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This is a poem from James Harbeck's book Songs of Love and Grammar. Harbeck posted it in his blog Sesquiotica. It is a very clever, challenging left-brain, right-brain exercise. You must decode the abbreviations for the elements and pronounce the element's full spoken name to get the sense of the poem.
For example, when you see the abbreviation As, you must think "arsenic." So you can practice on this line: That Jay Gatsby was after a piece of my cousin's As said. (Harbeck's poem is much better than this example reflects.)
Cleverly done. Had to pull out my periodic chart in a few places, but well worth the effort. Thanks for the link.
Reminded me of a classic I read way back in college chemistry called: Orgasmic Chemistry 101 - How to make ethyl palpitate. Took a little online searching, but I figured it had to be out there somewhere. Finally located it. Just follow the link above. Enjoy, and pardon the obvious male chauvinism.
EDIT: Just saw a notice that "my post is awaiting moderation." Now I wonder what word could have triggered that?
EDIT: OK, the "moderator" just approved my post after about 3 hours. Still curious about why that happened, and who exactly the "moderator" is. Any insights would be most appreciated. Don't recall that ever happening before.
I feel a little strange enjoying chemistry humor so much.
Heimhenge, the only time I received a notice like that was because I had 3 links in one post. I complained because there was no reason given for holding the post and Grant responded to tell me why.
Maybe yours looked a little too risque. HA
Jackie said: And Glenn? I hope you don't mind…I shared your link on the AWWW Facebook page.
Yeah ... probably good that you didn't share my link also, given it was flagged for moderation. Not sure Grant would appreciate such "risque" content (as Dick called it) on their AWWW Facebook page. Not like Glenn's link was totally G-rated, but I suspected my link might cross that fine line. And apparently it did.
I wrote a fine review of our restaurant visit for one of those online reservation services. They hounded me to do it. I loved the restaurant. The meal was transcendant. I spent some real time and effort composing my review.
I tried to describe a moment when I popped an appetizer in my mouth and was flooded with such delightful flavors that words nearly failed me. A quieter, more subtle version of When-Harry-Met-Sally non-verbal utterances resulted.
In my masterwork of a review I coined the word "flavorgasm". The website summarily dismissed my entire review and refused to post any part of it.
Harumph. Ubi est ars gratia artis?
Glenn asked: Ubi est ars gratia artis?
To which I'd reply: Ars fit perierat. So why weren't our posts flagged? Methinks the word "ars" would be on the bad word list. 🙂
But seriously folks ... I love "flavorgasm" and I'm sorry to hear it bounced. That's the kind of creative use of language that makes the system evolve. Sad that some consider themselves qualified censors and don't see the fine line between censorship and personal taste.
EDIT: I knew Glenn's coined word was dredging up something from deep memory, and it finally hit me ... and old SNL routine, perhaps by Adam Sandler? Anyway, it was a bunch of plays on that word. Went something like this ...
Everybody doesn't like something. But nobody doesn't like ... orgasms. (a play on Sara Lee pastry commercials)
Tennis players have: Bjorn Borgasms
Newlyweds have: Let's Do It Til We're Soregasms
10 years later they have: I Got Mine, You Get Yourgasms
Now we'll see if this post also gets flagged for moderation.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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