In Norwegian, an umbrella is called paraply. It takes its name from the French (presumably) parapluie. It means defence against the rain.
A parasol is designed to use as defence against the sun.
This lady in front of me today was using her umbrella to protect herself against the snow. I wonder if there is a phrase for that. Or if (since) snow is cold rain it therefore uses the same phrase?
I rather like this article: Does having a king or a queen make a country stronger? – Sentinel & Enterprise.
Mainly because it articulates why I follow royalty – the historic ties to the past and the future is what gets me interested in it.
It also makes me remember a Danish newspaper comment after both the male football team and the handball teams had failed utterly in their respective championships – “Now, all we have to hold us together as a nation and excite us, is our royal family and the impending royal birth.” (I think it was around Christian’s birth, but I can’t say it for sure.)
Of course, republics have similar historic ties – the stories of all the places George Washington slept and ate have certainly become lore on its own, and there usually tend to be prominent affluent powerful people in republics as well as in monarchies.
But anyway, I thought it was an interesting article.
I was at a book talk tonight. The journalist who talked about “books that had been important in his life” was funny and made most of the books sound interesting.
The problem was that I have read some of the books he talked about. And I did not like them at all. The first one he talked about was Catcher in the rye. Back when we read this in English class in high school the class was almost 50-50 divided on it – the girls couldn’t stand it, and the boys loved it.
But trying to think what books have been important in my life is not easy.
I read a ton of books. My living room is full of books. I’ve taken to buying books electronically that I think I won’t share with the sisters, just because of space issues. I read quickly, and I have always done this. Back in middle school and high school I did the classics voluntarily (and some for class.) Ibsen and Shakespeare. I also had a period where I read even more super-serious books about WWII, which, in retrospect, was not a good thing for someone with an over-active imagination.
These days I’m sticking to my pulpy, comedy, romance and fantasy and the happy ever after. Much better for my state of mind.
If I want depressing reality, I can read the news.
If you have Twitter: Which famous people do you follow, and why?
Originally uploaded by librarian_triumphant
Tina Brown’s Diana is a great Christmas gift for “Your Grandma” according to the Borders staff.
I’m not sure what this says about the general perception of royal watchers (that we’re all 80 year olds?).
I do own a copy of it. And I wouldn’t classify myself as an 80 year old or a granny. How about you?
Evidently, the big topic with Prince William of Wales these days, is that he’s growing a beard. Or can’t find a razor. Whichever you think is likely. The issue seems to be when he will shave it off, as the RAF doesn’t quite see the necessity of beards in their service.