Things are getting real

I'm sitting in a park right now, and I'm writing this because today was the latest example of seeing people doing real things that seem like a novelty nowadays, but were always in my world. 

A few days ago, I saw a guy walking outside, smoking a cigar. The next day, I was walking through this park sitting in the same bench, reading a massive, 1000-page novel. And it was a hardcover. He was just reading it with no sound device in his ear. I asked him what he was reading and said it's rare to see someone reading a hardcover outside. I don't remember what book he told me, but another Gen Zer nearby said she read the same book, and they talked about the series. *This used to happen all the time*. 

After seeing vinyl stores that were still in business on subsequent days, today I saw another guy smoking a cigar while he was walking and talking to his associate. I told him that the smoke and smell reminded me of my uncle (who I dedicated my novel to), who was really successful, smart, and mulitifaced. Then I said I rarely see people smoking cigars, and he said people are discovering cigars due to the perceived decreased health risks and how they're better than plastic vapes. He also said non-AI activities and things are satisfying.

Maybe it's something that's happening, or just a few random people I happened to see.

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

When I started thinking more

As I've said here and offline many times, I used to work a lot and no longer am. The first adjustment from cutting back was having time in my schedule and head to think. I didn't want to think, just wanted to do. I liked being busy and filling my time and avoiding introspection. Fast forward many months and days, and I'm carving out time to think and reflect. I recently had 12 hours of working directly with people, not at a computer near people, but directly talking to them, teaching them, etc. Then today is free, and I have more than 4 hours tomorrow. In the past it would've been no big deal, and I would've worked on top of that, and I wouldn't have had a day off between the 12 and 4+ hours; I would've looked for something to fill my day off, such as working at another gig that would've already been lined up. Or writing and editing a novel. Or something. But thinking was not a part of the plan; the goal was to stay busy and outward-facing. And in addition to dealing with workplace challenges, all the stress and stuffed schedule would keep me occupied.

But I'm no longer like that. Today I didn't schedule anything and have been doing my own thing, which requires thought and silence. Of course, I won't stay in such a condition all day because I need to see the outside world.

So of course, I'm not an introvert and never will be. I get energy around people and if the people like other people and are cool, simpatico, and interesting, then I'm super-happy and energized. A good example is the most recent train trip I took from LA to Chicago. I'd taken that trip several times before, and have gone to and from the East Coast via train. This time it was fantastic: not only were the workers all friendly and seemed to like people (which is essential for a people-facing job), but I met really interesting passengers from a variety of backgrounds. The train was also really busy and it was a combination of quiet and talkative fun. When I got home, it was very hard to adjust to my non-trip life. It was so quiet and dark and still, it seemed spooky. For a non-introvert like me, going from a stimulating, people-oriented environment to the total opposite can be jarring and disturbing. 

So what I'm writing about here is not me turning into an introvert by needing downtime, but me finally calming down enough to quietly create.

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

Stop using comma splices

What is going on? I see all kinds of comma splices popping up all over the place, even by people who have a couple of Master's degrees. I can see why some pro writers use them; they want to break the rule for style and rhythm. But other people aren't trying the style thing; they're just wrong.

"Let me know what you think, I'll call you later." This is a comma splice because there are two independent clauses here that are separated by a comma. They each can be a sentence or can be separated by a semicolon because they relate to each other.

"Let me know what you think; I'll call you later." I just used correct punctuation because it's a teeter-totter, two independent clauses balanced out by the semicolon. 

Before, I couldn't explain all this grammatically; I just knew it was wrong. Now it seems like quick texting/posting/whatever have affected decorum 😅

Does this mean that comma splices are becoming archaic, like what's happened to "whom" and "who" (writing "She's the person I was speaking to" instead of "She's the person to whom I was speaking")? And is using a semicolon considered uptight and rigid at this point, the comma used as a casual way to communicate? 

Please, everyone, at least use correct punctuation in your work emails, and even in other emails to people you don't really know well. 

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

American English - you're good

Here's another phrase that is often used in the United States: "you're good." I just heard it yesterday when two people were talking at work; one person said they tried to get some information for them but couldn't find it, and the other person responded with, "You're good."

What he meant was that he wanted to tell the other person to not worry. It’s a way of reassuring people, to let them know that they can relax. It also means that nothing else is necessary.

For example, at a coffee shop, you might ask the barista if you need to sign anything after paying with a card. If they don’t need a signature, they’ll say, “No, you’re good.” Or if your backpack is in the way when someone is trying to get on the train and you apologize, the person will tell you, “You’re good” if they don’t have a problem with it. 

So when someone is telling you, “you’re good,” they’re telling you, “don’t worry about it” or “there’s nothing else to do.” It doesn't literally mean "you're a good person."

I also posted the audio of this explanation online. If you have suggestions for future phrases, let me know.

Talking Love Boat

As long-time readers know, I've posted about TV here, but never really had the chance to talk about it publicly (as opposed to just writing about it). Well, I got a chance to do it! I was invited to John Siuntres' (Word Balloon) new podcast, "E-Motion Sickness," a rewatch of "The Love Boat." It was great to watch something critically, research background information, and make connections. I will be a guest on future episodes, so stay tuned.

Here's the video, and you can also listen to it. 

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

Visual joke

I was watching "The Brokenwood Mysteries," which is a show out of New Zealand. I sometimes don't understand what they're saying, so I have to turn on the subtitles 😅 It's a really good show that has really good actors; every single character, whether a small part or major one, is played by a pro. It's amazing that such a small country can produce so many skilled performers—more than a larger country that I want to mention but won't 😏

In one scene from season 4 episode 2, "Stone Cold Dead," two of the detectives are visiting the boss in a hospital, and there is poster that says, "All pain, no gain," with a picture of a woman on a treadmill. It looks like something very large is on her back. Is it a person? Luggage? I can't tell. Or maybe it's a mirage, because the image isn't clear (it's in the hallway, outside the hospital room's shaded window). But it definitely seems like a visual joke, which isn't surprising because there seems to be traces of humor among the deaths. I did a search online and couldn't find anyone discussing this, nor could I find any use of "All pain, no gain," so it's a unique creation (because, obviously, it's a flip of "No pain, no gain.")

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

American English - no problem

I just started a short segment on my podcast called "American English Minute," based on everyday English that I notice around me in Chicago. A student suggested I start something that explains English here, and I decided to link it to my podcast because I often talk about writing with broadcasting pros.

Today’s phrase is “no problem.”

In the United States, when someone says “thank you,” the other person might respond with “no problem.”
You can hear this in various places, especially stores and restaurants, and in casual conversations. For example, at a hot dog stand, if you ask for extra mustard and say thanks, the worker might say, “no problem.” Or at a store, if you ask for a bag and they don’t charge you, and you say thank you, the person might say, “no problem.” Another example is if you miss someone's party because you're sick, the friend will say "no problem" when you apologize for not coming.

This expression is similar to “no worries,” which has become more common in American English in recent years.
Both phrases are casual alternatives to “you’re welcome.”

If you have suggestions for future phrases, let me know.