Just Words...?

Last week a colleague asked me which form of the word through fit better in the context of what he was trying to say: 't-h-r-u' or 't-h-r-o-u-g-h'. In retrospect I feel bad for the kid, for I can only imagine the look of utter disbelief on my face. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and my jaw nearly hit the floor.

Don't get me wrong, I do not claim to have any authority what-so-ever when it comes to grammar. I am still a student, and always will be, when it comes to learning words and the proper use of them. But I was a bit dumbfounded at his question, and it got me thinking about the downfall of the English language.

I find it sad that words like "there" and "their" are used interchangeably, that "you're" becomes "your" and the difference between "then" and "than" is often overlooked. I can perhaps understand how homophones may get mixed up (seeing as how auto-correct doesn't pick up on them) but "you're" and "your" are not such. Neither are "lose" and "loose". Frankly, it gets to be irritating. 

The English spoken in the US is already a far cry from propriety when compared to its British counterpart. This lack of propriety, as it were, cannot be drawn from the fact that English has many an origin. This surely cannot be the reason for our sub-par jargon. Perhaps American English was intended to be this way seeing the rebellious nature of the Americans. But then again, could it be that what started off as replica of British English has evolved in this way because we as a culture have simply become lazy?


I do not doubt that the aforementioned laziness comes from the advent of word processors that made spell-check and correct grammar a no-brainer. By the same token, it comes as no surprise that the new age of technology has only made this negligence worse. With the exception, perhaps, of scholars and writers, chances are the common man is no longer stopping to consider his words.


Sadly, the problem that began with the word processors seems irreparable in this age of social media and text messaging.  Every text box on the web has auto spell correct, and text messaging has sprouted the emergence of unthinkable shorthand for an astounding number of words; many of which seem like gibberish to the inexperienced eye. Lets not forget twitter. The 'say what you need in 140 characters or less' phenomenon has made such shorthand a new vernacular all its own.


The ease of writing that comes with such applications seems to have made us all, to an extent, inept not only when it comes to basic language skills, but also propriety in correspondence, through the web, or otherwise. Over the years, with the convenience of e-mail making it the easiest way to communicate, it has become imperative that one know how to compose a proper e-mail depending on audience and intent. Unfortunately, year after year, an increasing number of students are graduating high-school, and college not knowing how to compose a formal e-mail. 


To top it all off, and to my horror, I discovered recently that dictionaries across the board are adding social media shorthand to their pages/databases. Whether this is an attempt to familiarize the masses with the new vernacular or simply cut down on the number of squiggly red lines under electronic text is a mystery to me; but, I wonder how this will affect the youth. I fear, will their vocabulary dwindle down to a messy concoction of three or four-letter alphabet soup with some basic terms and conjunctions thrown in the mix? If that is so, what is to be said then, for the future of the English language?

__


I'm no writer and do not have a Ph.D. in English; nor do I pretend to. I do however, get frustrated at the thought of having to commit a grammatical crime in trying to fit my tweets into 140 characters (not to say I haven't had to do it every now and then); and I DO go around Facebook wishing I could correct my friends' posts when they make spelling or grammatical mistakes. Being as I am, this whole incidence troubled me, to say the least. I can't help but wonder what will become of the world if any and all text-lingo is added to the dictionary. I cringe at the thought, and for now, pray to the grammar gods to delay this seeming inevitability as much as possible.

Push the Pedal Down...

[Inage courtesy adventuredrop.com]

There is nothing quite satisfying as a mid-summer late night drive, with the windows down and the soundtrack to your life pouring out from the speakers.


There's something about the open road and warm summer breeze that makes you feel uninhibited.


I don't quite know where my love of driving stems from. 


As a teenager all I wanted was a reason to escape the turmoil around me. Back then, it seemed a drive was the only thing that could physically remove me from any situation. It was the only time I could be alone with my thoughts - uninterrupted. 


You got a fast car, is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision. Leave tonight or live and die this way.


Over the years I became habituated to taking a drive each time I needed to clear my head or make big life decisions. Life and all of its uncertainty seemed to become clear, more manageable when sitting behind the wheel...as if I suddenly knew which direction to steer myself, what choices to make. 


...can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer.
...lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel.


There was also the music. As I am sure is the case for millions of others, so far as I'm concerned, driving and music go hand in hand. The car was the one place I could indulge in music without being questioned. My family always thought the intensity of my obsession with music was a bit much, that I should be employing my time and attention elsewhere (read: studying). So back then, driving also meant that I could satiate my need for music. Now, with adult responsibility eating up most of my day, it means having the time to take the music in, really listen to it, instead of simply hearing it. 


...Come on and we'll sing, like we were free.
Push the pedal down, watch the world around fly by us.
...And here we go, there's nothing left to lose.


Over the years driving has become less of an escape and more of a cherished pass-time. Whether its a long road trip out of town, or a quick drive to the grocery store, I simply love getting behind the wheel. 


I feel I am most myself when driving in perfect solitude. It is a time when I can cry my heart out, ponder my state of being, reminisce about years gone by, or have my own personal karaoke session (as tone-deaf as I may be) - whatever my mood. And the music is always there, of course, as per the mood. The best part of any drive, a faithful companion, to help calm my fears, or share in my joy & sorrow. 


...keepin' perfect rhythm with the song on the radio,
gotta keep rolling
...I'm driving my life away, looking for a better way...lookin' for a sunny day.


[Lyrics: Tracy Chapman,  Incubus, Mat Kearney & Alan Jackson]

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Religion and Spirituality

They say you should never talk about religion and politics. They are right. So I'll try to make this quick...


There is this little thing called "freedom of choice", and spirituality is a very personal journey; which is why I don't understand why people feel as though they have to throw in their two cents. 


I was raised in a fairly religious Hindu environment, and while my parents never limited my "worship" to just one God (as most Indian families have a single family deity they tend to worship over all the others), growing up, we pretty much followed all religious guidelines (however loosely; I believe we perhaps could have been much more strict about our practices as some are - to each his own). I remember  my dad, on numerous accounts, making me feel as though I was obligated to carry out specific religious practices. And I did, simply because I didn't know any better. Over the years however, I have had a very rocky journey with religion and spirituality.


Without getting into messy details, I feel as though I am now finally in a place where I am spiritually aware and have at last been able to detached myself from any rules and regulation set by religion. Never before have I felt more liberated and open-minded. Its not that I have become an atheist or have these radical idealistic views about "religion", but I have simply found a place where I am comfortable - in my own spirituality, and my own definition of god.


Its taken me 28 years to get here and I'm happy to have found a balance that fits me. No disrespect to the others, as I said, to each his own, but I wish I would not be judged. No, I am not the same "religious" me that I was some years ago. But I will not be made to feel ashamed, and I do not appreciate being coaxed into any ideas I cannot allow myself to follow.


Nothing good ever came of religion and politics. I will leave you to your views, and respect them all the same. All I ask is that you return the favor. 

Falls Park...A Wonderous Escape

If you've spoken to me in the past 2 weeks, you've heard me gush on and on about Falls Park. I've been to Greenville before, so was well aware that the city has much to offer by way of outdoor adventure. The city is small compared to the metropolitan giants in the neighboring states, but over the past few years, Greenville has become very industrial. Hence, I am quite surprised that it has been able to retain its artsy charm.


 My first weekend here, I went out looking for an adventure - a park, or hiking trail...this city is full of them!


What I found, was Falls Park on the Reedy River. The river cuts through the center of the city, and forced early settlers to simply build around it. In the middle of West Main Street, yet tucked away from the chaos of Downtown, I found a piece of serenity. The moment you descend the steps on the Main Street side or walk towards the overhang on the Falls Street side, you are transported to a peaceful oasis.


Initially, all I could do was look around and try to drink it all in (I soon realized how futile this exercise was), but as I trekked the paths, and discovered more facets of the park's beauty, the blooming photographer in me went wild...and so, my amateur attempt to capture nature's bounty....through a camera lens.


Disclaimer: Bare with me....there's a LOT...I couldn't stop clicking away (and to think, this is only HALF of them!)....Enjoy.


Disclaimer 2: If ya click on the 1st picture, you can look through them in slideshow mode. :)

Imagine sitting here...

...and looking out, at this. Could spend all day lost in a book...

Exquisite. 

 :)