Word For the Day, Thursday, August 14, 2003

The Verbivores | 8/14/03 | Teacher

[RikaStrom]

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “word for the day”. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the “word of the day”; in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. Practice makes perfect.....post on....

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scintilla \sin-TIL-uh\, noun
scintillant; adjective

1. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount; the slightest particle; a trace
2. A spark; a flash.
3. Miniscule

In victory, they must hold on to at least a scintilla of humility, lest they get too cocky -- and ripe for a takedown.
--Bill Breen, "'We are literally trying to stop time,'" Fast Company, May 2000

Etymology: Latin scintilla, "a spark, a glimmer, a faint trace." Also from scintilla is the verb scintillate, "to sparkle."

[Conspiracy Guy]

I don't even browse in a Hardware store. I have a panic attack if I'm in a department store more than 15 minutes.

[Laura Earl]

After I work out on Saturday morning, I'm headed for The Summit.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Turn it on them too and say, "oh I'm sorry does this bother you as much as your out of control screaming child bothers me?"

[Conspiracy Guy]

Would you rather go tonight or just chill?

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I think you are more of the exception rather than rule then.

Best way to shop: I'll give an example from a few weeks back, while bogged down on the patio-making project. We were out of sand. I voluntered to go get more sand. Stopped in at corner tavern. Asked if they had five 50 lbs bags of sand. Barkeep told me no. Ordered a beer. Drank beer, then continued search for sand at local home improvement place. Visited bar on way back to let barkeep know where sand was sold in case other patrons were looking. Had beer to be polite. Went home and built patio to have more beer on.

[honeygrl]

Well Gabz, it's my turn to cry today (and I literally am crying.) The toddler threw my car/house keys into the 30g tall fish tank that has fish in it that viciously attack (they have babies in the tank to protect.) They landed inside a rock so that I can't get them out with a hook or net. I can't get the out at all until I have thick gloves to get my hand down in there unless I want to be bleeding when I'm done. I am just SO frustrated with crap like this that he knows better than to do. He's been hitting the baby all day, screaming at me, and then threw all that stuff into the vicious fish tank while I was in the bathroom. (there is also a baby shoe, and a couple of toys in it.) I feel like all I am lately is a babysitter, and a bad one at that. And to make me feel even worse, after I put him down for his nap a half hour early because of him throwing my keys in the tank, my mom called and fussed at me to try to make me feel even worse by criticizing the way I punished him for it. (his punishment included being spanked before going to nap early.) She got mad and hung up on me because I told her that I doubt he'll get to go to my cousin's kid's party tonight because he's been acting horrible all day.

[Gabz]

Good Luck.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I would have had two beers before going to bar and two beers each stop. Otherwise we work alike.

[Gabz]

That sounds like the way I shop.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

in all honesty - I did have two. I just felt bad admitting it for drinking/driving reasons.

[xsmommy]

grocery shopping is an either xshub or i proposition, not the two of us together. NEVER. and him only if it is something specific that i need and he can get on the way home like bread or milk. he CANNOT grocery shop. he will go on about how much $$$$ i spend at the grocery store and i remember the time he went and did THE SHOPPING. he came home with three oranges in a bag. no wonder he spent less money, he shopped enough for a SINGLE DAY. i have 3 kids, 3 oranges would serve 3 kids at a single meal in a single day. RME. he can buy specific items, but that is it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

1. Pour two cups of Janitor in a Drum in tank. 2. Duct tape the the kid. 3. Have two beers, take a nap. Just kidding on 1 and 2.

[xsmommy]

is it exclusive to mail order or do they carry it in the stores?

[xsmommy]

no, you are wrong.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Join DAMM, I'm a charter member.

[Gabz]

Oh geez, honey.........

Do you have a long pair of BBQ tongs that you could try and reach them with?

I think you did the right thing with the toddler. And while it sounds mean and hard to do, ignore your mother's attitude. He is your child and if you think keeping him from the party is appropriate punishment, that is your call. I would do the same thing.

Does he know about the party? Is he looking forward to it? If so I would let him know if he doesn't behave himself the rest of the day he will not be going.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

no, you are wronger

[xsmommy]

if they don't have it, have them check the No.VA stores, i would be glad to buy and send to you, if necessary.

[RikaStrom]

LOL, I could hear that sarcasm all the way over here!

[honeygrl]

I took something better than the beer for now: A strong xanax. Hopefully, it'll start working real quick. My last nerve is starting to twitch.