Wopee, another year has come and gone. Its 2010 - I still haven't heard if we're calling it twenty-ten or two-thousand-ten. Its that time of year when we're supposed to feel refreshed and start over. Its a new year! A new month, a new week, a new day...
First though, lets review the year(s) we're leaving behind. The one thing that pops into my mind, the thing that has been bothering me a lot lately, is grammar. I think the last few years have marked the downfall of grammar. I am certainly no grammar queen - I hated those sentence charts we used to have to do. I blame this on technology and social networking. Because of texts and tweets people are using a new form of shorthand, and then forgetting when it is appropriate. If you are sending me a quick text message and you have an old phone, typing "c u soon" is fine. But if your sending me an email, please take the time to write out "see you soon" and perhaps you will. I have no doubt that many elementary, high school and college teachers are dealing with these mistakes (and the often inappropriately used "lol") in many papers. Another grammar mistake that has been bothering me is using words that sound the same in the wrong place. Remember, "quick, be quiet, or I am quite sure I will quit". Not to mention "we're sure you were where we were". Its one thing when someone for whom English is their second language makes these mistakes, its another when you were born using it. Remember, spell-check is your friend, and Mozilla makes it easier by underlining misspelled words!
(now the grammarians will attack my post. "Well, you forgot an apostrophe here, and you shouldn't start a sentence with a preposition!")
Aside from grammar I think manners have also gone down the wayside. Who will teach children and adults when it is and when it is not appropriate to text message or talk on the phone? I have seen articles in Wireless magazine and heard commentaries on NPR on the subject, but how many people is this reaching? To make it easier, here are the basics. Don't talk on your cell phone when you are at a cash register - it is rude to the cashier. The same applies for when you are in line for a latte etc - are they supposed to wait for you to finish your conversation before taking your order, or skip to the next person? I personally find it rude if I am in the same car with someone and they call someone. I can not leave to avoid hearing your conversation, nor can I call someone else (as neither person would hear their conversation clearly). If you must make or take a call excuse yourself first "sorry, I have to take this/make a quick call". Also, if your having lunch with someone, don't carry one a text message conversation at the same time. If you get a text message check it, but if you'd rather carry on a conversation via texts, perhaps you shouldn't be sitting with actual humans.
Were there any improvements this year? Obama took office and I moved into my first apartment. I suppose that is it.
Now that all of that is out of the way, on to my goals and resolutions for the year. This year I intend to take steps that will help me get into the field I want to work in. If that involves moving, I mean to get a dog.
As to resolutions, um, how about I try to get out more and be more positive?
Stress less. Its important to make resolutions that you probably won't keep.
Continue to find ways to cut down on my carbon and ecological foot print.
Cut down on the amount of plastics I use by buying things that are biodegradable, recyclable and preferably made from recycled materials.
Use my purchasing power wisely by buying things that are sustainably made and with a fair wage being earned by those who make it.
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