Unindicted co-conspirator #2 called from Oslo to ask the following question: Here’s a simple-sounding problem: Imagine a circular fence that encloses one acre of grass. If you tie a goat to the inside of the fence, how long a rope do you need to allow the animal access to exactly half an acre? – Quanta […]
Month: July 2023
Paterfamilias In junior high, many years ago, before the internet, before the internal combustion engine, even before the introduction of Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Smoky Ghost Pepper Puffs, we had a school newspaper. I remember one article, where the reporter asked students, “What is a paterfamilias?” and this yielded a variety of goofy junior high responses. […]
You are Tom Hanks. You are stuck on a desert island. You are trying to remember survival tips from Gilligan’s Island (those poor people!). You are bored out of your mind. One final FedEx package washes up on shore. It contains one book. What would that book be? Will the gods smile upon you? Good […]
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Uganda
Thanks to Unindicted Co-conspirator #1 for today’s post. One of my early trips to Africa was with a Canadian Trade Mission, sponsored by the federal government to promote international business development. The trip took us through Kenya, Uganda and South Africa and in each country we met with various businessmen to look for opportunities to […]
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Norway (Maine)
Thanks to Unindicted Co-conspirator #1 for today’s post. Norway, in Maine, not the one adjacent to Sweden. Interesting town, if only because of their new 1 MW solar project built on top of a contaminated old landfill site. This news comes to me via email from UGE International, a company traded on the TSE. Through […]
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2-Letter Words
At WLBOTT, we have a special place in our hearts for four-letter words. But in an effort to expand our horizons, today we investigate English 2-letter words. Searchable list: Ew joins another 106 two-letter words, which are aa, ab, ad, ae, ag, ah, ai, al, am, an, ar, as, at, aw, ax, ay, ba, be, bi, […]
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Not Haiku
Big, big day in the WLBOTT-verse. But so we don’t peak too early, let’s reflect on some more not-haiku. (These Eggs Were) Born to Run– Rob Carlson“There’s no actual crime any more, the police will have time on their hands.” Across the Jersey lineThere’s a little dinnerRun by a couple a Greeks And though it’s […]
Much as General Sternwood lives vicariously* through Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep, WLBOTT admins live vicariously through you, dear readers. If you haven’t seen The Big Sleep, go check under the couch cushions for loose change to see if you can come up with $2.99. Blue Bell Rankings / Favorites Unindicted Co-conspirator #3 will […]
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Sardines, part 1
Ketchikan Many years ago I bought my wonderful spousal unit a silver sardine can pendant . At the time it was a pretty unique gift, but sadly there has been an explosion in this line of jewelry. The commodification of Sardine Can Necklaces. The SCN Cartel. Anyhow, the necklace came from an on-line jewelry store […]
We offer, for your culinary and bijouterie(*) enjoyment, the following food-themed earrings.