(Roughly) Daily

The folks at 826LA (an institution inspired, it seems, by 826 Valencia in SF) have performed an alchemical feat:  they’ve made cheating good!

click here for a larger view, and sign-up info

One simply forms a team, raises tax-deductible contributions to 826LA– then spends that loot on “cheats” (explained here) in the contest.  A good time is had by all– and 826LA gets to continue its work “helping students across Los Angeles finish all their homework, write their first books, and become all-around more confident writers.”

As we practice recognizing diphthongs by ear, we might recall that it was on this date in 1811 that Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron) returned from the two-year trip that was the inspiration for Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1812)…  as a result of the publication of which, Byron became a major pop star– whose taste, manners, and fashion were all widely imitated.  Quoth the startled poet: “I awoke one morning and found myself famous.”

Byron (by Thomas Phillips)