On the outside looking in

Can't say I was surprised, really. Let me know your scores!

Lake Superior State University has published its 2005 Banished Words list. Among the entries: 'improvised explosive device' (as opposed to bomb?), 'you're fired' and 'izzle' speech (shizzle).

My partial list:
* insurgents - just call 'em rebels
* 'that's hot' - really now, does anyone still think this is cool?
* world class - goes without saying

Does anyone have any other words they'd like to see obliterated from the face of the earth?

1931's Frankenstein and 1935's even better Bride of Frankenstein remain two of the best horror pictures around*. The classic line 'It's alive!' shouted by Henry Frankenstein (Victor was his ancestor) has become a common image for anything that's been resurrected from the grave. Which brings me to this blog. For various mundane reasons, its been eight months since my last post. I really hope this blog's really back from the dead.

* Of course there's Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein (1974) with Gene Wilder, but that's another post.

Do you think you'd have anything to say after you died?

The Dead Letter Office allows us to give the world a parting shot. Some are sad. Some are funny. There are angry letters, but many more are touching.

What would you say?

How old do you act? Apparently, I'm 18! I know these are not scientific, but they're fun. Take the quiz here.

I recently found this great (local) book auction site called avalon. They have quite a few hard-to-find books on history, trivia and sci-fi (right up my alley). I've already bought 3 books and haven't been disapponted yet. You might want to give this a try if your budget's taking a beating from all your book purchases.

btw, I'm not affiliated with the site.

INSTRUMENT OF ABDICATION

I, Edward the Eighth of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, King, Emperor of India, do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for myself and for My descendants, and My desire that effect should be given to this instrument of Abdication immediately.

Edward VIII
__________________

Of course we all know that this is the famous abdication of Edward VIII so that he could be with Wallis Simpson. His broadcast was much more personal, I think. My favorite line:

But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.

What would give up for the one you love?

Read this and other historical letters of resignation here.

Want to try your hand at this? I was cognizant of this book prior to this post, but only saw a full manuscript today. A 50,000 word book without utilizing that which is most common, as shown in this.

That's right - a book without an 'e', Gadsby.


* You'll note that I only used one 'e' in this post (excluding this line). It was tougher than I thought!