Animals and humans either directly or indirectly interact with each other every day. Both of us are part of this world and will come in contact somehow sooner or later. Most of the interactions are harmless. Pets, farm animals, birdwatching, veterinary medicine, and hunting/fishing are just some of the myriad forms of interactions between animals and humans. Most people have only casual interactions with animals, but for those that work with animals, it goes beyond a simple interaction. It's a calling. When one has that calling, he or she will do anything to to heed that call. Working with animals takes a lot of time, hard work, dedication, sweat, and at times can be dangerous.
With all the talk surrounding this week's tragic incident at Sea World, many people were talking about it and, in the human way, made assumptions and incorrect statements about Tilikum and the incident. Yes, it is a tragedy and a shock that this young woman lost her life, but no, the Orca (Orcinus orca) is not a vicious, bloodthirsty creature. There has never been an attack on a human from these beautiful dolphins (It is the largest dolphin in the world). Compare that to some land creatures such as the Lion (Panthera leo) where there have been several documented "man-eaters" that have, through unusual circumstances, started relying on humans as their food source.
Any time someone works closely with animals, domestic or wild, there is a chance that something bad will occur. The chance increases greatly as the size of the animal increases. Working with these large dolphins (and with any animal) is, I am sure, very rewarding and pleasing, but one must always be on the watch to make sure everything goes right. When incidences like this happen, we must always look to the human side first because we are the one's with the most reasoning skills and the ones that are charged by God to look after His creation. When we take it for granted and are not careful, then the possibility of a tragedy can occur and ends up with tragic results for human, animal, or both.
I am not casting blame on any of the parties involved in this incident anymore than I cast blame in the Steve Irwin incident or the Roy Horn attack. I am just saying that there will always be just such tragic events because of the inherent danger in working with animals (especially large, wild animals) and the fact that the Prince of peace has not yet set up His earthly kingdom. Won't that be a wonderful day!! We can walk with the Lion and swim with the Orca and not worry about anymore such tragedies.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Eŋglish Alfabet
One of my many interests is languages. I love to see how related ones are different and the same. I love to see how other languages influence a language. I find everything about them so fascinating.
It's amazing to me how much English as changed since the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons first came to what is now England. The British Isles were populated by Celts before the arrival of those tribes. The language of those Germanic tribes became Old English and is considered a foreign language for modern English speakers rather than a descendant. The influences from the languages of the Celts, Norsemen, and finally the Normans radically altered Old English over time to what is now Modern English.
With that bit of history in mind, I have thought over the years about how to make English more "English". My proposal is to change the alphabet to more correctly reflect the modern language and at the same time take away some redundancies found in the corresponding alphabet. Now mind you, I am no linguist nor have I ever taken a course in language other than a few Spanish and German classes. And I do admit that there are some unresolved issues, i.e. vowels, with my list. However, I feel that this change would benefit everybody in the long run. So without further ramblings, I give you my new and "improved" English alphabet.
Aa-pronounced in all ways as the current "A"
Bb
Cc-pronounced like the current "CH". Letter name would be "chee".
Dd
Ee-pronounced in all ways as the current "E" and keeping the silent "E"
Ff-pronounced like the current "F" and taking over for "PH". Examples: elefant, fantom, fase
Gg-hard sound only as in "girl". Letter name would be "gee", not "jee"
Hh-no silent "H"
Ii-pronounced in all ways as the current "I"
Jj-pronounced like the current "J" and taking over the soft "G". Examples: jiraf, jerbil, genuflekt
Kk-pronounced like the current "K" and taking over the hard "C". Examples: kat, kut, kurtin
Ll
Mm
Nn
Ŋŋ-pronounced like the "NG" in "sing". Examples: siŋ, fiŋger, riŋ. Letter name would be "eŋ".
Oo-pronounced in all ways as the current "O"
Pp
Rr
Ss-pronounced always as the soft "S", never like "Z" or "ZH"
SHsh-pronounced like the current "SH" acting as one letter, not two. Letter name would be "esh".
Tt
THth-pronounced like the voiceless "TH" in "thick" acting as one letter, not two. Letter name would be "eth".
Þþ-pronounced like the voiced "TH" in "this" Examples: þis, þer, þey. Letter name would be "þee".
Uu-pronounced in all ways like the current "U"
Vv-pronounced like the current hard "V", never like "F"
Ww
Yy-pronounced like the current "Y" and still sometimes a vowel. Inserted in places where now pronounced as in "cute" Examples: kyut, pyuk, Kyuba
Zz-pronounced like the current "Z", never like "S" or "ZH"
ZHzh-not found in many words, but the need is still there, ie plezhur. Letter name would be "zhee".
Well, there it is. My "new and improved" Eŋglish Alfabet.
Notice the absence of "Q" and "X". Redundancies that are not needed. Examples: kwik, kween, zylafone, taks
Disagreements?
Opinions?
Should I forward this alphabet to Congress and the President? Do you think it would be voted on this year??
Let me hear what you think!
PS I chose not to write this blog with my new alphabet because I want people to get used to the idea first and actually understand what I am writing without getting a headache!
It's amazing to me how much English as changed since the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons first came to what is now England. The British Isles were populated by Celts before the arrival of those tribes. The language of those Germanic tribes became Old English and is considered a foreign language for modern English speakers rather than a descendant. The influences from the languages of the Celts, Norsemen, and finally the Normans radically altered Old English over time to what is now Modern English.
With that bit of history in mind, I have thought over the years about how to make English more "English". My proposal is to change the alphabet to more correctly reflect the modern language and at the same time take away some redundancies found in the corresponding alphabet. Now mind you, I am no linguist nor have I ever taken a course in language other than a few Spanish and German classes. And I do admit that there are some unresolved issues, i.e. vowels, with my list. However, I feel that this change would benefit everybody in the long run. So without further ramblings, I give you my new and "improved" English alphabet.
Aa-pronounced in all ways as the current "A"
Bb
Cc-pronounced like the current "CH". Letter name would be "chee".
Dd
Ee-pronounced in all ways as the current "E" and keeping the silent "E"
Ff-pronounced like the current "F" and taking over for "PH". Examples: elefant, fantom, fase
Gg-hard sound only as in "girl". Letter name would be "gee", not "jee"
Hh-no silent "H"
Ii-pronounced in all ways as the current "I"
Jj-pronounced like the current "J" and taking over the soft "G". Examples: jiraf, jerbil, genuflekt
Kk-pronounced like the current "K" and taking over the hard "C". Examples: kat, kut, kurtin
Ll
Mm
Nn
Ŋŋ-pronounced like the "NG" in "sing". Examples: siŋ, fiŋger, riŋ. Letter name would be "eŋ".
Oo-pronounced in all ways as the current "O"
Pp
Rr
Ss-pronounced always as the soft "S", never like "Z" or "ZH"
SHsh-pronounced like the current "SH" acting as one letter, not two. Letter name would be "esh".
Tt
THth-pronounced like the voiceless "TH" in "thick" acting as one letter, not two. Letter name would be "eth".
Þþ-pronounced like the voiced "TH" in "this" Examples: þis, þer, þey. Letter name would be "þee".
Uu-pronounced in all ways like the current "U"
Vv-pronounced like the current hard "V", never like "F"
Ww
Yy-pronounced like the current "Y" and still sometimes a vowel. Inserted in places where now pronounced as in "cute" Examples: kyut, pyuk, Kyuba
Zz-pronounced like the current "Z", never like "S" or "ZH"
ZHzh-not found in many words, but the need is still there, ie plezhur. Letter name would be "zhee".
Well, there it is. My "new and improved" Eŋglish Alfabet.
Notice the absence of "Q" and "X". Redundancies that are not needed. Examples: kwik, kween, zylafone, taks
Disagreements?
Opinions?
Should I forward this alphabet to Congress and the President? Do you think it would be voted on this year??
Let me hear what you think!
PS I chose not to write this blog with my new alphabet because I want people to get used to the idea first and actually understand what I am writing without getting a headache!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Grunts and Acceptance
Today was memory lane for my sister and how she and her husband first met. I must admit that I had something else planned for today's entry. But after reading her blog today, I felt that I must also tell my side of the story which actually starts way before that momentous day.
Kellie was always a dreamy kind of child. In her mind, she was always somewhere else instead of where she was physically. When her teen years rolled around, all I can say is wooooowwweeeeee!!! Most boys didn't want to date her because, in my opinion, they had to ask Dad first. That was fine with me. I was going to have to be the choosy person when it came to my sister's date. Not that she wasn't choosy, but you know how older brothers are...
Fast forward a few years...Thanksgiving in Holly Springs...a highly forgettable time in our family's history. We were invited by my aunt to go to my uncle's side of their family for Thanksgiving. They always play music, sing, etc and we thought it would be a fun change. Well, when we got there, Kellie and I knew no one but my aunt's family and we pretty much stuck together like we had been glued that way in a kindergarten art class.
As we were enjoying the meal, my sister and I turned towards the door as someone enters. All three sets of eyes met in one fateful moment. My sister's eyes were popping out of her head. My eyes observed with casual coolness. The person entering the door would have walked into a pole if there was one there. He couldn't take his eyes off my sister. As has happened several times during our life, when he saw me, he thought Kellie and I were dating because we look nothing alike. Too bad that idea didn't manifest itself in his head forever...but I get ahead of myself.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details for the next few days, but eventually, he asked my Dad to take my sister on a date. My Dad consented and off they went. For my sister, it was looooooove. Christmas gifts were exchanged; time alone was spent; dates were frequent. For me, the honeymoon quickly faded into a pile of rotten roses that lifted its stench to the heavens.
When he came over, I grunted hello. When he asked a question, I grunted the answer. When he left, I grunted goodbye. And all responses came with a granite face. The rest of the time, I was as scarce as hen's teeth. I will let Kellie share the rest of the details if she so chooses, but suffice it to say, the relationship ended none too soon! I still have the feelings of floating on cloud 9 when I remember that glorious day.
The next boyfriend was waaayyyyyy better. No grunts at all, but it really wasn't meant to be and after a short time, they parted as friends.
After that, the fateful day mentioned in her entry for today arrived and I was happy. He seemed like a nice guy and he was, again, waaayyyyyy better than the first one. As I got to know him and he came around more and more and more and more (did I say more???), I found myself actually staying around when he was here with nary a grunt escaping my lips and smiles were plenteous. After a little over two years of dating, they were married in a packed church where I felt as if I was a shuttle service moving people up and down the aisle (But that discussion could be another blog entry!).
So there you have it. My part in my sister's dating is, in my opinion, one for the record books. Maybe I should write a book on how to help one's sister realize she's dating a jerk. Hmmmm...Best seller???
Stay tuned!
Kellie was always a dreamy kind of child. In her mind, she was always somewhere else instead of where she was physically. When her teen years rolled around, all I can say is wooooowwweeeeee!!! Most boys didn't want to date her because, in my opinion, they had to ask Dad first. That was fine with me. I was going to have to be the choosy person when it came to my sister's date. Not that she wasn't choosy, but you know how older brothers are...
Fast forward a few years...Thanksgiving in Holly Springs...a highly forgettable time in our family's history. We were invited by my aunt to go to my uncle's side of their family for Thanksgiving. They always play music, sing, etc and we thought it would be a fun change. Well, when we got there, Kellie and I knew no one but my aunt's family and we pretty much stuck together like we had been glued that way in a kindergarten art class.
As we were enjoying the meal, my sister and I turned towards the door as someone enters. All three sets of eyes met in one fateful moment. My sister's eyes were popping out of her head. My eyes observed with casual coolness. The person entering the door would have walked into a pole if there was one there. He couldn't take his eyes off my sister. As has happened several times during our life, when he saw me, he thought Kellie and I were dating because we look nothing alike. Too bad that idea didn't manifest itself in his head forever...but I get ahead of myself.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details for the next few days, but eventually, he asked my Dad to take my sister on a date. My Dad consented and off they went. For my sister, it was looooooove. Christmas gifts were exchanged; time alone was spent; dates were frequent. For me, the honeymoon quickly faded into a pile of rotten roses that lifted its stench to the heavens.
When he came over, I grunted hello. When he asked a question, I grunted the answer. When he left, I grunted goodbye. And all responses came with a granite face. The rest of the time, I was as scarce as hen's teeth. I will let Kellie share the rest of the details if she so chooses, but suffice it to say, the relationship ended none too soon! I still have the feelings of floating on cloud 9 when I remember that glorious day.
The next boyfriend was waaayyyyyy better. No grunts at all, but it really wasn't meant to be and after a short time, they parted as friends.
After that, the fateful day mentioned in her entry for today arrived and I was happy. He seemed like a nice guy and he was, again, waaayyyyyy better than the first one. As I got to know him and he came around more and more and more and more (did I say more???), I found myself actually staying around when he was here with nary a grunt escaping my lips and smiles were plenteous. After a little over two years of dating, they were married in a packed church where I felt as if I was a shuttle service moving people up and down the aisle (But that discussion could be another blog entry!).
So there you have it. My part in my sister's dating is, in my opinion, one for the record books. Maybe I should write a book on how to help one's sister realize she's dating a jerk. Hmmmm...Best seller???
Stay tuned!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
George and Weezy
Recently, two Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) found there way to our campus to join the other myriad of feathered fowl already living there. Now we have Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), and Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus). The Buffleheads and mergansers will move on in the spring, but for now they are fun to watch as they dive under the water and pop up like corks a few feet away from their diving spots.
No one knows for sure how the newcomers came to be there, but they have created a little controversy among the employees. Some people like them; some hate them. They are really friendly and will look up at you as if they are trying to carry on a conversation with you. For those reasons, we seem to think they were on someone's farm or home and they dropped them off there. In fact, they are so charming, we in the DC office have named them "George" and "Weezy" after The Jeffersons because they "finally got a piece of that pie" and have moved "up to the East Side" (East Millbrook Road).
For a while, they were standing at the front door all day and sometimes would even block the door. Sometime, they would even chase after someone coming up the walkway and once one of them flew up into the face of an employee exiting the building. She is a slightly snooty individual and that scene didn't set well with her. I think she probably just startled the duck when she opened the door. I can understand why the company would not want them at the door because they could create a bit of a mess. There was talk of giving them to an employee that has a small farm, but as of Friday, they were still there. They haven't been near the door lately. Mostly I have seen them grazing on the dam. I think that the reason they were at the door was because it was a new place for them. Now that they are familiar with their new home, they are mingling with their feathered neighbors more.
Personally, I really hope they are able to stay. They add some character to the assorted bird life living on campus. It's not everyday that one finds a feathered creature willing to cavort with us humans and seems to want to be in close contact with us. The people that don't want them there need to take a second look and learn to appreciate them for what they are and what they give us in return.
No one knows for sure how the newcomers came to be there, but they have created a little controversy among the employees. Some people like them; some hate them. They are really friendly and will look up at you as if they are trying to carry on a conversation with you. For those reasons, we seem to think they were on someone's farm or home and they dropped them off there. In fact, they are so charming, we in the DC office have named them "George" and "Weezy" after The Jeffersons because they "finally got a piece of that pie" and have moved "up to the East Side" (East Millbrook Road).
For a while, they were standing at the front door all day and sometimes would even block the door. Sometime, they would even chase after someone coming up the walkway and once one of them flew up into the face of an employee exiting the building. She is a slightly snooty individual and that scene didn't set well with her. I think she probably just startled the duck when she opened the door. I can understand why the company would not want them at the door because they could create a bit of a mess. There was talk of giving them to an employee that has a small farm, but as of Friday, they were still there. They haven't been near the door lately. Mostly I have seen them grazing on the dam. I think that the reason they were at the door was because it was a new place for them. Now that they are familiar with their new home, they are mingling with their feathered neighbors more.
Personally, I really hope they are able to stay. They add some character to the assorted bird life living on campus. It's not everyday that one finds a feathered creature willing to cavort with us humans and seems to want to be in close contact with us. The people that don't want them there need to take a second look and learn to appreciate them for what they are and what they give us in return.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Adrift
Sometimes I feel as if I am adrift in a sea of ignorance. No one seems to be able to figure out seemingly simple, everyday concepts without someone holding their hand and showing them each step of the way. Isn't that one of the reasons children go to school? Don't kids these days get taught basic steps and then learn how to apply those same steps in every aspect of daily life in order to be able to function in a rapidly changing world? Unfortunately, it appears as if none of this is the case.
Many times during the day I receive either a blank stare in person or a blank voice on the phone and have to "patiently" explain simple ideas such as "yes, the parts are listed in the catalog" or "did you not hear about the 4 feet of snow hence the delay for your part". I freely admit that, sometimes, my patience runs a bit thin and I supply them with an answer saturated with sarcasm. With the little amount of patience I have left, I try to educate them on something they should have either known already or been able to figure out by adding 1+1. I do have more patience with a new person because I can tell they are struggling and I remember well my first days in the business. But when someone has been there for several years (and many have been there longer than I have!), I expect the silly questions to fade into the past.
Is there any hope? Sadly, I think not. It seems that the world is destined to keep producing people that can't seem to find their way out of a wet paper bag. My only hope is to bump into someone adrift in this same sea and cling to them for dear life. After all, misery loves company!
Many times during the day I receive either a blank stare in person or a blank voice on the phone and have to "patiently" explain simple ideas such as "yes, the parts are listed in the catalog" or "did you not hear about the 4 feet of snow hence the delay for your part". I freely admit that, sometimes, my patience runs a bit thin and I supply them with an answer saturated with sarcasm. With the little amount of patience I have left, I try to educate them on something they should have either known already or been able to figure out by adding 1+1. I do have more patience with a new person because I can tell they are struggling and I remember well my first days in the business. But when someone has been there for several years (and many have been there longer than I have!), I expect the silly questions to fade into the past.
Is there any hope? Sadly, I think not. It seems that the world is destined to keep producing people that can't seem to find their way out of a wet paper bag. My only hope is to bump into someone adrift in this same sea and cling to them for dear life. After all, misery loves company!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Love
How many ways can you say "I love you"? Here are some from around the world...
N ba='aba (!Xoo)
Muferare (Yoruba)
Ami mbuma fi (Swahili)
Ilolenge (Maasai)
Ina sanki (Hausa)
Ani ohev otakh (Hebrew)
Me shen miqvarkhar (Georgian)
Main tumsa pyar karta hun (Hindi)
Doostat daaram (Farsi)
Se agapo (Greek)
Je t'aime (French)
T'estimo (Catalan)
Te amo (Spanish/Portuguese)
Ta gra i mo croi agat (Irish Gaelic)
Jeg elsker dig (Danish)
Eg elska þig (Icelandic)
Ich liebe dich (German)
Tave mylitu (Lithuanian)
Ya lyublyu tebye (Russian)
Ja çie kocham (Polish)
Szretlek (Hungarian)
Mina rakastan sinua (Finnish)
Seni seviyorum (Turkish)
Bi chand hairtai (Khalka)
Nanun tangainngul salanghapnita (Korean)
Watashiwa anataga sukidesu (Japanese)
Asavakkit (Greenlandic)
Wo ai ni (Mandarin Chinese)
Ngoh oi lei (Cantonese)
Chit deh (Burmese)
Hlub koj (Hmong)
Anh yeu em (Vietnamese)
Pohm ruck kunh (Thai)
Mahal kita (Tagalog)
Aku cinda bada mu (Indonesian)
Yokwe yuk (Marshallese)
Au ia 'oe (Hawaiian)
Ga timerek gig (Taulil)
Ayo'o' ni'i'n'shni' (Navajo)
Nin sâgiiwe ki (Ojibwa)
Hnqheminchm (Coeur d'Alene)
Wasté cilake (Lakota)
Gvgeyu (Cherokee)
Ece noke cvke (Creek)
Nimitzlacʔ
Agama tutana (Comanche)
Rohtyu (Guarani)
Marworno (Galibi)
Maite zaitut (Basque)
Mi laikim yu tumas (Tok Pisin)
All of these different words and sentences represents a different culture and a different way of expressing the emotion called love. Several cultures differentiate between the different types of love by using different words or phrasing; others, such as English, use one word to cover them all. But when it comes to the real, true meaning of love, no one else expressed it more willingly or more fully than Jesus. And He did it all without saying a word.
N ba='aba (!Xoo)
Muferare (Yoruba)
Ami mbuma fi (Swahili)
Ilolenge (Maasai)
Ina sanki (Hausa)
Ani ohev otakh (Hebrew)
Me shen miqvarkhar (Georgian)
Main tumsa pyar karta hun (Hindi)
Doostat daaram (Farsi)
Se agapo (Greek)
Je t'aime (French)
T'estimo (Catalan)
Te amo (Spanish/Portuguese)
Ta gra i mo croi agat (Irish Gaelic)
Jeg elsker dig (Danish)
Eg elska þig (Icelandic)
Ich liebe dich (German)
Tave mylitu (Lithuanian)
Ya lyublyu tebye (Russian)
Ja çie kocham (Polish)
Szretlek (Hungarian)
Mina rakastan sinua (Finnish)
Seni seviyorum (Turkish)
Bi chand hairtai (Khalka)
Nanun tangainngul salanghapnita (Korean)
Watashiwa anataga sukidesu (Japanese)
Asavakkit (Greenlandic)
Wo ai ni (Mandarin Chinese)
Ngoh oi lei (Cantonese)
Chit deh (Burmese)
Hlub koj (Hmong)
Anh yeu em (Vietnamese)
Pohm ruck kunh (Thai)
Mahal kita (Tagalog)
Aku cinda bada mu (Indonesian)
Yokwe yuk (Marshallese)
Au ia 'oe (Hawaiian)
Ga timerek gig (Taulil)
Ayo'o' ni'i'n'shni' (Navajo)
Nin sâgiiwe ki (Ojibwa)
Hnqheminchm (Coeur d'Alene)
Wasté cilake (Lakota)
Gvgeyu (Cherokee)
Ece noke cvke (Creek)
Nimitzlacʔ
Agama tutana (Comanche)
Rohtyu (Guarani)
Marworno (Galibi)
Maite zaitut (Basque)
Mi laikim yu tumas (Tok Pisin)
All of these different words and sentences represents a different culture and a different way of expressing the emotion called love. Several cultures differentiate between the different types of love by using different words or phrasing; others, such as English, use one word to cover them all. But when it comes to the real, true meaning of love, no one else expressed it more willingly or more fully than Jesus. And He did it all without saying a word.
I Peter 5:8.
But God commendeth His love towards us in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
But God commendeth His love towards us in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Amazing Love!
How can it be
That thou, my God,
Shouldst die for me?
How can it be
That thou, my God,
Shouldst die for me?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
North Carolina
I am very proud to be a North Carolinian! I found this list online and although some do not apply directly to me, the majority of them make me swell with pride. Yes, North Carolina is a Southern state and I wouldn't change it for the world! Enjoy the reading and laugh as I did. NC natives know all about it.
You know you're from NC if:
1. You've gotten used to the smell of cow manure on a car trip to Raleigh.
2. Saying "y'all" isn't just a cute expression; it actually means something.
3. There are big Labrador retrievers in the back of every truck.
4. You give directions using KFC and Waffle House as landmarks.
5. You still see Dale Earnhardt tributes on cars.
6. You can't imagine life without Bojangles' sweet tea.
7. Your annual church fundraiser always deals with BBQ and potato salad.
8. You have a sunburn from May to October.
9. Your 'heavy winter clothing' consists of some turtleneck sweaters, a fuzzy jacket, and your daddy's boots.
10. Your family has fried chicken once a week.
11. You can tell the difference between cotton fields and tobacco fields while driving.
12. One of your neighbors has a confederate flag hanging on their front porch.
13. Those "damn Yankees" are taking over your school/church/workplace/neighborhood...
14. You've been "properly raised", and Yankees love it when they hear you say "ma'am" and "sir".
15. You get your carbs from biscuits, rolls, pancakes, and grits.
16. You know the difference between a "redneck" and a "hick".
17. You own at least one t-shirt from Bert's Surf Shop, AB Surf Shop, or The Sanitary Fishmarket.
18. No matter what those people in Ohio say, we are still "first in flight".
19. The Coca-Cola 600 is as big as the Super Bowl.
20. You prefer Chick-fil-A to KFC.
21. You know pastry is a chicken stew, not a dessert item.
22. Every time you visit someone you’re offered something to eat and a glass of tea.
23. Your granddaddy always wore overalls and your grandma always wore an apron.
24. In summer, you have home-grown tomatoes with every meal.
25 When it rains and the creek rises, everyone gathers to see how high it rose.
26. You know that to chunk the ball means to throw it.
27. You've had a burger "all the way" - chili and slaw on it.
28. You can recognize a copperhead and your heart drops when you see one.
29. You have at least one relative that grows collards.
30. You know Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut.
31. You have an opinion about UNC. You went there and loved it, or you hate everyone who did.
32. You know the difference between eastern BBQ and western BBQ (see number 85).
33. You would rather eat at Bojangles than McDonald's.
34. You have actually uttered the phrase "It's too hot to go to the pool".
35. You faithfully drink Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sundrop or Cheerwine everyday of your life.
36. You have your own secret BBQ sauce.
37. You or your neighbors have more hunting dogs than you have family members.
38. You know Pepsi originated in New Bern, Cheerwine in Salisbury, and Sundrop in Gastonia.
39. You know Coke tastes better in the little bottles and that peanuts make Coke taste even better.
40. Your folks have taken trips to the mountains to look at leaves.
41. Your school took a field trip to the State Fair in Raleigh.
42. You would elect Richard Petty or Ric Flair for governor if either ever ran.
43. You watched as Dale Earnhardt was the only man who ever lived who could go 200 mph, spin somebody out, call them a you-know-what, and win the race, all in the last lap.
44. You skipped school or work to go to Dale Earnhardt’s memorial service.
45. A toboggan to you means a knit cap, not a sled.
46. You sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts for a school or church fundraiser before those glazed doughnuts went global.
47. When you're traveling out of state, people ask if you're from Mayberry.
48. You remember watching the ACC Tournament on television at school.
49. The local newspaper covers state, national and international news in one page, but sports requires six pages.
50. Most men in town consider the first day of deer season a national holiday.
51. Fifty degrees Fahrenheit is “a little chilly."
52. You have no problem spelling or pronouncing “Conetoe", “Topsail", or “Beaufort."
53. You know it’s pronounced APPALACHIAN and not “App-a-lay-shun."
54. Your school classes were canceled because of cold.
55. Your school classes were canceled because of a chance of snow.
56. Your school classes were canceled because of heat.
57. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waitin’ to pass a tractor on the highway.
58. Your school classes were canceled because of a hurricane.
59. Your school classes were canceled because of hunting season.
60. Your school classes were canceled because of a livestock show.
61. You’ve ridden the school bus for an hour...each way.
62. You know more about ACC basketball than professional basketball.
63. You know the Carolina League is the greatest baseball league in the country.
63. You know that "Carolina" refers to UNC-Chapel Hill, while "State" refers to NC State.
64. You think South Carolina was dead weight well shed.
65. You know tea is served sweet unless you specifically ask for unsweetened.
66. You’ve ever had to switch from “Heat" to “A/C" in the same day.
67. You think ethanol makes your truck run a lot better.
68. Stores don’t have bags...they have sacks and are called Piggly Wigglys.
69. You see people wearing bib overalls at funerals.
70. You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it, no matter what time of the year.
71. Most of the festivals around the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, tobacco, or seafood: Seafood Festival (Morehead), Mullet festival (Swansboro)...
72. Priming was your first job...and you know what it means.
73. Your idea of a really great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun and comes with cole slaw on top.
74. You say cattywampus, yunto, ill-ass and ah-ite.
75. You know the difference between a deer dog, a bear dog and a coon dog by the way they bark.
76. You put security lights on your house and your garage and leave both of them unlocked.
77. Your four seasons are almost summer, summer, still summer, and highway construction.
78. You can tell if another North Carolinian is from Eastern or Western North Carolina as soon as he opens his mouth.
79. You can spell words such as Ocracoke, Fuquay-Varina and Chocowinity.
80. When asked how your trip to any foreign, exotic place was you say, “It was different."
81. Hyde County is considered a foreign or exotic place.
82. In the Piedmont, you see all the grown-ups go out and play in the snow.
83. Schools and churches hold barbecue fundraisers with banana puddin’ as the dessert.
84. After church you either stay for the barbeque lunch or the pig pickin'.
85. You know that barbeque is a food, not an occasion, and it applies to pork, not hamburgers or hotdogs. You also know that the best of any version, whether chopped or pulled, vinegar or tomato, can be found somewhere in NC.
86. You know what a "pig pickin" is and you can't wait to go.
87. You consider being a “Pork Queen" an honor.
88. You carry jumper cables in your car.
89. You know what “cow tipping" is.
90. You've driven with "Carolina Hurricanes" flags on your car because WE WON THE STANLEY CUP!!
91. You dip.
92. You've seen One Tree Hill and/or Dawson's Creek being filmed in Wilmington.
93. Pop refers a lot of things, not including soda.
94. You learned ALL about The Lost Colony in 4th grade...(and you know where Blackbeard's treasure really is ; )
95. You listen to beach music and you can shag.
96. You can pay the mechanic who worked on your truck with a quart of moonshine in return.
97. Your school was declared a "Tobacco Free Zone", but there are tobacco fields right outside.
98. You constantly see signs for tractor pulls and turkey shoots while driving through eastern NC.
99. You mash buttons and eat creamed potatoes.
100. You show this to some Carolina friends ‘cuz ya know it’s true, darlin'!
You know you're from NC if:
1. You've gotten used to the smell of cow manure on a car trip to Raleigh.
2. Saying "y'all" isn't just a cute expression; it actually means something.
3. There are big Labrador retrievers in the back of every truck.
4. You give directions using KFC and Waffle House as landmarks.
5. You still see Dale Earnhardt tributes on cars.
6. You can't imagine life without Bojangles' sweet tea.
7. Your annual church fundraiser always deals with BBQ and potato salad.
8. You have a sunburn from May to October.
9. Your 'heavy winter clothing' consists of some turtleneck sweaters, a fuzzy jacket, and your daddy's boots.
10. Your family has fried chicken once a week.
11. You can tell the difference between cotton fields and tobacco fields while driving.
12. One of your neighbors has a confederate flag hanging on their front porch.
13. Those "damn Yankees" are taking over your school/church/workplace/neighborhood...
14. You've been "properly raised", and Yankees love it when they hear you say "ma'am" and "sir".
15. You get your carbs from biscuits, rolls, pancakes, and grits.
16. You know the difference between a "redneck" and a "hick".
17. You own at least one t-shirt from Bert's Surf Shop, AB Surf Shop, or The Sanitary Fishmarket.
18. No matter what those people in Ohio say, we are still "first in flight".
19. The Coca-Cola 600 is as big as the Super Bowl.
20. You prefer Chick-fil-A to KFC.
21. You know pastry is a chicken stew, not a dessert item.
22. Every time you visit someone you’re offered something to eat and a glass of tea.
23. Your granddaddy always wore overalls and your grandma always wore an apron.
24. In summer, you have home-grown tomatoes with every meal.
25 When it rains and the creek rises, everyone gathers to see how high it rose.
26. You know that to chunk the ball means to throw it.
27. You've had a burger "all the way" - chili and slaw on it.
28. You can recognize a copperhead and your heart drops when you see one.
29. You have at least one relative that grows collards.
30. You know Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut.
31. You have an opinion about UNC. You went there and loved it, or you hate everyone who did.
32. You know the difference between eastern BBQ and western BBQ (see number 85).
33. You would rather eat at Bojangles than McDonald's.
34. You have actually uttered the phrase "It's too hot to go to the pool".
35. You faithfully drink Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sundrop or Cheerwine everyday of your life.
36. You have your own secret BBQ sauce.
37. You or your neighbors have more hunting dogs than you have family members.
38. You know Pepsi originated in New Bern, Cheerwine in Salisbury, and Sundrop in Gastonia.
39. You know Coke tastes better in the little bottles and that peanuts make Coke taste even better.
40. Your folks have taken trips to the mountains to look at leaves.
41. Your school took a field trip to the State Fair in Raleigh.
42. You would elect Richard Petty or Ric Flair for governor if either ever ran.
43. You watched as Dale Earnhardt was the only man who ever lived who could go 200 mph, spin somebody out, call them a you-know-what, and win the race, all in the last lap.
44. You skipped school or work to go to Dale Earnhardt’s memorial service.
45. A toboggan to you means a knit cap, not a sled.
46. You sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts for a school or church fundraiser before those glazed doughnuts went global.
47. When you're traveling out of state, people ask if you're from Mayberry.
48. You remember watching the ACC Tournament on television at school.
49. The local newspaper covers state, national and international news in one page, but sports requires six pages.
50. Most men in town consider the first day of deer season a national holiday.
51. Fifty degrees Fahrenheit is “a little chilly."
52. You have no problem spelling or pronouncing “Conetoe", “Topsail", or “Beaufort."
53. You know it’s pronounced APPALACHIAN and not “App-a-lay-shun."
54. Your school classes were canceled because of cold.
55. Your school classes were canceled because of a chance of snow.
56. Your school classes were canceled because of heat.
57. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waitin’ to pass a tractor on the highway.
58. Your school classes were canceled because of a hurricane.
59. Your school classes were canceled because of hunting season.
60. Your school classes were canceled because of a livestock show.
61. You’ve ridden the school bus for an hour...each way.
62. You know more about ACC basketball than professional basketball.
63. You know the Carolina League is the greatest baseball league in the country.
63. You know that "Carolina" refers to UNC-Chapel Hill, while "State" refers to NC State.
64. You think South Carolina was dead weight well shed.
65. You know tea is served sweet unless you specifically ask for unsweetened.
66. You’ve ever had to switch from “Heat" to “A/C" in the same day.
67. You think ethanol makes your truck run a lot better.
68. Stores don’t have bags...they have sacks and are called Piggly Wigglys.
69. You see people wearing bib overalls at funerals.
70. You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it, no matter what time of the year.
71. Most of the festivals around the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, tobacco, or seafood: Seafood Festival (Morehead), Mullet festival (Swansboro)...
72. Priming was your first job...and you know what it means.
73. Your idea of a really great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun and comes with cole slaw on top.
74. You say cattywampus, yunto, ill-ass and ah-ite.
75. You know the difference between a deer dog, a bear dog and a coon dog by the way they bark.
76. You put security lights on your house and your garage and leave both of them unlocked.
77. Your four seasons are almost summer, summer, still summer, and highway construction.
78. You can tell if another North Carolinian is from Eastern or Western North Carolina as soon as he opens his mouth.
79. You can spell words such as Ocracoke, Fuquay-Varina and Chocowinity.
80. When asked how your trip to any foreign, exotic place was you say, “It was different."
81. Hyde County is considered a foreign or exotic place.
82. In the Piedmont, you see all the grown-ups go out and play in the snow.
83. Schools and churches hold barbecue fundraisers with banana puddin’ as the dessert.
84. After church you either stay for the barbeque lunch or the pig pickin'.
85. You know that barbeque is a food, not an occasion, and it applies to pork, not hamburgers or hotdogs. You also know that the best of any version, whether chopped or pulled, vinegar or tomato, can be found somewhere in NC.
86. You know what a "pig pickin" is and you can't wait to go.
87. You consider being a “Pork Queen" an honor.
88. You carry jumper cables in your car.
89. You know what “cow tipping" is.
90. You've driven with "Carolina Hurricanes" flags on your car because WE WON THE STANLEY CUP!!
91. You dip.
92. You've seen One Tree Hill and/or Dawson's Creek being filmed in Wilmington.
93. Pop refers a lot of things, not including soda.
94. You learned ALL about The Lost Colony in 4th grade...(and you know where Blackbeard's treasure really is ; )
95. You listen to beach music and you can shag.
96. You can pay the mechanic who worked on your truck with a quart of moonshine in return.
97. Your school was declared a "Tobacco Free Zone", but there are tobacco fields right outside.
98. You constantly see signs for tractor pulls and turkey shoots while driving through eastern NC.
99. You mash buttons and eat creamed potatoes.
100. You show this to some Carolina friends ‘cuz ya know it’s true, darlin'!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Text Speak in the Real World
On the way into work this morning, I hear a radio commercial for a local sandwich shop that prides itself on delivering their orders very quickly. The customer was calling in to place an order and the shop worker was explaining how quickly she could have her sandwich. Both were speaking with initials, i.e. LOL, IDK, ASAP, BLT, for well known English phrases as if they were texting back and forth instead of speaking on the telephone. It was a funny ad and made me think about our customers at the good old call center.
For those of you who aren't tech-speak savvy, techies shorten most of what they say into abbreviations. Here is a short dictionary:
I was thinking that my day and the day of my co-workers would go much more quickly if the customers started using these same abbreviations when they call in with questions and we would respond in like fashion. Below is a typical call during a day in the call center with the new speaking system...
Agent: Thanks for calling CQ! How may I help U?
Customer: HRU?
Agent: Fine, TNX. HRU?
Customer: I'm good. I need a part ordered.
Agent: OK. What's UR CN?
Customer: 1234
Agent: No. That's UR GL. I need UR CN.
Customer: IDK
Agent: I have to have UR CN to order the part.
Customer: OK. JAM. BRB. (Long waiting period)
Agent: (Sigh) (8-|)
Customer: SRY. My number is 5555555555.
Agent: TNX. How may I help U?
Customer: I need a CYL HON345A
Agent: SS, we are out.
Customer: OIC. Does NE1 have it?
Agent: No. It is a SPO.
Customer: How long?
Agent: Do you want it NDA, SDA, GRD?
Customer: GRD
Agent: 2-3 days.
Customer: OK. Please SPO it for me.
Agent: OK.
Customer: TNX for UR help.
Agent: YW. TNX for calling CQ.
Customer: TTYL
Now, I think that would speed up the process (except for all the time we have to wait for the customer to come up with his CN or any other information we need. But that's another blog entry!). But then again, there would need to be a very large dictionary and a language class for everyone to be fluent in text speak. Hmmm... What do you think?
For those of you who aren't tech-speak savvy, techies shorten most of what they say into abbreviations. Here is a short dictionary:
IDK = I don't know
LOL = laugh out loud
TTYL = talk to you later
BRB = be right back
NM = never mind
TMI = too much information
LOL = laugh out loud
TTYL = talk to you later
BRB = be right back
NM = never mind
TMI = too much information
HRU = how are you
TNX = thanks
I was thinking that my day and the day of my co-workers would go much more quickly if the customers started using these same abbreviations when they call in with questions and we would respond in like fashion. Below is a typical call during a day in the call center with the new speaking system...
Agent: Thanks for calling CQ! How may I help U?
Customer: HRU?
Agent: Fine, TNX. HRU?
Customer: I'm good. I need a part ordered.
Agent: OK. What's UR CN?
Customer: 1234
Agent: No. That's UR GL. I need UR CN.
Customer: IDK
Agent: I have to have UR CN to order the part.
Customer: OK. JAM. BRB. (Long waiting period)
Agent: (Sigh) (8-|)
Customer: SRY. My number is 5555555555.
Agent: TNX. How may I help U?
Customer: I need a CYL HON345A
Agent: SS, we are out.
Customer: OIC. Does NE1 have it?
Agent: No. It is a SPO.
Customer: How long?
Agent: Do you want it NDA, SDA, GRD?
Customer: GRD
Agent: 2-3 days.
Customer: OK. Please SPO it for me.
Agent: OK.
Customer: TNX for UR help.
Agent: YW. TNX for calling CQ.
Customer: TTYL
Now, I think that would speed up the process (except for all the time we have to wait for the customer to come up with his CN or any other information we need. But that's another blog entry!). But then again, there would need to be a very large dictionary and a language class for everyone to be fluent in text speak. Hmmm... What do you think?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Groundhogs and Weather
Why does everyone make such a big deal about Groundhog Day every February 2? Punxsutawny Phil is the most famous prognosticator. However, after doing a little research, I found out that there are actually several more weather-predicting rodents across the USA and Canada.
So now the question really begs to be answered! Why, why, why??? Well, here's my take on the "why".
The tradition actually started in ancient Europe when the locals would use a European Badger (Meles meles) or Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) to predict whether winter would last more weeks or spring would make an early appearance. Fast forward a few hundred years to 18th century southeastern Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Germans settled after leaving their homes to escape persecution. Since there are no native badgers in southeastern Pennsylvania, they continued the tradition with the closest substitute they could find--the Groundhog or Woodchuck (Marmota monax). Several Pennsylvania German communities had their own squirrely forecaster and the tradition spread over time to other regions of the US and Canada.
How did it get to be such a big deal? My guess is it started out as a curiosity when visitors would happen upon a local celebration and, being curious, would stop and watch. Over the years, news of the celebration spread and finally in 1886, Punxsutawny Phil gained enough notoriety to now have his own annual country-wide celebration of his weather "predictions".
Now should anyone put any stock into these predictions of the rodent kind? No. It's really a bunch of hooey. Groundhogs just want to sleep till spring arrives. Out of the kindness of their hearts, they accommodate their daft fellow earthlings and let themselves be used to determine how soon spring will show herself. After that day, they go back to their slumber and await the day when they can resume their normal everyday warm-weather activities of eating, sleeping, and mating. After all, Groundhogs must do what Groundhogs were created to do.
I do, however, have to give a shout-out and a very big YES! to Raleigh's own Sir Walter Wally. He predicted an early spring!
Can I get an AMEN????
So now the question really begs to be answered! Why, why, why??? Well, here's my take on the "why".
The tradition actually started in ancient Europe when the locals would use a European Badger (Meles meles) or Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) to predict whether winter would last more weeks or spring would make an early appearance. Fast forward a few hundred years to 18th century southeastern Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Germans settled after leaving their homes to escape persecution. Since there are no native badgers in southeastern Pennsylvania, they continued the tradition with the closest substitute they could find--the Groundhog or Woodchuck (Marmota monax). Several Pennsylvania German communities had their own squirrely forecaster and the tradition spread over time to other regions of the US and Canada.
How did it get to be such a big deal? My guess is it started out as a curiosity when visitors would happen upon a local celebration and, being curious, would stop and watch. Over the years, news of the celebration spread and finally in 1886, Punxsutawny Phil gained enough notoriety to now have his own annual country-wide celebration of his weather "predictions".
Now should anyone put any stock into these predictions of the rodent kind? No. It's really a bunch of hooey. Groundhogs just want to sleep till spring arrives. Out of the kindness of their hearts, they accommodate their daft fellow earthlings and let themselves be used to determine how soon spring will show herself. After that day, they go back to their slumber and await the day when they can resume their normal everyday warm-weather activities of eating, sleeping, and mating. After all, Groundhogs must do what Groundhogs were created to do.
I do, however, have to give a shout-out and a very big YES! to Raleigh's own Sir Walter Wally. He predicted an early spring!
Can I get an AMEN????
Monday, February 1, 2010
Southern Snow
As I mentioned here, Raleigh received measurable snow this past weekend. Several comments over these past few days have made me giggle. Of course, there were the obligatory snide remarks about the city shutting down, the roads not being scraped fast enough, and schools being closed for a "dusting" of snow. One friend even said she is amazed how the South deals with snow. It's like we sit by and watch it melt instead of removing it.
Well, honey. Yes we do!
You are in the SOUTH now, Sugar. Bless your heart, you just don't know a "thang" about how we Southerners do it 'round "hea". Most of you transplants came here to escape all things Yankee, ie snow, traffic, unfriendliness, etc. But lo and behold, what do you do when you come down here?? You try to make it just like it was back home. We were doing fine on our own before you invaded our territory and began the rescue of a people you perceived were slow, dimwitted, and out of touch with reality. Y'all marched down here in droves with all your Yankee ways of doing life and tried to reform us backward souls into the glorious being that is a Yankee.
Well, let me tell you one thing. A Yankee ain't all that!
So, yes, we will definitely sit and watch the next snow melt while our Yankee neighbors fume and fuss. My advice to all of you? Go back where you came from. We will definitely survive without you and might even be able to intelligently make it through a day without any advice, tips, or ideas from your collective northern intellect.
For all my friends from the northern areas of this vast country, please don't take offense at this posting. After all, friends are made for teasing, right? :-D
Well, honey. Yes we do!
You are in the SOUTH now, Sugar. Bless your heart, you just don't know a "thang" about how we Southerners do it 'round "hea". Most of you transplants came here to escape all things Yankee, ie snow, traffic, unfriendliness, etc. But lo and behold, what do you do when you come down here?? You try to make it just like it was back home. We were doing fine on our own before you invaded our territory and began the rescue of a people you perceived were slow, dimwitted, and out of touch with reality. Y'all marched down here in droves with all your Yankee ways of doing life and tried to reform us backward souls into the glorious being that is a Yankee.
Well, let me tell you one thing. A Yankee ain't all that!
So, yes, we will definitely sit and watch the next snow melt while our Yankee neighbors fume and fuss. My advice to all of you? Go back where you came from. We will definitely survive without you and might even be able to intelligently make it through a day without any advice, tips, or ideas from your collective northern intellect.
For all my friends from the northern areas of this vast country, please don't take offense at this posting. After all, friends are made for teasing, right? :-D
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