Fractalline vegetables

Many outdoor patios in Toronto decorate their borders with colorful, decorative cabbages. I really admire them.
The texture of the leaves is pleasing, a sort of three-dimensional fractal which grows increasingly curvy as it approaches its edges, and the smoothly transitioning color of green to (unexpected) pink.


This post's theme word is ogive, "a pointed or Gothic arch," or "one of the diagonal ribs of a vault." The vegetable-inspired ogives spiral up into the sky.

Portal cake

I made a birthday cake for R., based on this recipe. It had some adaptations, making it a darker and richer cake (and layered with fudge), and ended up being a lot of cake. A single serving is 2 or 3 degrees, even for the most ardent and hungry chocolate-lover.

It was delightful, and that's not a lie.

This post's theme word is hirquitalliency, "sexual cries of delight." (Maybe. See this for more on its etymology.) The cake induced hirquitalliency.

Rasp-, blue-, and straw-berry pie

I made a pie of deliciousness, and attempted to photograph it (before baking) in its visual perfection, in our admittedly poorly-lit kitchen.

This post's theme word is minatory, "baleful: threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments." The minatory zoom on the food photograph presaged overstuffed discomfort at dessert.

Christmas ornaments of nightmares

This is a bizarre mannequin is the eldrich, strange stuff of modern Lovecraftian nightmares.

I do not understand how a naked ornament-headed elongated alien -- in a festive red scarf -- can possibly help a department store sell more items. Is it meant to encourage my purchase of a giant ornament? or a giant collection of ornaments? or scarves, to help my head swell and my limbs lengthen somehow?

This post's theme word is fossorial, "adapted for digging" (like limbs or feet). The anomalous alien's head is hypothesized to be fossorial.

Reunion summary

Months of persistent nagging from various Harvard offices have yielded results. I wrote my 5-year reunion summary of myself. Apparently there will be a book printed and mailed, containing these self-reflecting essays. Here, for your enjoyment, is my submission:

I continue my quest to become an evil mastermind. After obtaining a M. Sc. degree in 2009, I took a brief break from permanent studenthood. During the summer, I set a new world record for hot air balloon distance, travelling from Uqbar to Toronto, Canada in several difficult weeks. Returning to a Ph. D. program that fall, I continue to advance the boundaries of mathematical computer science. Summers are spent strengthening my secret lair, the Gulf coast campus of which was unfortunately broached in 2010, resulting in the tragic loss of my oil collection.

Few people thus far have complied with my desire to be addressed as "mistress (of science)." I hope to finish my next degree soon, so that I can insist on being called "doctor" instead. I continue the development of the chaturathalon, combining alpine skiing, archery, synchronized swimming, and rugby -- truly a sport for all seasons!

I am currently accepting minion applications. Benefits of the position include: unlimited pie, lending library access, and strong encouragement to participate in the employee fitness program. Minions thus far have assisted in writing a short novel of octopus-themed (and -targeted) erotica, executing art projects, and participating in a delightful email list. (Like most email lists, this consists mostly of sharing YouTube videos.) Future plans include creation of matching hats for all minions.

The submission page warned that unnamed editors may change my entry. I wonder what the published one will say.


This post's theme word is vitiate, "to spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of," or "to destroy or impair the legal validity of." Certain claims may vitiate my autobiography.

Purple sky

The dawn sky was purple-periwinkle, silhouetting city features.
Southward, the sunrise behind the CN tower purply illuminated the orange trees.

This post's theme word is panegyric, "a formal or elaborate oration in praise of someone or something; eulogy." Dawn deserves passionate panegyrics.

"You look like a baby!"

I was making chit-chat with the nurse giving me the flu shot. She asked what program I was in. Attempting to be pleasant, I answered truthfully. She asked what year I was in. I answered truthfully. She asked how old I am. I answered truthfully. She exclaimed, "You look like a baby!"

All I could think was, "A baby with fully-developed secondary sex characteristics?" But luckily my filter caught that, so instead I said, "Thank you." And smiled. Keeping it pleasant and chit-chatty.

I'm glad I look young. Combined with the H-bomb, I have a handy arsenal of true but astonishing facts with which to floor most interlocutors. Pleasantly.


This post's theme word is taradiddle, "a petty lie" or "pretentious nonsense." I enjoy sprinkling taradiddles amongst the actual facts of my life.

Giant squid puppet

I received a postcard from penpal M. featuring a giant squid puppet, seen here at an incomplete stage:It was built by Les Machines de l'île Nantes, a puppetry workshop in a shipyard. Their projects look very cool. I want to visit!


This post's theme word is swale, "a low or hollow place, especially a marshy depression between ridges." Beware that swale yonder, the locals claim it is infested with giant squid!