You know what gets me?

When people call rolled oats "traditional" as compared to whole or steel-cut oats.

How the heck can they be traditional? There's no way they were there first! They require more processing! (And somebody please explain to me why they cost more in stores when they're less work to make. Huh? They are less labor intensive from field to shelf, aren't they? Am I missing something?)

It's like this book I have, Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians (great book, by the way), and at one point one of his newfound comrades (Not From Here) comments that of course stairs are more advanced than elevators - they're healthier, they're harder to put in, and they don't break down! The fact that elevators require a greater understanding of mechanics to achieve is quite beside the point. It's the same with oats, or with organic farming. It's better in some way (not, obviously, every way or the other way would never have become so popular!) and it's new to these people, so they figure that it's new to everybody. (How many times do babywearers get told "they didn't have THAT when my kids were little!"? Well, slings are some of the oldest inventions of humankind. They did have it. You didn't, that's all.)

It just bugs me.

Hey, by the way, am I the only one who comes to new interests via Wikipedia and TVTropes?

(And I want to thank you again for ruining my life, TVTropes!)

Like, I started reading Order of the Stick because it was referenced so often on TVTropes and now I really want to get the prequel books. Or I found the entry on Ear Worms (a calque from German, apparently, and I'm only saying that to prove I know the word calque), which lead me to not only (ultimately) wish I knew French so I could understand this video but also lead me to here and now I'm wondering about Kaamelott, but I draw the line there, so no worries. I simply refuse.

Incidentally, the pattern of name, name, WEIRD NAME has a page under "Odd Name Out", which makes sense.

I've got to stop reading any form of wiki site. That's just it.

Mo Willems

Dutch name, you know, which explains why the K in Knuffle Bunny is pronounced. (It means "cuddle".)

I'll be there, January 8th, 5PM, preferably with the nieces in tow.

Listen, for all you who want to buy books for small children, and who somehow have no idea what's out there at the moment. You can't go wrong with Mo Willems.

Right now I'm all about the Elephant and Piggy books. Seriously, Ana and Evangeline aren't the only ones who look forward to new E&P books! I squee'd (aloud!) the first time I saw "I Will Surprise My Friend".

(Like, I actually said "squee". Loudly.)

*nodnodnod*

This has been a totally random post brought to you by boredom. (And really good books for small kids.)

I NEED YOUR HELP

Okay, listen.

We do Little Christmas, right? To save money, right? And I already bought stuff "from the girls" to my mom, and from me to my mom, and "from the girls" to their parents (of course, both parents did that too, but sure as heck *I* am not getting either one of them anything!), and to various of their friends, right?

Do you know who I forgot?

That's right. I forgot my own nieces.

What the hell am I gonna get them?

Nothing electronic, nothing that has to be shipped, and please - no books. I buy them books every week. Help me out here, people! (No games either unless they're Just That Awesome, thanks.)