Self-professed Jan 28, 2010
Jesse Thorn, host of the public radio show The Sound of Young America, calls himself "America's Radio Sweetheart," which would be one of the stupidest things in the history of the universe, except for the fact that it's sort of a joke.  He discussed it with comedian Mike Birbiglia, who prefers to be known as "America's Favorite Comedian."  I guess the bottom line is that if you say something out loud, it's true. #entertainment
Peanut butter insulation Jan 27, 2010
About six months ago, Wendy was walking out the front door of our house on her way to work, and in accordance with the law of nature that states that buttered toast always lands butter-side down, her breakfast of peanut butter on an English muffin landed peanut-butter-side down.  She was in a rush, so she picked up the muffin but didn't clean up the peanut butter, leaving me one hour later trying to decipher a mysterious peanut butter stain on our front step as my first task of the day.  Funny stuff. 

The thing that's noteworthy about this event is that two days ago when it was raining, there was a magical dry spot on our front step.  This dry spot, of course, was caused by the peanut butter that had been dropped there six months ago.  Yes, I cleaned up the peanut butter on my way out of the house that morning, but I suppose I wasn't able to get all the microscopic parts that seeped into the cement. 

Which brings me to my point:  Why aren't houses insulated with peanut butter?  Why do my sinks, toilets, and windows leak?  Why is there no such thing as legitimately waterproof clothing?  Peanut butter can solve all our problems. #science
Colbert Speedskating Jan 27, 2010
Stephen Colbert and his fans are sponsoring the US Speedskating team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics because one of the original sponsors couldn't make the payments.  "On their enormous, billboard thighs, it will say, 'Colbert Nation,"' stated the esteemed journalist.  By mid-December of 2009, they had raised $250,000, which was just a little shy of the original sponsor's $300,000.  Not bad for a satirist. 

Also, here is a collection of pictures of Mr. Colbert in a traditional speedskating uniform, with the additional glasses, tie, and watch for personality. #sports
Click for larger image Jan 21, 2010
I can't put into words how irrationally angry I get when the "Click for larger image" button on a product website opens up a bigger window with an image the exact same size as the original.  As a casual programmer, I can attest to the fact that this problem is stupidly easy to fix:  
if (largerimagesize > currentimagesize) {
   display_link();
} else {
   do_nothing();
}
Internet, fix it! #technology
Right of way excuse Jan 20, 2010
I came across this poem recently, supposedly from the gravestone of a person killed in a car crash: 
This is the grave of Mike O'Day,
Who died maintaining his right of way.
His right was clear, his will was strong,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.
I use the right of way excuse to justify pretty much everything I do on the road.  But I guess right of way doesn't really matter when you're maneuvering 2000-lb metal boxes on slippery surfaces while trying to dodge idiots who are trying to do the same. #travel
Rotating dishes Jan 19, 2010
Oh, the psychological nuances of putting away the dishes (via Kottke).  I personally rotate them like store merchandise:  New stuff (i.e. recently cleaned) in the back (or bottom), that way old stuff gets used regularly.  It's the same with my clothes rotation, for which I receive the occasional criticism from Wendy.  And of course this reminds me of auto-ordered plates, something I found great joy in noticing and analyzing like a nerd. #psychology
Poop and explosions Jan 19, 2010
This line from Stumbling on Happiness made me laugh quite a bit:  "The last decade has seen an explosion of books about poop."  Excellent point, and well-stated. #entertainment
32° and sunny Jan 19, 2010
It was 32°F and sunny* on Saturday morning, and it was awesome.  It's sad when "above freezing" is an improvement over the previous several weeks of "20s and crappy". 

* Ok, fine, it might have gotten up to 35. #nature
Weird bumper sticker Jan 19, 2010
I saw a bumper sticker on a car last week quoting Bill Maher:  "Suicide is man's way of telling God, 'You can't fire me -- I quit.'"  This was the only bumper sticker on this person's car.  The problem is that I just can't figure out why someone would choose to make a first impression with a bumper sticker about suicide.  Are they pro suicide?  Pro Bill Maher?  If you had to pick one statement to represent yourself to the countless people forced to drive behind you, why not pick something like "Go Giants!" or "Florio Free in '93"?  At least those bumper stickers address an issue and pick a side. 

On a related note, I saw another bumper sticker a little while ago that said something along the lines of, "I'll keep my guns and money, you can keep the 'change.'"  It's funny because it's extremist.  I enjoy extremism. #travel
Podpeople Jan 15, 2010
NPR's On the Media's podcast, which I'll admit can be dry at times, is interrupted after the first minute of the show with the pleasing British voice of Katya Rogers, one of the show's producers.  She usually says something along the lines of, "Hi podcast listeners, we're sponsored by blah blah blah."  One time, though I can't find evidence to support it, she called us "podpeople," which, in her silky smooth British accent, sounded quite awesome.  I'm a podperson. #entertainment