What Caught My Eye Today: Geography, Twitter, Soccer

Geography - If it's related to history or geography, you know I'm all over it, even if the story is a bit dated...in this case dated by 41 years. In 1973, California State University geography professor George Pearcy suggested that the U.S. redraw its antiquated state boundaries and narrow the overall number of states to 38 (see below). His proposed state lines were drawn in less-populated areas, isolating large cities and reducing their number within each state. Pearcy argued that if there were fewer cities vying for a state's tax dollars, more money would be available for projects that would benefit all citizens. I don't know about this dude. All this talk of a more equitable distribution of money sounds suspiciously like an elaborate socialist plot.  Because the current states were being chopped up beyond recognition, part of his plan included renaming the new states by referencing natural geologic features or the region's cultural history. I guess there are worse ways to name a state but, honestly, who wants to live in "Bitterroot"? While he did have a rather staunch support network—economists, geographers, and even a few politicians argued that Pearcy's plan might be crazy enough to work—the proposal lost steam in Washington due primarily to all the work that would have to be done to enact the plan: re-surveying the land, setting up new voter districts, new taxation infrastructure—basically starting the whole country over. Isn't that always the case? Logic and practicality always seem to take a back seat to institutional inefficiencies.

Twitter - The FBI has released an 83-page manual containing a list of almost 3,000 acronyms to decipher Twitter slang intended to help agents navigate the world of social media after a freedom of information request. This is what my tax dollars pay for? Are you kidding me? It includes common shorthand like LOL -- laugh out loud -- and FMTKFYTFO -- for me to know, for you to find out. Beyond the basics, the list features many acronyms that few people have ever seen and, with some level of certainty, an FBI agent never will either.

1. ALOTBSOL (“always look on the bright side of life”)
I'm okay with this one. I like anything that traces its origins to Monty Python
2. BFFLTDDUP (“best friends for life until death do us part”)
3. BMGWL (“busting my gut with laughter”)
For those times when LOL (or some variation thereof) just doesn't capture the sentiment.
4. BOGSAT (“bunch of guys sitting around talking”)
5. BTDTGTTSAWIO (“been there, done that, got the T-shirt and wore it out”)
6. BTWITIAILWU or BTWITIAILWY (“by the way I think I am in love with you”)
If this doesn't "seal the deal" with the target of your affection, I'm not sure anything will.
7. DFLA (“disenhanced four-letter acronym”)
Huh?
8. DWISNWID (“do what I say not what I do”)
9. FMDIDGAD (“frankly my dear I don’t give a damn”)
10. IITYWTMIWHTKY (“if I tell you what this means I will have to kill you”)
11. IOKIYAR (“it’s okay if you are Republican”)
12. NALOPKT (“not a lot of people know that”)
I'm thinking even fewer people are familiar with this acronym.
13. OOSOOM (“out of sight out of mind”)
14. PHAT (“pretty hot and tempting”)
Who know that "phat" actually meant something?
15. QWERTYUIOP (“bored”)
Doesn't an acronym that is twice the size of the actual word sort of defeat the purpose of using the acronym?

My favorite part of of this news item, was the reaction of the author. In conclusion, AYFKMWTS? (Are you f---ing kidding me with this s--t?) I couldn't agree more.

Soccer - The group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is in the books. Besides defending champion Spain getting eliminated from the tournament, the other big headlines include the U.S. managing to advance out of the "group of death" along with Germany (Portugal and Ghana were sent packing) and Uruguay's Luis Suarez getting handed a lengthy suspension and fine for biting an opposing player (The scary thing is that this was the third time he's been caught chowing down on another player).  Eight of the final 16 teams come from the Americas (5 from South America and 3 from North and Central America). Asia didn't manage to send any of its 4 teams into the next round and Europe also took quite a beating with only 6 of 13 teams making it through.  Given that my original prediction of a Brazil / Spain final is obviously not going to happen, my revised pick for the final match up based on the teams that remain is Brazil vs. Argentina.  I'd love to see the Netherlands make it, but the South American countries look really good. Next up for the Americans is Belgium. On paper, this should be a slightly easier match up, what with Belgium only being ranked 11th (Germany is ranked 2nd and Portugal 4th, while the US is 13th).