Read across America

I read "The Cat in the Hat" to 20+ first and second graders at Boston's Mattahunt school. This was part of the NEA's "Read Across America" program. Most of them knew the story already (some said they'd seen the movie*), but I still got a pretty good response. It doesn't hurt to be wearing a polartec "Cat in the Hat" style hat at the time.

Upon hearing that my name is Bruce, one kid asked me if my last name is Banner. It's good to know that kids are still learning the classics.

*I heroically refrained from telling them that the movie doesn't count**.

**BTW, it doesn't

Dreadful product names

Our local CVS has a new gizmo on display. It's a handheld electronic device for spraying water up your nose, and it's called a Sinugator. I don't ordinarily have much use for marketing people, but even a mediocre markettroid ought to be alert enough to prevent a name like that.

( What do you think of when you hear the word Sinugator? )