Monthly Archives: May 2010

Mom’s Gone, and She Took the Kids

As planned, Mira has taken a trip to California to last about three weeks.  She’ll be spending time with her parents in Sonoma County, and some time with friends in the bay area.  Rory and Caedryn are looking forward to seeing grandma and grandpa.  Robert saw the whole family off today at the Cordoba Airport.  Mira left on the same flight with Bob and Gertie.  The whole troop is  taking a Cordoba-Santiago-Miami-San Francisco return flight.  That should be fun. Robert, needless to say, will be spending a lot of time watching sports and sleeping in while the family is away.  There’s a lot of World Cup to watch over the next three weeks.

Mom’s Gone, and She Took the Kids

As planned, Mira has taken a trip to California to last about three weeks.  She’ll be spending time with her parents in Sonoma County, and some time with friends in the bay area.  Rory and Caedryn are looking forward to seeing grandma and grandpa.  Robert saw the whole family off today at the Cordoba Airport.  Mira left on the same flight with Bob and Gertie.  The whole troop is  taking a Cordoba-Santiago-Miami-San Francisco return flight.  That should be fun. Robert, needless to say, will be spending a lot of time watching sports and sleeping in while the family is away.  There’s a lot of World Cup to watch over the next three weeks.

English, What is it Good For?

One drawback of living in a non-English speaking country is that one can get trapped trying to explain English language complexities to curious folks. Usually to poor results in Robert’s case.

Here’s an example.

“Cheap at half the price.”

Is this a compliment on an object’s value? Or a criticism of its price? A questioning of its quality? Something else?

Explanations and references to authoritative usage are invited from the viewing public.

English, What is it Good For?

One drawback of living in a non-English speaking country is that one can get trapped trying to explain English language complexities to curious folks. Usually to poor results in Robert’s case.

Here’s an example.

“Cheap at half the price.”

Is this a compliment on an object’s value? Or a criticism of its price? A questioning of its quality? Something else?

Explanations and references to authoritative usage are invited from the viewing public.

Landis-Armstrong

The best comment I’ve seen on the latest Floyd Landis antics, accusing Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, and others of doping.

From a New York Times reader:

“Of course Landis was doped. So was Armstrong. Doubt it? Think carefully: In Operation Puerto, Jan Ulrich, Ivan Basso, Joseba Beloki…literally every member of the peloton that had been anywhere *near* Lance Armstrong were swept up in that scandal. Are we to believe that someone 6-10 years older would be able to keep up with young guys who were doped over 21 days and mountains too high for most of us to walk up? I’m sorry, I’m not buying. Superman is dead. I don’t doubt Landis’ credence, here. I’m just amazed the idiot would spend 2 mil to defend a lie. He could have gotten a bargain and a book tour selling out the peoloton- he’s been on Lance’s team, most of whom were doped, too. Tyler Hamilton, Flyod, Ekimov…”

Landis-Armstrong

The best comment I’ve seen on the latest Floyd Landis antics, accusing Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, and others of doping.

From a New York Times reader:

“Of course Landis was doped. So was Armstrong. Doubt it? Think carefully: In Operation Puerto, Jan Ulrich, Ivan Basso, Joseba Beloki…literally every member of the peloton that had been anywhere *near* Lance Armstrong were swept up in that scandal. Are we to believe that someone 6-10 years older would be able to keep up with young guys who were doped over 21 days and mountains too high for most of us to walk up? I’m sorry, I’m not buying. Superman is dead. I don’t doubt Landis’ credence, here. I’m just amazed the idiot would spend 2 mil to defend a lie. He could have gotten a bargain and a book tour selling out the peoloton- he’s been on Lance’s team, most of whom were doped, too. Tyler Hamilton, Flyod, Ekimov…”

Editors Wanted: Bad Children’s Literature

Why, with all the young children’s stories published every year, can we not find enough that make sense and follow a standard narrative form?  Most stories out here in child-rearing-land could be cut in half and still be too long.  Illustrations, of course, are often the point. But when one finds a book that is both well-illustrated and competently written, one has a true prize.  Thus far, we’ve come across only two authors that fit the bill.  Maurice Sendak and Beatrix Potter.  And bad examples?  Here’s some of the more egregious.

#1.  Edward’s Exploit and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories.  1993.  A Random House PICTUREBACK.  No author named.

Incredibly obtuse, the action in these stories jumps from one scene to the next without any explanation.  We can forgive the Britishisms that escape us on first reading, but surely essential action sequences should be explained.

In the story, The Deputation, a pair of twin train engines named Donald and Douglas remove snow from the tracks. Clear enough.  Here’s how the action unfolds.


“Presently, they came to a drift which was larger than most. They charged it, and were just backing for another try, when . . .
“Help! Help!”
“Losh sakes, Donald, it’s Henry!  Don’t worry yourself, Henry.  Wait a while.  We’ll have you out.”
Henry was very grateful.  He saw all was not well.
“The twins were looking glum. They told him Sir Topham Hatt was making a decision. “He’ll send us away for sure.”
“It’s a shame!” said Percy.
“A lot of nonsense about a broken signalbox,” grumbled Gordon.
“That spiteful brake-van too,” put in James.  “Good riddance.  That’s what I say.”
“The twins were splendid in the snow,” added Henry. “It isn’t fair.”  They all agreed that Something Must Be Done, but none knew what.
Percy decided to talk to Edward about it.  “What you need,” said Edward, “is a deputation.”  He explained what that was.
Percy ran back quickly. “Edward says we need a depotstation.”
“Of course,” said Gordon, “the question is . . . “
“. . . what is a desperation?” asked Henry.
“It’s when engines tell Sir Topham Hatt something’s wrong,” said Percy.
“Did you say ‘tel Sir Topham Hatt’?” asked Duck thoughtfully.  There was a long silence.
“I propose,” said Gordon, “that Percy be our–er–hum–disputation.”



 We think Henry was stuck in the snow. We have no idea why Henry would be grateful that all was not well. We can’t figure out the role that the broken signalbox played in anything, or who Gordon, Henry, Edward or Percy are.  Or where they came from.  Is the something-that-must-be-done so important that it must also be initial capitalized?  What’s the decision to be made?  And, last, but not least, what’s a “deputation,” anyway?