A Scarlett Letter

Scarlett Johansson isn't the first high-profile celebrity to have had nude photos illegally released onto the Internet. Cell phone hacking syndicates are responsible for leaking personal photographs of at least 50 other female celebs.

Despite having shown skin in movie roles and posed for Playboy, Scarlett has never been seen fully nude onscreen, let alone in her private quarters without the help of make-up or clever camera angles. The photos aren't terribly unflattering, but the leak  may have done the actress more damage than simply a little public shame. She has threatened to sue any publication that publishes the compromising photos from now onwards. Too late, Scarlett. Even you can't curb that right-click-and-save phenomenon.

None like the Present

American novelist and Nobel Prize Laureate, Sinclair Lewis, was invited to talk to some students about the craft of writing. Standing before the enthusiastic group of undergraduates, he asked: “How many of you here are really serious about being writers?” A sea of hands shot up. Lewis then asked, “Well, why aren't you all home writing?”


And he walked out of the room.

Elevator Silence and Other Great Mysteries

Maybe the following mysteries of life are nothing but rhetorical questions. Still, they baffle me every time.

Why ith the word 'lisp' tho hard to prounounth? That's cruel of you, English language.

Why does toast always land buttered side up?
If they know me by name at the gym, does it mean I'm getting fitter?

Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Why do women go to the restroom in pairs?

And why are people always quiet in elevators? And why do they look up at the ceiling? I guess it's because it goes up and down, and that's entertaining. And mirrors in elevators - don't get me started on those. It's like a doppelganger invasion, except awkward.

'That's No Noble Steed'

Imagine the conversation went a little like this:

Lady: And what makes you think I cannot open that door myself? Is it because I'm a woman? Well, step aside and watch me be an independent one, you patriarchal bastard.

Gentleman: Pardon me, madam. I was only trying to be chivalrous.

You see the problem?