[Peter Suderman]
Introductions are inherently awkward, even in the very best circumstances. How does one decide what to say about him or herself without sounding pretentious, obtuse, doltish, obsessive, or just dull? And how do you then say whatever you’ve just decided on in such a way that doesn’t give away the fact that you’ve given it a good bit of thought? It’s like that great Michael Cera line in Juno, “Actually, I try really hard.” Yes, but you’re never supposed to let on!
On the other hand, introductions are also an integral part of most important social activities — business, friendship, house parties. Barring any strong Unabomberesque proclivities, you’ll have a rough time in life without introductions. And since Megan has asked us to make them, I feel obliged. So here are a few informational tidbits. (Feel free to use them as talking points.)
• I contribute semi-regularly to a number of blogs, most notably The American Scene.
• I review movies for NRO.
• My favorite song this week is “Nylon Smile,” which can be found on the excellent new Portishead album, Third.
• I’m an editor of Doublethink, which not too long ago profiled this blog’s proprietor.
• I am an unabashed D.C. partisan, and as far as city rivalries go, I think of New York more or less the way a Texas A&M fan thinks of UT.
• John McCain reminds me of Worf.
For anyone who for some odd reason wants to know more, there’s a brief bio posted over at TAS.
"I am an unabashed D.C. partisan, and as far as city rivalries go, I think of New York more or less the way a Texas A&M fan thinks of UT."
"the way a Texas A&M fan thinks of UT"
it would be t.u., if an Ag was thinking of that school in Austin..
MEH,
Yeah, this guy sounds like he pretends to know about lots of things he really doesn't have a clue about.
I miss Megan already.
Are you kidding? He can adequately describe introductions. That's a step up from Megan.
Granted, it's still a few steps below anyone with a functioning brain, but, hey, at least were stepping forward.
Should we ask Amnesty International to take Megan's case and see if all can be forgiven so she can come back?
I wonder if Megan will end up in Guantamo my accident. The only person I know as tall as her that doesn't play basketball is Bin Laden
Well, come to think of it...
I think someone saw her taking pictures of Washington installations.
Then there are those blog posts that contain code words for her co-conspirators.
Now she goes to PR to get instructions.
Is there any truth to the rumor about her dating Osama?
Does any one know why, exactly, Megan got suspended? And if she's really coming back in 5 days? I don't think I can last 5 days reading doorknobs like this guy. I hope and pray she didn't get fired.
Megan was suspended?
Was it because of her hang ups?
Megan will return from the dead in 5 days?
Will she be carrying stone tablets with her?
You, sir, are no Ben Domenech.
Michael Medved, possibly.
Okay, the anony_mouse_ at 10:32pm is not the usual one, either. Oy vey...I had no idea that so much of my family was going to show up for Megan's week off!
Are you kidding? He can adequately describe introductions. That's a step up from Megan. Granted, it's still a few steps below anyone with a functioning brain, but, hey, at least were stepping forward.
Uh...Nutella? You know that person who told you that your voice was deep and invigorating, that your words were eloquent and shrewd, and that your bitter prickishness was merely a phase?
That person was your mother, and she was only being nice.
In other words, you can feel free to start disciplining your tongue any time. The presence lack thereof isn't improving your credibility or your likability, and believe it or not, you can only compartmentalize so far. The more you practice that kind of arrogant snottiness on the Internet, the shorter the time until you accidentally turn it on someone valuable in real life, with predictable consequences.
And before you ask in-kind, yes, I do have conversations in exactly these words in real life. And I'm something of a legend in all of Mousedom as a result.
The anony_mouse_ at 12:21 AM is the false anony_mouse_. I am a victim of identity theft.
The real anony_mouse_ never, ever talks to Nutella (a truly awful person who has a blog called "Fire Megan McArdle"--which is the sickest thing I've ever heard).
Me, the true anony_mouse_ loves the following: a) myself; b) megan; c) vegan food; and d) Puerto Rico.
I'm a self important idiot who writes long winded boring bullshit criticizing someone else for writing poorly.
Also, I try to rewrite the joke "your mom thinks your cool" because I'm THAT witty.
it would be t.u., if an Ag was thinking of that school in Austin.
Gig 'em Aggies!!!
If anyone thinks "Fire Megan McArdle," especially the blog in question, is the sickest thing they've ever heard, please consider yourself very, very lucky.
Megan McArdle stands out in a crowd. Over six feet tall with fair skin and delicate features, she resembles "an overgrown elf," she says. "I'm a real oddity."
The anony_mouse_ at 12:21 AM is the false anony_mouse_. I am a victim of identity theft.
In that case, you're a fan of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, generally favor policy solutions that invoke a reasonable degree of personal responsibility, and are not dating anyone at the moment.
Here is your State of Colorado ID (height: 0'-3"; weight: 1 ounce; eyes: beady and black), your membership card for the Mouse Party, and a gift certificate for $20 off any cheese purchase of $50 or more at the grocer. Although by the looks of things, you've got enough cheese to host Oktoberfest in Bavaria, so that last one may be superfluous.