Rating: NSS
I took probably the last bike ride of the season around Forest Park today. It was a bit chilly, but an otherwise lovely ride. I did see a few unusual things on my trek around this metropolitan park.
I saw a dog with no hind legs. It had its hindquarters in a sling-like contraption with wheels. I almost hit a duck crossing the path. I told it to move, but I guess the duck didn't understand English. I know the ice-skating rink opened for the season recently, but it did seem odd to see ice skaters out on a pleasant afternoon.
A lovely fall day for the waning season.
Showing posts with label odd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label odd. Show all posts
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Faulty Logic?
Rating: It's a toss-up between S and CNS
So the anti-war protesters are protesting in St. Paul by burning cars and rioting. Um, excuse me, is it just me, or does something seem WRONG there? We're for peace, let's prove it with violence. Why on earth do these people not see their behavior as being in direct conflict with their actions. You know, the "talk the talk and walk the walk"? If you want peace, start by looking in a mirror. When you can sit down and talk calmly and rationally (with a particular emphasis on rationally), then you can expect the leaders to do the same. Until then, practice behaving yourself and maybe we'll take you seriously.
So the anti-war protesters are protesting in St. Paul by burning cars and rioting. Um, excuse me, is it just me, or does something seem WRONG there? We're for peace, let's prove it with violence. Why on earth do these people not see their behavior as being in direct conflict with their actions. You know, the "talk the talk and walk the walk"? If you want peace, start by looking in a mirror. When you can sit down and talk calmly and rationally (with a particular emphasis on rationally), then you can expect the leaders to do the same. Until then, practice behaving yourself and maybe we'll take you seriously.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Musico-Syncracies
Rating: NSS
The first time it happened was in college. I was visiting a friend's room and the TV was on but muted; music was playing on the sound system (I don't recall if it was radio, CD, or other). Then it happened--the television show went to commercial and the music playing happened to synchronize. The song and the commercial fit together quite well, and those of us in the room happened to notice. The one commercial ended and the next began, but the music still fit. The commercial was an airline commercial. As the song came to an end, a person in the commercial struck the cymbals dramatically above his/her head. We all laughed at how seamless the picture and music had been.
This incident has happened again more than once. It's been in mostly restaurants where there are televisions on and background music. It hasn't been as dramatic as that day in the dorms, until today.
I was in a restaurant today when a Diet Coke commerical came on. The music fit so unbelievably well that if I hadn't known in advance that it was background music, I would not have known it was not the music for the commerical.
It has me wondering: is this merely a coincidence when it happens, or is it that there is something about pop culture that makes visual/auditory fit together well, or is it that we have been conditioned by the media culture where our mind automatically makes the connection for us? It is just something that makes me go hmmm. . .
The first time it happened was in college. I was visiting a friend's room and the TV was on but muted; music was playing on the sound system (I don't recall if it was radio, CD, or other). Then it happened--the television show went to commercial and the music playing happened to synchronize. The song and the commercial fit together quite well, and those of us in the room happened to notice. The one commercial ended and the next began, but the music still fit. The commercial was an airline commercial. As the song came to an end, a person in the commercial struck the cymbals dramatically above his/her head. We all laughed at how seamless the picture and music had been.
This incident has happened again more than once. It's been in mostly restaurants where there are televisions on and background music. It hasn't been as dramatic as that day in the dorms, until today.
I was in a restaurant today when a Diet Coke commerical came on. The music fit so unbelievably well that if I hadn't known in advance that it was background music, I would not have known it was not the music for the commerical.
It has me wondering: is this merely a coincidence when it happens, or is it that there is something about pop culture that makes visual/auditory fit together well, or is it that we have been conditioned by the media culture where our mind automatically makes the connection for us? It is just something that makes me go hmmm. . .
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
More Incongruities
Rating: NSS
I don't know why, but odd things amuse me, as indicated by this picture. I'm not too keen on fish for breakfast myself. . .
I know radio stations cannot help what advertisers pay for air time, nor do they specifically pay attention to when the ads air, but hearing why "Issues, Etc." is great immediately followed by why Dolly Parton's Dixieland Stampede is great did amuse me.
Speaking of amusing radio, I was listening to 106.5 the Arch yesterday and the song playing was "Should I stay or should I Go" by the Clash. It was immediately followed up by "I will Survive" Gloria Gaynor. I guess the answer to the Clash's questions is "Go, walk out the door." Sorry, guys.
I guess this is why I also like "The Morning Show" on Minnesota Public Radio. Where else can one hear "Precious Lord, Take my Hand" followed up by "Country Girl" which is like country heavy metal? . . Eclectic? Without a doubt.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Incongruities Part II
Rating: NSS
Maybe I was a bit ahead of myself with the oddities. I have a few more to add to the previous. As I was leaving to head up north, I was heading east on the interstate at rush hour. The traffic heading west was backed up for miles due to a traffic accident. Stuck in that traffic jam, I noticed the entourage for John Mayer--two bus/motorhomes and multiple semis. I guess even music stars have to deal with the daily grind.
Maybe I was a bit ahead of myself with the oddities. I have a few more to add to the previous. As I was leaving to head up north, I was heading east on the interstate at rush hour. The traffic heading west was backed up for miles due to a traffic accident. Stuck in that traffic jam, I noticed the entourage for John Mayer--two bus/motorhomes and multiple semis. I guess even music stars have to deal with the daily grind.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Incongruities
Rating: NSS
I have experienced a smattering of incongruities and other oddities of a sensory nature in the past few days.
It all began when I was mowing the lawn (that's French for "cut the grass," as my father would say)--this blog, not the oddities. The first of recent days was on Sunday. I was visiting some friends and as I sat on their sofa, their dog snoozed on me. Not odd, unless one considers the fact that the dog was stretched between the edge of the sofa and my crossed leg some 2-3 inches off the edge of the sofa. I guess it was one of those "had to have been there" events.
Next came the return of Issues, Etc. Not that it was odd in itself; it was slightly odd to hear it back on the radio after its three-month absence, er, spring break.
Then it was High School Musical at the Muny. The musical itself was pretty good; however, the most odd part was during what, I suppose, was the romantic song I was distracted by a family of raccoons which decided to go for a late-night stroll across the network holding up the lights above the stage.
Another oddity was watching the organ extraction. A group of men were dismantling the organ console in the church's balcony.
Yesterday it was a smouldering trash can at the Metrolink station at the airport. I also experienced a wonderful oddity: Evening P a rare experience; that is, rare if one has never been to a Higher Things conference. It was odd also in the sense that shortly before I left for Evening Prayer, the discussion on Issues, Etc. dealt with the liturgy. It seems as though I can think of at least 800 high schoolers who aren't in favor of contemporary worship, but that's a topic for another blog.
Today it was Madonna's song "Material Girl." Not odd unlesss one is on their way to worship. Makes it seem more shallow than ever. Also as I was traveling to Morning Prayer with the HT conference participants, I saw a man at the bottom of the highway exit ramp. He was holding a sign, so I thought he was a panhandler. Nope. His sign read, "Smile it won't hurt." I smiled and waved.
On the way back to work, I saw two workers on the side of another highway ramp who were trimming back flowers (weeds) with chainsaws. Hm. . . I also saw the military jets flying. Okay, not odd, especially around here; I just like watching the military jets fly.
Finally, the mowing the lawn. I saw a squished spider on my hand! GROSS! I didn't know I had squished it until I looked down and saw spider guts splayed across my palm. Not to mention the fact that my hands are still tingly from the mower's vibrations. Which brings me to the end of my oddities. I bet someone else who drove past while I was mowing the lawn is now writing their blog which says, "I saw the oddest thing today: a fat, strangely dressed woman in a weird hat mowing her lawn."
I have experienced a smattering of incongruities and other oddities of a sensory nature in the past few days.
It all began when I was mowing the lawn (that's French for "cut the grass," as my father would say)--this blog, not the oddities. The first of recent days was on Sunday. I was visiting some friends and as I sat on their sofa, their dog snoozed on me. Not odd, unless one considers the fact that the dog was stretched between the edge of the sofa and my crossed leg some 2-3 inches off the edge of the sofa. I guess it was one of those "had to have been there" events.
Next came the return of Issues, Etc. Not that it was odd in itself; it was slightly odd to hear it back on the radio after its three-month absence, er, spring break.
Then it was High School Musical at the Muny. The musical itself was pretty good; however, the most odd part was during what, I suppose, was the romantic song I was distracted by a family of raccoons which decided to go for a late-night stroll across the network holding up the lights above the stage.
Another oddity was watching the organ extraction. A group of men were dismantling the organ console in the church's balcony.
Yesterday it was a smouldering trash can at the Metrolink station at the airport. I also experienced a wonderful oddity: Evening P a rare experience; that is, rare if one has never been to a Higher Things conference. It was odd also in the sense that shortly before I left for Evening Prayer, the discussion on Issues, Etc. dealt with the liturgy. It seems as though I can think of at least 800 high schoolers who aren't in favor of contemporary worship, but that's a topic for another blog.
Today it was Madonna's song "Material Girl." Not odd unlesss one is on their way to worship. Makes it seem more shallow than ever. Also as I was traveling to Morning Prayer with the HT conference participants, I saw a man at the bottom of the highway exit ramp. He was holding a sign, so I thought he was a panhandler. Nope. His sign read, "Smile it won't hurt." I smiled and waved.
On the way back to work, I saw two workers on the side of another highway ramp who were trimming back flowers (weeds) with chainsaws. Hm. . . I also saw the military jets flying. Okay, not odd, especially around here; I just like watching the military jets fly.
Finally, the mowing the lawn. I saw a squished spider on my hand! GROSS! I didn't know I had squished it until I looked down and saw spider guts splayed across my palm. Not to mention the fact that my hands are still tingly from the mower's vibrations. Which brings me to the end of my oddities. I bet someone else who drove past while I was mowing the lawn is now writing their blog which says, "I saw the oddest thing today: a fat, strangely dressed woman in a weird hat mowing her lawn."
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