A what?
Monday, November09, 2009 |'Personal Musings
Last week, I
received a phone call from my youngest brother. He's 15
years younger than me. I hadn't heard from him in
several months. Oh, I tried to call him but often he
doesn't return the call or his voice mail is full and
I'm unable to leave a message.
So I wasn't sure what provoked the call. At first I thought he was thinking of driving up north and needed a stopover point at my house, something he's done before. Then, I thought for sure he needed something and was going to ask me for a favor. But I wasn't prepared for what he would say next.
"So, sis, I have your birthday present for next year." Umm, my birthday? My birthday isn't until next July, but I let him continue.
"Well, yeah, it's not really for you but it's around your birthday." A pause. Some static. I could tell he was driving. "We're gonna have a big…" More static and breaking up.
Confused, I said, "A big what?" My heart ratcheted. I just knew he was going to say a big wedding.
"No, not a big. A BABY!"
What.
Did.
You.
Say?
My baby brother is having a baby! Babies can't have babies! He's still in diapers, he's still dressing up and playing with stuffed animals! How in the world can he be having a baby? Or rather, his girlfriend. He's too young to be a father!
Oh, wait.
He's 24. I guess not so young after all.
I'm going to be an aunt! Wow. It was one of those moments that will set the stage for a life defining experience. A baby.
Me: "So, are you scared?"
Him: "That's putting it lightly."
Me: "Nothing like having a child to make you grow up."
Him: "You got that right!"
He and his girlfriend can't decide if they're going to get married yet. He didn't ask my advice and so I opted not to give it. They're now adults and they have to make their own decisions. After all, they're having a baby.
So I wasn't sure what provoked the call. At first I thought he was thinking of driving up north and needed a stopover point at my house, something he's done before. Then, I thought for sure he needed something and was going to ask me for a favor. But I wasn't prepared for what he would say next.
"So, sis, I have your birthday present for next year." Umm, my birthday? My birthday isn't until next July, but I let him continue.
"Well, yeah, it's not really for you but it's around your birthday." A pause. Some static. I could tell he was driving. "We're gonna have a big…" More static and breaking up.
Confused, I said, "A big what?" My heart ratcheted. I just knew he was going to say a big wedding.
"No, not a big. A BABY!"
What.
Did.
You.
Say?
My baby brother is having a baby! Babies can't have babies! He's still in diapers, he's still dressing up and playing with stuffed animals! How in the world can he be having a baby? Or rather, his girlfriend. He's too young to be a father!
Oh, wait.
He's 24. I guess not so young after all.
I'm going to be an aunt! Wow. It was one of those moments that will set the stage for a life defining experience. A baby.
Me: "So, are you scared?"
Him: "That's putting it lightly."
Me: "Nothing like having a child to make you grow up."
Him: "You got that right!"
He and his girlfriend can't decide if they're going to get married yet. He didn't ask my advice and so I opted not to give it. They're now adults and they have to make their own decisions. After all, they're having a baby.
|
Brother Bruno
Saturday, October17, 2009 |'Personal Musings
A couple weeks ago, I went to the profession ceremony
of a friend of mine, Brother Bruno, who is a
Benedictine monk. I was finally able to make a video of
the photos from the weekend and wanted to share. It was
an amazing experience, to be sure. The silence and
solitude of being at an Abbey, 12 miles into a canyon
down a dirt road... there are no words worthy of the
experience. Here's the video:
Ch-ch-ch-changes
Monday, September07, 2009
My website is a-changing! For those of you who have
been here in the past, you may notice some changes
today. They're subtle now but will become more
pronounced as time goes on, as I'm thinking of ditching
the program I'm currently using to create my website
and simply go to a WordPress based site. Of course that
takes time, and it's time that I'm trying desperately
to find... if you find any, please send some my way.
So about those changes. For instance, my banner no long proclaims a tag line. It's not that I've given up writing. I'm just not sure of the genre I want to write. First I dabbled in paranormal romance. I came up with a great idea involving Greek mythology and how it turned into what many people know today as Vampire Lore. One day a friend suggested I read a very well known author's series that she'd just gotten into. I picked up one of her books and was completely floored to see such striking similarities between my worldbuilding and that of this story. I wanted to cry. Because, regardless that I'd been working on this story for over a year and the fact that I'd NEVER picked up this author's stories before, I knew there'd be speculation that I was copying her NYT bestselling series. I have a hard enough time thinking about going to my own booksignings, never mind publicity like that!
I then wrote a novella on a dare. An acquaintance of mine, with other publishing cohorts, was starting a small epublishing site for erotic romance. They were tired of some of the less than stellar book quality out there, not to mention the bad rap the subgenre as a whole was receiving. So, when they made their call for submissions, I wrote away, thinking I could pop off a story relatively easy.
While writing it I discovered I wasn't sure I wanted to write the completely graphic sex scenes erotic romance is known for. It didn't flow for me. It wasn't comfortable. There was a time when I read erotic romance with no compunction. But lately, many stories seem rather gratuitous, with sex by page three. Little character development, little redemption of their conflict, little plot. While reading, I began feeling less and less respect for the characters, and even the authors, which I'm sure is one of the reasons the acquaintances I mentioned above were looking to make a change for their wedge of the romance genre. Yeah, I finished the story and even submitted it under a pen name. I had some positive feedback that made me realize that I could be a published author. But I wasn't sure it was 'me'. So when, due to professional obligations and a lack of time, the authors/publishing professionals opted to not open their doors after all, I put the story away in a bottom drawer and decided to take a good hard look at my writing and what I wanted to be known for in my writing were I to be published.
So, that's why I no longer have a tag line on my banner.
The other thing you'll notice is that a lot of references to my reviewing have been abbreviated or disappeared altogether. After 2 1/2 years of reviewing, I've decided to take a break. It came in stages, really, and started out as time conflicts. First I stopped doing author notifications and editing for the website I review for. Then, after my new editor at the print publication I reviewed for decided to alter my review by changing the words around, which blatantly altered the meaning of my opinion paragraph, I decided to no longer review for them. Long story, really, but this editor did not apologize for her actions and even disagreed that her 'editing' had changed the meaning. But when acquaintances and friends sent me emails and called me to say they didn't know I liked books with this particular element and I said I DON'T usually like it but in this instance the book was still good, I knew I wasn't the only one who believed my review had been changed. My reputation was at stake. Who knows what I'd see when I next opened the publication. How would my reviews be changed next? So I opted to resign.
Many people think reviewing is glamorous. Most are not paid for the review, other than a copy of the story. Depending on the organization you do not have much of a choice of the books you're given to review. Some sites allow you to choose the story, but if it's a book you don't care for few will allow you to return the book. You pick it, you review it. So if you read a book that you didn't enjoy you then have to take another hour or longer of your time to create a review that isn't snarky while still trying to opine professionally. Don't even get me started on those review sites or reviewers whose reviews are constantly stellar. There's no way that every book is a great read. These reviewers have no credibility to me. I'd rather just read the back of the book than read a review that's all fluff and roses. To me, that's not only a huge disservice to the reader, it's also no help to the author who, if they're serious about their craft, need constructive and well worded critiques to perfect their stories in the future.
I've put in 2 1/2 good years of reviewing. The review site I'm affiliated with will continue to see me review, if possible. I was told I had to do at least one a month, but this past month I've not found anything I wanted to read that hasn't been selected by a fellow reviewer. It might come to the point that I'll have to cease doing even that and only review on my blog if I happen to read something that I just have to share. If that happens my reviewer nom de plume will disappear into the ether. Regardless, it's been a great journey. I've learned a lot about the publishing world and writing in general and met some fabulous writers. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.
So about those changes. For instance, my banner no long proclaims a tag line. It's not that I've given up writing. I'm just not sure of the genre I want to write. First I dabbled in paranormal romance. I came up with a great idea involving Greek mythology and how it turned into what many people know today as Vampire Lore. One day a friend suggested I read a very well known author's series that she'd just gotten into. I picked up one of her books and was completely floored to see such striking similarities between my worldbuilding and that of this story. I wanted to cry. Because, regardless that I'd been working on this story for over a year and the fact that I'd NEVER picked up this author's stories before, I knew there'd be speculation that I was copying her NYT bestselling series. I have a hard enough time thinking about going to my own booksignings, never mind publicity like that!
I then wrote a novella on a dare. An acquaintance of mine, with other publishing cohorts, was starting a small epublishing site for erotic romance. They were tired of some of the less than stellar book quality out there, not to mention the bad rap the subgenre as a whole was receiving. So, when they made their call for submissions, I wrote away, thinking I could pop off a story relatively easy.
While writing it I discovered I wasn't sure I wanted to write the completely graphic sex scenes erotic romance is known for. It didn't flow for me. It wasn't comfortable. There was a time when I read erotic romance with no compunction. But lately, many stories seem rather gratuitous, with sex by page three. Little character development, little redemption of their conflict, little plot. While reading, I began feeling less and less respect for the characters, and even the authors, which I'm sure is one of the reasons the acquaintances I mentioned above were looking to make a change for their wedge of the romance genre. Yeah, I finished the story and even submitted it under a pen name. I had some positive feedback that made me realize that I could be a published author. But I wasn't sure it was 'me'. So when, due to professional obligations and a lack of time, the authors/publishing professionals opted to not open their doors after all, I put the story away in a bottom drawer and decided to take a good hard look at my writing and what I wanted to be known for in my writing were I to be published.
So, that's why I no longer have a tag line on my banner.
The other thing you'll notice is that a lot of references to my reviewing have been abbreviated or disappeared altogether. After 2 1/2 years of reviewing, I've decided to take a break. It came in stages, really, and started out as time conflicts. First I stopped doing author notifications and editing for the website I review for. Then, after my new editor at the print publication I reviewed for decided to alter my review by changing the words around, which blatantly altered the meaning of my opinion paragraph, I decided to no longer review for them. Long story, really, but this editor did not apologize for her actions and even disagreed that her 'editing' had changed the meaning. But when acquaintances and friends sent me emails and called me to say they didn't know I liked books with this particular element and I said I DON'T usually like it but in this instance the book was still good, I knew I wasn't the only one who believed my review had been changed. My reputation was at stake. Who knows what I'd see when I next opened the publication. How would my reviews be changed next? So I opted to resign.
Many people think reviewing is glamorous. Most are not paid for the review, other than a copy of the story. Depending on the organization you do not have much of a choice of the books you're given to review. Some sites allow you to choose the story, but if it's a book you don't care for few will allow you to return the book. You pick it, you review it. So if you read a book that you didn't enjoy you then have to take another hour or longer of your time to create a review that isn't snarky while still trying to opine professionally. Don't even get me started on those review sites or reviewers whose reviews are constantly stellar. There's no way that every book is a great read. These reviewers have no credibility to me. I'd rather just read the back of the book than read a review that's all fluff and roses. To me, that's not only a huge disservice to the reader, it's also no help to the author who, if they're serious about their craft, need constructive and well worded critiques to perfect their stories in the future.
I've put in 2 1/2 good years of reviewing. The review site I'm affiliated with will continue to see me review, if possible. I was told I had to do at least one a month, but this past month I've not found anything I wanted to read that hasn't been selected by a fellow reviewer. It might come to the point that I'll have to cease doing even that and only review on my blog if I happen to read something that I just have to share. If that happens my reviewer nom de plume will disappear into the ether. Regardless, it's been a great journey. I've learned a lot about the publishing world and writing in general and met some fabulous writers. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.
At Summer's End
Saturday, September05, 2009
Is it just me or has the summer just flown by?
It's already Labor Day weekend. It was just Memorial Day! I've been here in Prescott for almost a year. I'm still thinking about moving out of state. It seems, however, that I've got a lot of options to think and pray about. I could still go to Alaska. Canada may also be an option, unexpectedly. I'm doing some serious discernment, combining my love of trees and mountains and (some) snow with practical aspects of job hunting (debt won't pay off itself) with other spiritual considerations that I'm not quite sure how to articulate right now on a blog. Yeah, go figure. I'm not sure how to write something. But I'll get there. Eventually.
As it is, no matter where I go I'll be needing to consolidate my belongings. I've gotten rid of about 15 boxes of books. I know. And I still have about 12 shelves of books LEFT. I've also rid myself of three carloads of things at Goodwill and I've just sold my massive U-shaped desk. I think I'll have a yard sale in about a month to rid myself of more things I have but don't need.
So, how did summer treat you?
It's already Labor Day weekend. It was just Memorial Day! I've been here in Prescott for almost a year. I'm still thinking about moving out of state. It seems, however, that I've got a lot of options to think and pray about. I could still go to Alaska. Canada may also be an option, unexpectedly. I'm doing some serious discernment, combining my love of trees and mountains and (some) snow with practical aspects of job hunting (debt won't pay off itself) with other spiritual considerations that I'm not quite sure how to articulate right now on a blog. Yeah, go figure. I'm not sure how to write something. But I'll get there. Eventually.
As it is, no matter where I go I'll be needing to consolidate my belongings. I've gotten rid of about 15 boxes of books. I know. And I still have about 12 shelves of books LEFT. I've also rid myself of three carloads of things at Goodwill and I've just sold my massive U-shaped desk. I think I'll have a yard sale in about a month to rid myself of more things I have but don't need.
So, how did summer treat you?
32 Most Commonly Misused Words and Phrases
Sunday, June07, 2009 |'Writing
So, I was
on Twitter today. Yeah, yeah, I know. Evil spawn, that
thing. Anyway, someone posted a link to a blog about 32
Grammar Mistakes. This blog credited another blog and I
thought, Why
not?
I, too, am a Grammar-a-holic. It drives me insane when people get your/you're and to/two/too wrong. Could of instead of could have sets my teeth grinding. Don't get me started on punctuation. Wandering apostrophes and multiple exclamation points (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) cause me to auto-delete entire posts/emails, simply because I feel my blood pressure rising. (Email etiquette, right. Let me just say... nevermind, too long a topic.) I know, I know. I should have been an editor and writer. Wait, I already am.
Now, wait a minute. That's not to say I don't have lazy or exhausted days and make mistakes. But when it becomes the rule instead of the exception? Yeah, you know who you are! (Insert evil grin here with Wicked Witch cackling, "I'm going to get you, my pretty!)
So, here's the original post. Which ones are your pet peeves?
1.Accept/Except- Although these two words sound alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with the red cover.)
2. Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and “Effect” is a noun.
3. Alright- If you use “alright,” go to the chalkboard and write “Alright is not a word” 100 times.
4. Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can also mean “punishable by death.”
5. Complement/Compliment- I often must compliment my wife on how her love for cooking perfectly complements my love for grocery shopping.
6. Comprise/Compose- The article I’m composing comprises 32 parts.
7. Could Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?
8. Desert/Dessert- A desert is a hot, dry patch of sand. Dessert, on the other hand, is the sweet, fatty substance you eat at the end of your meal.
9. Discreet/Discrete- We can break people into two discrete (separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.
10. Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave this country to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is immigrating.
11. Elicit/Illicit- Some people post illicit things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from others.
12. Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance, whereas further means to a greater degree.
13. Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric amount.
14. Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst (of anger, fire, etc.)
15. i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is used in place of “for example.”
16. Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if something is inflammable it can catch on fire.
17. It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please don’t use its’.
18. Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it. When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.
19. Literally- If you say “His head literally exploded because he was so mad!” then we should see brains splattered on the ceiling.
20. Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you may lose them. That would be almost as embarrassing as misusing these two words.
21. Moral/Morale- Morals are something you want to teach your kids. If your team’s morale is low, you need to do something to boost their confidence.
22. Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general term.
23. Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t moving. Stationery is something you write on.
24. Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.” Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).
25. There/Their/They’re- There are few things as frustrating as when I look at my students’ writing and they’re misusing these words in their writing.
26. Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in between when it comes to unique.
27. Your/You’re- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this one… yeah, you know the rest. “Your” shows ownership and you’re is a contraction meaning “you are.” Get it right.
28. To/Too/Two- Two is a number. “To” is used in instances such as, “I am going to the store.” If you are supposed to use the word “too,” try inserting the word “extra” or “also.” If one of those fits, you need to also add the extra “o” to make “too.”
29. Lie/Lay- After you lay the books on the table, go lie down on the couch.
30. Sit/Set- Set your drink on the table and sit in your chair. Got it?
31. Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”
32. Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying attention the meaning may elude you (escape you).
Original post: http://helptutorservices.com/blog/the-32-most-commonly-misused-words-and-phrases/
I, too, am a Grammar-a-holic. It drives me insane when people get your/you're and to/two/too wrong. Could of instead of could have sets my teeth grinding. Don't get me started on punctuation. Wandering apostrophes and multiple exclamation points (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) cause me to auto-delete entire posts/emails, simply because I feel my blood pressure rising. (Email etiquette, right. Let me just say... nevermind, too long a topic.) I know, I know. I should have been an editor and writer. Wait, I already am.
Now, wait a minute. That's not to say I don't have lazy or exhausted days and make mistakes. But when it becomes the rule instead of the exception? Yeah, you know who you are! (Insert evil grin here with Wicked Witch cackling, "I'm going to get you, my pretty!)
So, here's the original post. Which ones are your pet peeves?
1.Accept/Except- Although these two words sound alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with the red cover.)
2. Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and “Effect” is a noun.
3. Alright- If you use “alright,” go to the chalkboard and write “Alright is not a word” 100 times.
4. Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can also mean “punishable by death.”
5. Complement/Compliment- I often must compliment my wife on how her love for cooking perfectly complements my love for grocery shopping.
6. Comprise/Compose- The article I’m composing comprises 32 parts.
7. Could Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?
8. Desert/Dessert- A desert is a hot, dry patch of sand. Dessert, on the other hand, is the sweet, fatty substance you eat at the end of your meal.
9. Discreet/Discrete- We can break people into two discrete (separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.
10. Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave this country to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is immigrating.
11. Elicit/Illicit- Some people post illicit things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from others.
12. Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance, whereas further means to a greater degree.
13. Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric amount.
14. Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst (of anger, fire, etc.)
15. i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is used in place of “for example.”
16. Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if something is inflammable it can catch on fire.
17. It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please don’t use its’.
18. Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it. When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.
19. Literally- If you say “His head literally exploded because he was so mad!” then we should see brains splattered on the ceiling.
20. Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you may lose them. That would be almost as embarrassing as misusing these two words.
21. Moral/Morale- Morals are something you want to teach your kids. If your team’s morale is low, you need to do something to boost their confidence.
22. Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general term.
23. Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t moving. Stationery is something you write on.
24. Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.” Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).
25. There/Their/They’re- There are few things as frustrating as when I look at my students’ writing and they’re misusing these words in their writing.
26. Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in between when it comes to unique.
27. Your/You’re- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this one… yeah, you know the rest. “Your” shows ownership and you’re is a contraction meaning “you are.” Get it right.
28. To/Too/Two- Two is a number. “To” is used in instances such as, “I am going to the store.” If you are supposed to use the word “too,” try inserting the word “extra” or “also.” If one of those fits, you need to also add the extra “o” to make “too.”
29. Lie/Lay- After you lay the books on the table, go lie down on the couch.
30. Sit/Set- Set your drink on the table and sit in your chair. Got it?
31. Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”
32. Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying attention the meaning may elude you (escape you).
Original post: http://helptutorservices.com/blog/the-32-most-commonly-misused-words-and-phrases/