XANGAPEDIA © 2nd EDITION  : collected and edited by Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool (Xangaversary Date:5/2004). Image of John and modified Xanga logo used without permission.

I can’t believe (come on, repeat after me) it’s been over a year and a half since I created The Xangapedia, by far the most popular entry I’ve ever posted on this service. It was March 27, 2008. A lot of folks thought that my “dictionary” of all words Xanga was a real list of terms, and not some stupid idea I had while stuck in traffic on the 405 freeway on my way home from work. (which it was). Some people began quarreling about etymology in the comments section. Whoa. It’s a joke, son. Well, it’s been a long enough time, I surmise, since I posted the first one, and I promised a second edition, so here goes. If I used a word that someone suggested from the first edition, I do attempt to give credit.  So what are we waiting for? Oh, and have a Happy Xangksgiving! Continue reading →

Or, scared of giant, God-to-be-feared designed, evolutionarily perfected fish designed to kill: sharks. Continue reading →

Do you know how much work it is to feed a family of 30? Or how long it takes to stuff and cook a 20lb turkey? Or how many apples and sweet potatoes I will be peeling to make this year’s pies?

For those of you who are lucky enough to be the ones doing all of the eating next week, let me tell you Thanksgiving is a huge pain in the ass for those of us who on the cooking side of things. Still every year I volunteer for these duties. I even look forward to them!

Am I masochistic? Yes, maybe a little, but that has nothing to do with what keeps me at it. What keeps me doing these things is an appreciation for tradition. Continue reading →

5. People who go slow at the salad bar. I’m a lifelong vegetarian, so I have a generous serving of salad bar experience. And I have to say, people: it’s not a decorating contest! I like to fly through, slop everything on top of the lettuce and head back to my table to devour. But I always seem to be behind people who prefer to artfully arrange the julienned carrots over their carefully positioned beets. Continue reading →

Presumably there is a procedure for getting posts we like onto the front page. Here is what I know about it. If I am incorrect on any of this please point out my errors and I will edit this post.

Step one =  find a post you like, I found this one today

(you can click on the image for a better view) Continue reading →

Dear *********,

There is something about the words that you have written that bring me back to a time that now seems so far away, an age of innocence and sweet confessions that people of a certain age no longer share.

Reading these words I lament the fact that somehow we both have moved on into different lives, our worlds now so far apart.   Once upon a time even a day would be too long without some sort of communication on your part, and now a salutation or two twice a year would suffice to maintain what was once a friendship, if not more. Continue reading →

I’ve never really had a job.

I’ve been an intern, camp counselor, teaching assistant, and grader, but it’s all been very seasonal, very temporary. I’ve never worked anywhere real, like a restaurant, clothing store, or movie theater. And sometimes I think I never will.

Why? I don’t have any experience. Continue reading →

Have you ever seen a mother breast feed her child in public? After all, it is a naturally body function, and it is legal in multiple states.

Why should these mothers be looked at any differently than any other women walking down on the street? The baby is simply eating his/her meal just as any toddler or adult would. Would you stare at other people over the age of 3 for eating in public? Perhaps in the library where they aren’t supposed to or if they were making some kind of dramatic scene, but in most cases, you wouldn’t give them a second thought.

But, is there a line as to where these mothers can breast feed their child?

Continue reading →

There are many times in life when you just wish people would listen. When you know in your heart that you are right, but you just can’t get people to see it your way.Whether it be your S.O., or your kids, or your parents, or your boss, it is just so frustrating when you can’t talk some sense into people.

I often think to myself in these times; Would they listen to me if I were someone different?

If I were older?
If I were younger?
If I looked different?
If my skin were a different shade?
If I had a higher paying job, or the things a nicer paying job would afford me?
If I was married or had children? Continue reading →