Geezer Prose
Mar. 1st, 2003 06:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rejectomorphEvery time I read the message boards at Classmates, I am struck by how poorly most of my contemporaries write. Now, every time I read an article about how bad the schools have become, I think about those message boards. Most of the people posting on one particular thread I've been following graduated from high school between 1952 and 1978, and their writing is almost universally wretched. Grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation-- it's all one huge disaster. LJ is full of kids who can write better than most of these geezers and near-geezers. Yes, I know that the scores on certain standardized tests have been declining for years, but I suspect that this is because they used to test a smaller percentage of students than they do now. If this is not the case, and kids now actually are less literate than my contemporaries, all I can say is abandon all hope! Civilization is doomed! Grrr. I just want to go through that whole web site with the digital equivalent of a red pencil!
While I was there tonight, I came across a post which mentioned a store which was across the street from my intermediate school. I suddenly felt one of those mushy nostalgic journal entries coming on, so I got out of there. Still, the image of the place is stuck in my mind now, so I'll probably end up writing about it soon. Luckily, there isn't enough time tonight. You are spared, for a while.
I do want to post a couple of pictures, though. So far, none of my picture posts have been replaced by a little red "x", so I am compelled to further test my bandwidth allowance by posting two pictures at once. These were taken a couple of weeks ago, in a field about half a mile from my house. This is not the best time of year to be taking pictures in this particular location in the late afternoon, because the sun is low and the best views are to the southwest. Thus, there is lens flare (filters are not available for point-and-shoot cameras, as far as I know.) Since I took the pictures on a bright, cloudy day when a rainstorm was ending, I just pretend that the lens flare is a rainbow. Again, cut because of their size.
Summerwood Meadow After the Rain
Storm Clouds Breaking Above Summerwood Meadow
Now, there is a blue-grey twilight heralding dawn. I think we may be in for another grey day. Might we hope for just a little more rain? I don't know. I'm going to be sleeping through most of it, anyway.
While I was there tonight, I came across a post which mentioned a store which was across the street from my intermediate school. I suddenly felt one of those mushy nostalgic journal entries coming on, so I got out of there. Still, the image of the place is stuck in my mind now, so I'll probably end up writing about it soon. Luckily, there isn't enough time tonight. You are spared, for a while.
I do want to post a couple of pictures, though. So far, none of my picture posts have been replaced by a little red "x", so I am compelled to further test my bandwidth allowance by posting two pictures at once. These were taken a couple of weeks ago, in a field about half a mile from my house. This is not the best time of year to be taking pictures in this particular location in the late afternoon, because the sun is low and the best views are to the southwest. Thus, there is lens flare (filters are not available for point-and-shoot cameras, as far as I know.) Since I took the pictures on a bright, cloudy day when a rainstorm was ending, I just pretend that the lens flare is a rainbow. Again, cut because of their size.
Summerwood Meadow After the Rain
Storm Clouds Breaking Above Summerwood Meadow
Now, there is a blue-grey twilight heralding dawn. I think we may be in for another grey day. Might we hope for just a little more rain? I don't know. I'm going to be sleeping through most of it, anyway.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 06:44 am (UTC)I just want to go through that whole web site with the digital equivalent of a red pencil!
You know, I used to feel the same way. I was very good at making sure everything I wrote was complete in it's punctuation, grammar, spelling, train of thought. I work for a newspaper, for god's sake.
But then, I realized that the coveying the message meant so much more to me, than the superficial stuff of punctuation and spelling ... and even some grammar. I feel much freer because of it. Another rule I've tossed out of my life, only to be picked back up when really needed.
This is no knock to your opinion. Just sharing.
Peace.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 08:47 am (UTC)yes, it is.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 08:20 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-03-01 08:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 08:57 pm (UTC)so quit squawkin'.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 03:47 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-03-03 09:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 10:28 pm (UTC)there surly have been many others ... :)
Re:
Date: 2003-03-03 09:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-03 11:10 am (UTC)btw, i had something really good to say about grammar, spelling ... something ... but now have forgotten.
my brain is going, going, goooooonnnnnnnnnneeeeeee.
damn. what was it? double damn. damn. damn.
Re:
Date: 2003-03-03 12:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-03 07:43 pm (UTC)thanks for straightening me out on the spelling of surely.
;^}
Re:
Date: 2003-03-03 08:21 pm (UTC)Oy, this English with these crazy rules!
Date: 2003-03-01 08:35 pm (UTC)"...it's punctuation...."
Re: Oy, this English with these crazy rules!
Date: 2003-03-01 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 05:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-01 08:24 pm (UTC)And as you say, I don't see it heading in a fixable direction. The language is surly evolving much faster today than prior to the internet. It will continue.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 03:43 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-03-03 08:58 am (UTC)