From The Observation Deck

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Here they are

MORE OF THOSE AMAZING ORIGINS Keeping the general topic going, let’s throw a few out there with some animal themes. As always, for your enjoyment... The Blue Jay has always been considered to be one of the most colorful, and noisiest, North American birds. Fervently avoiding humans at one time, Blue... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Here we are . . .

CONTINUING THE AMAZING ORIGINS We’re not done yet! Here’s more to amuse and entertain you... King George I was sometimes forced to endure a houseful of rowdy children, but on occasion, he had many troubles with his subjects as well. At times, they would stir up such a commotion that the king was... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Now presenting

YET MORE AMAZING ORIGINS Still not satiated on these? Well, dig in! It might be a while before these little tid-bits completely fill you up... Once upon a time, there was a scholar named John Duns Scotus, a Scottish-born academic who founded the school of scholasticism called Scotism. Students were... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 15, 2011

It's the next round of

EVEN MORE AMAZING ORIGINS Can’t get enough? It’s okay... that’s why I’m here. To enlighten, to entertain, to educate, to expand your mind. You know, to do something that most of today’s media can no longer do! And now, once more, for your delight... In the early years of stage productions, one of... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Let's continue with

STILL MORE AMAZING ORIGINS I know you love these, so let’s keep ‘em going... The concept of writing in code has been around for hundreds of years. The science of cryptography actually dates from the 16th century. Then invisible ink came on the scene, and the science and execution of secret messages... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, August 12, 2011

For your entertainment . . .

MORE AMAZING ORIGINS Here are a few more unusual origins of some very common phrases. Enjoy... In early England, many tenants who farmed lands belonging to the aristocracy were required to contribute a part of everything they produced as rent. Most of the farmers complied, but a few would sell their... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

For your enlightenment . . .

SOME AMAZING ORIGINS As many of you may have already surmised, I have always had a fascination with the origins of things. How did that come about? Who was the first to think of that, or use that, or say that? And in some cases, why? Of all the different types of origins to seek out, and then... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

More unusual word & phrase origins

SO, WHERE DO YOU THINK IT CAME FROM? Anyone who read ( and hopefully enjoyed ) my Fun Facts blogs may recall me promising a sort of Fun Facts II, related to the sometimes strange, always unusual origins of certain well-known words and phrases. How about we kick that series off with, as usual, a... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Co-workers from Hell?

THE GOLDBRICK vs. THE ALBATROSS Those of you who read my piece on “ monikers ” hopefully understood how those particular monikers came about. But there are a slew of other “titles” people have attached to them that don’t necessarily end with an “ist” or an “ism.” There are obviously dozens of these... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Chew on this one, gang!

WHEN IS AN OPINION NOT AN OPINION? I can’t be the only one with certain “acquaintances” who seem to have no respect for the opinions of others; what they say is fact, what you say is balderdash. I have one main character in my inner circle who falls under this category, a childhood friend named Dave... Sign in to see full entry.

About this Blog

Like the famous Roman stand-up philosopher Comicus once exclaimed: “I coalesce the vapor of human experience into a viable and logical comprehension.” In other words, I see, hear and read about a lot of peculiar things, try to make some sense of them, and then pass them on to you, hopefully in a whimsical but common sense way. Strap yourselves in . . . this ride can sometimes be a little bumpy! From the author of "The Hindering" and "Welcome To America-Society In Decline"

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