I'm slightly aroused...

And now I'm following both of you, so... oh, yeah, I'm nobody!*

*This statement is not meant to pity guilty you into following me

Well, I don't feel obligated to tip. Examples, in the town I go to school, there are a lot of little restaurants that don't have you order before you sit and then somebody comes a gives you your food after you sit, and that's it. In those cases I don't tip. I also don't tip in every service situation. When I do tip, usually at restaurants, I tip according to my level of service.

Having said that, anytime I go to Europe or South America, I appreciate the effect that tipping can have on the quality of service at restaurants. And, it's not even like a 'spoiled american' who confuses service with subservience. I'm talking about just outright negligent, incompetent, unprofessional, and rude service seems to be the norm. Well, at least in the countries I have visited.

the 'Chatter' link at the top of the page is a good way to find some conversation to jump into when you're looking for a fix.

Nicely put.

I do say, I like the cut of your jib!

Oh come on! I was an Obama supporter as well, but seriously, we need to stop making excuses. He seemed like he might be different, but he turned out like so many politicians who promise you the moon and then just show you their naked ass.

I'm not sure if teaching is performance in general, but it totally is to me. Within the structure of the curriculum and the lesson plan, one of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching is working the room, finding ways to deliver the content in meaningful manner, connecting with your students, ensuring that everybody is on the same level, etc... If that's not performance, then...

I see at lot of kids doing this at my school, usually hippies. But, the other day, I saw this dude walk barefoot into a public bathroom in one of the busiest buildings on campus... I just don't get that.

Interesting, I didn't know that it was published as a novel. Yeah, I'm actually about to start my PhD in Luso-Afro-Brazilian Lit in the fall and hopefully successfully defending my MA thesis in, oh god, 5 days! :)

Interesting, I didn't know that short story by Saramago had been translated to English. Good stuff.

I think TED is fascinating, but I don't think it's a replacement for a college education. I can't really speak about the other two because I have only heard of them, I don't have any first hand experience.

I hear what you're saying, I think it would be great, but I'm just not convinced we are quite there yet.

Thanks for the links, I'll have to look it to them over summer break.