Don’t Laugh at my Barbie Toothbrush!

I just purchased a new toothbrush, a bit of an ordeal–believe it or not–for I have a small mouth and large teeth. So, I get to select among child-sized toothbrushes, since the adult ones have all become enormous. I usually end up with something sparkly in a neon color emblazoned with a cartoon character. Several times, in a pinch, I’ve been stuck with a lavender, Barbie one. My present toothbrush has an LED that blinks for as long as I’m supposed to brush. (Didn’t know that at the point of sale–kinda cool to discover its talent!)

Adult toothbrushes used to be sensible and plain with compact heads. Now, one would think that the average adult has a dental arch the size of a Clydesdale horse shoe, judging from the monstrosities on sale. And they’re stiff as suede-shoe brushes. And some of them whirl and reciprocate. Scary.

The next time I buy a toothbrush, I might just get the Philips Sonicare Toothbrush for Kids, expertly reviewed by the SmockLady (and her gang of testers). Click HERE. It doesn’t look too intimidating and apparently works quite well.

But, I’ll miss “dental hygienist” Barbie.

Vowel Modification

What’s up with U sounds? Local broadcasters are pronouncing Cullman as “COLEman” as in Old King Cole or Coleman Coliseum at UA.

The North Alabama town is “KUHLman.”

I’m also hearing “mole titasking,” “mole tipart-form,” “mole tiplication.”

Could be worse, there’s “tup ritch chere” for temperature.

Mon Dieu!

New SU Presidential Mansion

There’s an article in the latest SU alumni rag about the new, permanent president’s residence, a former trustee’s house atop Shades Mountain with the requisite, glorious view of the Sacred Bubble. Did they have to paint the dump Baptist white during the renovation?

Brings to mind the old sayin’, “There’s a place in hell for people who paint brick!”  :)

I Am Not Ready . . .

. . . for football season. ‘Nuff said.

Wiki Wacky

Why do people think references should be cited for EVERY statement made in a Wikipedia entry? [citation needed]

[The neutrality of this section has been disputed.]

Common knowledge ain’t citation worthy, and is it really a good idea to make plagiarism so easy to find?

Peeve of the Moment

Sheet music, sheet music, I’m annoyed with the words sheet music. It’s printed music, or score, or (in musical theatre) “the book,” or even “the notes.”

Sheet music is musical notation printed on folded sheets of paper without staples. There is usually a decorative title page, such as these:

So, unless you are playing from actual sheets of music, please call it the score, OK?

We Interrupt this Hiatus for . . .

daniel barenboim. DANIEL BARENBOIM. The Vienna Philharmonic is letting DB conduct the New Year’s shindig!

HAVE THEY LOST THEIR MINDS?? Did somebody else cancel?

Maybe he’ll make us think we’ve never heard the Blue Danube before. Problem is, it will sound like HE has never heard it before, also!

Mad About Plaid

Every year, Fashion declares that “plaid” is back (as if it had gone somewhere). The local newspaper was even kind enough to point this out, again. But, I do have a problem with the media’s accuracy. You see, the word plaid refers to a cloak, blanket, or similar garment covering the upper body. What Fashion is referring to is tartan, meaning cloth of intersecting stripes of varying colors associated with the clans, families, or geographical districts of Scotland.

While a plaid is often made of tartan, it could just as easily be solid-colored wool, or tweed, or kelp, or burlap. So, saying “plaid shirt” is not so bad (but still wrong), since that is an upper body covering. But, it should always be tartan golf trousers, or tartan boxer shorts, or tartan field hockey skirt. And please, it’s not “tartan plaids” when one means tartan!