September 17, 2008
June 30, 2008
Instant Musical Addiction...
In the best case of stars aligning, I had two people recommend a new music website to me this weekend...and one of them sent a link directly in my email, so of course, I couldn't resist. Pandora allows users to create music stations based on their song or artist preferences. Seems like a simple concept, but it is oh so addicting! It wasn't hard for me to quickly develop 19 different stations ranging from Sunrise Radio to DeVotchKa Radio. And, if that isn't enough to keep you busy, you can elect to "Quick Mix" your stations...creating strange mixes that entertain for hours. Another great feature is that you can look up other people's mixes...for example, you can find people who have the same station and then check out what else they have created. Who knew that there would be five users already who have Jo's Lament Radio? It's pretty cool! But, be warned...remember what happened when Pandora opened that box...information overload is the plague of our times!
Check it out at Pandora.
Tags: Pandora
June 20, 2008
Words to Live By...
May 24, 2008
Let's Go Pens!
Image from pittsburghpenguins.com
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The last time the Pens were in the finals, I was a crazy high school fan screaming for Mario to blast it past the goalie. Now, I'm a crazy old fan screaming for Crosby and Malkin to blast it past the goalie. I know there are thousands of other fans who are going to feel young again when the Pens take the ice. It's wonderful to feel the excitement of the city.
IT'S A HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH !
Be sure to check out the great Mike Lange T-Shirts as well!
UPDATE!
The Pens win an historic Game 5 in the third overtime...visit Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to view a cool video of Coach Therrien, Crosby, and Sykora talking about the game. And, a shout out to Dominos pizza, which seems to have fueled Sykora's goal in overtime!May 20, 2008
The Allegheny Owls...?
Photo: Cindy Hoesch
Looks like Allegheny has a new contender for a mascot...a Great Horned Owl has (temporarily?) made its home in the trees around Carnegie, Shultz, and Bentley halls. Cindy has taken some cool pictures of the owl and has named him Bentley. She's also taken a scary video of the crows trying to scare him away.
To read more about Great Horned Owls, for more pictures of Bentley, and for the scary video, please continue reading...
UPDATE!
After Cindy found Bentley on the ground last week, Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center came and took the owl to their center. Unfortunately, Bentley had suffered a concussion and did not make a recovery. However, the Tamarack people informed Cindy that Bentley was an old, female owl and her passing was made peaceful in their center.April 25, 2008
Honoring the Day of Silence
On this Day of Silence, I'm thinking about how the words of a few can have a lasting and dangerous impact on the lives of many. I'm thinking about how some people think it's okay to say "that's so gay" as long as there aren't any gay people around. I'm thinking about how people can justify using the term "Lezzy Hipster" in a school newspaper by calling it satire, without thinking of its broader implications. I'm thinking about how language can be used to silence, to stereotype, to isolate, to alienate, and to dismiss entire groups of people. I'm thinking about how, after our language dismisses a group of people, it becomes easier to treat that group as less than human...about how theoretical separation can turn into physical violence.
In his book The Language of Oppression, Haig Bosmajian states that, "The importance, significance, and ramifications of naming and defining people cannot be over-emphasized." That, "while names, words, and language can be and are used to inspire us, to motivate us to humane acts, to liberate us, they can also be used to dehumanize human beings and to 'justify' their suppression and even their extermination." That, "just as our thoughts affect our language, so does our language affect our thoughts and eventually our actions and behavior."
Can words hurt me? You bet! Freedom of speech is such an easy shield to throw up as a way to protect hate speech...and hate speech creates irreparable harm. On this Day of Silence, I'm thinking about how we all have an ethical obligation to protect free speech, but to also consider the ethics of that speech, and to question whether the satirical value of our words can outweigh the very real, heart-breaking violence that speech can incite.
Finally, I'm thinking about Bosmajian's call to action. He states, "One way for us to curtail the use of the language of oppression is for those who find themselves being defined into subjugation to rebel against such linguistic suppression." That we should, "identify the decadence in our language, the inhumane uses of language, the 'silly words and expressions' which have been used to justify the unjustifiable, to make palatable the unpalatable, to make reasonable the unreasonable, to make decent the indecent."
I am hopeful that the silence of those who participated today can help end the silence of our LGBT community in the future.
To find out more about the Day of Silence, please visit the Day of Silence website.
March 14, 2008
Letting Go Over Break...
Agnes, from the wonderfully weird mind of Tony Cochran.
As students and faculty flee from campus for break...here's to letting go for a while in order to come back refreshed.
January 11, 2008
When All Else Fails...Marvel!
Agnes, from the wonderfully weird mind of Tony Cochran.
January 2, 2008
Proud to be a Hockey Fan!
Image Credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images
I saw my first hockey game more than 15 years ago--it was an Olympic pre-game at the Igloo...Sweden vs USA. I fell in love with the game...and have watched every year since that day. Although my fervor has waxed and waned, I always pull out the old baby-blue Penguins jersey my dad bought me for Christmas, and watch as many games as they put on TV. But yesterday, I fell in love with the game all over again while watching the Winter Classic. It was beautiful to see a game played in its natural setting and you could feel the pure joy of the game on the ice, in the stands, and on your couch. I have no idea how anyone who loves sports could have wasted their time watching college football bowl games that have no real meaning when a true event was taking place. I don't think this game was meant to "save hockey." Those of us who love hockey don't think it needs "saved." I think the NFL could take a page out of the NHL's book and play a Super Bowl outside, in the snow...it's about time the loyalty of fans was considered over the pleasures of the corporate world.
In other news, the Pens are just behind the Devils in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference...Let's Go Pens! Follow the Race for the Cup.
December 19, 2007
A New Look...
As FS101 has ended, this blog has recently changed its look. Instead of being a blog primarily derived from and for the first year seminar, the blog will now serve as a portal for the FS101 Archive. In addition, Psych 440 (Language & Social Cognition) entries will begin soon. The Cognitive Group will also find entries of interest regarding our meetings and recent research of interest from cognitive psychology. Finally, there will also be entries regarding the work in my lab including updates about our language production studies and the projects being conducted by the senior comp group.
Tags: Categories New Look
December 17, 2007
There are more things in Heaven and Earth...
Every once in a while, we encounter pictures which give us pause and put our lives in perspective. This one definitely made me stop and wonder. As described on HubbleSite, this photograph demonstrates the illusive concept of dark matter, a substance that cannot be seen, but that is thought to "hold together galaxy clusters." If this isn't enough to inspire, the white "dots" on this picture are actually entire galaxies! If you visit the site, you can actually zoom in and scan the picture. It is truly awesome.
Some other sites of interest
Top Ten Astronomy Pictures of 2007
ESA Space Images
Tags: Perspective Star Gazing
November 29, 2007
A Slice of Great Television
So...it's been a while since I've shared a random thought. Seems like there hasn't been any time for thoughts without specific purpose. However, I just wanted to share that there is a really great show on TV right now which is NOT like the shows Ryan highlighted in his commentary. Pushing Daisies has quickly become my favorite television show...I think on my all time list it comes in third place after 1) Northern Exposure and 2) The Wonder Years. If you haven't checked out this quirky, visually stunning show yet, please give it a try. I hate it when the quality shows are cancelled because they don't find their audience. But who can help but love a show with a detective who knits, a guy who can't pet his dog, a pie shop worker who occasionally bursts into song, and a returned-from-the-dead main character with synchronize-swimming-star aunts?? If you're looking for a laugh...you won't be disappointed!
August 31, 2007
Steeler Dog!
Well...in the spirit of sharing dog pictures (see Chris Hansen's blog), I thought I would present my dog, Beorn. As you can see, Steeler fever is rampant among all members of my household.
Tags: FS101 Steeler Dog
August 12, 2007
Here We Go!
As the preseason begins, here's hoping for bigger and better things (although, honestly, I'd settle for the status quo). It's strange to think that my team has only had two coaches in my lifetime--helps explain why I was so sad to see Cowher go. Now that 'Cowher Power' is gone...what's next? I'm hoping it's not 'Bottom with Tomlin,' but then again, I've always been a pessimist. Perhaps Steeler Nation will be pleasantly surprised.