November 16 marked the beginning of National Geography Awareness Week. Whether “national” indicates an emphasis on native geographical awareness, or is meant to suggest that we as a nation need to brush up on world geography, is unclear. Without getting too theoretical, I’d like to point out that geography is a social construct. Unlike […]

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The sonnet is a neglected form these days.  Verse of all stripes is unpopular — at least under that name, although it still defines popular music.  It’s all in the branding, I suppose.
And current taste often brands the sonnet as precious, artificial, or old-fashioned.  Fair enough; although you could tar most American entertainment genres with the […]

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If you’re still undecided as to how to celebrate your God-given American Freedoms – in this case, when voting next Tuesday – you’ve always got Politics Party Pun to choose for you. Yes folks, this is indeed “the biggest GAME in the world.”
Like a cross between, Old Maid, craps, dreidel, and gambling, this game […]

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Edgar Wilson “Bill” Nye (1850-1896) was, in his time, a popular humorist, both as journalist and lecturer.  He’s not much read now, but I suggest that he’s still worth a look.  Here, for example, is a slice from an essay on the future.  Edison, by the way, was indeed working on a thought-recording machine.
“In fact, Mr. Edison […]

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The computer is a useful tool.  We all use it regularly.  The fact that I post here should make it clear to the impartial that I have no beef with these gizmos.
But this is a puritanical culture; and many of our fellow citizens view the non-digital with the same dogmatic intolerance with which the Pilgrims eyed […]

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An article in this Sunday’s New York Times celebrates an organization  dedicated to the historical documentation of local ullage (in this case, “local” meaning the 1/3 of the nation comprising the West).
ByJESSE McKINLEY
TWAIN HARTE, Calif. — Strange where a road trip can begin: a dorm room, a bar stool or Page 283 of the W.P.A. […]

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Since everyone’s talking money and politics these days, I thought it reasonably acceptable to make a contribution to the conversation in this forum.
I think the idea of ullage can be a tool. As (or if) you find yourself ever more embroiled in the struggle mentioned above, you might also find that it comes in […]

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A smallish and ullagistic crowd showed up on a rainy afternoon for “Through the Blackboard,” our third public outing.  We started late (there were screens and projectors to wrangle), but after that, all unfolded smoothly.
After a few introductory remarks, Doug opened up the ullage: this time, a Belgian Trappist ale, which was presented to Geoff […]

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Yes, it’s an election year; and no, I won’t add to the glut of punditry.  It’s not that I have nothing to say on the subject – I too can yakety yak till twilight falls — but this site is devoted to the other part, and that’s what I’ll stick to.
I would like to mention, however, […]

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is an Abolitionist—
A man who wants to free
The wretched slave—and give to all
An equal liberty.
THE ANTI-SLAVERY ALPHABET
Alphabets usually have a not-so-hidden agenda, aiming to do more than reinforce rather arbitrary connections between the names of letters and the words that demonstrate their forms and sounds.
Some alphabets teach the names of animals or common objects. […]

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