Brain Floss

This is something that genuinely drives me crackers. Language has developed over millenia. It has developed from grunts to a highly sophisticated form of communication. A system which we should be proud of. Of course it has had to adapt constantly-c'est la vie, that is the way of the world. But I cannot accept the regression in language over the last decade. Sure I sound like an old maid right now but hear me out. Abbreviations in communication developed in mainstream society in large because of text messages costing 10p-12p for just a few words. When my messages cost me that much even I abbreviated. Hell I abbreviated everything. My friends still mock me for messages neither of us can understand to this day. What I really can't stand is that people still use these abbreviations!!! Even though practically everybody has a contract with what is effectively considered to be unlimited text messages. Even worse is the fact that I can't go anywhere without hearing OMG, WTF or LOL spoken out loud. WHY?! Use your words! Be proud of them. I would actually rather hear a child swear repeatedly than hear them shout WTF at one another. 

Waiting for a tube today I heard ten minutes of a man's conversation of which I genuinely believed was in another language. I guess in a sense it was, but this is the language this man refers to as English. Well if "sirius", "cuz", "blad" and an endless stream of things I couldn't even understand are now considered to be English I may as well tear up my dictionary and go back to the grunts of Neanderthals. Frankly I prefer the sound of the grunts. I really do embrace the changes that language goes through, I wasn't appalled when "muggle" made it into the dictionary, I showed only mild disdain that they would remove "retard" from the dictionary, on the basis that just because a word is removed, doesn't mean it no longer exists (sometimes you have to accept that censorship will happen), but I really can't deal with hearing people talk like uneducated fools everywhere I turn. You don't have to be a genius, lord knows I'm not, but at least take some pride in the fact that you're a human being and speak as though you have a tongue and a brain in your head. 

I admit it, I read the Metro all the time. If you live in London it's practically mandatory if you hit the tube for longer than five minutes at a time.

I had a Metro article in mind to talk about, one that I have literally been thinking about all day. It just baffled me how it made it into the news purely because the story is based at a private school Nick Clegg attended, what, twenty years ago?

I could talk about this and my despair at the use of 'Vive la revolution' when referring to public school boys singing a Beatles song in church instead of a Latin hymn. As me and my colleague discussed today, the Beatles are cool, if they started singing something by Nicki Minaj, then there would certainly be a story-a story so disgusting I would cry for all future generations. Ah but that's not all folks, no, they also had a water fight on the last day of term. Well the high-jinx of those naughty boys making it into the newspaper remains incomprehensible to me so...

Lucky for you readers, whilst searching for an online link to this story I came across yet another story that I believe is far more newsworthy. Check this out and if you aren't overcome with that pang of nostalgia, I genuinely don't know what to say.

Power Rangers has more impact today

The interrobang.

As some may know I've been trying to broaden my horizons and start my own freelancing business as a proofreader and copy editor. Fitting it around a 40 hour week at work is challenging to say the least but I can honestly say I haven't felt so motivated in a very long time.

I wanted to share some sources which have been helping and benefiting me in this along the way. I am by no means 'there' yet but feel I am well on my way.

First of all is CTJT, a website offering a correspondence course in Proofreading and Copy-Editing. After about a year of deliberation, I finally bit the bullet and signed up for the course. I have to say what I have experienced of it so far has been a huge benefit. The course tutor is incredibly helpful and full of advice, as well as being prompt in responding. You also receive a fully accredited diploma at the end of the course, as well as the opportunity to stay in touch with your course tutor and continue benefiting from their advice. The course is also completely flexible, with no deadlines, and you ask for the required modules when you're ready. Before finding this course I looked into many others, including; the LSP and Chapterhouse, neither of which felt like the course for me. You can see the course module list here.

Secondly, is the book Brilliant Freelancerby Leif Kendall. I'll be honest, I don't usually buy these sort of books but with a £20 gift card in my hand I thought "Why not give it a go". Well after an evening of reading I can safely tell you I was happy with my purchase. It is everything you need to know, written in a clear, concise manner, by someone who has done it themselves. There's no annoying jargon, no pushy comments or tests to see if you can be the one to make it as a freelancer. It just lays it all out for you and then allows you to make your own choices.

Lastly is FreelanceUK. The name says it all and I'm not even going to bother to review it further than saying it contains all the info you need to get up off your arse and go for it.

Cerebus by Dave Sim

In memory of Leeboy, who died a year ago today. I can't imagine a better brother.

To the brother who explained the true darkness of Batman to me when I was a little kid and bought me my first comics, who picked that one poppy in the field for me because I thought it was pretty, who would talk about death with me, and tell me stories and give endless advice. To the brother who gave me my first camera in the shape of a clown, and told me it had to be a Night Rod if I'm going to have a Harley. To the brother who called me little shit, pink top and little LB, the brother who explained everything without judgement, shared so selflessly and set me on the path to good music. To the brother I could say a thousand things about, you are missed.