Daily Archives: February 1, 2006

Quote of the day

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The Carrowteigue area is notorious for its scenic landscapes.

From the online brochure of a Co. Mayo estate agent.

Update: I’ve had a lovely email from a fastidious reader who points out that ‘notorious’ has several meanings. For example, the Shorter Oxford lists these three:

  • Well known, commonly or generally known, forming a matter of common knowledge, esp. on account of some bad practice, quality etc., or some other thing not generally approved of or admired;
  • Such as is or may be generally, openly or publicly known. (Now rare.);
  • Conspicious, obvious, evident.

    I of course assumed the first, which is why I hooted with laughter upon reading the estate agent’s blurb. But it is perfectly possible, I concede, that in the recesses of Co. Mayo (where I was born), there dwells an estate agent with a more extensive grasp of the English language than mine and an even more antiquated style!

    What a thing it is to have erudite readers. I expect I will now become notorious among them for my ignorance. Sigh.

    • That State of the Union speech

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    The first President Bush loved to quote Woody Allen’s saying that half of life is just showing up. Last night, the current President Bush demonstrated the wisdom in those words. He delivered a pedestrian State of the Union speech, and he’ll likely get a brief bounce in the polls just for showing up at an annual ritual designed to make any president look presidential. But by next week, nobody will remember what he said….

    David Kusnet, writing in The New Republic. I think he’s wrong. Everyone will remember Dubya saying “America is addicted to oil”. I never thought I’d hear him say something like that.

    Helpful hints

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    My colleague Seb’s plane was diverted to Delhi when he was en route to Bangladesh to instal the first Ndiyo Internet cafe using mobile phone technology to provide internet connectivity. To compensate for the disruption, he was put up in a luxury hotel which, among other thoughtful touches provided this ‘To Do’ list. Suggestions include:

  • Have you called your family today?
  • Are there any important calls to be made before the day ends?
  • Are there any anniversary or birthday greetings?
  • Have you charged your mobile phone and/or laptop?
  • Have you taken your prescribed medicines or vitamins?