Monday, October 26, 2020

Ooooh, Scary!

                                                                                Photo courtesy of Pexels

It's strange how many people love scary things and I often wonder why... 

The scariest book I've read: a book by Dean Koontz that was so scary, I didn't finish it and I can't even remember the name.

The scariest movie I've seen: tied between Alien and Jaws.

The scariest situation I've been in: when some idiot girl sped through a red light and T-boned us. I really thought I was going to die.

The scariest person I've met: psychotic scum who fractured my skull with a beer bottle.

The scariest place I've been: looking over the edge of a cliff.

The scariest TV show: American Horror.

Since I don't remember the book and didn't finish it, all I can say is I know not to read any Dean Koontz. If I see Alien or Jaws now, no big deal but when I first saw them, Alien gave me nightmares and Jaws kept me out of the water for a year. I wasn't seriously injured in the car crash (seatbelts!) but my life really flashed before my eyes. The psycho man is dead so we're all a little safer. Heights never used to bother me, but now just watching people do crazy stunts from up high makes me dizzy (but I still love roller coasters). I still can't watch American Horror.

So, what scares you?

Char

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

To Be... Or Not

 Today's new math lesson:


Allergies + Congestion = Bronchitis




Photo courtesy of Pexels

So I'm taking off this week.

Send cookies, chai lattes, and books.


Char

Monday, October 12, 2020

Goodbye, Columbus....

 Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!




Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

No, I won't say 'Happy Columbus Day' anymore. Here's why:

Columbus didn't 'discover' America, he stumbled across it. If you go to a strange town and walk into someone's back yard, did you discover it, or merely come across it? So no kudos to a man who stepped onto a foreign shore and claimed it when he had no right.

Columbus' visit has brought about the death of millions, from the Native Americans living here then, and through our country's history. Nothing to celebrate.

While the same accusation could be tagged to Spain, France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Portugal (among other nations) colonizing what is now known as the American Southwest and California, and holds true for Central and South America, Canada, Africa, and various islands, no invasion should be celebrated. 

While the Native Peoples frequently had their own wars, mass killings, and slavery, that's no reason to celebrate the European version. 

It may be unpopular, but I have no problem with taking down statues of Columbus or Confederate generals. And since no human is perfect, and all have a darker side, how about no statues to any individual? That would be the most equitable solution, in my humble opinion. Put the statues in a museum, although how many statues of Columbus, Robert L. Lee, etc. do we need? 

And that's my thought on this day....


Char

Monday, October 5, 2020

Help Needed: English Pros and Non-Tech People

 Sometimes I wonder who creates and checks the Microsoft word processing software. I'm not talking about making the software run or fixing glitches, I'm talking about their so called 'grammar' expert.

(Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)


'Cause they ain't no expert. 

Follow:

Those annoying underline dots where they insist that a semicolon is needed. Um, no. I put a comma for a reason. Like everything else in English grammar, there are rules that can, and sometimes should, be broken or ignored. This program does not recognize any digression. Even when warranted.

When I put in a rhetorical question, it demands a question mark. Ok, I'll give them that one even though there are instances when it is so obviously not a question. AI is only as smart as we make it (so far).

The thing that bugs me the most, other than the screwy way to add and modify headers? Insisting on commas where one isn't needed. I think I know better than you, Microsoft, about commas. No, I'm absolutely positive I know where to use commas better than you. I have an English degree and a journalism degree. I've had newspaper and magazine articles, and several books published. I write my own weekly blog and a monthly post for another. I'm in the middle of writing and/or revising several books. Your word processing software was created, most likely, by a techy person who writes code, not paragraphs or books. I think you're just going to have to trust me on this. Often times your program reminds me of those instructions that come with products from other nations where English is probably the last language they use, yet they print out directions that leave English-speaking people dumbfounded- and struggling to assemble or use the product. They need to hire someone whose native language is English to proofread.

I think, besides hiring a person with strong grammar skills, you need to hire a person like me. Very little tech skills so if I can't get the program to do what I want without screaming for my tech-savvy sons to help me, then you have a problem with the way the program works, or at least you need to simplify it. I wasn't born with computers and electronic games and such in my hands like the current generations, who are most likely writing your programs. To them, it's easy (unless we're talking about grammar). You have to give us 'more creative, less techy' people a break. And your 'help' button is mostly useless. Really. If it was easy to use, I could stop being afraid of my kids moving out, leaving me in a technological panic. 

There are other issues with the program, but I'll stop here, I think the message is clear. Hire an English major when you're working with the written language.  

Have a nice day.

Char