Well now that I'm an adult most people can pronounce it, but when I was growing up I often had teachers pronounce it blah-zey like blase (plus accent, which I don't know how to do). Actually I just got a message from a guy on OKC asking if it's pronounced blaze or not.

(I actually almost sent this to my mom earlier today. My name is Blaise. And, yes, I have *tons* of character.)

I did not know that was pronounced Owen. Thanks, Neil!

The Emmys are tonight? Totally missed that. Huh.

Today I tested for my black belt in my martial art—for the second time! I first got it in 2004 (2 weeks before I got my PhD! It was a good year!), but then I took like 6-7 years off. I came back to class in 2011 and had to start all the way back at white belt, but I finally made it back to black today! Woohoo!

This. As a former midwesterner, I love some Red Lobster and always will. I don't care how bad or pedestrian or nuked it is. Give me some shrimp pasta to put in my face. NOW.

For real though.

Agreed.

I don't look at models as normal, either, but breakdowns of the representation of ethnic diversity at fashion shows can still be instructive.

Thanks for the reminder. I was preparing to argue. Instead, I will save my energy. :)

And looking at the same model makes me feel good that I have lovely teal and pink hair, and makes me imagine how I'd look with that cotton candy color. It's nice to see something represented that's not the norm and that reflects a small part of my own aesthetic.

Sing it. I love my ever-changing rainbow hair. :)

For shiz.

Your mention of race reminded me: I hope Jez continues the historical trend of posting the racial breakdown of the models on the NYFW runways. I use it every year in my classes to talk about race and racism, because students always demand current data before they can be convinced of the racist implications of almost…

I just want to make sure she's not in women's studies. :(

I know those feelings. :)

I'm not sure if you're being facetious, because rumors about the gold toilets HAVE been floated! Nothing about diamond doorknobs that I'm aware of, though.

Me (to myself): "Huh, I wonder what club in Atlanta has both stripping AND karaoke?!"

Sadly, he is. :(

I guess I was just responding because I said I agreed with her feelings. I do find a lot of southern culture amusing, but I'd hate for anyone to think I was making fun of my transplanted culture. It really is just because it's so different in some ways from how I grew up. :)