Simon: Captain's a good fighter, he must know how to handle a sword. Zoe: I think he knows which end to hold.

'Shindig'


Natter 34: Freak With No Name  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Dana - Apr 24, 2005 3:01:37 pm PDT #8585 of 10001
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

And I also have a question.

I have a vague idea that there's a study or a scale out there...something that measures the livability of various cities, not just in terms of economic criteria, but things like, is there a thriving arts scene? Does the city support a symphony?

Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about or where I can find it on the web?


Cashmere - Apr 24, 2005 3:16:19 pm PDT #8586 of 10001
Now tagless for your comfort.

Is it too much to ask of Lucas to release the ORIGINAL versions on DVD??? The bastard needs to loosen up. I need my nostalgia on DVD, dammit.

Even when they're in the location they're portraying, meta considerations often fuck with the geography

Was I ever shocked on Angel, The House Always Wins, to find out that leaving the Tropicana gets you to Freemont Street without a cab ride through Cracktown.


Betsy HP - Apr 24, 2005 3:20:39 pm PDT #8587 of 10001
If I only had a brain...

Dana, you want findyourspot.com.

[link]


Betsy HP - Apr 24, 2005 3:21:53 pm PDT #8588 of 10001
If I only had a brain...

The new Pope is returning to the use of the royal "we". He is also returning to the use of red velvet slippers.

Conclusion: he's a drag queen.

[link]


Susan W. - Apr 24, 2005 3:22:23 pm PDT #8589 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights

tommyrot, those links are great. I've bookmarked the first one for use in editing.

Compound sentences, most modifying clauses and many phrases *require* commas. You may find it necessary to break the rules from time to time, but you can't delete commas just because you don't like the pause they bring to a sentence or just because you want to add tension.

Putting commas in all the places they don't belong and none of the places they do is the single most frequent error I see judging writing contests. Botching singular possessives that end in "s" and/or plural possessives is a close second, though.


DXMachina - Apr 24, 2005 3:24:01 pm PDT #8590 of 10001
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.

What piece of primary source material from the American Revolution do you think would be most useful for a class learning how to interpret historical information?

Perhaps the diary of Joseph Plumb Martin [link] , or the letters that John and Abigail Adams wrote each other.


Tom Scola - Apr 24, 2005 3:25:07 pm PDT #8591 of 10001
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.

Botching singular possessives that end in "s" and/or plural possessives

I still haven't figured out that one.


Susan W. - Apr 24, 2005 3:33:21 pm PDT #8592 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights

Botching singular possessives that end in "s" and/or plural possessives

Now that I check my sources, the former actually is subject to interpretation--some say "James's book" is correct, others "James' book." I prefer the former, but will accept, grumbling, that opinions differ.

For a plural possessive, all you have to do is stick the apostrophe on the end--e.g. "students' books." But I've seen it done wrong more than right lately, and at a recent critique session, someone in my RWA chapter tried to correct me when I had it right.


Tom Scola - Apr 24, 2005 3:38:40 pm PDT #8593 of 10001
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.

The rule of thumb I use is that if I sound it out and hear the "'s", then it should be there. I suspect that my methodology is flawed, though.


Topic!Cindy - Apr 24, 2005 3:38:45 pm PDT #8594 of 10001
What is even happening?

Now that I check my sources, the former actually is subject to interpretation--some say "James's book" is correct, others "James' book." I prefer the former, but will accept, grumbling, that opinions differ.
I hate the former. I don't like how it sounds. I don't like how it looks. I wonder if there are 3rd grade grammar teachers responsible for our difference in opinion.