1 week ago
You asked for more charts!
Is Congress getting dumber, or just more plainspoken?
Congress now speaks at almost a full grade level lower than it did just seven years ago, with the most conservative members of Congress speaking on average at the lowest grade level, according to a new Sunlight Foundation analysis of the Congressional Record using Capitol Words.
Of course, what some might interpret as a dumbing down of Congress, others will see as more effective communications. And lawmakers of both parties still speak over the heads of the average American, who reads at between at 8th and 9th grade level.
Today’s Congress collectively speaks at a 10.6 grade level, down from 11.5 in 2005.
via nationaljournal
1 week ago
One of the gems from tonight’s B. B. King show in Green Bay: “The Thrill Is Gone.” So glad I had a chance to see him play.
2 weeks ago
The song: We Found Love (Rihanna cover)— Ingrid Michaelson/ARMY of 3
First, you should know that the original version of this song was already one of my guilty pleasures. Even guiltier of a pleasure was the Boyce Avenue acoustic cover (they always get me with the piano…). The guiltiest of all, of course, was when Glee took it on in its swoon-(or vomit, if you’re less of a sucker than I am)inducing, over-the-top proposal episode (yes, I still watch Glee — but I swear, after this season, I’m done!).
Somehow, Ingrid Michaelson makes me feel less guilty about digging the Rihanna tune. I’m not sure what the story is with her “ARMY of 3” side project, but I’m a fan of what she’s done so far (this, and a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”). I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
(Also, many thanks to Stephanie, the very best choir camp counselor I ever had, for posting this on her Facebook and letting people like me find it.)
4 weeks ago
In which I inadvertently admit that my mom is always right.
- Me (while folding sheets): Oh, mom! The last time I made my bed, I put my pillowcases on the right way, but I couldn't remember how to do hospital corners.
- My dad: What's the "right way"?
- Me (as I demonstrate): Mom's way.
- My mom: *smug look*
1 month ago
The song: Beneath the Piano — The Devil Makes Three
“With all those keys, I never feel alone.”
1 month ago
Secrets of Oshkosh.
- Me: Um. Without explaining how I found this. This exists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nude_%26_Natural
- Jake: lol, Jessie.
- Me: Jake. It's IN OSHKOSH.
- Jake: Nude...
- Jake: &...
- Jake: Natural...
- Me: IN OSHKOSH.
- Jake: lol Oshkosh
- Me: Why would no one tell me about this?
- Jake: Why WOULD anyone tell you about this? Are you interested in a position?
- Me: I'm interested in a few positions.
- Jake: HEYO
The song: Call Me Maybe— Carly Rae Jepsen
I’m so embarrassed that I’m listening to this. But now I have observations I need to share with the world.
- I have no use for this song’s verses or bridges. It’s all about the synthy chorus. I dig that chord progression.
- I guess it’s pretty perfect for this time of year.
- My first experiences with this song were people telling me not to listen to it because it’s so awful, but it’ll get stuck in your head.
- One Friday night, the song came on the radio.
- I assumed the artist was a 14-year-old girl. Turns out she’s older than I am.
- She’s from Canada.
- The video is actually kinda funny. But I can’t figure out why she’s so hot and bothered by a guy with “The sky’s the limit” tattooed above his pecs.
- The verdict: I didn’t want to like it. I don’t think I do. But my Spotify and YouTube accounts would tell you otherwise.
1 month ago
Gawker: The Upper Austrian village of Fucking is fucking sick and fucking tired of all the fucking jokes, so its 104 inhabitants (demonyn: Fuckingers) are getting together to mull a name change.
Cursed Austrian Village Looking To Reverse Misfortune With Name Change
via brooklynmutt
1 month ago
2 months ago
![Can’t wait to hear this interview! Gosh, I love her.
nprfreshair:
Doris Day on ‘Que Sera Sera’: “The first time somebody told me it was going to be in that movie, I thought, ‘Why?’ I didn’t think there was a place to put that song. … I thought, ‘I’m not crazy about that. Where are they going to put it? For what?’ … I didn’t think it was a good song.” [complete interview here]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1uurkoJKn1qd9dz2o1_500.jpg)
Can’t wait to hear this interview! Gosh, I love her.
Doris Day on ‘Que Sera Sera’: “The first time somebody told me it was going to be in that movie, I thought, ‘Why?’ I didn’t think there was a place to put that song. … I thought, ‘I’m not crazy about that. Where are they going to put it? For what?’ … I didn’t think it was a good song.” [complete interview here]
via nprfreshair
