The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Eating
I'd call myself a "guilt-ivore"- and when I'm not a guilt-ivore I'm more of an"air-ivore"- as in I don't eat :p
So today is the last day of November and the last November of the year 2008. Sometimes I think of time in that way, like everyday is the last day. Some say that any day could be your last, but that day's life is more fleeting than mine.
I like to think that November is "my" month, that somehow I do the month justice (and fellow Scorpios) just by having my birthday fall into this time of year. Speaking of astrological signs, I was musing earlier today over a topic that I should probably confer about with an astrologist or diviner...
Are we meant to be born on a certain day and time because it is our destiny, or is our destiny confirmed by our time of birth? This question leads me to ask further how one is manipulated into their "destiny," or time of birth, in cases of test tube breeding or very, very meticulous parents. Is it probable then, in the future, to take the most preferable of the astrological signs as guides to practice well-timed breeding? We'll be far into genetic manipulation before any credible scientific community would consider using the Zodiac as a guideline, but what if the mundane- meaning the anti-genetic engineering groups- had an answer to the test-tube monopoly? A guaranteed natural and directed course for reproducing would have to rely on occult knowledge and intuition if one wishes to influence the outcome of a birth without paying for the would-be pricey solutions to birth defects or unwanted attributes. If you'd rather have children without intestinal or urinary tract infections, avoid the Scorpio birthdates!
Anyway, my general question simply revolves around whether or not our birthdates are from the sole influence of the overhead stars, or if it is the long 9-month(ish) period, feeling each turn, revolution, and anomaly of the celestial bodies that helps determine the fate of the zygotes. If it is the latter, then how deep does this personalization go? Can we say when someone was meant to be born? Is there such a thing when someone, born prematurely or very late, can have the destiny of a Scorpio but have really been a Sagittarius upon conception and development in the womb? Is our astrological sign solely dependent on the stars that faced us when we were exiting the womb, or was there a plan for this person to be born exactly at that time?
Maybe I'm missing the point.
11.27.2008
Choices
I watched a video from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html
- if you haven't seen it, I suggest viewing it at least for his conclusion.
At first Barry Schwartz sounds like a man from an older generation, complaining about the differences in quality and quantity and how "back in my day we were happy," yet the speech soon becomes more than that. He calls it the "paradox of choice," and for most of his introduction I disagree with his points. I don't get depressed being "forced" to choose among 175 types of salad dressing at the grocery store. I see it as a reflection of the success of all the salad dressing producers and manufacturers. My ideal, however, is of a lifestyle of self-reliance, where I make my own damn dressing if I really need it and I don't have to buy something every day or every week. Think about it- how long has it been since you made absolutely no purchase all day?
Another point he makes is the freedom of choice in healthcare, namely patient autonomy versus doctors. He laments for the poor, uneducated sick person who really has no business being autonomous when it comes to deciding surgery or treatment options, especially if they are ill. I know that the best interests of the patient should be what the patient declares those interests to be, yet there is something to be said of "shifting the responsibility" from the experienced to the ignorant.
People have often said that our society "has no excuse" for making a stupid choice, and some go so far as to assume that their dumb choice is decided because they want to be that way. Mr. Schwartz observes the fault of the misinformation and lousy choices are not of the consumer, but of the materialistic and deceptive Western industrial society. Is it society's fault that we take depression medication because there are too many choices of sandwich meat in the supermarket? Is it society's fault that we commit more suicides because we have to choose a career over children?
He makes a strong case, which really comes down to the old phrase "be happy with what you have," by pointing out our choices have come to everything from jeans to gender (although to be fair we can't quite universally change gender just yet- we can only manipulate the flesh). Low expectations, or settling, shouldn't be the end of the world, he says. With all the choices available, he claims clinical depression has exploded in our modern world because of the strain of disappointment. This would explain why intelligent people become more depressed and paralyzed when thrust into broad situations, for they see so many outcomes and their ability to overtake the challenge vanishes.
He praises income redistribution and shifting the responsibility to some other party, or government. Here is where the argument begins to irk me. The argument only works if you know that this other representation is truly representative- in other words, "in a perfect world, etc." I agree that this country is delusional in the possibility of success and wealth, yet I do not agree that the answer is sovereignty. PLUS- if we were to shift responsibility, we'd be doing exactly what we did when people decided to leave food production and distribution to companies instead of relying on our farms and families- we'd just be shifting the decision-making to someone else again, further removed from ourselves!
I have seen firsthand a man who has taken all of his responsibility upon himself (as far as basic living standards go). He even has his own source of solar power, no longer reliant on the power company to provide him with electricity. On his six acre lot he can grow his own food and with his animals he can make his own compost and fertilizer. Granted, he does need products he can't provide for himself at home, but his self-reliance far outweighs the norm in this country, even more than farmers-he doesn't require loans from banks or manufacturers of farming equipment.
I have already realized the danger of dependency by observing others who have "made it" and cannot be happy or relaxed, yet I am still figuring out the balance between complete autonomy and my usefulness to society. My dream home involves lots of land, home gardens, art, unruly vines, homemade pottery and tea, and coupled with a great LAN center in our Entertainment Wing. Perhaps food would be more agreeable to me if I felt I had earned it through my own work such as gardening or hunting, but I would never want to isolate myself completely from the world as my father has done. I recognize the value of information and interaction and if the world is going to hell, then maybe we "independents" can do something about it.
- if you haven't seen it, I suggest viewing it at least for his conclusion.
At first Barry Schwartz sounds like a man from an older generation, complaining about the differences in quality and quantity and how "back in my day we were happy," yet the speech soon becomes more than that. He calls it the "paradox of choice," and for most of his introduction I disagree with his points. I don't get depressed being "forced" to choose among 175 types of salad dressing at the grocery store. I see it as a reflection of the success of all the salad dressing producers and manufacturers. My ideal, however, is of a lifestyle of self-reliance, where I make my own damn dressing if I really need it and I don't have to buy something every day or every week. Think about it- how long has it been since you made absolutely no purchase all day?
Another point he makes is the freedom of choice in healthcare, namely patient autonomy versus doctors. He laments for the poor, uneducated sick person who really has no business being autonomous when it comes to deciding surgery or treatment options, especially if they are ill. I know that the best interests of the patient should be what the patient declares those interests to be, yet there is something to be said of "shifting the responsibility" from the experienced to the ignorant.
People have often said that our society "has no excuse" for making a stupid choice, and some go so far as to assume that their dumb choice is decided because they want to be that way. Mr. Schwartz observes the fault of the misinformation and lousy choices are not of the consumer, but of the materialistic and deceptive Western industrial society. Is it society's fault that we take depression medication because there are too many choices of sandwich meat in the supermarket? Is it society's fault that we commit more suicides because we have to choose a career over children?
He makes a strong case, which really comes down to the old phrase "be happy with what you have," by pointing out our choices have come to everything from jeans to gender (although to be fair we can't quite universally change gender just yet- we can only manipulate the flesh). Low expectations, or settling, shouldn't be the end of the world, he says. With all the choices available, he claims clinical depression has exploded in our modern world because of the strain of disappointment. This would explain why intelligent people become more depressed and paralyzed when thrust into broad situations, for they see so many outcomes and their ability to overtake the challenge vanishes.
He praises income redistribution and shifting the responsibility to some other party, or government. Here is where the argument begins to irk me. The argument only works if you know that this other representation is truly representative- in other words, "in a perfect world, etc." I agree that this country is delusional in the possibility of success and wealth, yet I do not agree that the answer is sovereignty. PLUS- if we were to shift responsibility, we'd be doing exactly what we did when people decided to leave food production and distribution to companies instead of relying on our farms and families- we'd just be shifting the decision-making to someone else again, further removed from ourselves!
I have seen firsthand a man who has taken all of his responsibility upon himself (as far as basic living standards go). He even has his own source of solar power, no longer reliant on the power company to provide him with electricity. On his six acre lot he can grow his own food and with his animals he can make his own compost and fertilizer. Granted, he does need products he can't provide for himself at home, but his self-reliance far outweighs the norm in this country, even more than farmers-he doesn't require loans from banks or manufacturers of farming equipment.
I have already realized the danger of dependency by observing others who have "made it" and cannot be happy or relaxed, yet I am still figuring out the balance between complete autonomy and my usefulness to society. My dream home involves lots of land, home gardens, art, unruly vines, homemade pottery and tea, and coupled with a great LAN center in our Entertainment Wing. Perhaps food would be more agreeable to me if I felt I had earned it through my own work such as gardening or hunting, but I would never want to isolate myself completely from the world as my father has done. I recognize the value of information and interaction and if the world is going to hell, then maybe we "independents" can do something about it.
11.26.2008
RAGE
From the Wren's Nest.
It's amusing that the source of the article is the New Jersey Jewish News.
Many thoughts
It's amusing that the source of the article is the New Jersey Jewish News.
Many thoughts
From One Minute Writer
The haiku suggestion from One Minute Writer:
Scrapes and scratches old
On a wooden door at night
Wooden waterfall
Time for bed.
Scrapes and scratches old
On a wooden door at night
Wooden waterfall
Time for bed.
11.25.2008
Today
Am I doomed to mindless conditioning? I think that I have more appreciation of those who are less conditioned and more wise in their actions, much like the philosophy behind Gwyddon tradition. I know my failures are because of my constant reaction to conditioning- if I were to break from that cycle I know I could achieve more, but if my dream is to "fit in" will that accomplishment bring the rewards I wish for now or will it bring something else? Will I still love my own and uphold my beliefs in marriage, career, and friendship? It is frightening not knowing what you may discover, especially if you must discard much of what you hold sacred. There is one person whom I wish never to lose, and I am afraid that if I were to start on a path that my bias would interfere with the truth.
Don't believe- either you know or you don't- I couldn't agree more. This certainly ties into my strong Agnostic core but I've always felt left out of something greater- and that most other people are as well. Even ones who praise themselves, embracing immodesty and their pride when they themselves are some of the most conditioned, reactionary people I have met- even they seem misguided. I have been looking for a path that is individual and whole, meaningful and empty of BULLSHIT...a path that relies on my own body and experience, not drunkenness and hallucinogens.
A path where there is doctrine but no 101 Workshop in existence.
Don't believe- either you know or you don't- I couldn't agree more. This certainly ties into my strong Agnostic core but I've always felt left out of something greater- and that most other people are as well. Even ones who praise themselves, embracing immodesty and their pride when they themselves are some of the most conditioned, reactionary people I have met- even they seem misguided. I have been looking for a path that is individual and whole, meaningful and empty of BULLSHIT...a path that relies on my own body and experience, not drunkenness and hallucinogens.
A path where there is doctrine but no 101 Workshop in existence.
11.23.2008
Saturday Night
Birthday parties are fun, and tarot card readings are a great way to start a friendship.
Wallflower-ness aside, I had a good time. With my good friend in attendance I came out of my shell more than usual and even did a brief song and dance number on camera- something I would imagine myself doing only if severely inebriated. At some point it will be on the internet... so watch out.
Monday night I met some new people, friends of my boyfriend in Tuscaloosa, who are all studying in the library school. It's nice to meet interesting, witty people in the South who aren't hyped up on drugs...
Keith came by, very drunk. He forced us into a group hug and left abruptly when Evan and I kissed, for our "heterosexual love" grosses him out.
Anyway, I think I'd like to try tofurkey someday. Just a thought.
Wallflower-ness aside, I had a good time. With my good friend in attendance I came out of my shell more than usual and even did a brief song and dance number on camera- something I would imagine myself doing only if severely inebriated. At some point it will be on the internet... so watch out.
Monday night I met some new people, friends of my boyfriend in Tuscaloosa, who are all studying in the library school. It's nice to meet interesting, witty people in the South who aren't hyped up on drugs...
Keith came by, very drunk. He forced us into a group hug and left abruptly when Evan and I kissed, for our "heterosexual love" grosses him out.
Anyway, I think I'd like to try tofurkey someday. Just a thought.
11.19.2008
Latin!!
I've just found out why the word bellus, meaning beautiful, always confused me with the Latin word bellum, which means war!! This has actually bothered me for a while, yet I've constantly forgot to research it!
When I studied Latin I only read and spoke in Classical Latin- a big difference between Classical and "familiar" Latin (called Vulgar Latin or "popular" Latin) is the loss of certain grammatical particles, like ergo, quid, quod, quidem, etc. Some words changed completely, like bellum, which changed to guerra in the later Latin, which is the basis for the word guerrila. Now, the Classical Latin word for "beautiful" is pulcher- and in my classes I always wanted to say that bellum was the word for beautiful, and it was hard to remove my thoughts from that connotation (so I always thought "beautiful war" instead of just "war"). BUT- I now know that the Vulgar Latin word for beautiful is in fact bellus! If you know Latin, you can see why I confused the two- it was because of the declensions, yet that threw me off as well!
SO- old word for war was bellum, new word for beautiful was bellus.
Another case solved! *smokes pipe*
When I studied Latin I only read and spoke in Classical Latin- a big difference between Classical and "familiar" Latin (called Vulgar Latin or "popular" Latin) is the loss of certain grammatical particles, like ergo, quid, quod, quidem, etc. Some words changed completely, like bellum, which changed to guerra in the later Latin, which is the basis for the word guerrila. Now, the Classical Latin word for "beautiful" is pulcher- and in my classes I always wanted to say that bellum was the word for beautiful, and it was hard to remove my thoughts from that connotation (so I always thought "beautiful war" instead of just "war"). BUT- I now know that the Vulgar Latin word for beautiful is in fact bellus! If you know Latin, you can see why I confused the two- it was because of the declensions, yet that threw me off as well!
SO- old word for war was bellum, new word for beautiful was bellus.
Another case solved! *smokes pipe*
Random Astrology
I think my imagination wears me out. There appears to be a confident, super-successful wannabe inside somewhere and occasionally it comes out, in waves, before it is stretched thin and becomes waif-like. The energy is lost on some insignificant event or group and I'm back to square one to self-realization.
Anyway, I just found out that Koreans have two birthdays. My tutoree YeonJu said her birthdate is January 20 (which matches with her personality, being an Aquarius) and her "lunar" birthday is December 12th. I have heard of their collective birthday practice on January 1st, for they treat that day as the day everyone is a year older. Yes, if you are Korean and born on January 1st, you are considered a full year older even if you haven't reached a full year. In fact, when a Korean is born they consider the child to already be a year old, which kind of makes sense because of the 9-month gestation (which I've always thought to be a more accurate timeline to follow if you were to celebrate someone's life). However, I don't know if the Koreans consider the child to already be a year old because of the 9 months they have lived before birth, or if it is for some other matter. Anyway, YeonJu was definitely born on January 20th on the solar calendar and her second birthday, December 12th, is from the lunar calendar. Now I have to wonder what my lunar birthday is and what part it would play in my identity, if that astrology stuff is accurate. Since I am not experienced in following stars or memorizing astronomy (heck, I can barely keep up the days on our Gregorian calendar!) I should look it up somewhere...
While researching astrology and specifically the differences in the lunar and solar calendars, I came across this hilarious gem from yet another paranoid Christian source:
"The Zodiac and Astrology: Astrology is a false science designed to hide the truth of the Bible. The astrologer's claim that everyone is born under a sign of the Zodiac. They say your sign is determined by your birthday. The signs of the Zodiac have to do with the twelve tribes of Israel. If you are an Israelite*, your sign is determined not by your birthday, but by your racial tribe. For example Judah's sign is Leo the lion. The dates of the signs of the Zodiac as found in your newspaper do accurately mark the solar year months." -from http://www.moseshand.com/2cal/2cal2b.htm
Interesting. As for the asterisk, it refers to Caucasian, since those are the true Israelites... whatever. Oh, and I did run through the home page of this site. It scared me.
I've taken out my tarot cards again after several years and I find that it calms me to gaze on the drawings and feel different thoughts as I think about the possible meanings; sometimes I feel nothing or something vast and confounding, yet sometimes I feel a strong pull to interpret a card in some way, such as the King of Pentacles representing my boyfriend (and the intimidation of living up to him). I wonder how much of my interpretation is "spiritual" or if it will come and go when I can note the objective data in the picture.
I need to research this more- I would feel awfully ridiculous if I came to discover this whole practice was a game invented in the 1500s... oops.
Anyway, I just found out that Koreans have two birthdays. My tutoree YeonJu said her birthdate is January 20 (which matches with her personality, being an Aquarius) and her "lunar" birthday is December 12th. I have heard of their collective birthday practice on January 1st, for they treat that day as the day everyone is a year older. Yes, if you are Korean and born on January 1st, you are considered a full year older even if you haven't reached a full year. In fact, when a Korean is born they consider the child to already be a year old, which kind of makes sense because of the 9-month gestation (which I've always thought to be a more accurate timeline to follow if you were to celebrate someone's life). However, I don't know if the Koreans consider the child to already be a year old because of the 9 months they have lived before birth, or if it is for some other matter. Anyway, YeonJu was definitely born on January 20th on the solar calendar and her second birthday, December 12th, is from the lunar calendar. Now I have to wonder what my lunar birthday is and what part it would play in my identity, if that astrology stuff is accurate. Since I am not experienced in following stars or memorizing astronomy (heck, I can barely keep up the days on our Gregorian calendar!) I should look it up somewhere...
While researching astrology and specifically the differences in the lunar and solar calendars, I came across this hilarious gem from yet another paranoid Christian source:
"The Zodiac and Astrology: Astrology is a false science designed to hide the truth of the Bible. The astrologer's claim that everyone is born under a sign of the Zodiac. They say your sign is determined by your birthday. The signs of the Zodiac have to do with the twelve tribes of Israel. If you are an Israelite*, your sign is determined not by your birthday, but by your racial tribe. For example Judah's sign is Leo the lion. The dates of the signs of the Zodiac as found in your newspaper do accurately mark the solar year months." -from http://www.moseshand.com/2cal/2cal2b.htm
Interesting. As for the asterisk, it refers to Caucasian, since those are the true Israelites... whatever. Oh, and I did run through the home page of this site. It scared me.
I've taken out my tarot cards again after several years and I find that it calms me to gaze on the drawings and feel different thoughts as I think about the possible meanings; sometimes I feel nothing or something vast and confounding, yet sometimes I feel a strong pull to interpret a card in some way, such as the King of Pentacles representing my boyfriend (and the intimidation of living up to him). I wonder how much of my interpretation is "spiritual" or if it will come and go when I can note the objective data in the picture.
I need to research this more- I would feel awfully ridiculous if I came to discover this whole practice was a game invented in the 1500s... oops.
11.17.2008
Cyquest.com
I happened to find this website all about self-healing, Mother God, and patterns and before I was indoctrinated into its pleasing tones I tried to do some research- I couldn't find any source of info about the website other than it has a mention on AboutUs.com. Some of the content was very relative to me, yet I "kept my cool" and took it all with a grain of special salt. The history of the world started to sound to me a bit like Scientology, so at that point I stopped with a "Now wait a minute!" warning in my head and tried searching around for references. The most I can find out is that the site is based out of Arizona and concentrates on the healing of those who are Emotional Processors, Yin and Yang destructive types, the Holy Union of the Mother and Father (Earth and the Sun), and some more random jabber about finding an intuitive way to solve your problems. There are several contributions of literature and art supplied to the site, so I have to wonder who sprung up these ideas and if it is related at all to neo-paganism or some kind of celtic renaissance... yet I haven't found out anything. If I were a tech wiz I could locate maybe a name or group associated with the site's coding or something... I have no idea.
Anyway, I mentioned it because I was really looking into its support and ideas, and to my amazement I found no advertisements for their miracle cures or texts or premium membership fees.
Seems legit.
*edit* After some more probing I found a blog focused on earthly healing and meditation which linked to Cyquest- I guess I have to wrangle the web...
All I've found is some links to various Earth-friendly, New Age dogmatic sites with their own take on astrology... if my skepticism wasn't so strong I'm sure I'd have less reason to find flaws in all of this. Otherwise, what's the point?
Anyway, I mentioned it because I was really looking into its support and ideas, and to my amazement I found no advertisements for their miracle cures or texts or premium membership fees.
Seems legit.
*edit* After some more probing I found a blog focused on earthly healing and meditation which linked to Cyquest- I guess I have to wrangle the web...
All I've found is some links to various Earth-friendly, New Age dogmatic sites with their own take on astrology... if my skepticism wasn't so strong I'm sure I'd have less reason to find flaws in all of this. Otherwise, what's the point?
11.11.2008
Drawing, etc.
In my Drawing class my teacher assigned our next task to draw an enlarged wad of chewing gum. I love the idea of the texture and shadows in my head, but today I faulted on the delivery. It doesn't help that I was paranoid about having missed the last session and I am now almost two whole assignments behind in the course schedule... actually, since I have missed other days, I am behind by at least 4 assignments now. If I can finish the work before the next portfolio assessment I will be fine, so all I have to do is remember to force myself (as in stir the motivation, not "break into") to the art room and work until I feel I have completed the assignments. So why am I so hesitant to finish some simple work?
Tonight I suggested to myself that I can begin my second essay for my World Literature class, and I would work on my own topic of color symbolism across multiple works, or at least two different pieces of literature from different time periods. My boyfriend has told me in the past that I overthink everything and waste time thinking about failing or procrastinating than actually getting the job done- I know this very well. My expectations are skewed in every way on any level- whether I feel inaedquate socially, physically, or mentally, in my mind I am already the failure. Sometimes, however, I get a rush of energy and feel ready to take on anything- like a gym membership. Signing a contract for a private fitness instructor wasn't one of my better ideas, and I wonder how lucid I really was in making those kinds of decisions every once in a while.
I've spit out some doodles in pencil for this comic idea (more variations of the main character, Cassa) someone has brought up, yet already I feel that taking shortcuts in the visualization will make me fail the project altogether, so I have avoided it more than I would like. I've never been very good at drawing mechanically, but she suggested we work on building a world which has leaned toward an organic (no, not the 'save the planet' products) development instead of relying on the coal industry. Yes, coal is organic, but the methods of using its energy may change in this alternate reality, where the majority of the population decided on quality over quantity and wisdom over haste. She didn't specify coal as a key change in recent technological development, but I used coal as an example because I felt it is better than generalizing "technology" against "nature." There would have to be some link between evolution, magic, and the innovations of men (or nature, spirits/powers, and creatures- even better to symbolize with the triquetra!) Perhaps the massive, overarcing plot would be how these balances are tipped too far in one direction, or maybe the link is stretched too thin. Either way, it's gotta lead to something epic (thinking Wheel of Time- can't help myself).
Tonight I suggested to myself that I can begin my second essay for my World Literature class, and I would work on my own topic of color symbolism across multiple works, or at least two different pieces of literature from different time periods. My boyfriend has told me in the past that I overthink everything and waste time thinking about failing or procrastinating than actually getting the job done- I know this very well. My expectations are skewed in every way on any level- whether I feel inaedquate socially, physically, or mentally, in my mind I am already the failure. Sometimes, however, I get a rush of energy and feel ready to take on anything- like a gym membership. Signing a contract for a private fitness instructor wasn't one of my better ideas, and I wonder how lucid I really was in making those kinds of decisions every once in a while.
I've spit out some doodles in pencil for this comic idea (more variations of the main character, Cassa) someone has brought up, yet already I feel that taking shortcuts in the visualization will make me fail the project altogether, so I have avoided it more than I would like. I've never been very good at drawing mechanically, but she suggested we work on building a world which has leaned toward an organic (no, not the 'save the planet' products) development instead of relying on the coal industry. Yes, coal is organic, but the methods of using its energy may change in this alternate reality, where the majority of the population decided on quality over quantity and wisdom over haste. She didn't specify coal as a key change in recent technological development, but I used coal as an example because I felt it is better than generalizing "technology" against "nature." There would have to be some link between evolution, magic, and the innovations of men (or nature, spirits/powers, and creatures- even better to symbolize with the triquetra!) Perhaps the massive, overarcing plot would be how these balances are tipped too far in one direction, or maybe the link is stretched too thin. Either way, it's gotta lead to something epic (thinking Wheel of Time- can't help myself).
11.04.2008
Happy Ele-Birth-Ction-Day
Well, it's my birthday... and that means my license has finally expired.
Things such as renewing a driver's license seem like they're (yes, 'things' are a 'they') always way ahead of you... I was told I could renew online, but I've found out that I must attend the DDS in person because my address has changed since 4 and 1/2 years ago. As of today, I no longer have a valid driver's license. Oh well.
A friend requested I draw some preliminary sketches for his video game project. He asked for some images of different rocks and some avatar ideas, such as races and classes like in D&D. (Damn that book Junk English by Ken Smith- I'm rethinking all my sentences now!). I'm nervous about drawing for him, but this time I'll, at the very least, draw things out...
Oh, and about the book Junk English- if you've ever pulled your hair out when people say, "the fact that" unnecessarily, or "utilize" when they mean "use," this book may soothe the tempered English beast of burden and stab sloppy metaphors in the face for you. It's so easy to get caught up in sloppy jargon and cliches that when reading from the examples I find my English is much more tattered and complicated than it should be!
I'd have to disagree with a few things in his book, as he is very critical of redudant phrases. When considering creative license and common speech, it is necessary to speak "commonly," and to continue using those little phrases which people have adopted as correct. In a fiction novel, for instance, there would definitely be a loss of character if everyone spoke in correct English at all times, and even a loss of transition and stream of consciousness, if that type of stream is considered a good thing, when reading a book from a first or third person perspective.
I do agree wholeheartedly with his criticisms of the business, self-help, New Age, and marketing jargon.
An example of "junk" English would be an advertisement claiming,
"At your convenience, we now provide clean towels."
How the heck is that a "convenience?" As Smith puts it, the word convenience is now a synonym for "product" or "service." Advertising has tried and succeeded in making sheep of everyone who now believes that "convenience" or "courtesy" is as petty as expecting efficient and tidy service- HOWEVER- I realize that this may be culture bound. It may be that other cultures do consider even the slightest upgrade in standards a "courtesy," yet I don't know if they are grandstanding as much as us.
Arg, and it is definitely incorrect to say "to help facilitate." I don't claim to be correct all the time, but these phrases and words delude people to believe they are thinking. Even now I am analyzing my sentences and words carefully to avoid redundancies and inappropriate adjectives, though I hope I have been doing so for a long time.
Things such as renewing a driver's license seem like they're (yes, 'things' are a 'they') always way ahead of you... I was told I could renew online, but I've found out that I must attend the DDS in person because my address has changed since 4 and 1/2 years ago. As of today, I no longer have a valid driver's license. Oh well.
A friend requested I draw some preliminary sketches for his video game project. He asked for some images of different rocks and some avatar ideas, such as races and classes like in D&D. (Damn that book Junk English by Ken Smith- I'm rethinking all my sentences now!). I'm nervous about drawing for him, but this time I'll, at the very least, draw things out...
Oh, and about the book Junk English- if you've ever pulled your hair out when people say, "the fact that" unnecessarily, or "utilize" when they mean "use," this book may soothe the tempered English beast of burden and stab sloppy metaphors in the face for you. It's so easy to get caught up in sloppy jargon and cliches that when reading from the examples I find my English is much more tattered and complicated than it should be!
I'd have to disagree with a few things in his book, as he is very critical of redudant phrases. When considering creative license and common speech, it is necessary to speak "commonly," and to continue using those little phrases which people have adopted as correct. In a fiction novel, for instance, there would definitely be a loss of character if everyone spoke in correct English at all times, and even a loss of transition and stream of consciousness, if that type of stream is considered a good thing, when reading a book from a first or third person perspective.
I do agree wholeheartedly with his criticisms of the business, self-help, New Age, and marketing jargon.
An example of "junk" English would be an advertisement claiming,
"At your convenience, we now provide clean towels."
How the heck is that a "convenience?" As Smith puts it, the word convenience is now a synonym for "product" or "service." Advertising has tried and succeeded in making sheep of everyone who now believes that "convenience" or "courtesy" is as petty as expecting efficient and tidy service- HOWEVER- I realize that this may be culture bound. It may be that other cultures do consider even the slightest upgrade in standards a "courtesy," yet I don't know if they are grandstanding as much as us.
Arg, and it is definitely incorrect to say "to help facilitate." I don't claim to be correct all the time, but these phrases and words delude people to believe they are thinking. Even now I am analyzing my sentences and words carefully to avoid redundancies and inappropriate adjectives, though I hope I have been doing so for a long time.
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