Terminology and Categorization

For whatever reason, it recently occurred to me that saying “I am the Alpha and the Omega” sounds so much cooler than saying “I am the A and the Z,” which is what a true modern translation would be. The former sounds like a weighty pronouncement, while the latter sounds like a bad advertising slogan. Just another great example of how important proper translations are.

In other news, I’ve categorized most all of my past blog entries for your convenience and my narcissism. See the bottom left of the navigation for links broken down by topic. Remember that once you click a category (or an archive for that matter) you have to click the title of the entry to see the full text.

Pictures from the weekend and the last week or two. The first half are all camera phone pictures, so that explains the haziness.

The Cognitive Vicissitudes of Twins

Plugging into what I was saying a few days ago about neurochemical signatures, today I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine who has recently moved to Little Rock. She is the twin sister of another friend of mine who moved away a couple of years ago. We’ve hung out a few times now, and today she mentioned to me that I look at her like I know her well, when really I barely do. I had actually noticed this myself recently. In my brain, she moves inside her sister’s neurochemical pattern. I regard her with a set of unconscious assumptions because she fits the same visual and auditory data patterns that her sister created. I have to stop and remind myself that we don’t have a shared history together. That wasn’t her I went to see Amelie with; nor was that her on whose doorstep I left a Valentine’s Day flower. Yet my brain forgets that. She’s immediately an old friend even though I’ve only met her on a handful of occasions. This is weird for me; I can’t imagine how it must feel for her.

Spiraling: Pictures

Here are some pictures via Jessica. Can you believe I left my camera at home? I’ve been getting lax on that since I got my new camera phone, which I quickly discovered is useless in a dark venue with lots of really bright lights.

Spiraling

Spiraling

Spiraling: Out of Control

Last night I went to see a gig I helped hook up: Spiraling at Sticky Fingerz. Tom, Marty, Bob and Paul are all so insanely talented, humble, fun guys. They gave me several CDs and I bought as much as I could. After the show I led them to the nearest Motel 6, conveniently located next to my office. Then I led them to a party over Sherman St. where the Localist boys were having their last big hurrah before Davey departs for superstardom. I talked at length with Tom about his tenure in Yes, wherein he made a big splash by getting a reluctant Steve Howe to perform “Owner of a Lonely Heart” for the Yes Symphonic Live DVD and tour. Tom played the Trevor Rabin guitar solo so Steve wouldn’t have to. That’s what a great guy Tom is – not only can he play the keyboard like a maniac, but he’s also a diplomatic, thoughtful guy (unlike some people). Best part for me was getting to talk music with him, Bob and Marty. Turns out Bob is an insane guitar player as well, with some shred-monkey roots like mine. Marty is a fellow Jellyfish freak. Later on, we took them to Heather’s porch where they showed me the chords to “Girl on Top of the Piano” and I impressed them with hatchet-job versions of “Mediterranean Sundance” and random Steve Morse tunes on Heather’s neighbor’s 12 string guitar (minus 1). Good times.

Overthrowing the AP Style Manual

A client pointed out recently that “Web site” is how the AP Style Manual dictates the proper terminology for what you’re viewing right now. Curiously capitalized, “Web site” is an unwieldy two-word phrase moving toward compound status in the much sleeker and more concise “website.” It just makes good sense. You wouldn’t capitalize “brochure” would you? So why capitalize “Web site”?

It is up to all of us to dictate usage. The AP Style Manual is not Usage God, it is merely Usage Archive, marking the boundaries and storing information for uniform reference. It is not flexible enough to keep pace with the rapidly changing world in which we live. If it were up to the AP Style Manual we’d all still be saying “To-day” and “To-morrow.” So get out there, kids, and make “website” your terminology of choice!

Saturday Happiness

Saturday one of my favoritest bands of the last couple of years is coming to town for the first time, Spiraling. 9PM at Sticky Fingerz. Only $5. Plus American Princes and The Boswells. Opening acts that don’t suck.

Before that I think I’ll try another grill out in the backyard. Maybe around 3 or 4PM until it’s time to head to the show. Bring food and friends.

A Theory

Perhaps my more psychologically knowledgeable colleagues can back me up on this, but I’m beginning to think that, as people spend time together, their interaction produces some sort of neurochemical signature that is specific to their relationship. For example, two people in love will have a unique, literal chemistry together, and will very likely become neurochemically dependent upon each other. When these two people are separated, certain signs of chemical dependency are exhibited, namely, withdrawal.

Sometimes pictures help.