Statue with Mirror
In the garden outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
In the garden outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
I read a single sentence today which struck me as an expression of an idea that is not usually written out. First, a bit of an introduction: I frequently search out conversations online that are carried on by thoughtful, considerate people. I can tell you from experience, you will not find such comments at the following places: Engadget (or any site owned by Weblogs, Inc.), Gizmodo, any site that is part of a “blogging network”, any newspaper website (these are particularly bad), ESPN, corporate blogs, and on and on. As such, I still use these websites for information, but I consciously force myself to avoid the comments — they’ll bring nothing but strife.
Certainly, stimulating respectful yet interesting discourse when participants have the total anonymity provided by the internet is difficult, but it can be done.
But back to my main point.
I was reading an interesting discussion, and at the end of a post, one participant wrote this:
I just remember hearing this though, so if you find information contradicting it, well, listen to that.
It’s almost profound in its modest, self-deprecating tone. I think that mentally appending that statement (or a variation thereof) to online discussions could be quite useful.
Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soda pop drink I’ve never heard of. It sounds a bit like Dr. Pepper, in the “hard to describe the taste” department:
The formula for Irn-Bru is a closely guarded trade secret, known only by two of Barr’s board members, with a written copy held in a Swiss bank-vault. As of 1999 it contained 0.002% of ammonium ferric citrate, sugar, 32 flavouring agents (including caffeine (though caffeine is not listed as an ingredient on the Australian labelling) and quinine) and two controversial colourings (E110, E124). It is advertised as having a slight citrus flavour, but many have differing opinions of the exact taste of Irn-Bru.
Irn-Bru has long been the most popular soft drink in Scotland, outselling Coca-Cola, but recent fierce competition between the two brands has brought their sales to roughly equal levels (perhaps leaning to Coca-Cola).
Has anybody had this? I wonder if I can try it when I go to Europe. Hmm.
Kathleen Connally’s picture of an orchard in the springtime is particularly lovely now that we finally have some blossoming spring buds of our own here in Minnesota.
The two of us, before heading out for a nice evening.
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