Saturday, June 26, 2010

Off the Wagon

I have been watching hours and hours of World Cup soccer over the past couple of weeks. Am I a soccer fan? Not really. Is it because the soccer players are so hot? That may have a big something to do with it. But, if I’m going to be honest, I’m mostly doing it for the same reason I watched only the last two games between the Lakers and the Celtics: I’m jumping on the bandwagon.

I know that makes me kind of a poser, but, what can I say, I get all caught up in the hype.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I jump on the bandwagon of all popular fads. I still am unfamiliar with any Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga songs, and when I was in Vegas last weekend, I was reminded of a trend I won’t ever be on board with- this:


What is it with companies these days? Why are they using lowercase letters for their names? Here are some other offenders:


My theory is that this lowercase trend started with that little i in iPod, and since Apple is so successful, many companies jumped on the lowercase bandwagon. Now, it would be hypocritical for me to judge someone for jumping on a bandwagon, and it's not even the breaking of the capitalization rule that bugs me; it's that it doesn't work for everybody. It looks like at&t can get away with it, but does Treasure Island really want to update itself? I mean, the book was published in 1883. Shouldn’t they try to stick with the theme? (By the way, you should see Treasure Island’s -I mean ti’s -new pirate show. It involves one ship of pirates and one ship of booty short-clad sirens. This is one of the brilliant lines uttered by the sirens: “Who are you calling ahoy?”)

Moral of the story: Break grammar rules (and use puns) with care.

But, don't worry, I didn't spend my time in Vegas ranting about capitalization rules. Well, not all my time. I saw Cirque de Soleil, I won $35 at Roulette, and I while I was there, I found out I had won something else. James Garcia Jr. at Dance on Fire awarded me this:

One of my responsibilities as a Versatile Blogger award winner is to tell you seven facts about myself, so here they are:

1. I have never eaten a hamburger.

2. My name is Jenny, not Jennifer.

3. The only trophy I have ever won was for a read-a-thon in third grade.

4. I can't wink my right eye.

5. The nail on my pinky toe is almost nonexistent.

6. Richard Simmons held me when I was an infant.

7. I once counted out forty-five minutes because my parents told me that's how long we had left on our drive.

My second responsibility is to list fifteen other blogs I have been enjoying. I am going to start with five today (because I have to get to work). I will continue with the list throughout the week.

Drum roll please:

1. Nostomaniac: this entry was one one of the funniest things I have read in a while.
2. The Invisible Seductress: I laughed out loud when I read this.
3. Notes from Nadir: I just started reading this, and I can't wait to go back and read more. So far, I have read beautifully-written stories about her mom.
4. Health and Beauty by Keppi: Speaking of moms, this is my mom's blog. It makes me want to be healthier.






11 comments:

Theresa Milstein said...

I have to correct you. e.e. cummings began the lower-case trend. Apple ripped him off. When I ordered business cards, the one that had the nicest design and had enough characters for my e-mail and blog addresses also had lower-case letters.

Congratulations on your blog award.

Wendy Ramer, Author said...

That's the Chilean team, isn't it? I'm hot for the first guy on the left...very ethnic, just my speed.

And I loved Nostomaniac's post too ;-)

keppi baranick said...

Jenny, thank you for my honorable mention. Love you.

Jessica Bell said...

you've never eaten a hamburger? Crikey! If it makes you feel any better, my pinky toenails are practically non-existent too :o)

fairyhedgehog said...

Oh dear. I started as Fairy Hedgehog but I've been fairyhedgehog for a long time now. I think it was laziness made me drop the capitals. (The name isn't even my own invention - I nicked it from a Terry Pratchett book).

Anyway, I love the name Jenny - as a kid if I could have changed my name that's what I'd have chosen.

And it sounds like you had fun in Vegas.

notesfromnadir said...

Thank you so much! I have added your link to my THANKS page for this cool award.

Wow, meeting Richard Simmons at such an impressionable age.

I also dislike the lowercasing of our language. But it's here for now & the words or initials are easier to type!

Anonymous said...

Holy Crap! Richard Simmons held you when you were a baby! I thought the hamburger one was funny, but that takes the (fat-free, no sugar added) cake! - G

Samantha Bennett said...

But what a trophy to win! I'm guessing you were the proud owner of many Book It buttons too. :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

I also have funny pinky toes. I have a nail on them, but they don't have their own muscles. They lie on top of the next toe.

Cashon&Co said...

LOVE your list. I've never eaten an egg, but that's probably where the similarites end! hahahah
although my pinky toe might be similar to yours. hahah
(and i know i've mispelled similarites (and mispelled) but i'm too tired to go up and change it. just in case your "grammar brain" takes over. ) :) lol.
have a great weekend. you have a great blog, if i do say so again!

Anonymous said...

I love your list of facts about yourself! I thought the pinky toe one was funny because I mean who the heck has perfect feet? My big toe on both feet lie under my smaller ones and when I put both feet side by side my two big toes form a V. Feet are disgusting.