Scott Adams (Dilbert) has some tips about writing. Good ones. If everybody really learned this in school, reading would be much more of a pleasure. Most books and articles are too long and too confusing.
I think I'm avoiding that. At least I know I always try. One reason is that I'm too lazy to write a hundred words if I can do it with fifty. Another one is that I want to get my point across if I do the work, otherwise it's wasted.
If you're reading a meaty whodunnit, then surely you want a little confusion.
ReplyDeleteI like some books because they use the extra three of four adjectives for every article.
If you are reading a technical specification, you want it terse, complete and unambiguous.
good . point
ReplyDeleteIf you're reading a meaty whodunnit, then surely you want a little confusion.
ReplyDeleteCorrect Mr Alex. In agreement with you totally. Take a bow, pick up a few of the flowers and let the bikini babe lead you off the stage.
Smile. You are right here. Bye Bye.
Aha, that could be why I have such trouble writing long fiction!
ReplyDeleteWho said this pearl? "Had I more time I would have written less." I used attribute it to Mark Twain...
ReplyDeleteThere's a time and a place for everything, including different styles of writing. If your intention is to persuade something short and easy to follow is an excellent choice. If your wish is to intrigue and entertain something a bit more showy is in order. ;)
ReplyDelete"Take a bow, pick up a few of the flowers and let the bikini babe lead you off the stage."
ReplyDeleteCan I have her number? Please?
I'll bring her roses. A big, red bouquet.
[If you have something important to say in brief, say it by haiku.]
She's my babe - hands off!
ReplyDeleteHer? She's the village bicycle!
ReplyDeleteI've got a bike
ReplyDeleteYou can ride it if you like
It's got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could
But I borrowed it
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"Her? She's the village bicycle!"
In every village there's an anonymous libeller...
I wonder whether the idiot is going to show up on this thread?
Nope. I don't intend to show up.
ReplyDeleteOops! D'oh!
ReplyDeleteCan I have her number? Please?
ReplyDeleteI'll bring her roses. A big, red bouquet.
1-800-Pascal-Rocks!
eolake said...
ReplyDeleteAha, that could be why I have such trouble writing long fiction!
you can do it baby, i believe in you!
Pascal needs to get a sense of humour. Being a humourless, pedantic, pretentious poseur must get tiring after a while!
ReplyDelete"Cobol said...
ReplyDeletePascal needs to get a sense of humour."
Cool idea. Where can I find one of those Mr Kobold? Are they expensive?
I wuz told once I should get some common sense. Are they sold at the same place? Im not very rich.
ReplyDeleteIs that what passes for wit where you're from, Pascal? I think your choice of alias tells us a LOT about your personality and intellect - and not in the way you'd hoped.
ReplyDeleteIs that what passes for wit where you're from, Pascal?
ReplyDeleteGive the girl a break. She lives in Lebanon the land of blood and guns. I mean, come on, they have nothing over there.
Let them be. Life sucks for those poor people.
"I think your choice of alias tells us a LOT about your personality and intellect - and not in the way you'd hoped."
ReplyDeleteHaha! As does yours, my friend. Really, why the need to judge another's taste in humor simply because it doesn't suit you? It would be far more constructive to deal with the issues that cause you to lash out. As an added bonus you'd get more done in the time you'd normally spend judging others.
Not that I think you'll listen, it's just a good thing to keep in mind. Best of luck to you.
"Is that what passes for wit where you're from, Pascal?"
ReplyDeleteOuch. That hurt. Genuinely painful.
"Give the girl a break."
Again with the gender confusion?!?!? (:-O
Double ouch. I'm bleeding. Literally. I'm gonna need a mop to clean up the splatter.
Oh, incidentally? I dunno if I already mentioned this, but I'm not using an ALIAS. That's my name up there. And I've heard all the jokes about it (yawn). Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Anonymous. Very symbolic monicker you have there.
Now, may I be excused? I need to go sit in the cinders and think long and hard about how my sense of humour, or rather lack of, is offensive to others. Maybe I'll also shave my head and sleep amidst the pungent goats for seven days. That'd teach me to insult the Holy Vein of Jokular (Viking god of laughter and twin brother of Loki, but of course you knew that).
Incidentally, I think Jokular wielded the legendary Peaceful Blade when he single-handedly prevented the happening of Ragnarok by lightening the atmosphere after Thor had filled it with lightning.
Oops! There I go again, blatantly disregarding the original topic of this thread. Triple ouch from myself! And sterrrrike!
I'm out. Boo-hoo.
Serves me well!
Um... was it something I said?
ReplyDeleteUsually, when there's a fight, they say it's because of something I said. Or didn't say. Which is very confusing.
Don't worry, V.I., it's not about you, it's about me. Or about some people believing that I'm you. Or that you're me. But I don't want to confuse you any more.
ReplyDeleteAh, let it go, he's allays tahking outta his ass. Let's have a beer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems words can't hurt you, Mr Pascal, but I bet I can. I'll see you after school.
ReplyDeleteBe there, or be the square root of Pi!
Square root of... of PI?!?
ReplyDeleteAAARRRGH!!! That's IT! I've never been so insulted in my whole miserable existence. S&S, you're DEAD!
But let's make this quick, shall we? I'm due for a refreshing beer with a friend right afterwards.
Pie? Excellent idea. Coffee too.
ReplyDeletePascal's totally a chick. Probably a butch chick, but still a chick.
ReplyDeleteCobol said...
ReplyDeletePascal needs to get a sense of humour. Being a humourless, pedantic, pretentious poseur must get tiring after a while!
Pascal may have been the pretentious poseur, 1's based arrays, and strict type checking, but COBOL was the pedantic one. Column sensitive coding! Come on, and what's with this "PRINT WITH NO ADVANCING". Of course I'm speaking of the older COBOL and late 80's Pascal.
They both have their failings, but I'd rather use these over Perl or TCL any day.
oh Pascal, I can hardly take another minute of this party...
ReplyDeleteTake my arm my handsome,
the moon is out, there's a lovely path down by the lake.
That-does-compute [BEEP!].
ReplyDeleteI'll be right over, Laurie. Before Anonymous asks me out "as a chick, because butch is his type".
Butch? I wish! If only I had muscles like this chick, I wouldn't need the willpower to work out.
Still, for a guy, I look rather nice. At my age, most Lebanese men have a gut like a 7-month pregnancy. Must be the effects of marriage.
I have this theory, that oriental women in their traditional societies show their love through food and cooking. And that married men become huge because the wife desperately tries to compete with the mother-in-law's love. A hopeless aim: as long as the mother's breathing, she's victorious. Whole encyclopedias could be written on the topic. For now, it's starting, with books that are beginning to scratch the surface.
I'm due for a refreshing beer with a friend right afterwards.
ReplyDeleteHey Pascal, I know you're a man and a very nice peace-loving individual (though we disagree on some biblical issues) I still respect you as an intelligent human being and loving soul with only decent intentions towards your fellowmen.
I'd love to have a drink with you (though I'd prefer a diet mountain dew lol.)
I'm proud to have you as my friend. I'm one American citizen male that has learned through the internet and Eolake's great blog that decent men and women inhabit the whole world. And I hope you and Laurie have a pleasant evening out together as friends.
It makes me sad that certain people feel like they have to hurl insults at others simply because they "have" no life.
I seek peace not only in my own life but with those around me. I guess that's why I respect Eolake just as much because the man is honest and extremely respectful with all just like you my Lebanese friend.
I'm glad you and Eolake are my cyber friends across the vast ocean. It's an honor to know both of you men.
You're very kind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the vote of confidence, Terry. I'd feel very sorry about myself if I could only befriend people with whom I totally and always agree. I'd feel... narrow-minded.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll still want to be friends with me after you read the shocking revelations of my -not NEARLY- full recent confession on this thread. ;-)
Warning, not for the faint-hearted! There are some very difficult things to read there. :-)
I hope you'll still want to be friends with me after you read the shocking revelations of my -not NEARLY- full recent confession on this thread. ;-) Pascal said.
ReplyDeleteYes, of course I still want to remain friends with you Pascal. There are times when you are unfairly judged and ridiculed. That's not right. And there have been times when Eolake has been labled a racist (which is totally ridiculous) the man is not a racist nor is he even close to it.
I have discovered in my travels that some people are just plain cruel and subhuman. You men are just the opposite.
I admire your dedication as a physician and your enduring hardship in Lebanon. It takes a "real" man to endure such afflictions especially in a wore-torn country.
And I don't like it when people refer to Domai as a "porn" sight. Domai is what beautiful female nudes (art) is all about. It's the best on the internet period.
Please know that I care about you not just as a physician but also as a man. I'm glad too that Eolake knows the difference between pure female art and pornagraphy.
It does bother me when people put my friends down. Also I want to thank Eolake for running a post on the time travel issue.
TTL made some very valid points and so did many others. Be well my friends.
Thak you so much, Terry. You're sincere, loyal, and a true friend.
ReplyDeleteAnd do not worry yourself: the worst thing that could happen to me, perhaps, would be to get no more criticism. Every time I get some, it just stimulates my (alledgedly absent) sense of humour, and I end up having great fun!
Too much fun, perhaps. Maybe this should become a concern to me?
Naaaaah! ;-)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteEolake must protect the dolt Pascal. Eolake, why aren't you removing many of Pascal's embarrassingly bad puns and other jokes (which are so damaging to him)? Maybe because you two are so alike - talentless, pretentious fools who have absolutely nothing going for them. You might even BE Pascal!
ReplyDeleteAw, piss off.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I think you should delete that last anonymous comment. The guy's got some problems. It's funny how this went so off topic and degenerated into a big Pascal circle boot.
ReplyDeleteWhy all the hate, all the anger?
ReplyDeleteJoe Dick's right, this shouldn't be about me, it wastes the point.
End of thread. Nighty-night, children.