Realm of the Wombat

I was leaving work last night, and just as I was about to call Melissa, I saw a guy hanging out near the chemistry buildings. He was wearing a large cowboy hat. In Berkeley, a place renowned for people and things not-normal, this was not normal.

“Excuse me,” the guy called out in a distinctly Texan accent.

I walked toward him and could now see him better in the dim light. He had one of those shirts with the fringe on, and I thought he was also wearing one of those bolo tie.

He wasn’t just some student wearing a cowboy hat. He was a cowboy!

“Is the organic exam in Pimentel?” he asked.

“Sorry, I have no idea.” I replied.

“Oh, thanks anyway.” he said, and I started walking down the hill.

Kind fella, that cowboy. I wish he would have given a little more cowboy speak, like, “I’ll let ‘cha wrangle on home there, chuck-eater,” but alas…

Holy Grail of Berkeley cars: World’s Ugliest Corvette

Don’t let the terrorists see this: Top 10 Ways to Destroy Earth

If only this guy were in charge…

The band Camera Obscura was described as “dulcet” by Morning Becomes Eclectic. Since it’s been a while since I increased everyone’s vocabulary, I thought I’d post it.

dulcet - adjective
1. pleasant to the ear; melodious
2. pleasant or agreeable to the eye or the feelings; soothing

Scholars of romance languages will guess the etymology:

Alteration (influenced by Latin dulcis), of Middle English doucet from Old French, diminutive of douce feminine of doux (sweet) from Latin dulcis.

Thanks dictionary.com!

When I discovered the Shins, I completely devoured their two albums. I almost resorted to buying CD singles just to get a few more of their tracks. It wasn’t until listening to their show on Morning Becomes Eclectic that I learned about their predecessors, Flake Music. I’m not sure predecessors is the right word, since Flake Music disbanded only to return with the same lineup on the Shins’ first album. In any case, When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return features that lo-fi sound that you know and love.

Put it in the books!

Not only did Notre Dame lose to Michigan, and looked bad doing it, but that means I have to do this:

However, in the interest of maintaining optimism, I present to you five things that make me happy.

5) I saved 50 cents with a coupon at lunch yesterday.
4) Today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day.
3) My bike is functioning again and serves as the best way to get to work since I’m not eligible for a bus pass anymore.
2) I have my health, which is important since I don’t know if I have health insurance.
1) Baseball.

Last night, we went to see the A’s host the Chisox at the Coliseum. Loaiza started for the A’s and continued his second half resurgence, allowing 2 runs only four baserunners in 7 innings. The offense had plenty of opportunities and did enough damage to give Oakland the 4-2 victory. The win lowered the A’s magic number to 11, with 16 games to play. The two points I’d like to make are two examples of incompetence due to lack of focus of what was happening on the field.

And the dignity of 23,500 people is restored, at least partially…

The Chicago Tribune explains:

If we have learned anything from Weis after 14 games, it’s that the man hates to punt. … Weis likes field-goal tries about as much as punts.