Randomly Selected Thoughts

Grammar

2011-09-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ok. I have to be honest. I have a small obsession with words. Wheel of Fortune is one of my favorite shows and I enjoy a good crossword puzzle. I can also unscramble a word quite quickly. One thing that bothers me these days is the lack of proper grammar I see when people write papers, emails, posters, letters etc. Very few people write well anymore. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that it is a texting era. I get it. Shortcuts in those situation when you are bound by character limits I can handle. I can't handle the obvious mistakes that happen all too often. Not typing errors, either. I am talking about repeat offenders who make the same types of mistakes all of the time. Examples include:

Your & You're. Possibly the most common. I get it if you don't want to waste the 2 keystrokes to type an apostrophe when you update your facebook status, but don't leave off the 'e'. Simple rule to remember--Your asshole smells vs. You're an asshole. Figure it out.

There, Their, and They're. Another common one. Look, over there! Their house looks nice. I bet they're educated people.

To, Two, Too. I am going to the store to buy two things, too. Touche.

Then and Than. A little more tricky. One is trickier than the other. Which one is it then? I learned this back then. Other than that, I can't really think of examples.

So you get it. There are more for another day. Good vs. Well. Effect vs. Affect. The silent 'k' in the Know vs. Now debate.

Computers can't even be blamed. The little green squiggle under your words when you make a mistake is probably the only time green does not mean 'Go, everything is alright'. It means go fix your mistake so you don't become the subject of blog rants...

Just a thought...

My Life Below the Elbow Zone

2011-09-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

This one brought me back. I was surfing ESPN and went to read some sports commentary and stumbled across this.

It is my childhood in a nutshell. As it says, basically everything that was growing up in the 90's as a kid who loved sports. I can remember watching Ahmad Rashad, reading about Mugsy Bogues in the "Inside Stuff", trading cards, eating Wheaties, wanting every pair of Jordan's because I figured they really did make you fly through the air and a bunch of other things. Sports today are not broadcast the same for kids. I don't think they are having as much fun as I did. There is something about kids watching "16 and pregnant" instead that is just terribly wrong.

Just a nostalgic thought...more about this later

All of us learn to write in the second grade. Most of us go on to greater things. -- Bobby Knight

2011-09-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

I thought this quote was appropriate for the first real post. I am a Nurse Manager in a big hospital in NY. I love what I do and I have a job that ultimately affects the lives of every person who walks onto my unit. Patients, family, guests, staff...everyone. It is often hectic and thankless. Decisions need to be made, at times, in seconds. Our job is to take care of a community in probably the most diverse area of the country. A place where over 150 languages are spoken, and no two people are anywhere near alike. All of their histories are unique to themselves. The staff that take care of these patients come from the same community. One word to describe my job: Challenging. I love it though.

I chose a quote from Bobby Knight because there was a movie about him on ESPN in 2002 called "A Season on the Brink". There was a quote in that movie from one of the characters, a player on one of Knight's teams, that was getting ripped for making a mistake. Bobby Knight is colorful, to say the least, and choice words are mainly used in his vocabulary. Very mind rattling to get ripped by a guy like Knight for someone who is not mentally tough. The player in the situation was shook. One of his teammates came over to him and said something that I have held onto since the first time I saw the movie. He said, "When he's calling you an asshole, don't listen. When he tells you why you're an asshole, listen."

That quote is one of the reasons why I am able to do the job I do. Amongst other things, it taught me composure. When you're listening, no matter who is speaking, listen to the message they are trying to send. If they deliver it harsh, get the point and forget the rest. Conversely, if they are blowing smoke up your butt before they need to tell you something negative, forget the fluffy stuff and respond to the message. It also taught me a little bit about delivering messages, thoughts, or if need be, orders. It is something I am still working on, but it taught me to deliver clear, concise messages to avoid confusion. A leader can never have a "bad day". We always have to be on so our staff responds. We set the tone and a negative mood will create a negative atmosphere--definitely not conducive of healing. WE must be clear.

Just a thought...

First Post

2011-09-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok. This is my first post, a pre-post if you will, and I am not quite sure what I am doing. However, my intention is to elaborate on things going on around me in life. Basically there is no theme to this, but I can promise it will be somewhat thought provoking. Most things I write will make you say "Hmmm...". This may be a hmmm because what I say is interesting, a hmmm because it is motivating and you never thought of things the way I explain them, or a hmmm because you have no CLUE what the hell I am talking about. Either way, just enjoy it. I think this will be a great way to get some of my thoughts out and spark some conversation. It may not be as interesting as Kate's blog, and definitely not as cute, but nonetheless entertaining. (Posting a working link on my first post is a win...). I kindly ask that if you feel the need to use anything you see or read in this blog, that you don't. It is not meant to be a resource and if you follow my advice, you did so at your own risk and if it doesn't work out for you in any way, shape, or form, I will not be held responsible. Just had to get that out of the way. Enjoy!