1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. 2. Never use a long word where a short one will do. 3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. 4. Never use the passive where you can use the active. 5. Ne...
A college friend of mine credits the revolutionary 1986 video in which Run DMC and Aerosmith perform “Walk this Way” together with bringing down the Berlin Wall, but it wasn’t until grad school that I finally got to behold the thing for myself—and strange as it might seem, I can ac...
In the end, I decided to forgo the idea of having color in the first line. After all, there’s plenty of “colors” through the shades in the black-inked character strokes contrasting with the snow-white underside of the now scrap paper of a now defunct computer printout. Yes, I do ...
WordMeaning Aged Having lived for a long time. Elderly Relating to older persons, especially in terms of health or social status. Ancient Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence. Near Synonyms for Old WordMeaning Mature Fully developed physically and mentally; ripe. Senior...
I’m always one to wait until the dust of “Hurry, hurry! Gotta publish your list of best albums!” has passed in November and early December. After all, it would be a mistake for a music-minded outlet like this to solidify our choice albums, but miss out on the bounty that ...
I happen to be a talk my friend was giving on the 10th and at the end of the talk, he led everyone in a moment to remember Suicide Prevention Day by writing the word LOVE on our wrists. Some of the students at the talk asked if I had lost anyone to suicide, I have- unfortunately...
Ikura is the Japanese word for salmon roe, a great find at sushi bars, where hereabouts it can be often found as sashimi, wrapped ether in seaweed with a rice underlayer, or in a small cup of hollowed out cucumber. Sometimes it is served as a topping to a sushi roll. Once, I even...
Over the last few days, I received word that my nephew, Alan has died. This is such heart-breaking news. Like other members of my family, going back several generations, this young man struggled with substance abuse. That caused him to distance himself from his family and, I’m sure, ...
The head of a dog is more expressive than you think. If you say a word that he recognizes like his name or something you say often his ears will get up. His mouth is another good instruction. A mouth that is wide open to pant (喘气) with some sound suggests that the dog is happy...
Everything from a person of color to a female version and even a queer version of the character has been proposed by audiences. However, there has been notable resistance to the latter two ideas by those in charge of the casting. In fact, many big names within the industry have talked ...