On my soapbox again.

Warning! I'm climbing on my grammar soapbox again; continue reading at your own risk.

Okay, at least I'm doing it here and not on my Facebook page--my young family members probably don't visit here much and it's just as well. Most of them know how I am, and I make some of them very nervous. That's alright with me, but I can see the decline in reading from people's writing.

1. A young woman, applying for a job, used the word 'youl' rather than 'you'll' or 'you will' on her application. Obviously there was no spell checking involved. Maybe it's a leftover from texting shortcuts, but I'd think one would be very careful on a resume.

2. As I visited a public restroom on my travels today, I saw where some young woman had tried to write a thoughtful message on the stall door. It was about not taking "life for granite." Admittedly, that's mostly how we say that, but I couldn't help myself, I took my pen and corrected it (the first time I've ever written on a bathroom stall).

3. I am almost numb (almost) to the frequent use of your when it should be you're; there rather than their or they're; the careless misspellings; and the confusion about where apostrophes belong.

It is so discouraging. I don't think many young people read good books anymore.

Too Many Commercials for me

I've been watching too many commercials recently. They are very difficult to avoid, whether on television, radio, or computer. My ability to tune them out is not always effective, yet I like having the TV or radio on just for background noise and company.

I am amazed by the fact that every automobile insurance company can save me money when compared to all other companies. Exactly how is that possible? The last few days I've heard that claim from GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, State Farm, Esurance, and a new one (at least to me) 21st Century. Amazing.

Ford trucks are built tough, yet you shouldn't sent a truck to do a Sierra's job (GMC) because they are professional grade, but nobody makes a better truck than Toyota's Tundra. As with so many things, quality seems to be very subjective.

Every fast food place or restaurant offers the best food at the lowest prices, and (as I've posted about before) every instance calls for an attorney so you can "get what you deserve" and the lawyers can get what they want too.

All the new television programs are smash hits, and all new movies "must see."

Fortunately I have a DVR and I can pause live programming for a while, then fast forward through commercials. However that requires my attention, something I don't want to give while I'm unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry.

I guess I need to work on not paying attention, but I don't know if I can do it.

Smile while driving

I saw some personalized license plates too cute not to share. It is nice to be able to smile while driving in messy traffic.

A nondescript blue van held PTERPAN, and a small white (of course) car carried a dark-haired SNOWHTE. I guess it could have meant that the car was snow white, but what fun is that?

Now I'm on the lookout for CAPTNHK or MR SMEE (I'm sure WENDY is out there somewhere). And think of the possibilities for the dwarves (or dwarfs): HAPPY, DOPEY, DOC, GRUMPY, SNEEZY, SLEEPY, and BASHFUL, all within the confines of a license plate format.

I'll keep watching.