The dryer in the last post was nothing, I tell you! The washer, on the other hand, suffered horribly. I did my research and found the solution on the net and took the thing apart myself.
Yes, I repaired my own washer. Well, I cleaned out the horribly clogged pump from that exploding chenille throw, but still I saved the family some bucks because we didn’t have to call for service. I was the one off in La La Land, the one who didn’t think about how flimsy that blanket was and how it would survive the spinning tunnel of death in our huge frontloader. So I took care of my mess.
Now, take a look at the second sentence in the last paragraph. Originally, that sentence had the word since in it instead of because. But I changed it. I’m consciously changing my use of the word because “since” drives my CP crazy. We had this long discussion about the word and the regional use of it-which was ridiculous “since” she’s from Oklahoma, too. See? That last use would have received a comment in the margins from her. This time, she’s right. (I can admit when I’m wrong.) Because is the correct word, but I can be stubborn about things. (Ask my hubby!)
This brings to mind other words that drive me nuts. Like stupider. (This has nothing to do with my CP, btw. It’s just a word that bugs the crap out of me!) I’m told that’s always been correct. I don’t think so. I distinctly remember using more stupid. And stupider doesn’t sound or taste right on my tongue. Weird, I know, but when I was in school, I aced anything with grammar because I had this instinctive knack for the right flow of words. I could taste wrong rhythms. (It is one of my powers.)
I do like that language changes with usage, that new words become real words, but sometimes I worry about the general breakdown of the English language. A lot of kids I know use text language so much, they can barely spell. Now, I do have a few spelling issues, but I look them up. A lot of the teens I know don’t look them up–and there are dictionaries on every electronic device out there these days! If you’re like me, wandering out onto message boards will have you breaking out in a sweat. Especially over the use of the words your and you’re!
Makes you wonder what it’s like to be an English teacher these days. Bet it’s frustrating!