Monday, August 31, 2009

diktat \dik-TAHT\, noun:

1. A harsh settlement unilaterally imposed on a defeated party.
2. An authoritative decree or order.

Diktat comes from German, from Latin dictatum, neuter past participle of dictare, "to dictate." It is related to dictator.
Burning Envy

• The expirience often felt by persons not going to Burning Man beacuse they have real life obligations such as jobs, school, kids, etc.

Mike: Coming to Burning Man this year?

Nate: No, I have school and other shit I need to do.

Mike: So what! You can always start school a week late!

Nate: No, no I can't just fuck off all my obligations to party in the desert with a bunch of freaky druggies and rich douche bags who try to be freaky druggies once a year. Reality is more important right now.

Mike: You should still come.

Nate: You just don't get it do you?

Mike: You have Burning Envy, HA HA! Nate: ...
Trivia

What country was the first to air the soap opera on which the U.S. sitcom Ugly Betty is based?

• Colombia, from 1999 to 2001. The show was called Yo Soy Betty la Fea, which in English is “I Am Betty the Ugly.”

Today in History:

• Malaya: became independent of the United Kingdom (1957); a few years later this federation of states became Malaysia
• Trinidad and Tobago: island nation of the southern Caribbean, birthplace of limbo, became independent of the United Kingdom (1962)
• Jack the Ripper: first victim was found with her throat cut in London's East End (1888)
• Princess Diana: was killed in a car crash along with her companion, Dodi Fayed, and her driver as they attempted to evade paparazzi (1997)
• Baghdad bridge stampede: 1,000 pilgrims were killed when panic over a supposed suicide bomber caused a crush of people on the Al-Aaimmah bridge over the Tigris River (2005)

Today's Birthdays:

• Maria Montessori (1870-1952): educator, Montessori method
• William Saroyan (1908-1981): novelist/playwright, The Time of Your Life; other writers born on this date are DuBose Heyward (1885-1940), Dore Schary (1905-1980), William Shawn (1907-1992), Daniel Schorr (93) and Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986)
• Frank Robinson (74): baseball hall-of-famer; NFL coach Tom Coughlin (63) also has a birthday today
• Itzhak Perlman (64): world-class violinist and promoter of disabled rights; musician Van Morrison (64) shares this birth date
• Queen Rania (39): Jordan's queen, wife of Abdullah II
• Chris Tucker (37): comic actor, Rush Hour; also, actors Warren Berlinger (72), Deborah Gibson (39) and Sara Ramirez (34)