Isaac came home yesterday and asked me if I knew what it sounded like when you repeated the name "Alexis" rapidly. I looked at him and shrugged unknowingly.
"AlexisAlexisAlexisAlexisAlexis." He shot out. My blank look continued. A grin spread across his face and he started, "AlexisAlexisAlexisIlikesexIlikesexIlikesex."
Ok, I admit it, I laughed before I asked how he happened upon such a charming discovery. He told me there's an Alexis in his class he was trying to annoy by saying her name over and over again when he noticed the similarity in phrasing. Since he didn't come home with a black eye I surmised he wisely opted not to share his enlightenment with the object of his annoyance/desire and commended him for such.
When he is old enough for car dates though, I think I will be glad enough we cannot afford to send him off in a Lexus.
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday 55& Da Count-More Good Words
FRIDAY 55
(in keeping with last week's theme of "wordplay," here is a conversation I had with Isaac this week.)
As we drove he said, "Hey Mom, the flagpole is erect. The flag is flaccid."
"Trying out some new words from sex ed are we?"
He grinned and nodded.
"You want one to go lay on your teacher?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Tumescence."
"What's that?"
"Pertaining to a swollen organ; maintaining an erection."
"Cool! Good word! Tuuuuuuumesssssscence."
(Feel free to add some more fun words again this week.)
DA COUNT
On Monday I briefly mentioned that my car's brakes decided to make some truly horrid noises over the weekend. You may recall from this summer that I had a less that satisfactory experience with the repair shop I went to for a new transmission. When that occurred I got in touch with my "inner Paul" (that side of my personality most influenced by my father, who has an exceedingly low tolerance for bovine scatology and a tremendously forceful manner of expressing such intolerance). I also informed Mr. Lime that under no circumstances would said repair shop ever be entrusted with one of my vehicles again. When my brakes began to make sounds like sandpaper, progressing quickly to metal grinding on metal, Mr. Lime informed me, "Since YOU don't like our shop YOU'LL have to go find one you DO like and figure out how to get the car there and pay for it." His tone led me to think he was not only washing his hands of the entire situation but hoping I'd fail.
However, I knew exactly where I intended to take the van and did so the next day. I was not able to get it there until 2:30 in the afternoon though since that was the earliest I could find someone willing to bring me back home and I was then going to have to go about taxiing the progeny in Mr. Lime's truck (he took his bike to work). Around 3:30 the shop called me but I could not take it while I was on the road. I called them back around 4:00. They told me I needed brakes and rotors and asked if I wanted it that day or could it wait until the next day. I said it would be very helpful if it were done today but I realized it was getting close to quitting time and I didn't want to pressure them. They said they'd see what they could do. At 5:03 I got a call, "Ma'am, this is the shop. Would you believe me if I told you your car is ready? We are closing in 15 minutes but if you are able to come we will stay open long enough for you to pick it up."
I was quite pleased with not only a 2 and a half hour turn around time but the accommodation for my convenience and the friendly manner in which it was all provided. I got myself down to the shop and walked in on the big, burly manager having a phone conversation which he ended with, "Ok, see you when I get home. I love you." It's not directly related to car service but when the guy got off the phone I announced, "That's what I like to hear!" He looked kind of confused and asked, "What?" I said it was very encouraging to hear him tell his wife he loved her. He blushed a little and let me know that no matter who is talking to in his family he ends his phone calls that way because....I finished his sentence, "It could be the last thing they hear from you." His face brightened and he nodded emphatically before noting that in all his years working there no customer ever noticed or commented on that before but he had taken lots of ribbing from coworkers (not that he cared in the least). I just told him he made my day because I got good service, from friendly and seemingly competent people after a totally crap experience at my last shop, AND I got to witness a guy being good to his wife. He beamed and thanked me for the business and the compliment.
So this week I am counting unexpected good words. I also want to encourage all of you to be generous with your words, whether with loved ones or just people you encounter in your daily business.
Feel free to let me know when a good word took you by surprise and made your day.
(in keeping with last week's theme of "wordplay," here is a conversation I had with Isaac this week.)
As we drove he said, "Hey Mom, the flagpole is erect. The flag is flaccid."
"Trying out some new words from sex ed are we?"
He grinned and nodded.
"You want one to go lay on your teacher?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Tumescence."
"What's that?"
"Pertaining to a swollen organ; maintaining an erection."
"Cool! Good word! Tuuuuuuumesssssscence."
(Feel free to add some more fun words again this week.)
DA COUNT
On Monday I briefly mentioned that my car's brakes decided to make some truly horrid noises over the weekend. You may recall from this summer that I had a less that satisfactory experience with the repair shop I went to for a new transmission. When that occurred I got in touch with my "inner Paul" (that side of my personality most influenced by my father, who has an exceedingly low tolerance for bovine scatology and a tremendously forceful manner of expressing such intolerance). I also informed Mr. Lime that under no circumstances would said repair shop ever be entrusted with one of my vehicles again. When my brakes began to make sounds like sandpaper, progressing quickly to metal grinding on metal, Mr. Lime informed me, "Since YOU don't like our shop YOU'LL have to go find one you DO like and figure out how to get the car there and pay for it." His tone led me to think he was not only washing his hands of the entire situation but hoping I'd fail.
However, I knew exactly where I intended to take the van and did so the next day. I was not able to get it there until 2:30 in the afternoon though since that was the earliest I could find someone willing to bring me back home and I was then going to have to go about taxiing the progeny in Mr. Lime's truck (he took his bike to work). Around 3:30 the shop called me but I could not take it while I was on the road. I called them back around 4:00. They told me I needed brakes and rotors and asked if I wanted it that day or could it wait until the next day. I said it would be very helpful if it were done today but I realized it was getting close to quitting time and I didn't want to pressure them. They said they'd see what they could do. At 5:03 I got a call, "Ma'am, this is the shop. Would you believe me if I told you your car is ready? We are closing in 15 minutes but if you are able to come we will stay open long enough for you to pick it up."
I was quite pleased with not only a 2 and a half hour turn around time but the accommodation for my convenience and the friendly manner in which it was all provided. I got myself down to the shop and walked in on the big, burly manager having a phone conversation which he ended with, "Ok, see you when I get home. I love you." It's not directly related to car service but when the guy got off the phone I announced, "That's what I like to hear!" He looked kind of confused and asked, "What?" I said it was very encouraging to hear him tell his wife he loved her. He blushed a little and let me know that no matter who is talking to in his family he ends his phone calls that way because....I finished his sentence, "It could be the last thing they hear from you." His face brightened and he nodded emphatically before noting that in all his years working there no customer ever noticed or commented on that before but he had taken lots of ribbing from coworkers (not that he cared in the least). I just told him he made my day because I got good service, from friendly and seemingly competent people after a totally crap experience at my last shop, AND I got to witness a guy being good to his wife. He beamed and thanked me for the business and the compliment.
So this week I am counting unexpected good words. I also want to encourage all of you to be generous with your words, whether with loved ones or just people you encounter in your daily business.
Feel free to let me know when a good word took you by surprise and made your day.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Friday 55 & Da Count-Words
FRIDAY 55
Speak these words instead of reading them.
Ignore meanings.
bubbles nipples sparkle purple giggle
noodle google sizzle skittles poodle
percolator glockenspiel linoleum unibrow refrigerator
guacamole microwave smidgen doughnuts hallelujah
gorilla monkey moose kiwi chinchilla
spongy crunchy smooth bouncy slushy
toaster butter fig cheesy coffee
pants beans goose five fruit shrubs
How did they feel or sound?
Speak these words instead of reading them.
Ignore meanings.
bubbles nipples sparkle purple giggle
noodle google sizzle skittles poodle
percolator glockenspiel linoleum unibrow refrigerator
guacamole microwave smidgen doughnuts hallelujah
gorilla monkey moose kiwi chinchilla
spongy crunchy smooth bouncy slushy
toaster butter fig cheesy coffee
pants beans goose five fruit shrubs
How did they feel or sound?
DA COUNT
Words are really rather amazing things when you think about it. They are a few squiggly symbols on a page or screen or maybe a wall. They are combinations of sounds produced by our lips, teeth, tongue, and larynx as air moves across and is shaped by each of those structures. How many millions of words exist with an agreed upon meaning in the thousands of languages and dialects which exist on this planet?
From the ancient symbols carefully etched into mud tablets or carved into stone to the countless billions that fly through our computers and travel all around the globe in moments with barely a thought given to them, words are powerful tools in the hands of those who use them. From babies' first babbled syllables to carefully crafted speeches of respected orators words have the power to affect the listeners deeply.
Words are a resource that are constantly renewable and yet they can be used judiciously or wastefully. People can sustain themselves materially when they are skilled at weaving their words into something people are willing to pay to read. Others can sustain their spirits through the enjoyment of a poetic word.
Words may wound or they may heal. They may punish or they may reward. They may bless or they may curse.
This week I had two specific experiences with words which juxtaposed the lightness with the weight of words. First, I had to choose my own words with exceeding care in order to express my extreme displeasure with the incident I mentioned last week. I went so far as to ask a few objective people for feedback to make sure my words were firm but not inflammatory. It weighed on me greatly. Second, Isaac and I share a love for words. He started a "favorite word list" and printed it out some time ago. His criteria for inclusion on the list comes down to two things. The word either has to sound fun or it has to feel good when he rolls it around in his mouth or lets it finally trip off his tongue. He lost his list but was elated when we rediscovered it. We had fun giggling over the contents. It was the perfectly silly and entirely pleasant counterpoint to the first task. And yes, my Friday 55 is from Isaac's list.
Consider the impact of your words.
Now tell me what words you'd add to Isaac's list.
My favorite word for sheer mouth fun and ear pleasure: tintinnabulation
From the ancient symbols carefully etched into mud tablets or carved into stone to the countless billions that fly through our computers and travel all around the globe in moments with barely a thought given to them, words are powerful tools in the hands of those who use them. From babies' first babbled syllables to carefully crafted speeches of respected orators words have the power to affect the listeners deeply.
Words are a resource that are constantly renewable and yet they can be used judiciously or wastefully. People can sustain themselves materially when they are skilled at weaving their words into something people are willing to pay to read. Others can sustain their spirits through the enjoyment of a poetic word.
Words may wound or they may heal. They may punish or they may reward. They may bless or they may curse.
This week I had two specific experiences with words which juxtaposed the lightness with the weight of words. First, I had to choose my own words with exceeding care in order to express my extreme displeasure with the incident I mentioned last week. I went so far as to ask a few objective people for feedback to make sure my words were firm but not inflammatory. It weighed on me greatly. Second, Isaac and I share a love for words. He started a "favorite word list" and printed it out some time ago. His criteria for inclusion on the list comes down to two things. The word either has to sound fun or it has to feel good when he rolls it around in his mouth or lets it finally trip off his tongue. He lost his list but was elated when we rediscovered it. We had fun giggling over the contents. It was the perfectly silly and entirely pleasant counterpoint to the first task. And yes, my Friday 55 is from Isaac's list.
Consider the impact of your words.
Now tell me what words you'd add to Isaac's list.
My favorite word for sheer mouth fun and ear pleasure: tintinnabulation
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