The pretty people

Well, I'm pretty sure I'll never be one of the "distinguished few", but what a ride it would be ....

Sometimes things just work out...

A good friend suggested that I read "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott. It's her reflection on writing and life, and is filled with wisdom and humor. So, after class let out on Monday, I made my way over to Books-A-Million. When I got up to the register, the clerk mentioned that my membership would run out in five days, so I renewed. And guess what? They happened to have a special running and I got a free BAM tote bag.

If you're a writer or want to be a writer, "Bird by Bird" is a good place to start. Or if you're like me and just get stuck sometimes, it's good to read Lamott, because you realize there's someone else out there who gets it -- and can tell you how to get back out of it. And if you're having a particularly lucky day, you get a free tote bag as part of the bargain.

Thanks.

The Top 10!

A friend sent me this list of the top 10 most inhospitable venues in the world. He's an LSU fan, and proud of the distinction; but check out #1 --- all these years I've thought Texas A&M was the only school with a "12th man". Go figure.

I love language

I really do. Everywhere you look, there's some fun little tidbit to learn. Did you know that the Germans "carry" their clothes? So do the Spanish, who "carry" or "convey" their clothing.

But Chinese is the most fun of all. Take the word "guo" as an example. It can be pronounced four different ways: with a high, steady tone; with a rising tone; with a low tone that falls and then rises; or with a falling tone. And here's what it can mean:

high, steady tone: 1) someone's surname; 2) a loud, swallowing sound; 3) a crucible; 4) the name of a mountain; 5) the name of a river; 6) cyrtophyllus [what?!?]; 7) outer city wall; 8) pot, pan; boiler.

rising tone: 1) country; state; nation; 2) cap worn by women; feminine; 3) to slap; 4) to cut off the left ear of the slain; 5) hollow; 6) name of an ancient state.

falling/rising tone: 1) fruit; result; 2) outer coffin; 3) monkey; 4) cooked rice for making cake; 5) Eumenes pomiformis [Again, what?!?]; 6) wrap around; 7) grease-pot under a cart.

falling tone: 1) (experienced action marker); 2) to cross; 3) to go over; 4) to pass (time); 5) to celebrate (a holiday); 6) to live; 7) to get along; 8) a surname; 9) excessively.

Seriously. You have to love a word that can mean either crucible, monkey, "to cut off the left ear of the slain" or "to live" -- depending of course on tone and, I would presume, context.

For more fun with Chinese go here.