Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012:

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

Yes. Most of the above! It makes me crazy when words become so over used, but some are particularly stupid. Baby bump probably tops it for me, along with man cave.

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

It depends on the situation. Things to do with the body - not at all. I'm a nurse; I will talk about just about anything, even in mixed company. But if I do something stupid, commit some sort of faux pas or find myself in a socially awkward situation, then yes, I am very easily embarrassed!

3. What is your go-to snack?

Pecans or other nuts, depending what we have here.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

No. Yes, I would love to. The Smithsonian is way at the top, but of course I'd want to see the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, etc.

5. Sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

Well, Joyce didn't specify in what context I might hate them! I hate watching planks the least! LOL But doing them? Then lunges would be my least-hated.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

Well, I don't know if it's more depressing that I might not have received any or that I might have forgotten it! I honestly can't think of one right now.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

Once, at my kids' elementary school for a specific situation that I don't even remember now. But I've always been a little on the light-headed/low blood sugar side for things like that, so it's never been something I've wanted to pursue.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I understand the details of the hearbreaking story of the parents charged and who pleaded guilty after their son died of cancer. (They took the dog to be treated for fleas but didn't take him to the doctor to see what the lumps on his neck were.)

And I am not a lawyer.

But my random question is this: how can you plead guilty to "attempted involuntary manslaughter"? If it's attempted, how can it be involuntary? And if he died, how can it be attempted? Were they trying to be ignorant and failed? Why weren't they just charged with manslaughter? That is the weirdest charge and plea I've ever heard.

Send that one up to Lake Superior's list in question #1, and send the lawyers back to English 101!



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