Apparently I’m hooked on phonics.
That’s right. I learned to spell by sounding out the word, scratching down the corresponding letters, then sitting back satisfied that I spelled correctly.
Only, apparently, I didn’t. I don’t. Phonics doesn’t account for the differences between affect and effect. (Disclaimer: I don’t know that it’s actually Hooked on Phonics, but that’s what I like to call it).
I thought I had this deep, dark secret under control. The one that (I made up) went something like: ”my brain just can’t grasp the differences”, or “I forgot”, or “I was just typing too fast” (really I just choose whichever seems to make sense at the moment). But my mom politely outed me and the flaw in my elementary school teachings. It’s not my fault.
Mom Dot recently posted about this very topic…that and a couple of other things I do. In the Blog Pet Peeves post, there were lain 20 things that bloggers and blog readers dislike. So, in an effort to save us all some time and embarrassment, and to improve our relationship with a clearer understanding of each other (and because I’m guessing many of you have already seen this in my posts), I’ve decided to go ahead and point out my blogging flaws.
Check out the list, I’ll wait…….
Now, I’m almost guilty of #9, captchas. Admittedly I find myself squinting at the computer screen in an attempt to decipher a capital “J” from its lowercase companion. Apparently you’re supposed to determine which size of the obviously capital they’re using. If it’s as large as the definite “N” that’s listed, then it’s capital, but if it’s smaller, it’s supposed to be the lowercase “J”. Umm… really, I don’t have that much time. However. I am not a fan of spam. I did the next best thing to save my spam sanity and quizzed you instead (have you noticed that).
#14. Yep. Did that all last week. All. Last. Week. Thanks for putting up with my mood.
#15. What elementary school *did* I go to anyway! Sigh.
#16. This is where I’m drawing the line. I’m willing to admit my flaws. In fact, I admit them all over this blog. I’m even sometimes willing to admit my husband is right about might have a valid point about a thing or two….BUT, I’m going to use my dots. I love them. They give a dramatic pause. They show when my brain stutters (oh yes, not only does my brain not grasp the differences in spelling, but it also stutters…doesn’t yours?) I like them…they’re not going away…please get used to it.
As for my spelling, I’m working on it. I have a dictionary sitting next to me at this very moment. My next move…a good editor (see, dramatic pause).
How about you. What are your blog/writing pet peeves? Which are you guilty of?
{ 9 comments }
I’m an ellipses fool. Isn’t it nice that there’s an impressive sounding word for the …’s? I won’t give them up either. Especially in blog posts. In my professional writing I try to use them judiciously. I like ‘em. Of course, pet peeves are just that – pets of particular people. I hate when people use “your” when they mean “you’re” in the contracted form, but, hey, grammar is a tricky beast.
I do have to admit to being disappointed when I find a great blog and then the blogger rarely (sometimes never again) posts. The worst was a blog where the blogger did a post on “not being one of those bloggers who doesn’t keep blogging”. When I checked back they hadn’t posted in over six weeks. I did have to laugh. When you find a good blog, one that makes you think or laugh, it’s like making a new friend and you want the relationship to continue.
I’m laughing at the exclamation point. Sometimes it’s the way the person is in real life. You know the type – everything is simply fabulous!!!!!!!! Sometimes it’s charming, sometimes it comes across as utterly fake. But it is people behind the keyboards here and that means imperfections amidst the beauty.
Talon~ I too have run into those blogs where the writer has just disappeared. Or worse, I find a link that I really like and realize that the last thing published was in 2007. The fake people, yea…those are the hardest! But I do like the statement, “…that means imperfections amidst the beauty.” Isn’t that so true!
I completely agree about captchas. I only put up with them because I am highly devoted to networking with as many bloggers as I can that are willing to give and take in a blogging relationship. However if I was a less patient human, I would turn away immediately when I saw a captcha.
LOL @ #5. “Pictures of food that look like it was just barfed up.” I thought that I was the only one who thought that.
I don’t think that I am guilty of any of those faults yet. I just started blogging in January, so I haven’t had time to make any huge mistakes.
Captchas are the devil, that is why I turned mine off, and my spelling is so horrible. I need hooked on phonics.
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Trey~ Welcome and thank you for commenting! Barf pictures… yes, I try to be very careful about what pictures I post. That’s the last image anyone needs to keep in their ends…and you know it unwillingly stays there! Welcome to blogging. I’m coming over to check out your site.
Stesha~ Since I’ve done this anti-spam quiz, I have had NO spam (but I will now that I jinxed myself). I’m hopeful it’s not too much of an annoyance, but I couldn’t handle the spam any more! If nothing else, everyone will remember the name of the blog. LOL.
I hate when people post YOU TUBE music videos. I just hate that!
I love Barbara Swafford’s blog tips over at her blog………………………………………………………. (love those dots too!)
http://www.bloggingwithoutablog.com
Her blog tips rock!
I think your blog is f’ing great to!!! ;0
Kristi~ That is SO funny considering the next post is a You Tube video. LOL.
Jannie~ I read that from time to time too……………….Thanks for the reminder!
Liz~ LOL. It took me a minute to figure out what you said. I’m either getting slower in my old age or very, very tired.
Comments on this entry are closed.