i.e. vs e.g.

I have always avoided the use of the two abbreviations, i.e. and e.g. I wasn't ever sure what they stood for. Now I learned these are from Latin based words. the Latin i.e. is from the phrase "id est" means “that is", or to say it as "in other words". The Latin e.g. is "exempli gratia" which is meant to be followed by an example. It helps to understand their meaning to be able to use them correctly. For example: I can use the abbreviation "e.g." as an example, e.g. like in this sentence. I can also state that; anyone can learn how to use English grammar correctly, i.e. even you.

This website gave me the helpful background on the origin of these two unique abbreviations, and they even have some better examples of how to use them.

http://www.copyblogger.com/grammar-writing-mistakes/

Track #3 (Reprised)

With my car window down, the blowing wind awakened new life within me. The cool air rushed in, to fill anything undisturbed. It was a late, cool, fall morning, and I had just finished my last college class for the day. All the schedules, and hurrying to be somewhere, doing something, was behind me. As I pressed play, I could feel the anticipation growing in my stomach. “2 + 2 = 5”, my new favorite song by Radiohead, greeted me, filling my ears with any noise the wind had not yet found. With my classes ended, the song congratulated me for another day done. All that was ahead of me was open road. Even with challenges yet to come, I was free. Allowance brought by this song. Since then, I knew it could be there for me. Bringing me my own set of wings. Even for just a moment.

Semicolons and Colons: Nature's Mysteries

I’ve always had a huge problem with semicolons and colons. The first problem is what their definitions are. The second problem is when to use them. My exposure to them hasn’t been that great, because I haven’t seen them too much in any books or writing material that I’ve read. One rule I do know about semicolons, is that they are used to separate two clauses. Here’s an example. People who overeat don’t exercise; people who eat healthy exercise. This website I found also has lots of helpful information.

http://grammar.about.com/od/punctuationandmechanics/a/semicolondash.htm

Motion Picture Soundtrack

Pearl Jam – “Black”
I’m not sure why this one stuck in my head. Soon after high school I moved to Rexburg, Idaho to live with my cousins. My aunt gave me free room and board, but everything else was left up to me. Nearing winter, at the end of an incredibly fun summer, finances became tight. I started to have to scrounge for anything other than food. Things such as gas and warmer clothes were accessories I couldn’t afford. So one night my friend Jake told me that his step dad had a few tractors with big gas tanks on the side. “These gas tanks don’t have pipes that feed into the tanks”, he told me. “Anyone can take what they need”. His step dad’s house was on a hill, at the edge of town. Under the cover of darkness we made our way to there. As I sat, parked in my car, waiting for him to return with a 5-gallon tank of freedom, I listened to this song off of Pearl Jam’s album entitled “Ten”. Scattered below me were the lights of the city, like a blanket of fireflies hidden safe in an abyss. Peace, freedom, millions of emotions filled my soul. I leaned the seat back, and closed my eyes, awaiting the return of fuel for the next adventure.

Third Eye Blind – “Burning Man”
“We’re here”, my brother said, as we pulled up to a set of yellow stucco condos. We had just finished a cross-country move from St. George, UT to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in a Budget truck. My brother and I had moved him all that way so he could go to dental school at NOVA Southeastern. As I exited the truck, a warm wave of humidity hit me in the face, and enveloped my whole body. Immediately I began to sweat. After we unloaded the truck, I set up my room where I would sleep for the next 4 weeks. My days were spent at the beach, and on the boardwalks around it. I couldn’t get enough of the sand between my toes, the salty air, and warm water. I felt a refreshment of life with every breath. My nights were spent falling asleep to the song “Burning Man”, and every other one on Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album. This song in particular speaks of independence, and living life to the fullest. As I would lie on a lone mattress in the corner of the small spare room, I would listen to this whole album. According to the lyrics, and mood, I would envision music videos to each song. Every song had me in it. My actions were played out, by the lyrics of each song. At peace, I spent 4 weeks of soul searching with “Burning Man”.

Although I stuggle with English grammer as a whole, general rules, terminology, and such, I have choosen to start attacking a small part of this beast. Quotation marks, and underlinings. There are many other things that I struggle with in English, which you can plainly see, but I choose to start with this. You see, I have either never learned, or can never remember, which kind of works receive quotation marks, how to quote someone's work/words, and which get underlined. Titles of movies, books, short works, music, etc,. I want to respect the great efforts these men and women went to, by giving them proper credit, but alas, it is a "kryptonite" of mine. One rule I do know of is, that quotations are used to show direct speech. Here's an example: She said, "the cinders are falling like snow". I'm sure if we talked about it for 5 minutes, it would all be cleared up. Here is a link that has helped me a little.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/577/01/

Detachment Finalized

I'll never forgot, that for most of my life I always went about my day according to the struture others had set for me. From teachers at our local schools, to my parents, to any authority, self-proclaimed or otherwise. I always wondered what it was like not to have to put on a show anywhere, or for anyone. Then came the summer of my graduation. My ticket to a more open road.

My grandparents owned a small farm in mid-Eastern Idaho. Every summer for as long as I can remember, we would visit it. There, we had no limitations. Under the aid of endless hay fields, green to your waist, we could dissapear for days without too many questions being raised. It was magic there. As if all cares and responsibility seemed to melt away, like snow retreating from the coming spring.

I was 18, and an "adult" in my eyes. Ready to do things my way. I had recently received an invitation that would soon change my life. My cousin, a year older than me, was to be wed. She lived just a stone's throw away from my grandparents house. Knowing of the freedom that place held for me, I thought it a perfect start to my new beginning. So being my own man, I decided to make the long treck up to support her. So I was off, in my 1995 red, Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The wedding passed so beautifully in the backyard of my cousin's house. Banding together with my 2 cousins, both older than me by 3 and 6 years, we cheered on my cousin in her grand day.

That night, after all the guests had left, and all the chairs and party favors had been cleared, my cousins and I gathered together to "celebrate". Under the light of scattered torches, we sat on the yard's soft grass. Feeling the cool blades between my fingers, I could feel strees and tension release, as if the grass was sucking something heavy from off me. Healed, we sat under the night sky, the air was warm and smooth like a blanket. Seemingly silky, and restoring with every cool breath. It was then that something changed within me. I finally let go of everything I had been holding back. The magic of that night, that place, allowed a release I had only begun to imagine. Something that now, as more of an adult, I long to feel again.

I spent 3 months there, among family, and friends. Everyday became an adventure of what I wanted to do. No authority to step in and take charge, or bail out. When I messed up, or needed a hand up, I was able to make my own way out. Working through a winter of 12 degrees below zero, with nothing but jeans, a hoody, and tennis shoes I realize I really didn't have much, but what I had was mine. Looking back now, I can see how limited I really was. Although it was short lived, that time allowed me to find a piece of myself that could not have been obtained otherwise. I would not trade it for anything.

Recalling Childhood

I recently finished two wonderful short stories by brilliant authors. The first, entitled "An American Child", by Annie Dillard, is a very descriptive autobiography of the author's early childhood. In it she describes a few of the many different, and interesting characters that played a part in raising her. In the story, on a brisk wintry morning, Annie and some of the neighboring boys get into some mischief that causes a grown man to chase them clear across town. It's a fun read for anyone.
Reflecting on the story from a literal level shows how typical and simple most American's childhoods are. Taking pride in some of the simpler things in life, like a perfect ice ball, or getting into trouble just for the fun of it. These are some of the many memories that a lot of us share.
In the second story, author Jean Brandt tells the story of her brush with the law as a young girl in, "Calling Home". In it, Jean, as a 13 year old girl, is caught shop lifting during Christmas by mall security, and has to take a trip with police to the police station. There she finds some interesting things about herself, and her parents, when she has to make the call to tell them where she is. Young readers could benefit greatly from reading such a well told story, of how everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has regrets.
As in the first story, the author of this piece has a knack for detail of an event so many years past. Jean Brandt has a way of captivating, and thrilling her audience with just how she could get in and out of such a predicament. She was able to portray her feelings as a young, scared girl, in such a way that one can't help but read on.

One thing that particularly applied to me when reading "An American Childhood", is the writing strategy" framing. As I neared the end of the story, and Annie Dillard summarized her feelings of the whole ordeal, I couldn't help but wonder myself about the man's car. Then as if anticipating my thoughts, she answered the question by reminding the readers that the man had left his car. This, I feel, helps bring the story a feeling of completeness, and an ending. Recalling our attention to an event in the early part of the story, that might not have been otherwise noticed. It put a smile on my face.

First Steps

I wasn't there the first day for class to discuss the highlights of "The Arrowmaker", so I'm going to try and respond to the rest of the post as best as I can.
I think that you put yourself at risk for ridicule, anytime you write something where others can see. A blog is just that. A way to inform and critique anyone who posts online.
I think the convenience, and the accessibility anywhere, are reasons why any form of online communication are used by virtually everyone across the globe.
The downside to all of this though, is an ever decreasing use of proper English. More convenient words like "u", and "l8er" are becoming increasingly popular. I feel that with time, it will be more of a second nature to type this way. People in general will begin to question themselves on what is the proper way to spell a word.