Author Archives: WorldWideWeber

Escalator

Exactly a month ago, while drawing up Obama’s first-quarter report card, I wrote: “Still to be scored is his approach to Afghanistan—he is currently deliberating, and the hope arises he will ditch the simpleminded bellicosity displayed in his campaign and … Continue reading

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Sexagintennary

Today my parents marked 60 years of marriage. Only six of their kids made it “home” to help celebrate (all nine made it for their 5oth anniversary). What’s that? Yes, they’re Catholic. But we like to think there’s more to … Continue reading

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Threads

Picking up a few loose ones … Armenia Back in August we heard about the incipient rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey that was to culminate in an imminent restoration of diplomatic relations. On October 10, after a last-minute dispute over … Continue reading

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Logotype

I came across this on a Facebook wall belonging to a company called Motto Agency. I was surprised at how many brands I could identify from a single stylized letter. But then, that’s what companies like Motto are all about. … Continue reading

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Scrimping

I’ve walked past this sign so many times I finally had to memorialize it: Not bad: more than $100,000 a year! Maybe even $200,000! Clearly all income is pure profit—why bother paying for a professional-looking sign? And don’t worry if … Continue reading

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Detente

The news arrives today that Armenia and Turkey have decided to establish diplomatic relations. It is typical of this dysfunctional relationship that no date has been set for such relations to actually kick in, and none of the thorny issues … Continue reading

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¡Corre!

While I was in Ecuador recently, I noticed that cars don’t slow down for pedestrians. And it seems the red octagonal PARE sign is discretionary. So pedestrians there keep a sharp eye out and are ready to accelerate in an … Continue reading

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Twofer

Happy Bloomsday, everyone! And what a lucky day it is. A tweet from uchicagomag (the University of Chicago alumni magazine) led to this wonderful photo showing two of my most favorite things: Looks like she’s absorbed in Molly’s soliloquy. “Yes” … Continue reading

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Caught

The New York Times reported today that Google is being threatened with sanctions in Germany over its Street View feature, which allows users to “stroll” along streets in areas that are covered by the service, taking in the buildings, scenery, … Continue reading

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Won’t

Jacob Weisberg has offered an early, tentative assessment of Barack Obama as president. The first “theme” he isolates is that Obama “sees the middle ground as the high ground.” Candidates who talk about bringing people together or changing the tone … Continue reading

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