Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sometimes Say Never

On Saturday, I was a little giddy. It may have had a lot to do with the triple latte I had just downed, but it was also because I was excited for one of the women in my writers’ group: an agent requested her manuscript and a proposal. We had even scheduled an “emergency writers’ group” meeting to help her put together her proposal. So, happy as can be, I grabbed my lap top, put it in the computer bag, forgot to zip the computer bag, threw the computer bag over my shoulder, and THUD! My lap top plummeted five feet onto a hardwood floor.

All I can say is thank goodness I heed the lessons I gleaned from Sex and the City. Because of the episode in which Carrie’s computer crashed and she hadn’t backed up any of her files, I have since backed up my files. The other good news is all I needed was a new $65 hard drive; the computer itself was fine.

The bad news is that I compromised my principles. A few months ago, I had a transaction at Best Buy that left me feeling exploited, after which I immediately called my husband and told him, “I am NEVER going to Best Buy again!” But, because it’s close to my house and I knew they would have my hard drive, Best Buy is $65 richer because of me.

You know what they say: never say never. I mean, there was a time when I said I would never get married, that I would never eat sushi, and that I would never wear high-waisted pants. You know what that makes me: a hypocrite! I have to be careful about throwing around such absolute words.

Other such words include always, all, everyone, no one.

We also have to be careful not to throw around such words when we’re writing. For example, I just read this sentence:

Everyone has a different definition of beauty.

I don’t know if that’s true. Does everyone have a different definition of beauty? I would argue that I am not the only one who considers this beautiful:

Right?

And I know that many people think this guy is the most beautiful man in the world, but, I don't know, he's just not my type:

Perhaps, it would be more accurate if we wrote:

Not everyone has the same definition of beauty.

Of course, that’s not to say that we should always avoid such all-encompassing words. I can definitively say that I have never met Johnny Depp. But, I am not going to give up hope and say that I never will.

You never know.

16 comments:

Janet Johnson said...

Great post! Those all-encompassing words get me, too. Yeah, and good reminder about backing up.

And yay for your writing buddy!

Rick said...

I hate it how everybody always uses the word "never." :^P
But, I love that you had an emergency writer's group meeting. Do they shine a spotlight (with a typewriter in the middle) like they summon Batman? Did the laptop bag get caught on your cape?

j.m. neeb said...

I will NEVER wear high-waisted pants. Just sayin'...

Theresa Milstein said...

What different stuff you talk about and tie it together so well.

Congratulations to your critique buddy.
I'm sorry about your hard drive, but glad it wasn't worse.
Johnny Depp does it for me (If only he didn't have a Wino Forever tattoo). I don't get the appeal of the other guy at all.

I've made declarations like yours, but have changed my mind. But not about high-waisted pants. Never! And I mean it.

Maria said...

Johnny Depp would never go for a girl like me.

OR

Johnny Depp would most likely not go for a girl like me.

Well, they both still suck, but at least the other one is slightly more positive and hopeful. :)

Laura said...

I like johnny depp... but rob .. meh not so much!

Wendy Ramer, Author said...

Good post. I was taught never to use absolutes when arguing b/c nobody "always" or "never" does anything. And I've learned never to say never after having to look too many people in the face and say shamefully, "OK, so I changed my mind."

Anonymous said...

I have never met Johnny Depp, but I have screamed at him. Back in the day, when 21 Jump Street was filmed here, some of us (not EVERYONE) would stalk the set. My friend's mother was the show's hairdresser, so I am sure if I had asked, I probably could have met him in a more civilized manner. But screaming like a schoolgirl (wait, I WAS a schoolgirl) was always fun. I guess I can't judge those Twihards, can I?- G

Jill Elizabeth said...

I, too, swore I'd never wear high-waisted anything.

Favorite look of the season? Hellooo high-waisted skirts w/ peep-toes. High-waisted shorts also are looking cuter and cuter to me lately.

Tattooed Johnny Depp=

Jill Elizabeth said...

JD=swoon.

:) somehow that got cut off

Mary Aalgaard said...

Never say never - words to live by. They usually come back to bite you in the butt, and some smarty pants points it out to you on your wedding day. (BTW, I'm never getting married again.)

Talli Roland said...

Oh... Johnny. Sigh.

I hear you! I've had to revise my 'nevers' several times. I try not to say that any longer.

kathryn said...

LOVE this post. I'm visiting from Ducks Out of a Row and thought I'd say hey.

Hey.

I do believe that the main reason to never say never is that the second you say never, karma will bite you in the (you know) and you'll have to eat your words anyway.

Sigh. I'll never date George Clooney....

Culture Served Raw said...

*sigh* And so the unhealthy obsession with Johnny has begun once again :(

He's gorgeous! And yes, that vampire guy seems to be out of my generation. Too bad those tweens missed out Johhny Depp

notesfromnadir said...

Couldn't agree w/ you more about saying never. I've had too many incidents where I'd say something using that n word & it'd happen. Be careful when using it around cars because the next thing you know you'll be out a lotta $$$!

At least you got your computer fixed for less than $100. Too bad Circuit City went out of business!

Anonymous said...

Interesting post.
"Never" and "Always" are nonsenses which is why politicians use the words endlessly - oh and Celine Dion too, but everyone knew that Titanic was a fictionalised account of a real life event.

Have a nice day, Boonsong