The basic unit of currency of the premodern world was remarkably constant: a small gold coin weighing approximately four grams—one-eighth of an ounce—and about the size of a present-day American dime, appearing in various times and places as the French livre, Florentine florin, Spanish or Venetian ducat, Portuguese cruzado, dinar of the Muslim world, Byzantine [...]
Archive for July, 2008
Old money
Posted in Commerce, History, Quotation on July 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Stairs and knees
Posted in Exercise / PTC on July 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
One of the great features of my new workplace is the stairwell near my cubicle. Five stories, about 135 steps — good exercise.
After straining both knees during the last five weeks (the left one badly), here is what I have learned about being careful taking the stairs:
On the way up, make sure my entire foot [...]
The Onion on movies
Posted in Humor on July 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
My favorite movie genre parodies from The Onion:
“Tow-Truck Driver Has Great Idea for Tow-Truck Movie”
“Dancer Risks Everything”
The Anatomy of Melancholy
Posted in Books on July 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The New York Review of Books edition of The Anatomy of Melancholy is 1382 pages long.
Here’s the problem with that.
If I’m feeling melancholy, then I’m in no condition to read a serious 1382-page book with a lot of Latin in it.
If I’m not feeling melancholy, then why would I want to think about melancholia?
It all [...]
Tabling
Posted in Academic on July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The verb tabling means the opposite in British English from its meaning in American English. In the UK, to table an item means to begin discussing it. In the US, to table an item means to postpone discussing it.
Attention deficit disappointment
Posted in Pets on July 29, 2008 | 3 Comments »
My housemate’s cat, Beans, looks so sad when no one is paying attention to her. The only time I see her sadder is when someone is paying attention to her.
Sex Pistols go Rasta
Posted in Music on July 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Imagine a mellow Caribbean beat slowly rising in volume.
And then soft voices chanting:
(God save the- God save the- God save the Queen)
(God save the- God save the- God save the Queen)
(God save the- God save the- God save the Queen)
And, finally, a lead singer:
God Save the Queen!
And then let it go, mon, let it go…
(God [...]
Today’s music video
Posted in Music, Video on July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Nick Cave is a bad, bad man who made a fine, fine video.
