Weekly Calendar

Vocabulary

Sobriquet

The fact that he was willing to go to some pretty extraordinary lengths in his interrogations had earned him the amusing and also chilling sobriquet of Peaches.

Hidden Order Brad Thor pg. 98

I think sobriquet refers to a nickname based on the statement "had earned him the amusing and also chilling.."

Inference Clue

The older generation called them kettles, a now out of date sobriquet.


Reconstituted

Either Durkin's old team has reconstituted and is operating on behalf of someone else, or Durkin and others at the CIA are running the team in direct contradiction of the President's orders.

Hidden Order Brad Thor pg. 114

I think reconstituted means to rebuild or recreate based on what follows the word: "and is operating on behalf of someone else,"

Inference Clue

Only the President was allowed to reconstitute the group of agents.


Obfuscation

They don't want you to understand anything about what they're doing.  It's purposeful obfuscation and it's brilliant.

Hidden Order Brad Thor pg. 117

I think obfuscation means to mislead or obscure, a purposeful deception, based on the first sentence where they state they don't want anyone to know what they're doing.

Inference Clue

Stephen King is a master at obfuscation.

Reflection Post

Life's Raggedy Old Backpack

I'd like to think my life backpack is organized, with just the right spot for everything I might ever need, but that is probably a far fetched idea.  I tend to overpack for a lot of "just in cases" even when I know it's only a .01% chance =)

In my backpack I carry the obvious: family, friends, and career.  I carry an huge love of sports, and a odd desire for reading, and I have to always be the best...stupid competitive side!  I carry with me a pride to conquer anything that may get tossed in front of me, and a need to survive the things I cannot control.  

I'd love to think that I have a spot in this backpack for having it all figured out, but I think I'm finally growing up and realizing I don't know as much as I thought I did.  With this thought, growing up is slightly terrifying to me.  Getting older and letting go of the past sound like the far future, but for me it is here and now.  Within the last year I have added a new item to my backpack and that is the strength to move on.  I do not need the past anymore and there is always a reason for all that happens in life.  I may have learned this the hard way but it is definitely paying off.  

In a few more years my backpack may weigh a little more or a little less, but I'll know that all I'll ever need will be exactly what's in that raggedy old backpack

Vocabulary

Adrotiness

The digital natives improve their adroitness at the keyboard but when it comes to their capacity to "read" behavior of others, they are all thumbs.

Why Gen-Y Johnny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues

I think adroitness means skill based on the sentence stating "the digital natives improve their adroitness.."

Inference Clue

She showed adroitness during her campaign, instantly winning over voters.


Diffidence

Lots of folks grumble about the diffidence, self-absorption and general uncommunicativeness of Generation Y.

Why Gen-Y Johnny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues

I think diffidence means shy or insecure based on the word "uncommunicativeness" that follows it.

Inference Clue

Despite his efforts, his diffidence always shows.

Juxtaposition

He argues that body language, facial expressions and stock mannerisms function "in juxtaposition to words", imparting feelings, attitudes, reactions and judgments in a different register.

Why Gen-Y Johnny Can't read Nonverbal Cues

I think juxtaposition means in opposition or comparison based on the word "argued".

Inference Clue

The cars were in juxtaposition of each other, but couldn't have been more different.