I must apologize to my readers. I have been alternately crazy busy and uninspired but overwhelmed as of late. But never fear, I am getting back into the swing of things. Here is a new column and a commitment to continue the blog more regularly.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding
Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
There are as many fears as there are things in the world. Some of the following objects of discomfort and terror might surprise you. See if you can over come your logophobia or maybe your atelophobia and figure out what there is to be frightened of in the words below.
Agoraphobia: (n) fear of... a) open spaces. b) literally “the marketplace”. c) public areas. d) all of thee above.
Algophobia: (n) fear of... a) abduction b) pain. c) glowing clocks. d) limping.
Amaxphobia: (n) fear of..a) riding in a car. b) suffocation. c) over spending on your credit cards. d) men named Max or Maxamillion.
Anuptaphobia: (n) fear of...a) foods with nuts b) remaining single. c) getting married without a prenuptial agreement. d) being shipped off to Borneo.
Chrematophobia: (n) fear of...a) being cremated. b) being cremated while still alive. c) chemical additives. d) money
Cibophobia: (n) fear of...a) food. b) people from China. c) siphons. d) siblings
Ecophobia: (n) fear of... a) loud sounds, b) your own home,
c) reverbertaion, d) enviromental breakdown.
Gamophobia: (n) fear of...a) sports and games. b) loosing. c) rotting flesh. d) marriage.
Iophobia: (n) fear of... a) Jupiter’s moons. b) being poisoned. c) owing money. d) vowels.
Keraunophobia: (n) fear of...a)kerosene b) glare from the sun, c) thunder and lightening, d) crunchy foods.
Kleptophobia: (n) fear of a) clowns. b) stealing. c) people with canes or crutches. d) paper clips.
Linonophobia: (n) fear of...a) the music of Yoko Ono Lennon. b) waiting in line c) string d) country line dancing.
Lygophobia: (n) fear of...a) gophers. b) being lied to. c) telling lies. d) darkness.
Molysmophobia: (n) fear of...a) dirt or contamination. b) oil. c) girls named Molly. d) fire.
Muriphobia: (n) fear of...a) the ocean. b) the paintings of Joan Miro c) seafaring ghosts d) mice
Myxophobia: (n) fear of...a) fungus. b) slime. c) moxibustion. d) your own smelly socks.
Omborphobia: (n) fear of... a) people from Hamburg Germany, b) umbrellas, c) being boring, d) fear of rain or of being rained upon.
Nebulaphobia: (n) fear of...a) phenomenea beyond the planet Earth, b) fog, c) being a nebish, d) castration
Peniaphobia: (n) fear of...a) poverty b) being forced to wear a pinafore in public. c) pennies. d) pasta.
Phobiaphobia: (n) fear of...a) falling. b) embarrassment c) being afraid. d) your blind date will run screaming in fear when you get to the door
Tocophobia: (n) fear of...a) childbirth or pregnancy b) cigars or cigarettes. c) Mexican food. d) sounding crazy when speaking in public.
Thantaphobia: (n) fear of...a) ghosts. b) department store Santa’s who lisp. c) the number 13. d) death.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Basketball Talk
Basketball Talk
A few years ago the only thing vaguely like sports that I would be found watching was ice-skating, gymnastics or sumo. Then my husband turned me into a Lakers fan. I realized that one of the reasons I never liked or followed the game before was that, like all sports and other cabals, it has its’ own language. Once I learned the lingo, I started to understand what was going on and found that basketball is an amazing, fast paced, largely unchoreographed dance. This is part two of my B-ball blogs.
Bigs – a) players who consistently score over 25 points a game b) players who play Center or Power Forward positions and tend to be the largest player on the team c) Players with large feet i.e. “He tripped over his own bigs.” c) the biggest stars or superstars that bring in the crowds
Boards- a) the wooden floor of the court b) the seats, because they were pine benches when the game started c) rebounds d) disinterested spouses or friends who have been dragged along to the game
Brick – a) a shot ball that misses b) a ball that scores; one brick in the wall of the score c) a run of ten or more points for a single team d) each million dollars in a player’s contract.
Charity Stripe – a) where the players who are not dressed to play because of injury or other issues sit on the bench b) when players donate money or time to charity c) the stripe down the side of a player’s jersey d) the free throw line
Chippy – a) A Laker Girl b) when players tease, or call each other out on the court c) when the ball flies into the crowd d) when the officials disagree about a call
Chirpy – a) a player under six feet b) the sounds that the player’s shoes make on the court c) when players complain about the calls of the refs d) basketball groupies
Cleans it up – a) shoot the winning basket b) stops a non scoring run c) stops swearing at the ref d) gets the rebound
Easy Deuce a) uncontested or very easy two point score b) an easy two game win c) a two year contract d) two endorsement deals
Flat Footed – a) a player who can’t jump after an injury b) standing around, not really reacting or playing i.e. “caught flat footed” c) literally a player with flat feet – a fairly common condition in people over six and half feet tall d) seats where the feet are actually on the wood of the court – “front row” or “flat footed seats.”
Free Throw Line – a) the line at the top of the key where shots cannot be contested because the other team has committed a foul against the player or team doing the shooting b) the line that divided the court in half- once crossed a player is free to shoot the ball c) the line which non-players are not allowed to cross – audience members will be thrown out if they cross the free throw line d) none of thee above
Good Look – a) a spiffy uniform b) seats with a good view of the game c) how players communicate with eyes and facial expressions so that the other team won’t know the game plan d) a good or open shot
Mr. Mo – a) what they call Spike Lee because he likes “Mo Better Basketball” b) the momentum of the game c) money, the main motivating factor d) the player who gives that extra effort
One and done – a) the last game in a series b) one shot with a score and no reliance on the rebound c) the last shot of the game when missed is “one and done.” d) a player who’s career is cut off by a single injury
Open Shot – a) uncontested, no player from the other team is playing defense on the shooter. b) a shot from the foul line c) a player who’s contract is open to sign to a new team d) a shot made in the air
Shooter – a) player attempting to make the basket b) the press on the floor c) a single shot from the bar c) all of thee above
Stops – a) a time out b) keeping the other team from scoring c) the bell to signal the end of a quarter d) the apparatus that the basketball and backboard are attached to
Strip – a) what many fans wish the Laker girls would do b) to run the floor and get to the basket without any defenders c) to steal the ball from an opposing player when it is their possession d) the half court line that determines who’s end of the court you are on
Stripe – a) the free throw line b) any of the lines on the floor c) the style of play of any given player d) the security guards
Triple Double – a) two three point shots on a row b) three two point shots in a row c) two shots in a row with a foul that allows for a third point attempt d) when a player gets three or more stats over two digits in any game
Walk – a) the way the players strut out when introduced b) to be asked to leave the court c) to carry the ball without dribbling for more than a single step d) the long route to the parking lot after the game.
BONUS QUESTION: Which of these phrases were coined by the beloved Lakers announcer Chick Hearn?
A few years ago the only thing vaguely like sports that I would be found watching was ice-skating, gymnastics or sumo. Then my husband turned me into a Lakers fan. I realized that one of the reasons I never liked or followed the game before was that, like all sports and other cabals, it has its’ own language. Once I learned the lingo, I started to understand what was going on and found that basketball is an amazing, fast paced, largely unchoreographed dance. This is part two of my B-ball blogs.
Bigs – a) players who consistently score over 25 points a game b) players who play Center or Power Forward positions and tend to be the largest player on the team c) Players with large feet i.e. “He tripped over his own bigs.” c) the biggest stars or superstars that bring in the crowds
Boards- a) the wooden floor of the court b) the seats, because they were pine benches when the game started c) rebounds d) disinterested spouses or friends who have been dragged along to the game
Brick – a) a shot ball that misses b) a ball that scores; one brick in the wall of the score c) a run of ten or more points for a single team d) each million dollars in a player’s contract.
Charity Stripe – a) where the players who are not dressed to play because of injury or other issues sit on the bench b) when players donate money or time to charity c) the stripe down the side of a player’s jersey d) the free throw line
Chippy – a) A Laker Girl b) when players tease, or call each other out on the court c) when the ball flies into the crowd d) when the officials disagree about a call
Chirpy – a) a player under six feet b) the sounds that the player’s shoes make on the court c) when players complain about the calls of the refs d) basketball groupies
Cleans it up – a) shoot the winning basket b) stops a non scoring run c) stops swearing at the ref d) gets the rebound
Easy Deuce a) uncontested or very easy two point score b) an easy two game win c) a two year contract d) two endorsement deals
Flat Footed – a) a player who can’t jump after an injury b) standing around, not really reacting or playing i.e. “caught flat footed” c) literally a player with flat feet – a fairly common condition in people over six and half feet tall d) seats where the feet are actually on the wood of the court – “front row” or “flat footed seats.”
Free Throw Line – a) the line at the top of the key where shots cannot be contested because the other team has committed a foul against the player or team doing the shooting b) the line that divided the court in half- once crossed a player is free to shoot the ball c) the line which non-players are not allowed to cross – audience members will be thrown out if they cross the free throw line d) none of thee above
Good Look – a) a spiffy uniform b) seats with a good view of the game c) how players communicate with eyes and facial expressions so that the other team won’t know the game plan d) a good or open shot
Mr. Mo – a) what they call Spike Lee because he likes “Mo Better Basketball” b) the momentum of the game c) money, the main motivating factor d) the player who gives that extra effort
One and done – a) the last game in a series b) one shot with a score and no reliance on the rebound c) the last shot of the game when missed is “one and done.” d) a player who’s career is cut off by a single injury
Open Shot – a) uncontested, no player from the other team is playing defense on the shooter. b) a shot from the foul line c) a player who’s contract is open to sign to a new team d) a shot made in the air
Shooter – a) player attempting to make the basket b) the press on the floor c) a single shot from the bar c) all of thee above
Stops – a) a time out b) keeping the other team from scoring c) the bell to signal the end of a quarter d) the apparatus that the basketball and backboard are attached to
Strip – a) what many fans wish the Laker girls would do b) to run the floor and get to the basket without any defenders c) to steal the ball from an opposing player when it is their possession d) the half court line that determines who’s end of the court you are on
Stripe – a) the free throw line b) any of the lines on the floor c) the style of play of any given player d) the security guards
Triple Double – a) two three point shots on a row b) three two point shots in a row c) two shots in a row with a foul that allows for a third point attempt d) when a player gets three or more stats over two digits in any game
Walk – a) the way the players strut out when introduced b) to be asked to leave the court c) to carry the ball without dribbling for more than a single step d) the long route to the parking lot after the game.
BONUS QUESTION: Which of these phrases were coined by the beloved Lakers announcer Chick Hearn?
Who's That Man?: Key
Who’s That Man?
Sports figures often get nicknames. They come from the press, from the team and from fans. Can you tell the following monikers of the Lakers over the years?
George Mikan – b) Mr. Basketball
Jerry West – c) Mr. Clutch d) The Logo e) c and d
Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap
Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.
James Worthy – b) Big Game James
Wilt Chamberlain
Karl Malone – d) The Mailman
Vladimir Radmanovic – Vlad Rad
Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.
Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) a and d g) all of the above
Lamar Odom – L.O.
D.J. Mbenga – D.J.
Sasha Vujacic – a) The Machine c)Sasha
Derek Fisher – b) D-Fish c) Fish
Pau Gasol – The Quiet One
Trevor Ariza – The Thief, The Cobra
Sun Yue – Q-tip
Phil Jackson – PJ
Kurt Rambis – d) a and b
Rat Riley – d) all of the above
Sports figures often get nicknames. They come from the press, from the team and from fans. Can you tell the following monikers of the Lakers over the years?
George Mikan – b) Mr. Basketball
Jerry West – c) Mr. Clutch d) The Logo e) c and d
Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap
Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.
James Worthy – b) Big Game James
Wilt Chamberlain
Karl Malone – d) The Mailman
Vladimir Radmanovic – Vlad Rad
Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.
Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) a and d g) all of the above
Lamar Odom – L.O.
D.J. Mbenga – D.J.
Sasha Vujacic – a) The Machine c)Sasha
Derek Fisher – b) D-Fish c) Fish
Pau Gasol – The Quiet One
Trevor Ariza – The Thief, The Cobra
Sun Yue – Q-tip
Phil Jackson – PJ
Kurt Rambis – d) a and b
Rat Riley – d) all of the above
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Who's That Man?
Sports figures often get nicknames. They come from the press, from the team and from fans. Do you know the monikers these various Los Angeles Lakers from over the years?
George Mikan – a) Specs b) Mr. Basketball c) Mr. Mike d) Rochester
Jerry West – a) Wild, Wild West b)Mr. W. c) Mr. Clutch d)The Logo e) c and d f) a and b
Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap b) The Aviator c) Captain Sky-Hook d) none of the above e) a and c.
Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.
James Worthy – a) Mr. Give and Go b) Big Game James c) Big Game Jimmy d) J.W. Dunker
Wilt Chamberlain – a) Wilt the Stilt b) The Big Dipper c) Chairman of the Board d) all of the above
Karl Malone – a) Malone Alone b) The Delivery Man c) The Big Defender d) The Mailman
Rick Foxy – a) Sly Fox b) Bahaman Ricky c) Foxy d) Mr. America
Vladimir Radmanovic – a) Bad Rad b) Vlad Rad c) Broadway Joe d) b and c
Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.
Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) all of the above
Lamar Odom – a) L.O. b) Rich Soil c) Mello L.O. d) The Sixth Man Special
Didier Mbenga – a) Congo Johnny b) Mr. Chivalry c) D.J. d) D.B.
Aleksandar Vujacic – a) The Machine b) Hole in One c) Sasha d) a and c
Derek Fisher – a) Final Shot Fish b) D-Fish c) Fish d) b and c
Pau Gasol – a) The Quiet One b) The Llama c) The Spaniard d) P.G.
Trevor Ariza – a) The Cutter b) The Thief c) Cobra d) b and c
Sun Yue – a) Sunny b) U.A. c) Triple d) Q-tip
Phil Jackson – a) P.J. b) Zen Master c) Maverick d) all of thee above
Kurt Rambis – a) Superman b) Clark Kent c) Goofy d) a and b
Pat Riley – a) Riles b) Coach Slick c) Mr. G.Q. d) all of the above d) none of the above
George Mikan – a) Specs b) Mr. Basketball c) Mr. Mike d) Rochester
Jerry West – a) Wild, Wild West b)Mr. W. c) Mr. Clutch d)The Logo e) c and d f) a and b
Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap b) The Aviator c) Captain Sky-Hook d) none of the above e) a and c.
Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.
James Worthy – a) Mr. Give and Go b) Big Game James c) Big Game Jimmy d) J.W. Dunker
Wilt Chamberlain – a) Wilt the Stilt b) The Big Dipper c) Chairman of the Board d) all of the above
Karl Malone – a) Malone Alone b) The Delivery Man c) The Big Defender d) The Mailman
Rick Foxy – a) Sly Fox b) Bahaman Ricky c) Foxy d) Mr. America
Vladimir Radmanovic – a) Bad Rad b) Vlad Rad c) Broadway Joe d) b and c
Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.
Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) all of the above
Lamar Odom – a) L.O. b) Rich Soil c) Mello L.O. d) The Sixth Man Special
Didier Mbenga – a) Congo Johnny b) Mr. Chivalry c) D.J. d) D.B.
Aleksandar Vujacic – a) The Machine b) Hole in One c) Sasha d) a and c
Derek Fisher – a) Final Shot Fish b) D-Fish c) Fish d) b and c
Pau Gasol – a) The Quiet One b) The Llama c) The Spaniard d) P.G.
Trevor Ariza – a) The Cutter b) The Thief c) Cobra d) b and c
Sun Yue – a) Sunny b) U.A. c) Triple d) Q-tip
Phil Jackson – a) P.J. b) Zen Master c) Maverick d) all of thee above
Kurt Rambis – a) Superman b) Clark Kent c) Goofy d) a and b
Pat Riley – a) Riles b) Coach Slick c) Mr. G.Q. d) all of the above d) none of the above
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Gone for the Gold
Those of you who check here each week for the answers to last week’s quiz may have noticed that I have been absent for a few weeks.
Last week I was in Houston, Texas. Reaping a reward for some of the other work I do with words; namely, screenwriting. My husband and I write together. And we have successfully adapted his short film into a feature length script. The readers at WorldFest Houston found A One-Color System, the feature, worthy of a Gold Remi Award.
The hospitality was lovely. The awards banquet treated us to great food, decent entertainment and the excitement that almost everyone in the room was there to get an award or support someone getting one.
The air in Houston isn’t something you breathe, as much as something you swim through. The only thing that kept the temperature in check was the gale force winds. All I can say is that I am very lucky that my hair is short and straight.
I apologize for the long absence. I was out of town last week and catching up on the rest of my life this week.
Here are the answers for the last quiz. A new one will be coming in the next few days. My current theme is going to be basketball, in honor of the Lakers. May they make it all the way to the top this year.
Last week I was in Houston, Texas. Reaping a reward for some of the other work I do with words; namely, screenwriting. My husband and I write together. And we have successfully adapted his short film into a feature length script. The readers at WorldFest Houston found A One-Color System, the feature, worthy of a Gold Remi Award.
The hospitality was lovely. The awards banquet treated us to great food, decent entertainment and the excitement that almost everyone in the room was there to get an award or support someone getting one.
The air in Houston isn’t something you breathe, as much as something you swim through. The only thing that kept the temperature in check was the gale force winds. All I can say is that I am very lucky that my hair is short and straight.
I apologize for the long absence. I was out of town last week and catching up on the rest of my life this week.
Here are the answers for the last quiz. A new one will be coming in the next few days. My current theme is going to be basketball, in honor of the Lakers. May they make it all the way to the top this year.
Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons:Key
Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons: Key
Biannual: d) a and b (occurring twice a year b) occurring every two years)
Biennial: c) occurring every two years or for a two year duration
Diurnal: b) daily; of, relating to or occurring in the day.
Fortnight: d) two-weeks.
Hiemal: c) winter.
Hodiernal: a) today.
Neoteric: b) recent, modern.
Nocturnal: a) nightly; of or relating to, or occurring in the night.
Nudiustertian: d) the day before yesterday.
Nychthemeron: b) a 24 hour period.
Penteteric: d) five years
Perendinate: b) postpone.
Biannual: d) a and b (occurring twice a year b) occurring every two years)
Biennial: c) occurring every two years or for a two year duration
Diurnal: b) daily; of, relating to or occurring in the day.
Fortnight: d) two-weeks.
Hiemal: c) winter.
Hodiernal: a) today.
Neoteric: b) recent, modern.
Nocturnal: a) nightly; of or relating to, or occurring in the night.
Nudiustertian: d) the day before yesterday.
Nychthemeron: b) a 24 hour period.
Penteteric: d) five years
Perendinate: b) postpone.
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