Author Archives | The Byronic Man

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Recently voted "The Best Humor Site in America That I, Personally, Write," The Byronic Man is sometimes fiction, but sometimes autobiography. And sometimes cultural criticism. Oh, and occasionally reviews. Okay, it's all those different things, but always humorous. Except on the occasions that it's not. Ah, geez. Look, it's a lot of things, okay? You might like it, is the point.

Welcome Back, Teachers! Try Not To Freak Out!

August 26, 2013

53 Comments

**From the desk of the Principal.** Dear Teachers, Welcome back, staff of Lakeshore High!  I hope you had a terrific summer and you’re excited for a great year!  Remember how important your job is, and that our community respects and appreciates what you do here.  Some of you may feel discouraged after last week’s “Teachers […]

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Secrets of Area 51: Revealed!

August 20, 2013

30 Comments

The US government has just formally, officially acknowledged the existence of Nevada’s infamous “Area 51” – where some believe an alien spacecraft crashed in the early 1950’s – saying that it was a base for the development of U2 spy planes.  What does this acknowledgement mean? The residents of Area 51 can finally get their […]

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5 Things I’d Feel Mixed About Having Named After Me

August 14, 2013

65 Comments

1. A pump-house.  “Wow! A municipal building named after me!  A little… windowless shack… hidden from public view… that belches fluid.  For… me… wow…” 2. A disease.  You found it, you made a medical advancement… but now people have to be told in solemn voices that they’ve contracted… you.  Seems like scientists might see this […]

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The Bold Feminist Vision of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”

August 6, 2013

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Today I’m over at The Outlier Collective, partaking in the dissection and reaction to Robin Thicke’s pop song, “Blurred Lines.”  Brace yourself: In responding to his laughable assertion that the song is “feminist,” I’m taking a satirical approach. See you there!

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5 Reasons Shark Week Is Just So, So Ridiculous

August 3, 2013

82 Comments

Shark Week starts again on the Discovery Channel this weekend.   So, why do I think Shark Week on The Discovery Channel is just so, so ridiculous? Well, because… “Sharks are calm, by nature.  Focused.  But for ages scientists have wondered: how will they react if we throw blood and food in the water, then slap […]

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The Rejected Endings of “A Farewell To Arms”

July 29, 2013

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According to lore, Ernest Hemingway re-wrote the final sentence of his classic novel A Farewell To Arms 25 times.  After Frederic’s struggles to survive the war, and to be with his beloved Catherine, she dies suddenly.  And in typical Hemingway terseness, Frederic finally leaves her body at the hospital and Hemingway concludes: “After a while I […]

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If The English Language Had Been Made As A School Assignment…

July 25, 2013

107 Comments

First off, this is very thorough.  Great job – you’ve got everything here a language needs to be not only functional, but allow for nuance, tone, even connotation. I do have some concerns, though. The first is there seem to be some important words missing.  Example: There’s an entire entertainment industry built off of enjoying […]

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Take A Break From The Heat And… Ask Sexy Stalin!

July 22, 2013

43 Comments

World feeling confusing?  Tired of advice that involves empathy, understanding, and a lack of sensual intensity?  Then it’s definitely time to strip down to your underwear and… Ask Sexy Stalin! Dear Sexy Stalin,  Should I move to America? On another note, should I bother making vegan brownies or just screw the non-murderers and make normal […]

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