I’m argumentative, it’s true. Is that bad? I can’t resist taking a stand, taking sides and making a case. So, in that tradition, in this post I’m going to make a case for argument itself, because I feel it’s under threat. Actually, I feel a rant coming on, rather than a reasoned argument. So be it…
I’ve got into trouble for my argumentative reactions to the statements of others. I might say “nonsense!” or “no, that’s not the way things are at all,” and then I’m criticized for my arrogance. Apparently I should have said “my humble opinion is – and you don’t have to believe it, because it’s just my humble opinion, I mean, what do I know really? and … read on »
Archive for March, 2009…
Given the Preponderance of…
For the past few months I’ve had this thing – not an earworm, which is the catchy song that you can’t get out of your head (which I’ve written about before in this blog), but what you might call a language worm. Every so often this phrase pops into my head: “Given the preponderance of…”
I’m not sure why this happens, but it’s not exactly unconscious or subconscious. It’s my mind’s attempt to imitate a man with a pompous and wordy manner of speech, maybe as a kind of self-mockery. So if I find myself being too arrogant or condescending, or if I want to affect those qualities for humour, up it pops into my conscious mind.
But I don’t know how … read on »
Squirrels Don't Like Me
Image created by Photoshop genius – Las Tonterias -
A couple of years ago I saw Bill Oddie on his TV show “How to Watch Wildlife,” explaining how to attract squirrels. I was inspired by Bill’s amazingly successful technique: he just noisily rustled a paper bag full of nuts, and squirrels came to him from all around – came right up to him – and ate the nuts right out of his hand.
At the time it was important to me to make the most of my weekends, working as I was in a very stressful IT manager role, and I thought that squirrel-feeding/watching/stroking would be a perfect leisure activity. So one lovely summer day I went down to Edinburgh Royal Botanic … read on »
©2010 Alistair Robinson