Literacy: It IS That Important

There is the school of thought that since we rely so heavily on technology, we shouldn’t devote as much time to literacy as we did in previous generations. I would assert that the opposite is true. Now, more than ever, it is important to strengthen our written communication skills, because much of our communication is text-based. It is much more difficult to understand the intent of a purely text-based comment than one that is done verbally, where you can hear and see the person talking. Since much of the verbal and nonverbal cues are lost when using text only (even in perfectly worded statements), it is vitally important to communicate clearly.

I can confidently say that a day doesn’t pass that I’m not exposed to something that somebody wrote that is either: a) ambiguously written, b) unintelligible, or c) rife with spelling, grammar, punctuation or usage errors to the point of changing the intended meaning or at minimum, distracting from the spirit of the message.

We’re not all writing experts. I know I’m not, and I make a lot of mistakes or break rules, especially in casual writings. I think even the most literate among us commit errors and break rules, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Let’s first consider what communication is. One of the definitions for communication (which is most fitting in this case), is: “the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings” (New Oxford American Dictionary) - the key being, successful. If your intended audience misunderstands your text-based message, then most likely you have failed as a writer. Part of the responsibility also falls upon the reader (such as reading for comprehension and increasing vocabulary), but a significant proportion of problems occur because the writer failed to write in a way that was comprehensible for general audiences.

What can we do about this? One of the most important things to improving in any skill is to practice. Write every day. But that is not enough. Most of us write every day (texting is considered writing), but nevertheless the end result is horrible for many writers. The key is to learn the rules of writing… and practice them. We’ve all heard the phrase “Practice makes perfect.” But that is only partially correct. If we are practicing, but without discipline or correction, we learn bad habits. A better axiom is: “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Any skill that is worth learning requires many hours of not only trial and error, but also correcting those errors when they are discovered and focusing on those errors to make weaknesses into strengths.

Let’s explore some of the more common breakdowns in written communication.

Grammar

For this example, proper grammar includes sentence structure, word usage, and intelligibility. Whenever you write something, read it back to yourself or better yet (especially if you have been accused of not writing clearly), have someone else proofread it. It’s better to have a friend proofread your work and give you constructive criticism than to post it online and be publicly humiliated. If this is a consistent problem for you, consider taking English classes. There are some that are even free or inexpensive. Grammar can be tricky, especially if you need to improve in your verbal communication as well, because many people tend to write the way they speak.

Spelling

Technology gives us some tools to aid us with spelling, but the trick is that we also need to use some cognitive reasoning as well. Your spell-checker doesn't pick out inappropriately used words that are spelled correctly. As mentioned before, practice is the key. If you learn the wrong way to spell words, you will develop bad habits, whereas if you learn the correct spelling of words, it will become automatic. One of the biggest problems I see is with homophones (words that sound similar but are spelled differently – example: there, they’re, their). Most of the time, misuse is more of an annoyance than anything, but in some cases a homophone error can completely change the meaning of your sentence. Take, for instance, the words accept and except. They can be diametrically opposite in their meaning. If you except someone, that means you are leaving them out, but what you really meant to say was accept, which is to include that person.

Punctuation and capitalization

I included those both together because these are generally problems associated with laziness, but also they are general indications of where to start, pause and end your statements. Think of them as waypoints to guide your writing. One of the things that will cause a seasoned reader to abandon your document without finishing, is run-on sentences. It is almost as annoying to read, a document filled, with misplaced punctuation, having your reader, pause at the wrong times during, your sentences. And sentence fragments.

Reaching toward excellence

When we get beyond the basics of written communication, we can work on improving what we’ve built upon. With so much information to read everyday, readers appreciate clear and succinct communication. In other words, don’t be too wordy. Write what you need to write and see what you can trim while still communicating effectively. For blogs, posts and articles, many readers tend to prefer bulleted lists. Your most important information should be in your numbered and highlighted bullets and then your explanation follows. You can also do the same with conventional paragraphs. Nobody wants to read your extraneous, irrelevant ramblings. At minimum, break your article up into smaller paragraphs. I can guarantee that most (if not all) readers will not even attempt to read an entire page with no breaks.

Keep your works interesting. Avoid awkwardly worded phrases or overused words. Some writers have favorite words they like to use, over and over and over again. After awhile, some readers will find themselves counting the instances of those words, rather than reading for meaning. I almost used the word “actually” in that last sentence, but I realized that is one of my “go-to” words that I need to use less often, and it would have been completely unnecessary in that particular instance.

Whether you like it or not or want to admit it, you are judged by your level of literacy. It may be an unfair judgment, but those who struggle with spelling, grammar, punctuation/capitalization and general readability are seen as less competent or less intelligent than their more literate peers. Those who master written communication are regarded as "educated" and their works are given more credence than their contemporaries - especially those engaging in debates or dissertations.  

Let us strive for more excellent communication by mastering the basics and continuing beyond for readability. I know I still have much to learn and I continue to learn. I hope someday that in every instance, my readers will understand not only the words, but the intended meaning and even feelings behind what I have written.  Now that’s a lofty goal!

Mark Zuckerberg's Wall

If Mark Zuckerberg wants to build a six-foot stone wall around his property, that's his business. It's his property and he should be able to do what he wants with it. If I were wealthy and famous, I would probably do the same thing. He wants privacy, protection... basically a barrier to keep anything undesirable from entering his private space. I get that. Now, to publicly criticize others (including the U.S. Government or candidates for presidency) for wanting to do the same thing for the same purposes, that makes you a hypocrite and an elitist.

We build walls for protection and security. It makes sense to do so as an individual property owner and on a national level. Many countries do this because arresting, deporting and shooting at potential immigrants from entering their countries illegally is generally bad policy and isn't good PR on the international level. Building walls to keep out criminals not only protects those living inside the walls, but it also protects those outside the walls, who, lacking in judgment, decide they want to risk their lives and/or the lives of their family members while they attempt to circumvent the legal process of gaining access to a country or private property.

Citizens of the U.S. and our elected/appointed officials would do well to treat our country as if it were our own private property in every respect. This country belongs to us and we should respect this land as if it were our own. We pay our taxes and many of us own private property in this country and have worked the land to make it our own. We have paid our dues. Some of us have gone beyond paying our dues in that way and have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces and some have given their life in service of our country. It is my belief that citizens of the United States should be willing to pay their dues... to make this country a better place, not by chanting and waving signs in the street, but by working the land, volunteering, serving and upholding the laws of the land. Those who cheat by circumventing the system or who are not willing to actively make this country a better place should not be afforded the same privileges of those who do little or nothing. Patriotism is loyalty to the core, not seeking benefits for yourself without personal sacrifice.

While I was at the graduation ceremony for Air Force Basic Training for my son a couple of weeks ago, I observed how about half a dozen new recruits not only graduated from basic training, but they took the oath to become citizens of the United States as well. I felt proud for those new citizens. They did it the honorable way - legally and lawfully. They did not jump a fence, cross a river in the dark of night or cross remote desert to sneak in and subsequently demand the same privileges as bona-fide citizens. No, they earned the rights and privileges to be citizens of our country and they are part owners in this great land just as much as any other legal citizen who has pledged allegiance to this republic.

Home Ownership - Is It For Me?

I've seen memes showing a secluded cottage or chalet out in the woods or in a rural ranch setting with a comparison to skyscrapers or apartments with a caption stating something like "I'd take this life over life in the city" or something to that effect.

Well, I have to say that one is not necessarily better than the other. Just different. I think that people believe that they're going to live out in the country or the woods to "get away from it all" but don't realize what they're getting into.

First of all, home ownership is a big responsibility. You have to maintain your home and property or it will rapidly deteriorate. You've got problems with vermin, moss, overgrowth, wind damage, water damage (mold and mildew) and mud... mud gets everywhere and somebody's got to clean it up.

Then there is the problem of isolation. The farther you live away from civilization, the more stuff you have to stock up and prepare for inclement weather. You can't just run to the store every time you want some fried chicken and you'll never enjoy the luxury of pizza delivery. You have to either cook everything from scratch or have at least one large freezer to keep all your food in. Many people who live out in the hills also hunt, fish and grow their own food. That is a whole different level of self-sufficiency (work!) that city-dweller hick-wanna-bes will usually never attain. It's something you simply have to grow up with or takes years of living off the land to really come to appreciate. When the snow starts to fall and the wind blows trees down, you could be trapped in your rural paradise for days... or weeks. And you will likely be the one out there with a chainsaw or snowplow clearing the roads - otherwise, you will likely be trapped indefinitely.

This brings me to another challenge - involuntarily "living off the grid." When trees blow the power lines down or when roads wash out or when the telephone lines are down (land lines = Internet), you are basically stranded. For some people this is no big deal because they enjoy that lifestyle. If you are an avid social media follower or if you need social interaction with other people, this can drive most people crazy. Most people can go for a few days or maybe even a few weeks "off the grid" but if they have to be completely self-sufficient for months at a time, this can really be a traumatic experience. The reality of it is that you have to procure your own water (well or stream) and fuel (firewood) and if you want to enjoy some other comforts, you are going to need to have propane fuel and a backup generator. I can attest first hand how much work it is to heat water over a stove or open fire.

Now that is an extreme example, but some people who live in North America actually live like this and get by. Let me also say that home ownership, even in a developed community, isn't for everyone. I grew up in homes where my parents owned and maintained them, so I didn't know any differently. There were things we just did because we had to. It was work. There are many people who have been raised in apartments or condominiums and even rental homes where routine maintenance is taken care of by someone else. It's a difficult transition into home ownership. You have to mow the lawns, weed the flowerbeds, prune the trees, rake leaves, shovel snow off of sidewalks, water the plants (in drier areas), take care of your own trashcans and clean the debris out of the lawns. The bigger your lawn, the more work you have to do.

Then there is the home maintenance - painting, pressure washing, cleaning windows, repairing leaky pipes and dripping faucets, replacing roof shingles and siding, having the carpets cleaned and regular deep cleaning that is absolutely necessary. If you own your home, you have to keep up on everything and make sure that trash or junk doesn't get left outside to rot or get infested by critters because it's much more of a problem later when it's been neglected. Problems that are left to  the elements take much more time to fix later and it is exponentially more costly to take care of. For example, the cost of a leaky drainpipe is going to be much more than just the pipe itself. A couple of years ago, I had to essentially remodel the bathroom, costing many hundreds of dollars, because of leaky plumbing. The water damage was extensive and I had to rip out the walls and all the plumbing and start over. It's a good thing that I have learned maintenance skills. To have a contractor do this would have cost me many thousands of dollars.

You also can't ignore the overgrowth of weeds. It may not be immediately evident, but plant growth is extremely destructive to structures. The encroachment of plants on buildings leads to water damage and structural separation but also invites rats, mice, skunks and insects - which causes even more structural breakdown. In plant-rich areas like the Pacific Northwest or the Southeast, the vegetation grows so fast you can almost see it in motion.

If all that isn't enough, you also have to take into consideration that you have a mortgage for 30-40 years. You can't skip a payment or you could lose everything. It's not like an apartment where the most you have to lose is a place to live... until you can scrape up enough to afford to move into another apartment. Home ownership is a long-term commitment. There are many other costs associated with home ownership that you may not even think of (beyond the aforementioned maintenance). If something gets damaged, you have to pay for it. No maintenance worker is going to come to your rescue and replace that water heater that blows up in the middle of your shower. You either replace it yourself or pay the plumber. The clogged pipes are going to be costly to get unclogged. And the septic tank is going to need to be pumped every few years.

So, in essence, the fantasy of home ownership is shattered by the reality of responsibility. I will have to say that I absolutely love the freedom of being a home owner, but that freedom also has a price. If any of the above scares you or makes you feel uncomfortable, perhaps you may just be better off living out your life in an apartment. There's always a trade-off.

I Live in a Jungle

Alex trying to mow down the grass out our back door
that had been neglected for about a year while we
were away. There is a fence in there somewhere.

Alright, I'm gonna say this because somebody's got to. Basically, the coastal Pacific Northwest is a jungle. Virtually every square inch of soil that isn't covered by pavement or a structure or controlled by herbicides is naturally overrun by aggressive greenery. We have no shortage of trees or plant life here and if you don't keep ahead of the green invasion, you'll find yourself overgrown by Himalayan blackberry bushes, various grasses/weeds and rapidly propagating deciduous trees. There is absolutely no need to to plant or cultivate anything to have green matter as the conditions here are ideal for plant life to grow spontaneously. Some people are really into this whole "jungle" bit, but others just get to a point where they've had enough and move to places like Arizona, where you can literally have rocks for your entire yard and it's perfectly acceptable.

Tree shrine at Green Lake Park.

I have to chuckle with the irony of people who lament the loss of a beloved tree. A few years ago when I was running on the trail around Green Lake in Seattle, a woman and her child handed me a camera and wanted me to take a picture of them with a tree stump that they had memorialized with a flowered shrine. I took the picture for them but I couldn't help but think how bizarre this was. The woman was sad, and still mourning the loss of a tree she thought was special for some reason. I mean, it's a tree. I'm not sure about the fate of the tree, but by the size of the stump, it was at or near the end of its life anyway. When a tree blows down, gets diseased or even gets cut down for lumber, you simply plant another one in its place. That's the beauty behind a renewable resource... and in the Pacific Northwest, it's gonna grow no matter what.

Beyond Duct Tape, WD-40 and Super Glue

I've devoted the past 20 months of my life to being a student - in a skill set that I initially had very little knowledge in. I've learned a lot, but I still have a lot yet to learn.

Many people don't realize that I am also a teacher though. I have skills that I have acquired vocationally as well as independently through hobbies. I have built and repaired things for almost 50 years now - which means I started using tools even before I started kindergarten.

Being a seasoned industrial artist, one of the things that we joke about is the use of duct tape and WD-40. I would also like to add Super Glue to that cluster of most abused items. I've been using different types of glues ever since I started using tools as well... and I even know full well what the non-toxic types taste like. So, when I transitioned from eating glue to seriously using it, I started to figure out that like every other tool or substance, there are many different types of adhesives (glues & tape), each having a different application.

Here's the deal - when people start seriously talking about using duct tape, WD-40 or Super Glue to make a permanent repair, I have to step back and scrutinize their intentions or abilities and for me it's a teaching moment. Now, don't get me wrong, I usually bring duct tape, Super Glue and WD-40 with me when I am traveling. They are good for getting you out of a situation - provided you know how to use them. On the other hand, if you know how to actually repair something, sometimes it takes about the same amount of time (or less) to do it right and make a reliable, permanent repair.

I've seen some pretty gnarly DIY Duct Tape jobs that took me a long time to clean up and then since the problem had been neglected for so long, the repair took longer than it normally would have had the job been done right in the first place.

Then there is WD-40... Many people don't realize that WD-40 actually destroys the existing lubricant, so if there was grease or oil in it initially, it basically washes it out and the lubrication that WD-40 provides only lasts a little while. It is not meant as a long-term lubricant, but rather it is designed to displace water and also works to free up rusted bolts or mechanisms. After you've loosened them up, you should clean off the WD-40 and reapply the proper lubricant.

Super Glue has a limited application (besides permanently gluing your appendages together or to other things). If you know what types of materials that Super Glue works with and you understand the properties of the glue itself, it is a great tool for fabrication or repairs. If you don't understand those properties, you are better off leaving the cap on and letting somebody more knowledgeable do the job. You can really mess some things up with Super Glue. I think the same could be said for other types of glues like hot glue, Elmer's glue, model "airplane" cement (which has a toluene solvent), Gorilla Glue or epoxies (to include JB Weld) - or any other type of liquid glue. Oftentimes, the best choice is none of those listed, but something you may have never even heard about or considered. Do your research. The reason why there are so many different types of glue has something to do with the way they react with the substance you are gluing. In order for a glue or cement to work properly, it has to chemically react with or form a surface bond with the substance you are gluing. There is no "all purpose" glue. It doesn't exist. Some substances cannot be glued, so you have to find another way to secure them.

There are so many other methods that people skip over when their knee-jerk reaction is to reach for tape or glue. For instance, there are fasters like screws, rivets, nut/bolt combos, pins, clips or a multitude of other options. There are also methods like folding, swaging, welding, soldering, heat-shrinking, melting/reforming, and making brackets, holders, plates or whatever. Sometimes you just have to look at the needs and be resourceful. The hardware department is full of options that you may never have even dreamed of. Experience with a vast variety of different materials and processes is helpful in an industrial situation. Most often though, the best practice is to step back, inspect, analyze and work through the repair before just filling it with glue or layering it with tape. You might be surprised at just how simple repairing it the proper way can be.