I did it! I finally rode a bicycle for the first time in my life yesterday!
For me, the expression, “It’s like learning to ride a bike,” will now always mean, “It’s like learning to do something that everyone else learned at age 5 from their parents, but you learned at age 30 from an elderly volunteer, in a free class, with a bunch of Chinese people.”
I think it’s still a useful metaphor for life.
I’m not convinced that this is the right kind of TV marathon to lull people into staying home and not protesting a fraudulent election.
Maybe Iran should look to the US for tips on how to turn its people into mindless couch potatoes more effectively. I’d recommend going with a Road Rules/Real World Challenge marathon instead.
From Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories (published 1951).
This book is filled with stories that are, in the words of Uncle Arthur’s preface, “both factual and helpful” and “guaranteed to make bad children good and good children better.” No wonder the kids in this picture are having such a hard time looking thrilled.
$500 to anyone who can tell me the nationality of the girl on the far right. In what country does the traditional garb include a plaid sarong, a floral blouse, and a pointy paper hat? Spaz-bekistan?
This is from my 5th grade journal. Of all the things I learned that year, I guess the week-long segment on the human reproductive system was the only one that made a lasting impression.
My friend May happened upon this today and sent me the link. How did my cat get up there?!? I took this picture of him, but I certainly did not submit it to this completely insane website. Apparently Simon has been seeking out new representation behind my back.
English doesn’t have a reputation for being the most beautiful language, but it has its moments. One of these moments for me is the word wanderlust. It’s the perfect word to describe that dizzying desire to go out into the world and randomly experience whatever comes your way.
So I was disappointed when Wikipedia informed me that wanderlust is a German word that literally translates to “an enjoyment of hiking.” Hiking?? Hiking isn’t nearly as sexy as wandering!
But, as an activity that involves pre-planned trails, hideously sensible footwear, shorts with well-engineered pockets, and way too much contemplation about where/when/how to dispose of your own poop, hiking is undeniably much more German.
