This morning, in line to check out at Trader Joe's in Hastings Ranch, Pasadena, I had a hard time not staring at a stunning intense-black woman whose poise, posture, trim legs in shorts, spoke "athlete," "native African" and whose brilliant smile spoke silent volumes. She and the clerk chatted about Kenya, and their respective children. The clerk, name-tagged "Scuba" (a nickname from the 14 years he owned a SCUBA gear shop) willingly shared details about the departing woman. She was from Uganda, an Olympic track medalist, astonishingly 57 years old, now living in Pasadena. I would love to know more. I don't know her name, so can't check the Olympic medal attribution. She certainly looks the part.
I also learned that the clerk had been in the Peace Corps, spends time in Kenya frequently, speaks Swahili, and is married to a Kenyan.
All this while paying for two-buck chuck, crackers, cookies, protein bars, Charlie Bears - filling two heavy bags full of impulse buys - the usual overdoing at TJ's.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Cursive writing - down with the pencil - off with the grammatical head
A few weeks ago I blogged about the way handwriting evolves to become individual enough for experts to identify. This morning I heard a news bite which makes my curiosity both pertinent, and obsolete.
Apparently the state of Georgia has decided to remove cursive writing from school curriculums (or is it curricula?) - replacing it with instruction on computer skills. And so it goes. From scratching on cave walls, wax tablets with styli, slates and chalk, moveable type, Number Two pencils, pink rubber erasers and paper, and a big leap to tweeting and texting -
As for spelling, and using correct grammar (what at one time was considered a sign of a good education) -
nothing but a downhill road.
I started making a note every time I heard someone on television or the radio saying "him and me went"
"Her and I dined" "me and my mom are ..." - and I soon had a tablet filled with these stumblers.
I will have to find something more earth-shattering to fuss about.
Apparently the state of Georgia has decided to remove cursive writing from school curriculums (or is it curricula?) - replacing it with instruction on computer skills. And so it goes. From scratching on cave walls, wax tablets with styli, slates and chalk, moveable type, Number Two pencils, pink rubber erasers and paper, and a big leap to tweeting and texting -
As for spelling, and using correct grammar (what at one time was considered a sign of a good education) -
nothing but a downhill road.
I started making a note every time I heard someone on television or the radio saying "him and me went"
"Her and I dined" "me and my mom are ..." - and I soon had a tablet filled with these stumblers.
I will have to find something more earth-shattering to fuss about.
What do these have in common?
Entire loaf of whole wheat bread and wrapper, bar of glycerin soap, plastic comb, bottle of blood pressure medicine, slice of eggplant, pumpkin cheesecake slab, cube of butter, crabmeat crepe, slice of poundcake, rubber stamp, lead pencil, tube of dog toothpaste, numerous sandwich top slices,
rat poison cube, pot holder, velcro hair curler, slice of ham surrounded by the broken bowl it was snatched from, entire seven inch long chicken and liver dog treat sausage roll - three inches wide, carcass of a baby bird, dead rat. wing-flapping hummingbird ...
Somewhat gruesome list - maybe some of it is a 'giveaway.'
Over an eight year span - consumed in whole or in part, or captured, by the doodles - Darby and MaeRose
rat poison cube, pot holder, velcro hair curler, slice of ham surrounded by the broken bowl it was snatched from, entire seven inch long chicken and liver dog treat sausage roll - three inches wide, carcass of a baby bird, dead rat. wing-flapping hummingbird ...
Somewhat gruesome list - maybe some of it is a 'giveaway.'
Over an eight year span - consumed in whole or in part, or captured, by the doodles - Darby and MaeRose
Monday, January 17, 2011
Saturday morning in Sierra Madre
What a delightful Saturday morning walk in Sierra Madre. My friend Michelle,
my labradoodles Darby and MaeRose, and I, in just the span of four blocks met a couple who live on the grounds of the Huntington Library - and who, among other dogs, own two young Australian labradoodles; a flirtatious Italian-expatriate local property owner, and a cyclist who is the CFO of a neighboring community and former college water polo player.
From the doodles owners, outdoor breakfasting at one of Sierra Madre's landmarks, we learned about a local breeder of the authentic Australian labradoodle, and received an open invitation to visit the Huntington and to join them at the next doodle romp.
From the flirty Italian we received an invitation to ride on his exotic two-front-wheel Vespa.
From the former water poloist we learned that the best way to float in water with no fear of drowning is to 'play dead' - leaning forward like a floating body.
Michelle works seriously toward becoming an accomplished swimmer. I work seriously at overcoming fear of sinking in deep water.
We both love the Huntington.
I love my dogs. I have never ridden on a motor scooter.
my labradoodles Darby and MaeRose, and I, in just the span of four blocks met a couple who live on the grounds of the Huntington Library - and who, among other dogs, own two young Australian labradoodles; a flirtatious Italian-expatriate local property owner, and a cyclist who is the CFO of a neighboring community and former college water polo player.
From the doodles owners, outdoor breakfasting at one of Sierra Madre's landmarks, we learned about a local breeder of the authentic Australian labradoodle, and received an open invitation to visit the Huntington and to join them at the next doodle romp.
From the flirty Italian we received an invitation to ride on his exotic two-front-wheel Vespa.
From the former water poloist we learned that the best way to float in water with no fear of drowning is to 'play dead' - leaning forward like a floating body.
Michelle works seriously toward becoming an accomplished swimmer. I work seriously at overcoming fear of sinking in deep water.
We both love the Huntington.
I love my dogs. I have never ridden on a motor scooter.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Cursive handwriting - how, when, why?
I haven't spoken with elementary school teachers about their method/s of teaching handwriting,
although I think they start with printing, and at some point transition students into cursive, or longhand. I recently met a fourth-grader who could not read handwriting - saying "we haven't had that yet."
I would like to know how and when handwriting becomes so individual. If everyone initially learns alphabet printing, and later cursive lettering, when does their individual handwriting become distinct enough that experts can identify forgery? When you receive a handwritten letter or postcard, how do you so easily identify the sender without looking for an address or a name?
Why do some people use little hearts or circles to dot their 'i's'? Why is some handwriting extremely illegible, and sloppy? Why do some writers scrawl boldly, and others crowd their miniature writing into minuscule spaces? Why slant one way, or the other - prompting experts to decide they are pessimists, or optimists?
I have seen writing by educated adults which looks remarkably like hen scratches - while others have apparently been schooled in calligraphy.
As for the content of what is handwritten - that will take another diatribe - later.
although I think they start with printing, and at some point transition students into cursive, or longhand. I recently met a fourth-grader who could not read handwriting - saying "we haven't had that yet."
I would like to know how and when handwriting becomes so individual. If everyone initially learns alphabet printing, and later cursive lettering, when does their individual handwriting become distinct enough that experts can identify forgery? When you receive a handwritten letter or postcard, how do you so easily identify the sender without looking for an address or a name?
Why do some people use little hearts or circles to dot their 'i's'? Why is some handwriting extremely illegible, and sloppy? Why do some writers scrawl boldly, and others crowd their miniature writing into minuscule spaces? Why slant one way, or the other - prompting experts to decide they are pessimists, or optimists?
I have seen writing by educated adults which looks remarkably like hen scratches - while others have apparently been schooled in calligraphy.
As for the content of what is handwritten - that will take another diatribe - later.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Mail pondering - snail and otherwise
Why did someone invent envelopes with windows? What happens to all the paper cut out from the envelope? Have you ever inserted something into one of these open-faced windows upside down, sideways, backwards? And, if you did, was it accidentally mailed? Why does one open-faced envelope not fit another's contents? Is it a conspiracy to keep the envelope from falling into the wrong hands?
What about Dead Letters? Years ago while I was living in North Carolina I put an unstamped envelope into a mailbox. The minute it dropped in I realized my mistake. Luckily, the mail carrier who came to empty the box possessed genuine Southern-gentleman-manners, and let me rummage through the stack and stamp the envelope, avoiding a long wait for its return from the Dead Letter Office. Do they still call it that?
Are lost letters or strayed packages "returned to sender" nowadays? Or do they pile up somewhere in a musty warehouse? Occasionally I have been contacted about the non-receipt of something which I am certain I mailed. Validates "the check is in the mail" belief, but causes frustration for me, and the non-recipient.
Mis-addressed emails are no longer returned "unable to deliver."
Either there were too many for our ISP's to handle, or someone lost his/her job programming the software to return them.
This time of year my mail box overflows with catalogues - obviously many companies have yet to stop printing - even though they all have comprehensive websites - and often suggest that there are more
items to view on the internet than in the catalogue. Covering their bases no doubt.
What about Dead Letters? Years ago while I was living in North Carolina I put an unstamped envelope into a mailbox. The minute it dropped in I realized my mistake. Luckily, the mail carrier who came to empty the box possessed genuine Southern-gentleman-manners, and let me rummage through the stack and stamp the envelope, avoiding a long wait for its return from the Dead Letter Office. Do they still call it that?
Are lost letters or strayed packages "returned to sender" nowadays? Or do they pile up somewhere in a musty warehouse? Occasionally I have been contacted about the non-receipt of something which I am certain I mailed. Validates "the check is in the mail" belief, but causes frustration for me, and the non-recipient.
Mis-addressed emails are no longer returned "unable to deliver."
Either there were too many for our ISP's to handle, or someone lost his/her job programming the software to return them.
This time of year my mail box overflows with catalogues - obviously many companies have yet to stop printing - even though they all have comprehensive websites - and often suggest that there are more
items to view on the internet than in the catalogue. Covering their bases no doubt.
Film critique - Girl with Dragon Tattoo
Catching up with friends who read them years ago, I recently finished the spell-binding Swedish trilogy -
starring Lisbeth Salander - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Regretfully, the author, Steig Larsson, died soon after completing the third. (Some speculate that he planned a series of ten volumes.)
I have just watched the Swedish film version of the first, and am baffled by it. I would love to talk to others who have read the books, and then viewed the film/s. Throughout, all I could wonder was: how in the world could anyone get caught up in this story? The film is quite episodic and fails to covey the suspense, the characterizations, the nuances which as a reader I found compelling - and haunting. I am also disappointed with the actor cast as Lisbeth - she is too pretty, not as edgy as I expected, nor as diminutive. Larsson makes a point of her size frequently - with comments on the strength such a tiny person exhibits.
I expect to view the other two films - just wondering how I will react. It has been ages since I have seen a film 'based on a book' which I had read, consumed, and enjoyed. Recollection informs that this was among the most disappointing.
starring Lisbeth Salander - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Regretfully, the author, Steig Larsson, died soon after completing the third. (Some speculate that he planned a series of ten volumes.)
I have just watched the Swedish film version of the first, and am baffled by it. I would love to talk to others who have read the books, and then viewed the film/s. Throughout, all I could wonder was: how in the world could anyone get caught up in this story? The film is quite episodic and fails to covey the suspense, the characterizations, the nuances which as a reader I found compelling - and haunting. I am also disappointed with the actor cast as Lisbeth - she is too pretty, not as edgy as I expected, nor as diminutive. Larsson makes a point of her size frequently - with comments on the strength such a tiny person exhibits.
I expect to view the other two films - just wondering how I will react. It has been ages since I have seen a film 'based on a book' which I had read, consumed, and enjoyed. Recollection informs that this was among the most disappointing.
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