Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Back in my school days, I was a bit of a rebel. So, if the teacher asked, tell me the rule, I’d likely have climbed on my soapbox and said, “Rules? I’m a free man! Your stinkin’ rules don’t apply to me! Down with the rules! Write free or die!” Yeah, I was a bit of an asshole. No wonder I didn’t learn much.
Was that evasiveness squirmy enough?
“A compound modifier is made up of two or more words that work together to function like one adjective in describing a noun. When you connect words with a hyphen, you make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.”
That’s the rule of which you speak. I have, in fact, done some reading on the internet to better understand the world of hyphenation. I can’t promise to be error-free in the future, but at least I’ll be paying more attention.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/July/2024 @ 8:04 am
See, I’ve never been taught (or never learned may be more accurate) the mechanics of writing verse. I just regurgitate the words in my head onto paper. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/July/2024 @ 7:46 am
Hmm, I said ACBD, meaning I like rhyming the first, third, second, and fourth lines in my normal stanza.
I need to go back into my memory box and re-read some of my old poems when all I cared about was expressing the angst and emotions of a young man.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 10:00 am
Well, duh…that’s what Grammarly told me to say…
But seriously, I just now went back and looked again, trying to keep the phrasal adjective rule in mind. Using that standard (to the extent I understand it), I’d add a hyphen on #6 and #9. I’m on the fence about #1 and #4.
It could be I’m hopeless.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 9:16 am
Kev, I feel like the worst student in your English 101 class. Your explanation about phrasal adjectives preceding nouns makes sense. I will strive to do better in the future, sir. And yes, when I saw that punctuation poster, I knew the comma description would trigger your wrath! Hell, if commas were only about a pause, I might get them right occasionally.
I’m glad you liked the poem. I didn’t put a lot of work into it. Just some words that kind of rhyme in the right places. I’d never even heard of “iambic pentameter,” so I guess I got lucky with that second verse line. I usually prefer an acbd rhyme scheme, but I kept it easy and simple. Anyway, I won’t be quitting my day job. And no, neither Swan nor anything else inspires me to poetry these days. I left those creative urges behind with my twenties. I just couldn’t ignore your challenge with this latest effort.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 9:01 am
To hyphenate or not to hyphenate—is that the question? Let me shake my spear and take a guess. Hmm, how about a rainy-day hyphen on #3 and #8?
Honestly, I think hyphens should be discretionary. Use ’em when you want, don’t if you won’t. It’s not like those fuckin’ commas where the rules are set in stone, and only the ignorant among us continually get it wrong. Or maybe I’m just apathetic.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 8:36 am
Welcome back, Thompson. I’ve been wondering what’s been happening with you. It sounds like you are lucky to be alive–if the booze don’t kill you, the ex will! I hope you figure out what to do about her before you wake up dead one of these mornings.
They say that “he who flies highest, falls farthest” – and who am I to argue? But we can’t forget that “he who doesn’t flap his wings, never flies at all”.
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 8:22 am
Life is for learning, Drain. Not that I ever remember life’s lessons. I’m never on time because I can’t punctuate!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/July/2024 @ 8:19 am
Mike, what makes you think I know English? You’ve seen my error-filled posts!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/July/2024 @ 9:37 am
Kev, yes, good things come in small packages. Swan is the tiniest Filipina I’ve been with. There are definitely some F-150s here as well.
This monsoon is being fueled by an offshore typhoon, which makes it stronger than usual. Normally, we get three or four hours of heavy rain with some breaks. We are now on day three of nonstop downpours.
When I moved here, I was shocked at the lack of flood prevention infrastructure. The roads aren’t even crowned, for Chrissakes. A year or two ago, they did major drainage work on the National Highway. You saw the pictures. If anything, it made the flooding worse. I guess there is just more water than room for it to drain.
And yes, the umbrellas did not prevent us from getting soaked to the skin. There is some comfort derived when the rain isn’t pounding directly on your head, but it is not about staying dry.
We avoided wading through puddles as much as possible for that very reason–who knows what kind of shit is in that water. I’ve never got any rashes, but I’ve heard stories of people swimming the bay (especially after a storm) experiencing some ill effects.
Quenching my appetite had a creative ring to it, and it was less cliche than satiate. That’s the thanks I get!
I just checked Sinise’s Wikipedia page. He’s a fellow traveler born in 1955. It doesn’t look like he’s done anything new since 2020. Maybe he’ll be joining that new conservative production studio.
What? Are you saying I’m ignorant or apathetic when it comes to grammar? (insert punchline)
I probably haven’t written a poem in fifty years, but I did write some pretty bad shit in my youth. So, I wasted some precious minutes of my life this morning and wrote a shit poem for old time’s sake. I’ll post it on the blog today.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/July/2024 @ 9:36 am
Brian, I agree that doing drugs and stupid shit like that are the individual’s responsibility. Escaping poverty and other barriers to success are what makes you who you are. You can overcome or you can surrender. Up to you.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/July/2024 @ 8:20 am
Vance’s story is one I can relate to on a certain level. I grew up working-class in a middle-class community. The kids mocked me for the crap house we lived in and hand-me-down clothes that I wore. Hell, I remember my sixth-grade teacher laughing at my shoes once. In seventh-grade, my math teacher admonished me that if I didn’t focus in class, I’d wind up selling jello out of a truck just like my father (he was a route salesman; jello was just one of the items he supplied). Anyway, I’m no JD Vance, but I respect his achievements.
Everybody’s so different, I haven’t changed.
Semi-colon instead of comma?» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/July/2024 @ 8:05 am
Yeah, I don’t proof-read my headlines as well as I should… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/July/2024 @ 10:05 pm
Kev, Man, I must have been de-hyphen-ated for some reason yesterday. I’m just getting sloppier and sloppier in my old-age ramblings. I’ll try and do better.
I imagine using that “fuck” chart would get most teachers fired. Or maybe they wouldn’t give a shit.
Cheers!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/July/2024 @ 7:19 am
Oh my, Drain. I’d totally missed that. And yes, I know the difference between founder and flounder. There is something fishy about flounder for sure. Is it too late for me to through my hat into the ring for President? I’m obviously qualified…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/July/2024 @ 7:13 am
They oyster blade steak was good, especially at half the price of a ribeye. Nice to have options!
We just skipped those two streets this week. Felt bad for the kids…we’ll try and hit them first next time…
Stay dry!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/July/2024 @ 8:10 am
Mike, I’d never heard of it, that’s for sure. When you think about it, Mexican innards in an Indian samosa is a pretty creative idea. Swan enjoyed them.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/July/2024 @ 7:37 am
Brian, yes, I’ve had Indian food in the past, although it is not one of my favorites. I just didn’t make the Indian connection with the samosa taco.
I admit I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food. I gravitate to my American favorites, Mexican, Korean, and an occasional outlier like Thai. I’d need someone saying, “Dude, you gotta try this!” to eat something unfamiliar.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/July/2024 @ 7:35 am
Kev, okay, I didn’t make the Indian connection. Samosas were in the Mexican food portion of the menu, and I don’t recall any other Indian options on offer. Oddly enough, quite a few venues offer “pasties” here, including some that feature them. Obviously, they cater to the British expat market, but they are always called and advertised as pies. The most popular place is called “Fred’s Pies.”
Yep, it was a sweet and succulent Sunday at John’s Steak and Sushi!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/July/2024 @ 7:28 am
Upward and onward to higher steaks
Welcome to my world, Drain!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/July/2024 @ 7:29 am
DS, yep, you are right and I was wrong. I’ve never been to Guam, but if I’m ever on Guam I’ll post to let everyone know I’m in Guam.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/July/2024 @ 2:42 pm
Mike, Ha! Ha! Busted! Yeah, I meant calamari. My helper called them squid rings, so I thought maybe it was a Filipino rendering. When I asked Swan what they were called, she didn’t hesitate to say calamari.
See what I get for trying to adhere to the culture? 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/July/2024 @ 8:14 am
Wow! That’s an amazing sandwich. When will these food videos start offering a taste option?
It’s hard to explain why I continually insert unneeded
apostrophe’sapostrophes. Is it ignorance or apathy? I don’t know, and I don’t care! Actually, it is just sloppiness. I noticed the error the moment you pointed it out. I’ll try and do better.» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/July/2024 @ 8:10 am
That sounds pretty much spot on, Drain. Thanks for sharing these insights. Aine’s just a bargirl to me, but Swan considered her a friend, which makes this behavior even more unacceptable. Still, it is better to know the truth than pretend to maintain a faux friendship.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/July/2024 @ 8:52 am
Kev, no idea what killed that guy, but it does seem life expectancy here amongst Filipinos is low. Probably a combination of living in poverty and lack of access to quality healthcare.
No, those are water lines in the litter alley. They are like garden hoses and seem to be the standard delivery system in poorer neighborhoods. I hadn’t noticed the dog shit in that other alley. It is so ubiquitous it just seems natural. I’m fortunate to avoid stepping in those piles most of the time.
Thanks for the lesson on compound subjects and singularity. I don’t recall seeing it explained that way before, but it does make sense. I didn’t really think about it when I wrote the sentence in question; it just sounded right. Looking back at what I wrote, my point was Swan likes sand and wine–but not in the same glass. Doesn’t that make a case for plurality?
Perhaps Aine will apologize, and I’d likely forgive her. But I see her in a different light now; whatever connection I once felt is gone. I won’t be rude like she was, but as far as I’m concerned, she’s just another face in the bar. I also have lots of other drama-free bars to choose from.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/July/2024 @ 8:11 am
Terry, yes, those blue hoses are water lines. I see them all over, even up in the hills.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/July/2024 @ 7:46 am
Doctor, doctor, give me the news
Thanks, Kevin. Didn’t recognize the actress, but beauty transcends memory loss. And they can all be porn stars in our imagination!
Yes, it feels good to feel good again. I want to stay on this road as far as it goes!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/July/2024 @ 8:14 am
Kev, actually, I was unaware of her name or her life as a porn star. I had no idea you were a fan!
I suppose you have to have the occasional bad dining experience to appreciate the good ones all the more. It’s all part of the adventure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/July/2024 @ 7:51 am
I’d already paid to get in, so I had to eat to get my money back. Crazy how they forgot “customer” in customer service.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/July/2024 @ 7:36 am
«« Back To Stats PageThat will make some kids happy for sure. See ya!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/July/2024 @ 2:25 pm