New Old Name, Identical Unique Personality

As of one hour ago, I officially have a new name. Well, more accurately, I officially have my old name back. I left my ex-husband over seven years ago, but until about two years ago, I didn't want to go back to my maiden name. My acquired surname was too cool. I liked it for … Continue reading New Old Name, Identical Unique Personality →

Say What? Edition 8: When Native Speakers Sound Like They Aren’t

My roommate my first year in Russia told me that English was an easy language to start speaking and make yourself decently understood but near impossible to master because of all the idioms, nuance, unexpected pronunciations, and multiple ways of saying everything. No matter how long you speak it, you're always going to encounter something … Continue reading Say What? Edition 8: When Native Speakers Sound Like They Aren’t →

Say What? Edition 7: More Than Words

No, this post is not an ode to that old Extreme song, although it's still a great one! The post is a little bit about "code switching," I started hearing about everywhere a few years ago. Code switching refers to the verbal portion of the many personas we all have. The words we choose, the way … Continue reading Say What? Edition 7: More Than Words →

Struggles of the Wannabe Grammar Police

On my neighborhood Nextdoor site, I recently saw a post about a lost dog that was found. In response, one person wrote, "Glad this tale/tail has a happy ending." I started to roll my eyes at her seemingly unnecessary decision to clarify that she was making a pun, but then I stopped. The truth is, I … Continue reading Struggles of the Wannabe Grammar Police →

A Not-So-Little Pat on the Back

This post is a brag because this is my blog and I'll brag if I want to. Also, I post plenty of embarrassing or unflattering content about myself, so I don't think anyone can fault me for publicly praising my accomplishments. I am now a Senior Technical Writer at LogRhythm. I started less than two … Continue reading A Not-So-Little Pat on the Back →

Say What? Edition 5: What Not To Say

Don't say donzerly. The Christmas season, which thankfully is over, always reminds me of my first neologism. While I never flubbed these lyrics from what is probably the most sung song in the country, I did spend a good portion of my childhood wondering what wilkenspire was, as in "Later on wilkenspire. As we dream by … Continue reading Say What? Edition 5: What Not To Say →

Boulder 911, or How I Was Almost Caught in a Shootout

2016 had an interesting end for me. I was on my way to work on the morning of Friday the 30th, waiting to make a left turn from one main road in Boulder onto another. As I sat in the left turn lane, a police vehicle came screaming up the inbound traffic lanes to my … Continue reading Boulder 911, or How I Was Almost Caught in a Shootout →