Hello, everyone! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas holiday and is prepared to ring in the New Year tonight. As I do with many of my posts, I am going to provide somewhat of a rant on a certain topic - a topic which you may or may not have guessed by this post's title, my opening statement, or today's date - but here it goes.
As we bring in the New Year I would like to attempt to bring in with it a new manner of speaking. It is not a dialect issue so much as it is a phonetic number reading. I would say American society is split almost down the middle with the way we have been saying the date, starting in the year 2000, and I'd like to bring that other group over to my side, now that we're approaching a year that no longer contains the double zero.
I think it would be silly to continue on this path of saying each number in the date's year by itself, as we did from 2001 through 2009 (read: two-thousand one through two-thousand nine). I let that go because as I mentioned we all changed once 2000 hit and it was okay for the past ten years - plus I was less crotchety in those days than I am today ;). What I would like everyone to go to is back to the way it was, where we said the first two numbers of the date's year as a whole, and the last two as a whole, starting in 2010 (read: twenty ten). i really don't want to hear any more "two-thousand ten".. So if everyone could just start saying this properly, that'd be great.
Here's the logic. Since there were four digits, man has always said it with this rhythm. Think back to your history classes when you were discussing Viking quests in the year 1015 (or whatever the hell happened that year, in my school we weren't required to remember dates). No one said "one-thousand fifteen." You said, "ten fifteen," which is the way it should be. So if history repeats itself, which it often does, we should just take it back to saying the date correctly.
My other point of logic is if we don't change it in 2010, where does it stop? How silly will we all sound (or our grandchildren) if they're saying, "Man I can't wait for two-thousand one hundred twenty-six (2126)", or even, "two-thousand eighty-five (2085)". just say "twenty-one twenty-six" as if you were saying "nineteen twenty-six" for 1926, or "twenty eighty-five" for 2085. I think crime rates will reduce if we all revert back.
If I haven't convinced you by now that you should be saying twenty ten (2010) properly, then consider this. Most of us speak lazily by nature - it is part of being American. So by saying "twenty" instead of "two-thousand and" or even "two-thousand", you are saving at least one syllable... imagine how much more productive (OR counter-productive, for you slackers) you could be by skipping that syllable or two every time!
Happy New Year, everyone! Have a wonderful and safe night and may your twenty-ten be filled with joy and success!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
In the Land of Make Believe
I know who my remaining two-person audience is (thank you for your patronage), and they both have 2 children, so I will cater to their reading needs here.
My only nephew and first godson lost a tooth this week... pretty exciting stuff. He is 6 years old and this is his first of many lost teeth. I can remember I was in 8th grade when I lost my last baby tooth, so that probably explains why I had such a jacked up grill, pre-braces. I hope that doesn't happen to my little buddies, but I suppose that Nathan is off to a good start.
It's an exciting time in a little fellas life and maybe a shot-in-the-arm to the parents who realize their spawn are growing up right before their very eyes... but, hey, that's what they do. As fun as it is to have a visit from the tooth fairy who for some ungodly reason leaves money under your pillow in exchange for your steadily-decaying tooth, I just hope it is not an equally traumatizing experience. Maybe a child's brain doesn't process all of the details when they're so excited for that payday, but my 28-year-old brain wonders, "hey, how did this thing get into my house? how did it get under my pillow without me noticing? why does it want my stinky old, bloody tooth?" Have you ever looked at a baby tooth that has fallen out? It's weird looking - no root system, a giant cavernous underside... kind of freaky, really. But let's not jump off topic here. I think I just have to shut down the logical half of my brain and let the kids enjoy the prize... I just hope I don't ruin the fun when I have kids of my own someday.
Speaking of ruining the fun... what is the appropriate age and time of year to break the news to junior that there is no Santa Claus. This time of year is so full of cheer and spirit and I honestly do love that. I love how kids get excited for the jolly old fat man to deliver each and every one of them presents on the same night. I'm not so fond of the tradition of putting kids on the laps of creepy old regular men who pose as Santa for photographs - we may have to eschew that pastime?? Anyway, the same thoughts run through my head that I think escape those of the little babes - "how did this guy get into my house when I don't have a chimney? how does he deliver all these toys in one night? how did his elves make and assemble an Xbox360 when they sell them right at Best Buy down the street?" Again, the excitement and the lack of formal education hinder this line of questioning from entering a child's mind. But you have to understand that they will figure it out one day and ask the questions. So... when do you tell them? When they're 8,9, 10 years old? Do you wait for them to ask? Do you let a classmate or (as was my case) an older sibling tell them and then when they come crying to you say, "Oh yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that."
I suppose the proper time to break the news is at the same time you tell them that the Easter Bunny and tooth fairy aren't real... might as well get all of the disappointment over at once. So here's my proposal: plan on telling them after that last baby tooth comes out. By then, they'll probably already have heard from someone else and save you the agony. If not, there you go. If this time falls right before Christmas, I pity you.
Luckily my little nephew lost his first, not his last, right before Christmas, so the little copper-topped guy is in for a very exciting (and profitable) week, I imagine.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
My only nephew and first godson lost a tooth this week... pretty exciting stuff. He is 6 years old and this is his first of many lost teeth. I can remember I was in 8th grade when I lost my last baby tooth, so that probably explains why I had such a jacked up grill, pre-braces. I hope that doesn't happen to my little buddies, but I suppose that Nathan is off to a good start.
It's an exciting time in a little fellas life and maybe a shot-in-the-arm to the parents who realize their spawn are growing up right before their very eyes... but, hey, that's what they do. As fun as it is to have a visit from the tooth fairy who for some ungodly reason leaves money under your pillow in exchange for your steadily-decaying tooth, I just hope it is not an equally traumatizing experience. Maybe a child's brain doesn't process all of the details when they're so excited for that payday, but my 28-year-old brain wonders, "hey, how did this thing get into my house? how did it get under my pillow without me noticing? why does it want my stinky old, bloody tooth?" Have you ever looked at a baby tooth that has fallen out? It's weird looking - no root system, a giant cavernous underside... kind of freaky, really. But let's not jump off topic here. I think I just have to shut down the logical half of my brain and let the kids enjoy the prize... I just hope I don't ruin the fun when I have kids of my own someday.
Speaking of ruining the fun... what is the appropriate age and time of year to break the news to junior that there is no Santa Claus. This time of year is so full of cheer and spirit and I honestly do love that. I love how kids get excited for the jolly old fat man to deliver each and every one of them presents on the same night. I'm not so fond of the tradition of putting kids on the laps of creepy old regular men who pose as Santa for photographs - we may have to eschew that pastime?? Anyway, the same thoughts run through my head that I think escape those of the little babes - "how did this guy get into my house when I don't have a chimney? how does he deliver all these toys in one night? how did his elves make and assemble an Xbox360 when they sell them right at Best Buy down the street?" Again, the excitement and the lack of formal education hinder this line of questioning from entering a child's mind. But you have to understand that they will figure it out one day and ask the questions. So... when do you tell them? When they're 8,9, 10 years old? Do you wait for them to ask? Do you let a classmate or (as was my case) an older sibling tell them and then when they come crying to you say, "Oh yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that."
I suppose the proper time to break the news is at the same time you tell them that the Easter Bunny and tooth fairy aren't real... might as well get all of the disappointment over at once. So here's my proposal: plan on telling them after that last baby tooth comes out. By then, they'll probably already have heard from someone else and save you the agony. If not, there you go. If this time falls right before Christmas, I pity you.
Luckily my little nephew lost his first, not his last, right before Christmas, so the little copper-topped guy is in for a very exciting (and profitable) week, I imagine.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Brrrr...
Hey, guys! Sorry it has been a while since my last update. Although it is getting pretty chilly outside, things have been heating up at CJ Architects (don't forget to check out that blog as well!). Although that is a really good thing, it has hindered my available time for blogging.
If you didn't already know, I moved the operation of my little company into my 2nd bedroom at home. Don't worry - there is still a couch and room for an inflatable mattress for whomever wants to come visit! I made this leap because at the time business was really slow and I was paying rent in an office that I was afraid I was going to be unable to afford if business didn't pick up. I bought a nice new printer and set up shop here at the homestead. I would say that the only problem is that we have radiator heat and its an old uninsulated building, so it gets mighty chilly during the weekdays. They runt he boilers more at night when everyone is at home - so they aren't accounting for the work-at-home crowd, the retired older ladies across the hall and downstairs, or the annoyingly noisy people upstairs who seem to rearrange their furniture on a daily basis. But with the freedom and flexibility I have afforded myself, I really have no complaints.
So in case you're wondering, I basically have 3 clients right now. Hmmm, "why are you so busy, Chris?" you may be asking... good question! One client is my old boss who throws me drafting work from time to time - bread and butter, baby. Another client is a contractor who is building an addition in Wilmette (an affluent North Suburb) and needed an architectural design. That has been going well, the homeowners are happy, and the finished product will most likely be a portfolio piece for me. My third client is my most lucrative. I responded to an online ad for a busy general contractor who needed an architect - not a staff position, but a go-to guy. Well, as it turns out, they are very busy and "go-to" me quite often. We currently have 6 projects together all at different stages - 3 additions and 3 renovations, all residential. it is really good work and I have been fun designing, managing, and drafting - you know, architecture! they pay well and fast and I can only hope that this one-month-plus relationship only continues for awhile to help me sustain financially while I attempt to grow my business.
That really is all that has been going on, to speak of. Anything else that is minor I update on my facebook status. I had a great Thanksgiving and was happy to see friends and family while I was in town. It was a good time with Kristen's family too. Now we're looking ahead to Christmas... we will be coming in on the 25th and leaving the 27th. It's a rather quick stop again, but we hope to see as many friends and family as we can in that short time.
Well I guess that's about it... I haven't forgotten about my blog community and I will try to be better with the updates. I'd say after the New Year I might get back on track.
If you didn't already know, I moved the operation of my little company into my 2nd bedroom at home. Don't worry - there is still a couch and room for an inflatable mattress for whomever wants to come visit! I made this leap because at the time business was really slow and I was paying rent in an office that I was afraid I was going to be unable to afford if business didn't pick up. I bought a nice new printer and set up shop here at the homestead. I would say that the only problem is that we have radiator heat and its an old uninsulated building, so it gets mighty chilly during the weekdays. They runt he boilers more at night when everyone is at home - so they aren't accounting for the work-at-home crowd, the retired older ladies across the hall and downstairs, or the annoyingly noisy people upstairs who seem to rearrange their furniture on a daily basis. But with the freedom and flexibility I have afforded myself, I really have no complaints.
So in case you're wondering, I basically have 3 clients right now. Hmmm, "why are you so busy, Chris?" you may be asking... good question! One client is my old boss who throws me drafting work from time to time - bread and butter, baby. Another client is a contractor who is building an addition in Wilmette (an affluent North Suburb) and needed an architectural design. That has been going well, the homeowners are happy, and the finished product will most likely be a portfolio piece for me. My third client is my most lucrative. I responded to an online ad for a busy general contractor who needed an architect - not a staff position, but a go-to guy. Well, as it turns out, they are very busy and "go-to" me quite often. We currently have 6 projects together all at different stages - 3 additions and 3 renovations, all residential. it is really good work and I have been fun designing, managing, and drafting - you know, architecture! they pay well and fast and I can only hope that this one-month-plus relationship only continues for awhile to help me sustain financially while I attempt to grow my business.
That really is all that has been going on, to speak of. Anything else that is minor I update on my facebook status. I had a great Thanksgiving and was happy to see friends and family while I was in town. It was a good time with Kristen's family too. Now we're looking ahead to Christmas... we will be coming in on the 25th and leaving the 27th. It's a rather quick stop again, but we hope to see as many friends and family as we can in that short time.
Well I guess that's about it... I haven't forgotten about my blog community and I will try to be better with the updates. I'd say after the New Year I might get back on track.
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