I am so over vampires

It’s a pity that not everybody agrees with me. Now vampire ridiculousness has infiltrated the world of knitting. I guess I should have known this was coming, what will all the Twilight groups on Ravelry. The sad thing is that I looked through the patterns, and a lot of them are really cute and have nothing to do with vampires! The taint of the Cullens is too strong for me to consider purchasing this, but I might borrow it from the library.

The Internet, explained

XKCD, an entertaining and spot-on web comic has kindly deigned to explain online communities to those who may be out of the loop.

You’re welcome.

World’s Truest Venn Diagram

via LauraOlin

German, where have you been all my life?

I love language. I find it fascinating certain ideas are more easily expressed in one language than another. For example, there is no complete, direct English translation for the French phrase “l’esprit de l’escalier.” The phrase defines the act of thinking of a clever comeback when it’s too late to say it. You may be elsewhere, or maybe it’s just that too much time has passed. Whatever the reason, the phrase encompasses the regret one feels that this response was not thought of when it could have been employed.

German is another language that has given English these types of words: schadenfreude, zeitgeist, and my new favorite word ever, fremdschämen. This word means to be vicariously embarrassed for somebody else. I feel this all the time. It’s part of the reason that I gave up Ugly Betty in early season 3, and can’t watch sitcoms at all. I feel embarrassed for the characters on the show, and often the actors who portray them (I feel that 200 grand an episode is the least the producers can give them for having to play such stupid characters).

Oddly enough, I have a reality tv star to thank for bringing this word to my attention. Reality shows are another type of program that I usually avoid, unless they’re on HGTV or involve Tim Gunn. That means that I’ve never watched a single second of Keeping up with the Kardashians, although I’d have to be living under a rock not to know anything about these people. A Jezebel post entitled “Germans Outraged by Sexy Oktoberfest Outfits” featured a picture of Kim Kardashian in a sexy (but, dare I say it, not completely unadorable) dirndl.

Although it wasn’t linked to, the quotes used in that post came from this Wall Street Journal article. It quotes Ursula Fröhmer, a Munich tailor tailor who specializes in traditional folk costumes, who really doesn’t care for the modern spin that people are putting on tracht, traditional Bavarian clothing. She describes her reaction to these clothes in this manner:

“I’m overcome with fremdschämen, and I’m ashamed that I’m from Bavaria when I see things like that,” Ms. Fröhmer says.

Way harsh, Tai! Since I don’t have any historical connection to dirndls, I just appreciate when I see a cute one, nevermind that it may not be in keeping with tradition. I’m sad for Ms. Fröhmer that she has to watch her cultural costume become commercialized, but I’m happy that this occasion gave me a word for what I’ve been feeling pretty much all my life.

Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?

Wayne Brady holds a special place in my heart. He has been a part of some really funny pop culture moments, and seems to have an excellent sense of the ridiculous.

Here’s his epic Chapelle Show appearance:

And a recent Funny or Die skit that he did with Mike Tyson, where they did a frame by frame recreation of Bobby Brown’s 80s-licious video for “Every Little Step I Take.”

For comparison’s sake, here is the original Bobby Brown video:

Things like this are why I always smile when I think of Wayne Brady.

(Via New York Magazine)

Hot Guys Reading Books

Yes, please.

Every now and then, tumblr justifies its existence.

One of these things is not like the other

Laughing at the stupid fears that prompt people to take out bizarre insurance policies is all fun and games until the article mocks one that actually sounds rather reasonable: Thai riots. A quick google search will show you that yes, this is a more legitimate fear than being impregnated by a deity or abducted by aliens (I think). I do want to visit Thailand in my life, and no, I wouldn’t buy this insurance, but it’s not like I don’t see why other tourists would consider doing so.

Honesty has never been so awesome

Ian McKellen, an actor who has spent my lifetime (and then some) playing interesting characters (and been knighted for it), marched in an anti-Pope rally in London. I don’t know what his particular difficulties are with the Pope, but my take on this is that he should wear some version of this shirt every day.

From The Onion News Network: A change I can believe in

Obama Releases 500,000 Men From U.S. Strategic Bachelor Reserve

Keep dreaming, Gates

Let’s face it, no matter how awesome Windows Phone 7 is, there’s no way that it’s immediately going to make the iPhone and Blackberry obsolete. Why then did the eggheads at Microsoft throw a funeral for these phones? Not a mock funeral with engineers high-fiving each other and saying things like, “You’re going down, dude!” but an actual black-wearing, hearse-having parade. I have seen delusion, and it is not pretty.