Stupid Things People Say

Okay, so we all have our pet peeves. As a kid my mom never let me end a sentence in a preposition and so later as a teacher I became the one who does this to kids:

Little Johnny says, "Can I go to the bathroom?"
Anal grammar freak teacher says, "I'm sure you CAN.....I wonder if you MAY?"
Little Johnny begrudgingly says, "May I go to the restroom?"
Anal grammar freak teacher says, "Yes you may Johnny."

At the end of the day I'll be the first to admit that I get a little hung up on grammar, but honestly, we have it for a reason.

One thing I seem to have noticed is that common grammar errors are occasionally colloquial. For example, New Yorkers who unnecessarily pluralize things such as somewheres, nowheres, anywheres.

My peeve of the day seems to be Midwestern in origin. I've noticed it both in Ohio and Michigan, but I don't know exactly how pervasive this offence is. You see, for some unexplained reason Midwesterners are under the mistaken impression that the sinuses are an affliction, not a part of the body.

I have had a cold for most of the winter. Persistent post nasal drip ad nauseam. Frequently people say, "Oh you've got sinuses too, huh? I've had them all Winter, they just won't go away." Well, yes OF COURSE YOU HAVE, and NO I certainly hope for your sake they don't go away. Sinuses are standard equipment on ALL human beings! It's sort of like saying, "Oh I see you have and arm too, I've had one all Winter, just can't seem to get rid of it." I really fear that one of these days I'll snap and start a basic human anatomy lesson for some poor soul who is trying to be empathetic.

So this is my peeve of the moment. I'm curious about other people's grammatical and otherwise stupid or confused peeves so feel free to post them here.

On Love

I started this blog roughly this time last year. In the back of my mind I was hoping it would chronicle the year (singluar) that I spent in my hometown regrouping before resuming my otherwise fabulous life and moving on to bigger and better things. I am still here. My life has no outword signs of fabulosity. Despite the fact that I made the least amount of money I have ever earned, and my finances are a constant challenge for my creativity, my life here is pretty rich. Will I be here forever? Probably not, but as it turns out this is a good place to be.

Although I haven't been on the receiving end of sizeable paychecks, or great accolades for my professional successes, I have received a great deal of love. In fact I've never felt so loved in all my life. From the moment I packed up my life in Detroit the people who love me whether friends or family, rushed in to support and encourage and care for me. Every time I go back to visit everyone is so happy to see me, and I'm thrilled to see them. And down here in Ohio my family is always there when I need them in any sort of way. And I get to spend quality time with them, which is something I was just "too busy" to do before.

While here I've met someone truely special who loves me and appreciates me. When life's dissappointments show up he is there to pick up the pieces without ever being asked. And life's little triumphs are even more joyous because he is there to share them. He can support and listen without judging and it seems like there isn't anything he can't handle. Around this time last year I read True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh. I was inspired and discouraged. The way he described loving another person was exactly the way I thought love should be, and yet I'd never experienced that. Now I have, and it is wonderful.

What I'm learning about love is this: love is infinite and limitless. The degree to which we can be loved is only limited by the amount of love we are willing to allow into our lives. AND the degree to which we can love others is only limited by the amount of love we are willing to share with the people in our lives. Love begets love. The more we are open to giving and receiving love the more love will enter our lives. Its a remarkable phenomenon to say the very least.