A world of useless knowledge

The weird thing about This writing thing is that I spend more time thinking about what I'm going to write than actually writing. Partially because I am lazy. Partially because I have more time to actually think than I have to write, and partially because I am easily distracted. I'm kind of like a raccoon without the tail. And without much of the fur, although I do have a handlebar mustache. I don't like it much. In fact it's getting pretty annoying. Because I am trying to conserve mustache wax. Well, okay, that was a true statement. But I suppose that it would help to explain why I am trying to conserve wax. Although it doesn't matter much.

My wife just told me it was 11pm. I should go to bed. Except that I have only been home for a little while, and I have not gotten to do anything relaxing for me. first I had to move the cars. Well no that's not true. First I had to say "hi" then I had to move my car, so that my wife would be first in line, because she has to go to bed first. Then I had to set up the coffee. Then I had to search the internet for information on "nationals incorportated" Because my daughter (who I am so proud of. but I was before this, and will be after this, but I just like to say that I am proud of my daughter. (that reminds me did I mention that yesterday was International Talk like a pirate day? It was a whole lot of fun for me. Why does my daughet remind me of talk like a pirate day? cause that's the way my brain works. Just typing along la-de-da without a care in the world, and suddenly BAM a thought comes along. It had to come from somewhere, so why not blame it on my child? Actually I was thinking of her before the thought, so somehow in some strange scheme of things they must be connected. I bet Drik Gently could help me with that. Too bad he is dead.) What I was trying to say is that International Talk like a pirate day not whithstanding, or even with with standing, I have always been, and will always be proud of my child. Sometimes I am dissapointed in her choices. (like when she chose to forge her mothers signature on homework. ) But still underneath it, she has been a good, well educated child, so I am proud of her.) Having said that, she got invited to a per-screening of a beauty pageant. Not sure how they got her name, probably because she subscribes to a bunch of silly girl magazines. Or maybe because she is just so darn impressive everybody knows her. Either way, she went to the screening, and got accepted to the pagaent. The problem is that I didn't want to write about this at all, but I am explaining why I am sitting here typing this rather than going to bed. Although to be honest I probably would not be in bed if I were not typing this. I would probably be lost somewhere in wikipedia the free encyclopedia Which as the title of this post suggests is a world of useless knowledge. It actually is a world of useful knowledge as well. (well not as useful as say merriam webster but that is mostly because I love words so much.)

Speaking of words, why do so many fantastic words become obsolete. I started subscribing to several "word of the day lists" a couple of years ago. But then I changed my internet provide, so I changed my e-mail, so I stopped receiving words every day. But I never lost the habit, so every day (or not, because often I forget, or get busy, or something else) I log onto the mirriam website and check the word of the day. I have found so many hugely useful and fantastic words that just are not common, or used anymore. One of the most reacent examples is the word of the day from....hold on I'm going to have to look up the day. Let's hope I don't get distracted again before I get back..................

Ya know. I hate to admit it, because I generally hate things that are popular. Also things that are commercial. And things that are both. But I really and truly love Google. I like Gmail. I like their search engine. I recently set up my personalized home page. and of course ther is also Blogger, which is a wonderful space for clearing out mind clutter. Especially after using all their other neat tools. Haven't ever used their sattelite images stuff. But their translator is a whole lot of fun. In many different ways.

So the word was from Sept. 12th. and it was apophasis. (actually it still is. I mean the word apophasis has not changed, but it is not currently the word of the day, because today is Sept 21st. It is, however still the word of the day from Sept 12th 2005. And it always will be until the end of time, although by that time I doubt anybody will remember. Unless of course somebody discovers this particular blog, and decides to make a religion out of the word of the day from sept 12th 2005. (there have been religions (and pseudo religions) based on stranger things)

Another fantastic word that has gone out of usage, and really should be revived is Factotem. It is becoming my favorit word. (although defenestration actually is still my favorite, Factotem is running a close second, and on some days surpasses.) Factotem is basically a jack of all trades. A general servant. A dude who does a bit of everything. It's a fantastic very despcriptive, and useful word that could and should be used in all kinds of places. Especially, I would think, in job descriptions, and Resumes. But it lies in neglect gather dust ignored by people who enjoy smaller vocabularies, and would rather use 3 words where 1 would do. it's a sad world.

So I had been searching to see if "nationals incorporated", or "cities of america pageant" had any horrible stories of scams and whatnot on the internet. They did not. In fact, they seem completely on the up-and-up. Which to be honest kind of dissapointed me. Because it would be much easier to blame the fact that they are evil, corrupt criminals for me saying "no", rather than me saying "no" because I am a horrible father. Actually there is no gaurantee that I will say "no". On the other hand, they want her coming up with $500 (actuly only $495.00) in sponsership money to participate. Which while not near the national debt, is still a healthy chunk of change to come up with in half a month. On the other hand, how often does your child get a chance to participate in one of the great institutions that defines american culture. (or did up until 15 years ago, or so.) and they don't have a swimsuite competition, so I don't have to get all stressed up over that, because she is way to pretty as it is, and I am going to have to give her a disfiguring scar someday to keep the boys from calling her. Actually they will probably call her anyway, because they aren't that smart, so maybe I will just start giving all the boys disfiguring scars. hehehehe

Oh yeah, and I am growing the mustache for Halloween. (did I mention this before? IT's time to stop writing if I am emptying old thoughts out of my head. Of course if I only suspect that I am emptying old thoughts out of my head, I should stop writing anyway. so I will just say that after halloween the mustache goes. maybe next time I will grow muttonchops)