cat-pancakes-blog

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I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.

Amy Tan, Saving Fish From Drowning  (via de-licacy)

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Another example of how so few words can have such an impact. It's almost like minimalist art; how can you elicit emotion, and with how few elements?

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My Cat is Sad.

It's amazing how such a simple arrangement of so few words can be so powerful and convey such a strong emotion.

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You're vs Your

I doubt that there is a word that gets corrected in writing more than ‘your’. And yet it never seems to stop being misused. Whilst scrolling through my facebook newsfeed, I could swear that one third of all statuses that use the word your or you’re use it incorrectly. The most common crime used to be using ‘your’ too often, (“your stupid” was a common one) but now it seems as though people assume that ‘you’re’ is good for EVERY situation. I often have to stop myself from correcting either. It doesn’t take too much time to think to yourself… “Which ‘your’ do I need to use here?” Whenever I have the urge to go all grammar nazi on someone, I just look at this picture until I calm down.

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Where is the Line?

Where is the line between using proper, correct writting language, and writing so formally that you either bore people or make them feel like you're talking down to them? I guess it's really all about context. As much as I think it is important to know how to write correctly, use proper grammar and punctuation and have your ideas organized, there are some people who take it too far by using extremely formal language in situations where it just isn't required or, dare I say, appropriate. There are times when you are talking to someone, writing someone an email, or really just trying to communicate in general, where extremely formal or dry language isn't going to cut it. You have to consider your audience, and consider how they are going to interpret your words. There are those few people who will constantly use their fanciest, most polished words and phrases in every single situation. And it turns people off. Language, whether it is written or verbal, is about communication. Communication is about getting your ideas across, yes, but it's also about empathy and connecting with people. And if that is the goal, to impact people and reach out to them with your ideas, you have to consider your method of delivery and think about how your words will be viewed.

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Some indications that people are starting to think proper grammar is... Cool? :o

I was just typing "grammar jokes" into google images (typical Saturday, I know) expecting to see jokes making fun of grammar police, grammar nazi's, etc. But low and behold, so many of the jokes were making grammar seem... Cool. Like using proper grammar makes you seem smarter. Like it even makes you seem more attractive. How great is that?

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Are you mad, brother?

It's funny how when you text someone and they put certain punctuation after their sentence, you immediately assign that person an emotion.  If one person texts you "hey, whats upppp" and another person sends "Hey. What's up." You are probably going to think that the latter person is being short with you or having a bad day. I know that I would think that, because lots of people I know would text like this when upset. But which one is proper? It seems like these days, people use periods as red flags to say "Hey. I'm pissed of. Look at how abrupt my sentences are." When in reality, that grammar is correct versus the casual happy-go-lucky way people normally text each other. This seems to be an unwritten rule among those who have been texting since it became a thing, but you can always tell who didn’t get the memo. There are those people who consistently sound mad when they talk to you, no matter what they are saying. I don’t know which side to be on. I personally don’t everyone to think that I’m PMSing when in reality I’m just trying to practice good grammar habits. First world problems.

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Kids these days.

Let's start this blog off with a rant. Because it feels good to just get it out there, and when it comes to some things, let's get real ; we're all thinking it. At this very moment I'm in the midst of chaperoning a party... If you could call it that. Apparently, when you're fifteen years old, a party involves sitting in a semi circle, blasting the music, and... texting. Texting people who aren't even AT the party, mind you. Not trying to be judgmental here, but I just wonder how anyone can leave a party like that and feel like they've had a good time. I mean, the best part of going to hang out with people is that you get to talk to them, socialize, etc... Be IN the moment and enjoy it with the people who are experiencing the same one.

Maybe people text their friends as a way to feel less awkward. Sure, when an uncomfortable moment pops up, it's a pretty easy out. But if that's your go-to response every time shit gets weird, how are you ever going to learn how to work through those situations? You're not. They're going to continue to make you squirm. But if you put your phone away and deal with it, maybe the next time that super awkward silence pops up, you'll be like, "No big deal. I got this." And everything will be just dandy. You'll have learned how to diffuse the situation, or at the very least have the confidence to accept it and move on. But those darn kids just want to take the easy way out I guess... It makes me sad because they are missing out on those amazing (and increasingly rare) times when everyone is enjoying the moment, each others' company, and just being relaxed enough to just have fun and experience whatever the night throws at them... Even if it happens to be, like, OMG sooo totes awks. Lolcats.