April 20, 2010
Cacography
\ka-‘kä-gre-fe\ n 1: bad spelling 2: bad handwriting*
I am a spelling fanatic. In school, there were not many subjects that I cared about the way I cared about spelling. The English language always mystified me and it still does to this day; there are so many words that are not spelled the way one would think they are based on the pronunciation. Studying for spelling tests was a waste of time for me, the words just speaking to me and somehow finding their rightful place on the page.
Whenever individuals fall victim to cacography, it really pisses me off, for lack of a better phrase. I understand that not everyone is adept at the ever elusive spelling skill, yet simple words that have no chance ever of being confused with something else are written incorrectly, almost as aliases that are used to cover a hidden meaning…
*letters “e” are upside down creating sound of “uh”
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
BUTTRESS
April 19, 2010
Buttress
\’be-tres\ n 1: a projecting structure (as of masonry) that supports or stabilizes a wall or building 2: something that supports, props, or strengthens*
The country of Haiti is still struggling three months after the tragic earthquake that shook their world upside down. Buildings and homes have been demolished, leaving the country to look like a no man’s land. People have still not been found and families have been divided. There are people who are skeptical as to whether or not Haiti will ever be able to resurrect their communities let alone their infrastructure.
From tel-a-thons, clothing drives, bake sales to doctors immediately hopping on a plane to donate their time and services, the U.S. along with other countries has been a positive force and a buttress in lending a hand to Haiti in order to rebuild their country so that it can thrive even more with their vibrant culture.
*letters “e” are upside down creating sound of “uh”
Buttress
\’be-tres\ n 1: a projecting structure (as of masonry) that supports or stabilizes a wall or building 2: something that supports, props, or strengthens*
The country of Haiti is still struggling three months after the tragic earthquake that shook their world upside down. Buildings and homes have been demolished, leaving the country to look like a no man’s land. People have still not been found and families have been divided. There are people who are skeptical as to whether or not Haiti will ever be able to resurrect their communities let alone their infrastructure.
From tel-a-thons, clothing drives, bake sales to doctors immediately hopping on a plane to donate their time and services, the U.S. along with other countries has been a positive force and a buttress in lending a hand to Haiti in order to rebuild their country so that it can thrive even more with their vibrant culture.
*letters “e” are upside down creating sound of “uh”
Saturday, April 24, 2010
GARRULOUS
April 18, 2010
Garrulous
\’ger-e-les\ adj 1: pointlessly or annoyingly talkative 2: wordy*
I have accepted the fact that I talk a lot. I always have and probably always will. However, it is very rare, (unless I am inebriated or extremely exhausted) that my diatribes are looked at as being void of value. There are people though who conjure questions out of thin air knowing damn well the answer could have been derived through another medium, or individuals who just let their gums go wild without ever reaching a point. These people and I are not in the same category; or at least I hope not.
I have encountered many people in life that all have their own weird and/or unique quirks. There is this one woman whom I see on a regular schedule whose conversation consists of purely nothing of interest to anyone. Her garrulous personality makes me cringe every time she walks in the door and I purposely find some other task to occupy my time; alas that does not even deter her, her constant verbiage giving the term verbal diarrhea a whole new meaning.
*second and third letter “e” are upside down creating sound of “uh”
Garrulous
\’ger-e-les\ adj 1: pointlessly or annoyingly talkative 2: wordy*
I have accepted the fact that I talk a lot. I always have and probably always will. However, it is very rare, (unless I am inebriated or extremely exhausted) that my diatribes are looked at as being void of value. There are people though who conjure questions out of thin air knowing damn well the answer could have been derived through another medium, or individuals who just let their gums go wild without ever reaching a point. These people and I are not in the same category; or at least I hope not.
I have encountered many people in life that all have their own weird and/or unique quirks. There is this one woman whom I see on a regular schedule whose conversation consists of purely nothing of interest to anyone. Her garrulous personality makes me cringe every time she walks in the door and I purposely find some other task to occupy my time; alas that does not even deter her, her constant verbiage giving the term verbal diarrhea a whole new meaning.
*second and third letter “e” are upside down creating sound of “uh”
IMMURE
April 17, 2010
Immure
\i-‘myur\ v 1a: to enclose within or as if within walls b: to imprison 2: to build into a wall; especially : to entomb in a wall
I have always loved literature. I prefer the more contemporary pieces to what could be considered, “classics,” however I do have a sincere appreciation for any type of writing as it is such a genuine depiction of the author and perhaps what he or she has experienced in his or her life. Edgar Allan Poe is one such example. He is a brilliant writer, one that makes you shiver with his eerie relationship with a raven, his undying love, or the ticking that is immured inside a wall…
Immure
\i-‘myur\ v 1a: to enclose within or as if within walls b: to imprison 2: to build into a wall; especially : to entomb in a wall
I have always loved literature. I prefer the more contemporary pieces to what could be considered, “classics,” however I do have a sincere appreciation for any type of writing as it is such a genuine depiction of the author and perhaps what he or she has experienced in his or her life. Edgar Allan Poe is one such example. He is a brilliant writer, one that makes you shiver with his eerie relationship with a raven, his undying love, or the ticking that is immured inside a wall…
CONTUMELY
April 16, 2010
Contumely
\kän-‘tä-me-le\ n : harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt; also : an instance of such language or treatment*
I really don’t like pestering people for money. However within the past two years, my motto has become “times are hard,” and if I am owed a certain amount for whatever services I may have rendered, I am entitled. I will never forget one of my most nightmarish jobs right out of college. It was for a woman whose head was everywhere except where it needed to be which was developing a sound structure for the organization she was in charge of and getting her new assistant (me) well acclimated to my job responsibilities.
In a total of four weeks, I had only worked for her twice and at the end of November, I knew it was over. It, (for my sanity) had to be. I sent her two copies of my resignation letter and a copy of the hours that I had worked. I expected my money in full and for the both of us to carry on with our lives (hers however dysfunctional it may have been, mine considerably less) and that would have been the end of the story…hey, I never said I wasn’t naïve.
Three months later, I still had not received my money and was peeved beyond belief. I decided to become a pest. Lord knows, I had mastered this trait in other circumstances. After several voicemails and emails, I was left a nasty message from my former boss; her contumely obvious. I was not deterred from my goal and three weeks later, I received my money in full. As unpleasant as that scenario was, I learned something valuable; as nasty as people can be and even if you get cursed out, fighting for what’s right never gets old.
*letter “e” is upside down, creating sound of “uh”
Contumely
\kän-‘tä-me-le\ n : harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt; also : an instance of such language or treatment*
I really don’t like pestering people for money. However within the past two years, my motto has become “times are hard,” and if I am owed a certain amount for whatever services I may have rendered, I am entitled. I will never forget one of my most nightmarish jobs right out of college. It was for a woman whose head was everywhere except where it needed to be which was developing a sound structure for the organization she was in charge of and getting her new assistant (me) well acclimated to my job responsibilities.
In a total of four weeks, I had only worked for her twice and at the end of November, I knew it was over. It, (for my sanity) had to be. I sent her two copies of my resignation letter and a copy of the hours that I had worked. I expected my money in full and for the both of us to carry on with our lives (hers however dysfunctional it may have been, mine considerably less) and that would have been the end of the story…hey, I never said I wasn’t naïve.
Three months later, I still had not received my money and was peeved beyond belief. I decided to become a pest. Lord knows, I had mastered this trait in other circumstances. After several voicemails and emails, I was left a nasty message from my former boss; her contumely obvious. I was not deterred from my goal and three weeks later, I received my money in full. As unpleasant as that scenario was, I learned something valuable; as nasty as people can be and even if you get cursed out, fighting for what’s right never gets old.
*letter “e” is upside down, creating sound of “uh”
LUFTMENSCH
April 15, 2010
Luftmensch
\’luft-‘mensh\ n : an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income
I would never want to be labeled a luftmensch, especially at this point in my life. I work hard, I earn money that could be a lot more yet is just enough to pay my bills and I rarely live life on the wild side so if I want to dream, dammit I will dream. I have never relied on my parents or others for money while I sit and daydream about things that have the potential of never happening; I am in fact the opposite, many people have instead labeled me a pessismist. Yet, I still think about creating a better life for myself in the future and for my family through my dreams…I am jolted back to reality by a kid screaming in the waiting area…
Luftmensch
\’luft-‘mensh\ n : an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income
I would never want to be labeled a luftmensch, especially at this point in my life. I work hard, I earn money that could be a lot more yet is just enough to pay my bills and I rarely live life on the wild side so if I want to dream, dammit I will dream. I have never relied on my parents or others for money while I sit and daydream about things that have the potential of never happening; I am in fact the opposite, many people have instead labeled me a pessismist. Yet, I still think about creating a better life for myself in the future and for my family through my dreams…I am jolted back to reality by a kid screaming in the waiting area…
ATTITUDINIZE
April 14, 2010
Attitudinize
\’a-te-‘tü-de-‘niz\ v : to assume an affected mental attitude : pose*
I have often been told that I am not a good liar and that my emotions can be read clearly all over my face. I believe that may indeed be true to a certain extent. I am often found attitudinizing my thoughts as they cross my mind, a habit that has often gotten me into trouble. In college, I came across many individuals who thought their advice was the best advice and to take anyone else’s would be foolish. I knew that to listen to people’s opinions was a smart action, however there was a always a situation when I knew that to not listen to my gut would be just as foolish.
I managed to get through my four years at La Salle without any major damaged relationships yet I had weeded out those people whom were full of it (to say the least) from my life. A year later, I was invited to an annual event that I had been responsible for in college and when coming across one individual whom I had not favored, had no qualms about showing that I was less than thrilled to be in her company once again. I was told to “fix my face,” yet the emotion acted as though it were frozen on my features. I half smiled (that was as good as it was going to get) and headed straight for the wine.
*letters “e” are upside down creating sounds of “uh”
Attitudinize
\’a-te-‘tü-de-‘niz\ v : to assume an affected mental attitude : pose*
I have often been told that I am not a good liar and that my emotions can be read clearly all over my face. I believe that may indeed be true to a certain extent. I am often found attitudinizing my thoughts as they cross my mind, a habit that has often gotten me into trouble. In college, I came across many individuals who thought their advice was the best advice and to take anyone else’s would be foolish. I knew that to listen to people’s opinions was a smart action, however there was a always a situation when I knew that to not listen to my gut would be just as foolish.
I managed to get through my four years at La Salle without any major damaged relationships yet I had weeded out those people whom were full of it (to say the least) from my life. A year later, I was invited to an annual event that I had been responsible for in college and when coming across one individual whom I had not favored, had no qualms about showing that I was less than thrilled to be in her company once again. I was told to “fix my face,” yet the emotion acted as though it were frozen on my features. I half smiled (that was as good as it was going to get) and headed straight for the wine.
*letters “e” are upside down creating sounds of “uh”
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