I have found this is how my mind wants to work. When attempting to learn how to play a game that is new to you, ask “How?” five times:
Just adapt questions 2-5 to refer to the answer given in the previous question, and that’s all there is to it.
I’ll give an example, using the card game Hearts.
How do you win the game?
By scoring the fewest points
How do you score points?
By winning cards of the heart suit (or the queen of spades)
How do you win heart cards?
By playing the highest ranking card of the suit that was lead. You take all the cards that were played that hand and count any points.
How do you play a card?
By laying it face-up on the table, following suit if possible. If you are supposed to lead the hand, you decide the suit.
How do you end the game?
When someone reaches at least 100 points, the game is over. That person is the loser.
More complicated games might require more hows, but you get the idea.
But in case you don’t get the idea: the idea is to start with the big picture and work down. Don’t start with the details of how to play, start with the reason of why to play.
If all else fails, just play a practice round.
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
Proverbs 1:5
Jan
12
2012
The original Mortal Kombat was a video game.
Then in 1995 they made a movie out of it.
Rumor has it that in 2013 they will release a remake of the movie.
Here’s how the Mortal Kombat logo would look if it were re-done out of Australia.
Mortal Wombat could be interesting, if they could get the little fur-balls to look fierce.
On a slightly-related note: anyone else think that the word “marsupial” is best read in a Larry the Cucumber voice?
You’re welcome.
Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
Psalm 146:3
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