L is for Language -or- Literature (or both)
Ever since I was a young boy, I had an affinity for literature and language. I remember reading the dictionary when bored, so by the time I took the California Achievement Test in the 4th grade, I tested as having the reading comprehension of a college graduate. Needless to say, literature was a good friend while I was growing up. Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood, The Hardy Boys, comic books, Crime and Punishment, Horatio Hornblower, Louis L'Amour… I read everything in my parent's bookshelves and beyond.
I had a particular affinity for two things: Sherlock Holmes and Mark Twain. I recall reading the unabridged Sherlock Holmes on Christmas Day (and Boxing Day) in one sitting—1200 pages or so. Tom Sawyer remains my favorite novel, but more on Mark Twain later.
When I got into high school, I found I had an affinity for writing and grammar as well. Magic happened when I picked up Strunk and White. The clarion call of Rule #13 ("Omit Needless Words"), and how it used itself as an example, was a revelation. Today, I am pressed into service as an editor and reviewer, because I am vigorous and exacting.
My hero today is William Safire. I regret not getting the leftist Houston Chronical for only two reasons: the Friday Fry's Electronics sales circular and the Sunday On Language column. (Oh, and happy day!, I've learned today that On Language is available online — goodbye Barnacle.) I love new words and the etymology behind them. It is a real passion for me.
But back to Twain. His essay The Literary Offences of Fenimore Cooper combines both literature and language arts. It is Twain at his best, barbed and funny. It's short; you ought to read it.
This photo is not staged beyond me setting up the lighting and starting to read. By the time I get to the part where he dissects Cooper's Indians "laying" for the ark in the canal, I was crying from laughter, as I always do. This time, I stopped before I was gasping for breath. It's only taken me a hundred readings to learn the result.
Good literature needn't be dry. In fact, it is a joy and a huge part of who I am.
This is my letter L for An Alphabet of Life.
Lit mainly by the lamp behind me and the natural light of the window, I still used the 430EX off-camera to photo right to balance the light. Without the flash, the surfaces facing the camera would be too dark. It was at 1/8 power, using the mylar diffuser and fired using the ebay remote.
L is for Language -or- Literature (or both)
Ever since I was a young boy, I had an affinity for literature and language. I remember reading the dictionary when bored, so by the time I took the California Achievement Test in the 4th grade, I tested as having the reading comprehension of a college graduate. Needless to say, literature was a good friend while I was growing up. Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood, The Hardy Boys, comic books, Crime and Punishment, Horatio Hornblower, Louis L'Amour… I read everything in my parent's bookshelves and beyond.
I had a particular affinity for two things: Sherlock Holmes and Mark Twain. I recall reading the unabridged Sherlock Holmes on Christmas Day (and Boxing Day) in one sitting—1200 pages or so. Tom Sawyer remains my favorite novel, but more on Mark Twain later.
When I got into high school, I found I had an affinity for writing and grammar as well. Magic happened when I picked up Strunk and White. The clarion call of Rule #13 ("Omit Needless Words"), and how it used itself as an example, was a revelation. Today, I am pressed into service as an editor and reviewer, because I am vigorous and exacting.
My hero today is William Safire. I regret not getting the leftist Houston Chronical for only two reasons: the Friday Fry's Electronics sales circular and the Sunday On Language column. (Oh, and happy day!, I've learned today that On Language is available online — goodbye Barnacle.) I love new words and the etymology behind them. It is a real passion for me.
But back to Twain. His essay The Literary Offences of Fenimore Cooper combines both literature and language arts. It is Twain at his best, barbed and funny. It's short; you ought to read it.
This photo is not staged beyond me setting up the lighting and starting to read. By the time I get to the part where he dissects Cooper's Indians "laying" for the ark in the canal, I was crying from laughter, as I always do. This time, I stopped before I was gasping for breath. It's only taken me a hundred readings to learn the result.
Good literature needn't be dry. In fact, it is a joy and a huge part of who I am.
This is my letter L for An Alphabet of Life.
Lit mainly by the lamp behind me and the natural light of the window, I still used the 430EX off-camera to photo right to balance the light. Without the flash, the surfaces facing the camera would be too dark. It was at 1/8 power, using the mylar diffuser and fired using the ebay remote.