Truths and Half Truths

Why Grammar Nazis Are Important

Back to our story in a jiffy (I reserve the right to define "jiffy") but first:

I know what yez all say about me. 

"Oh, he's such a Grammar Nazi,"; " He's always calling me on using "your" instead of "you're", or not putting my apostrophe's in the right place's, or not having commas ..."; "Doesn't he understand that language is a living thing, that it changes and flows with the development of our culture?".  Oh, all that and "What an asshole."

Well, yes, yes, yes, and I suppose, sometimes, yes.

But look at what can happen when we forget that rules are there for a reason.  Two point one three million dollars, people. 

Now everybody can go back to thinking this doesn't matter to them (sic).  That its (sic) not important to learn and use proper grammar.  And that I may just be a little sic.

Your (sic) wrong.

Glitch

(Say that word a few times.  After a while, it stops sounding like a real word.)

I guess Typepad had some sort of "event" between 12:30am and 10:30am PST on Wednesday. July 12th.  As a result, some very nice comments people made about the Wedding Album have evaporated into the ether.  Please know that I read your comments - as did my girls - and we all appreciated them very much.

Just wanted you all to know that I didn't go through my comments and capriciously delete nice things you had to say.  I mean, really.  What kind of person would do that?

I am so smirking right now.

Small Miracles

I believe it's not fair to ask God for big miracles if we're not prepared to do our part in creating small ones. 

Here is a chance to do something meaningful for someone you do not know, will never meet, might not like if you did meet him (who's to know?) and who will never have a chance to thank you.

You will gain nothing from this, and only a very tiny number of people will know about or acknowledge your kindness.  It is a gift from you to God.

I can think of no better reason to do it.

A Gentle, Good-Natured, and Hopefully Persuasive Note To Some Of My Favourite Bloggers

You know that book you picked up the other day, the New York Times Best-seller with the black pages and the red type inside?  Oh, wait, no, maybe it was navy blue pages and black type.  Or red background and pink type.

No?  You don't remember that book?  Well, may I suggest to you that it's because the publishing industry kinda knows what works and what doesn't work, visually speaking.  And they know that as boring as it is, the easiest format on the human eyes is a light background and black type.  Like, say black on white ... or buff ... or ivory.

People of the Blogiverse:  please take note.

I know you want to be creative, and I know you want your blog to look good.  We all do, dear.  But what good is it if people think "Nice looking blog - damn, I wish I could read it."?

It's not JUST that I'm old, although that certainly might be weighing into it.  But honestly, sometimes I have to squint to read your blog - especially if there is glare on the screen.  And when that happens, as often as not, I'll just move to the next blog on my list.  Maybe you had a great post that day, maybe not.  I'll never know.  And if I, who love your stuff, am moving on, how many others who are visiting for the first time are saying "Yoiks - (s)he's not worth the migraine."?

Look at the blogs you love.  I would guess that most, if not all of them are black on light.  Look at the blogs and sites designed by pros.  Black on light.  Feel the pattern, baby.

Look, I respect your creative urges.  But I respectfully suggest you channel them into your writing (which is wonderful, or else I wouldn't be there), or your photography (which, ditto).  Eschew creativity in backgrounds, font colour, or the font itself. 

I look like crap when I squint.  And I'm homely enough to start. 

Spare us all.  Thank you.