I say Aluminum, you say Aluminium

I wanted to vent because I've encountered an unusual amount of snootiness from non-American native English speakers about the spelling/pronunciation of the element w/ atomic no. 13

The aforementioned parties insist that the American pronunciation -- aluminum -- is an aberration and wrong because it deviates from other element endings (e.g. sodium, potassium). I finally looked up the etymology, though, and looks like the scientist who originally named the element first called it alumium and then decided to change it to aluminum, not this aluminium crap (which apparently came about when a british editor took it upon himself to adjust the ending). ¹

So there. Eat it snotty British/British colonials.

In the end, I don't care who says it what way. I just hate it when people insist that "aluminum" is wrong all around.

¹ Online Etymology Dictionary, ed., Douglas Harper, <http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=aluminum>

That's right. This post has a footnote. Wanna fight about it?

Ballpark Amusement

So I've been a pretty big fan of the sausage races at the Brewers' stadium. But did you know that the Nats have big-headed PRESIDENT races?


I just saw this on ESPN and I laughed so hard, it was kind of ridiculous. It does seem a little wrong that costumed presidents are racing each other as entertainment during the 7th inning stretch.

And now, just because it's awesome -- I mean, for careful and deliberate comparison, the sausage race:



Ah baseball. You make me happy. Happier still if the Yanks blow out the Sox this weekend when I go to see them in the Bronx!

Mangos, my only weakness

My mango allergies have come back with renewed zeal. After successfully eating mango (in ridiculous ways) a few times without any mishap, I got a worse rash than I've ever had after having some this weekend. That'll teach me for trying to trick my allergy.

Painful itching, blistering and ridiculously puffed up lips will be the story for the next few days. Try not to laugh to loudly if and when you run into me. Thanks.

In other news, the NY Times needs to do something about their sports writing and fast. Take, for example, an article about Federer in their "sports magazine." First of all, WHO gets David Foster Wallace (Amherst alum, but c'mon!) to write a sports feature? The result is an article filled with lines like "What it seems to have to do with, really, is human beings’ reconciliation with the fact of having a body." OK, NY Times, I get it. You're trying to put out "intelligent" sports writing. But noone wants to hear it. It sounds pretentious and tedious. I don't want my sports news from a philosopher/novelist.

That was mean, but someone had to say it.

Hello out there

I'm not very good about updating this thing. But honestly, there's not much to say.

I did perhaps the girliest thing in my life yesterday; a roomie of a friend from work had a Mary Kay party and I went. Kind of silly, kind of fun. Once in a while I guess it's okay to indulge that side of things a bit, although I have to say I felt pretty awkward the whole time.

My PI made me a mix tape. Well, sort of. He mentioned a singer that he liked and then made a playlist of her songs that he likes best and downloaded it to my ipod. I still don't know how I got so lucky in getting a job with such fun and smart people.

That being said, I'm still super happy that it's a long weekend. Plans for the weekend: bakery-hopping in the north end (including a place that sells ice-cream filled cupcakes.. my two greatest weaknesses, combined into one delicious wonderful treat), Body Worlds exhibit at the MoS, and general maxin and relaxin. Hooray!