It’s only 50°F this morning. It’s August 31st and here in Oklahoma it is only 50°F! That is… well, I was going to say phenomenal but as soon as I thought it it felt a little odd because I almost never use that word. In this case I think it’s a perfectly good word because 50° in Oklahoma in August is indeed a strange phenomenon.

It seems like I’ve been hearing the word “phenomenal” a lot more often lately. I noticed it a few times on HGTV on Saturday. On several shows when they had the big reveal the homeowners’ reaction included the word “phenomenal” and I wanted to ask, “Exactly what phenomenon was involved in your room makeover?”

Yeah, I know… I’m probably being too literal but it seems to me that we need a few words that are reserved for truly unusual situations. Phenomenal things do not happen to us every day. Or maybe they do but if we go around using words like “phenomenal” every day how are we going to express our feelings when something way out of the ordinary happens?

Well, okay, I guess being on TV and getting a fantastic room makeover doesn’t happen to an individual every day but “phenomenal” still doesn’t seem like the right word and worst of all everybody is using it now.

Speaking of words, the language police are at it again. Nothing new here, just even more words and phrases that certain groups want to ban but the one that really got me is that “moist” is now considered disgusting. That’s funny… I’m not especially fond of the word but I always thought it was a good thing. Your cake and your holiday turkey, for example, are both supposed to be moist, as opposed to dry. What other word are we supposed to use? “Damp” doesn’t quite work.

I can see how, in certain contexts, “moist” might be unpleasant but if people would just keep their minds where they’re supposed to be they wouldn’t be getting icked out over common words all the time.

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I have to mention a significant event in the blogging world. Byzantium’s Shores has a new template. He’s kept much of the same feel – the denim background, the same sidebar stuff, a big header picture, which I expect will change from time to time – so I’ve had no trouble adjusting to the new, modern look.

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Finally, a couple more things I’ve noticed recently: Here’s an idea. (political) And another blog, Birds ‘n’ Such. Beautiful!

UPDATE: One more… Beavis and Butthead are 30.