The Power of Language

This post comes with a potpourri of inspiration. I guess the main flashback idea comes from Jessica. However, the reason and content is a combination of my own recent post on our other blog, and a bit of annoyance for Kathy.

One of Kathy's pet peeves, and one for most English majors, is the misconception that we are all absolutely perfect spellers and grammarians. I am nowhere near perfect. Especially in grammar. I am a very good speller, but, really I'm just picky, so I make sure to spell check everything.

There are all kinds of English majors out there. Unfortunately that includes the really annoying ones that like to fix your grammar all the time. But there are also people like Kathy and I, people who like to read and to write, people who understand the power of language.

So today I would like to share a memory with you from around the time I was 19 or 20. A flashback you could say. One that involves part of Harrison's name (you knew I'd bring it back).

A long time ago, long before I had a desire to be an English teacher or even to attend college, I decided I really liked the name August, and that I wanted to use it for my child some day.

I shared this information with a friend of my mother's who had a newborn son named Joey. (Not Joseph or Joe, but Joey) When she heard that I wanted to name my son August, she scoffed:

"August? What kind of name is that? That's ridiculous."

I was devastated. I thought it was the coolest name ever, and here this woman was mocking me.

So how did I respond? Did I correct her grammar? No. That's not what people who understand the power of language do.

I grabbed a dictionary.

I asked her, "So, you think August is a silly name?"

"The word August means 'marked by majestic dignity or grandeur.' That doesn't seem silly at all."

I continued, "Do you know what Joey means? A joey is a baby kangaroo."


"Who do you think is cooler? One who has been marked by majestic grandeur or a baby kangaroo?"

She didn't talk to me for awhile after that.

Language is power, and that is why I'm an English major.

I was Robbed!

Elisha, Harrison, and I just returned from another trip to Salt Lake. This was the trip that included attending Good Things Utah.

Elisha and I left Harrison with my mom and headed for the studio. We were (I was) pretty excited. (She tolerates my weird obsession.) While we waited we picked up my free DVD copy of Princess Protection Program.

When we were seated the first thing either of us noticed was how small the set is. The big table that they sit at rolls across the stage to allow room for the other set-ups.

Right before the show begins an intern informs us that after the show we will have the opportunity to take photos with the girls. "Oh, wait, I guess it's just Angie today."

What!

Angie?

Angie's nice enough, but no Reagan? No Marti? I already knew Nicea wouldn't be there.

Just Angie?

Reagan (left) and Nicea (right) are the reasons I started watching the show in the first place!

Additionally, Elisha and I both were pretty sad that they didn't share the food from the cooking segment with the audience. There was more than enough food.

It took awhile but I finally got over my disappointment, and once I did we had a really good time.

The audience was really small which guaranteed our appearance on T.V. We were both seen at the first break for commercial when they pan across the audience. I was also featured at the end when they wish a happy birthday to members in the audience. I was sitting in front of one and behind the other.

After the show was over we went to have our picture taken with the hosts. (Barb Smith and some guy who hosts Homes Today were guest hosts.)


Angie is actually very nice. She interacts really well with the audience. I was also pleased when she noted that I was the "token male" in the audience. That means she noticed me!

Even though, I was sad that our favorites weren't there. I'm also kinda happy, because now I have a reason to convince Elisha to go with me again.

I'm a Winner!

I won, I won! I am so excited. I actually won something. I never win anything. Especially something cool like the double dose of love on the nines contest. Occasionally, if it requires actual effort I can win something like a board game or a basketball game (only if I'm on the good team). But I finally won something without putting in any real effort.

No, I wasn't lucky enough to win the previously mentioned contest, but I did win a random drawing from the folks at Good Things Utah!

Yes, I love Good Things Utah! Look for me in the audience Friday morning, July 10th!

It was so nice to win something. Really, I hardly had to do anything at all. I was already registered on their website, so all I had to do was click on the button underneath the contest name that said "sign up." That easy.

I was just talking on the phone and checking my e-mail when I noticed an e-mail that said, "You're a winner." What a great way to begin the day.

So, what did I win? Who cares. I won!

Really, I am now the proud owner of a copy of the Disney Channel original movie, "Princess Protection Program"!

How sad is it that I immediately blog about this, yet I have not mentioned the fact that I won the Student of the Semester award at school?

The Death of a Cheerleader

I'm very sad to announce that my cheerleading career has come to an untimely end. Ultimately, it came down to choosing between this:



and this:

Obviously, a no brainer.

The decision was made for two reasons.

First, time. Who knew I would want to spend every second I have with my beautiful son? In addition to missing Harrison time, if Elisha goes back to work in the fall, it would be at the same time as cheer practice. Obviously, this would mean we need a babysitter five days a week.

That brings me to the second reason: Money. Extra money would have to be spent for daytime child care. Additionally, the cheer program costs money. Yes, there is a sponsorship program, but in the long run, that costs money, too. If I found people to sponsor me, the money would be put on my account at the school. If there is money on my account on the school, the government would find out about it. First, whatever part of the government that issues grant money would discover it and decide I don't need grant money because of all this money on my account, second the IRS would be curious about the money. It wouldn't count as income, but it does take away education credits, which are very nice.

I guess if you're a teenage kid you don't care about such things. So, it turns out I really am too old to be a cheerleader.