Sunday, May 31, 2009

Salty and Sweet

I've been wavering to the extremes of salty and sweet all day. I went to bed last night a little hungry, planning on having a creative breakfast. I started with sauteed spinach, topped it with some grilled tomatoes and two eggs over easy. There was a side of potatoes and toast involved as well. You can see in the photo that I accidentally popped one of the yolks, but it was a pretty freaking sweet breakfast.

Several hours later I went to see a movie and had popcorn, which was salty. After the movie, I made coffee and wanted a doughnut to go with it, so I made that happen. About an hour later, danged if I don't want something salty. But to round the day off with a healthy close like the way it started, I had a salad, which had some salty ingredients.

There's something strange about a day where you don't have to do anything. I realize I don't have any of them coming up for probably about 6 months cause it's going to be an interesting time. Which is good, cause if I hadn't been kind of sick today, I would have found something to do anyway.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Somewhere a copy editor is laughing or crying about this

Passive voice isn't weak, it's polite

I have been bombarded with comments over the years by editors saying that the passive voice isn't the best choice (I just used it again). But it has been used deliberately and pleasantly, I feel (did it again).

Skunk, of "Elements of Style" fame said "The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive." Sounds like an obnoxious drunk to me. All up in your grill, being all vigorous.

Columbia says "Active voice makes subjects do something (to something); passive voice permits subjects to have something done to them (by someone or something). Some argue that active voice is more muscular, direct, and succinct, passive voice flabbier, more indirect, and wordier."

Sounds a lot like me actually (flabby, indirect and wordy).

And yet, I turn your attention to the writing of Mr. Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The above passage essentially said, "Suck it, England. We rock." And it used the passive voice (some active too, but still).

Also, for funsies, listen to "Fixing a Hole" by the Beatles with only the right headphone on. It's a kind of haunting a cappella.