Stock market sell-off?

I don't think so. Everyone from lay people to stock market analysts refer to the recent market activity (going decidedly lower) as a sell-off or as "everyone selling". Not everyone is selling. In fact, for every share sold, someone buys a share. That's the way the market works. You can't sell a single share unless someone is willing to buy it. So, you would be as accurate in calling it a buy-off as a sell-off. Just one of my kazillion pet peeves.

Giant spider?

Some guy on YouTube posted a video of a "giant garage spider". Watch it, then judge if what I posted (copied below) was justified.



Dude, when I was vacationing in the Dominican Republic, I found a spider on my room (indoor) wall that was about six inches in diameter. I whipped off my shoe and smashed it and the thing was still alive. I had to repeatedly hammer it to kill it. That was a spider.

Oh, Nelly!

It's official. I am an old fogey. I have been hearing and reading snippets about "Nelly" for some time. It wasn't until two days ago that I learned that Nelly was not a woman or even several women. Why would I think that, anyway? For the same fricken reason that if I hear about a musical talent named George, Ill assume it's a guy.

It's not that we didn't have such silliness in my generation--we had an actress named Michael Learned and a musical group named something "Brothers" (my usual steel trap memory is failing me, today) that was comprised of girls--but the thing is, I used to know about the music scene. I have completely lost interest in something I used to love to the point where I can know of an "artist" and not really know anything about him/her. I listen to a steady diet of 60's and 70's with an occasional smattering of pre-60's and post 70's. I'm either an old fogey or I've been spoiled...or both.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader

I just had to post this. The question was:

What 16th century Aztec emperor was killed by conquistador Hernando Cortes and his army?

The contestant said "I want to say 'Apollo', but that's that Greek guy". The kicker is that his wife is Mexican and she knew the answer.

If you're thinking "Montezuma", you're right.

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Tonight's contestant said she wanted to dispel the stereotype that beautiful women are dumb.

First of all, how presumptuous and conceited of her.

Secondly, a number of women before her have made similar statements, the vast majority of them having eaten their words, thereby promoting the stereotype. Unless she had never seen the show, wouldn't the smart thing have been to shut up?

The poor dear was completely stumped by:

An acorn comes from what tree?

Her answer to this difficult question? -- Pine tree.

She was saved by her classmate.

She was then presented with this question:

To what mountain range does the Matterhorn belong?

She looked dumbfounded (as she did after every question) and didn't say a word. The host tried to help her, saying "What mountain ranges do you know of?"

She said "The Appalachians...the Himalayas...(thinking she might be making a fool of herself, she continued)...but I'm not sure those are even mountain ranges or I just made the whole thing up." Then, obviously attempting to do damage control, quickly said she was "dropping out" (meaning she was taking the money she had won to that point and leaving).

She breathed new life into that tired, old stereotype.