The Bird Girl
January 7, 2011
The Bird Girl Angie, photo by sharona 315 사론아.
Michigan in Pictures has a lot of Michigan birds but nothing quite like Angie!!
Check this out bigger in Sharon’s Winter slideshow.
the speed of life
January 6, 2011
the speed of life, photo by .brianday..
How fast is your life moving? Fast enough to stay warm?
Check it out bigger and in Brian’s Street Photography slideshow.
January 2011 Michigan Events!
January 5, 2011
Ludington Michigan New Year’s Day Sunset, photo by ShaneWyatt.
Our January Event Calendar is posted on Absolute Michigan. Check it out for all kinds of January fun!
Shane took this photo as the sun was setting and the winds were whipping along at 40 MPH at the end of the first day of the 2011 in Ludington. Check it out bigger in his Michigan slideshow.
Banished Words: Epic Viral Fail
January 4, 2011
Face Plant photo by Rudy Malmquist
Every year, Lake Superior State University puts together their list of Banished Words. Before we get to the current list, here’s a little back story:
In 1977, one year after Lake Superior State University Public Relations Director W.T. (Bill) Rabe released the first “banished words list,” he said that the international reaction from news media and the public told him “it would go on forever.”
Forever may be stretching it, but the annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness has been going strong since New Year’s Day 1976 and shows no signs of stopping. People from around the world have nominated hundreds of words and phrases such as “you know,” “user friendly,” “at this point in time,” and “have a nice day,” to be purged from the language.
Here’s a few choice words from their 2011 Banished Words List:
“Standards for using ‘epic’ are so low, even ‘awesome’ is embarrassed.” Mike of Kettering, Ohio.
It may have been word of the year in some wheelhouses, but “refudiate” wasn’t looked upon favorably by many who sent in nominations.
“Aren’t all Americans people? Every political speech refers to the ‘American’ people as if simply saying ‘Americans’ (or ‘people’) is not enough.” Deb of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
But words and phrases related to technology and the way we communicate dominated the list for 2011, including “viral,” “epic,” “fail,” and the use of websites “Facebook” and “Google” as verbs. “Viral” received the most nominations.
“Facebook is a great, addicting website. Google is a great search engine. However, their use as verbs causes some deep problems. As bad as they are, the trend can only get worse, i.e. ‘I’m going to Twitter a few people, then Yahoo the movie listings and maybe Amazon a book or two.” Jordan of Waterloo, Ont.
Lake Superior State University accepts nominations all year, and you can post comments about this year’s words (or any other words that you wish to refudiate) on the LSSU Banished Words Facebook.
Check this photo out too big to fail or in Rudy’s slideshow.
X is for (e)Xhiliration
January 3, 2011
X is for (e)Xhiliration, photo by whitepuffycloud.
How do you feel as you face the New Year?
Check this out bigger in Shannon’s personal favorites slideshow.
Number Eleven: Happy New Year!
January 1, 2011
Number Eleven, photo by bill.d.
We’re 10% of the way through the 21st Century … more or less. So far it hasn’t been the best of decades for Michigan, but it seems like more and more hopeful signs are being seen.
Turn it up to eleven, Michigan.
Check it out bigger in Bill’s slideshow.
