Bad typos won't help this biz

I clicked on this internet ad to see what it was all about, and couldn't believe the glaring typos for a service that is language and writing-oriented. We all make mistakes, even after we proofread something a few times. But these show an ignorance that I doubt will help that business.

One typo is the first sentence: "How do one knows..." That's just bad English. They should get a grammar book or at least have someone who knows English to proofread their copy. Another one I noticed was the comma splice in the last sentence.

Some people use comma splices if they want to be extra-casual, but that intentional use comes from stylistic choices, not uninformed ones.

I wonder if other people have noticed these typos and if they will affect this business. I know it didn't impress me. Additionally, it's not just a bad reflection on just this business, but on the one that used it. Should they have corrected his testimonial? I think yes, because they offer writing services, so they should have applied their skills to what he wrote. He is, after all, a happy customer.

Jeweler or Jeweller?

I was puzzled when I saw this sign because I thought the "correct" spelling is "jeweler". I put "correct" in quotes because Merriam-Webster lists two spellings. I suspected that it's a British spelling, so I did a search online, and found a number of sites with it, including the British Jewellers Association.

As I'm typing this, Blogger is pointing out that "jeweller" is a misspelling, and word processing programs agree. I wonder if they do the same with "jeweler" over there.

I'm back! This is what I've been working on...

Happy new year! I think this is the longest I've gone without posting on this blog, but at the end of 2011, I got more radio work (which receded this week), and in addition to that, I was doing my paid writing and teaching gigs, so it didn't leave me much time.

What I've been doing since I've posted here is planning and promoting a free talk about how to create a podcast. Here's the info:

How to Create a Podcast
Saturday, January 28
3-4 PM
Cost: free
Sulzer Regional Library
Community Meeting Room (on the first floor, just inside the entrance)
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago (just north of Montrose)

You will learn the basics of creating a podcast: the tools you need, where you can post it online, and tips on creating and promoting content. There will be time for questions and discussion. After you attend, you will be emailed a free PDF with more detailed information about podcasting.

If you have any questions, you can post something here or email me (info AT metrolingua.com).

Actually, I was interviewed about it on Rick Kogan's show this past Sunday (he's the successful media guy who was kind enough to allow me to quote him in the masthead of this blog). Rick Kogan is the best! I'll be doing a blog post about him soon.

Sweden is not in Eastern Europe

I thought Whole Foods was more savvy than the average grocery store, but apparently they need some education: they say that these Swedish meatballs are a "taste of Eastern Europe", but Sweden is in Northern Europe. Check your geography, people.

They should've read their menu before printing it

I saw this at an established, popular restaurant that has been around for years. So you know they have enough money to hire someone to proofread their menus, but apparently they didn't bother to do that. And didn't take the time to check their menu before sending it to print. The mistake is quite glaring--look at the last two sentences: they say that they moved to Broadway, and then in the last sentence, they say "We are pleased to bring our special cooking and deli favorites to Broadway".

Note how there is no period, which is an obvious mistake, but what's odd is that it seems like they are announcing their new location, as if it has just opened. Did they forget to delete that sentence?

The idea doesn't logically flow from the previous sentence or content because they were describing their history, and all of a sudden end the page with the introduction of a new idea and direction. Plus, they've been writing in the past tense, and then switch to present tense. They should have at least created a new paragraph.

Seriously, they should've taken the time to read their menu and should have found someone who could carefully look at it to make sure it made sense. I wonder if other customers have noticed this.

A poem inspired by overnight radio

Here's a poem that I saw at Dale Fanella's blog. Dale is a *very* talented and interesting guy who I worked with on a radio show a couple of years ago.

Poem Inspired By Working Overnights In Radio

Underneath my fingertips
60's 70's 80's hits

Overnight at the radio station
The greatest hits are in rotation

A candidate for caffeination
To help combat my deprivation

A cup of Joe, cool water splash
I wish I could go home and crash

A coffee buzz with Tired Eyes
Feeling fried like greasy fries

A catchy song, awake with passion
Eyes wide open never closed like caption

Then Sleep all day miss all the action
I can't get no satisfaction

A conscientious bottle

Wow, this silver polish is very conscientious: they included the phrase "plus shake space" after they indicated the content size. I wonder if anyone complained about an inaccuracy, which caused them to put that phrase in. It's specific enough to seem like a type of disclaimer. I don't think I've ever seen this on a bottle. Interesting!