Grammar Challenge - The Questions

It's probably no secret that I love words. That makes me a LOGOPHILE. I mean, I'm a writer. It would make sense that I must have some affinity for words. So while I was getting ready for work this morning, I had various words running around in my head, vying for my attention and pitching me ideas about how they're used. One such pitch actually caught my attention, and I'd like to share it with you.

Okay, so I would venture to guess that most of us automatically associate certain words with questions, or rather, the asking of questions. What do I mean by this? Well, if you were to ask someone a question, it would typically start off with one of these words: What? When? How? Why? Where? I'd say maybe a good 80% of question are asked by using these words.

However, there are also other words that, when placed at the beginning of a sentence, are almost always forming a question. These words are: Did...? Can...? Do...? May...?

So here's my challenge to you...

Provide an example of a sentence that begins with ANY of those words but is NOT a question. Can you do it? Do you think you can?

Bonus points if you can tell me other word(s) that I haven't listed, but could be used at the beginning of a question.

Another Busy Day

It's been a very busy day. As such, I don't have the time I usually dedicate to posting the depth of my soul... well, maybe not that deep. But still, photoblogs take a long time to upload. So, while I rarely ever cut & paste things like this, this is one of those "oldies but goodies" and... I have affirmation issues that creep up from time to time. lol So here it goes! You fill in the blanks.*  

1) I ____ Myxl.
2) Myxl is ____.
3) If I were alone in a room with Myxl, I would ____.
4) I think Myxl should ____.
5) Myxl needs ____.
6) Myxl will never ____.
7) I want to _____ Myxl.
8) Someday Myxl will be ____.
9) ____ is how I would describe meeting Myxl.
10) I read Myxl's blog because _____.

As far as tagging goes, you can either assume I tagged you because I want you to fill it out, or that I tagged you because you should post this on your blog. Either works for me.

@PrincessPowers, @ShamrockLover, @LKJSlain, @thegunslingergirl, @olwd, @Jenny_Wren, @kittensquirrel, @Fairywife, @HexagonQuirks, @Foodhog, @BandoHobbit, @hintofblue, @WaitingToShrug, @coolmonkey, @GreekPhysique and others that I was too lazy to cut and paste. Yep, you're tagged too.

Yesterday was a very interesting day.

It's a holiday where we are given time off work to remember, celebrate and reflect on those who have given their lives in service to our great nation. Of course, like most holidays, the original intent seems to have been long since been replaced with carefree indulgence.

For retailers, it's the beginning of the big summer sales (and the big push to move their leftover winter and spring inventory ).

For schools, it's the middle of full on Prom Season and the countdown to summer vacation.

For people in SoCal, Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff for summer barbecues and water sports. I'm not saying any of this to be a downer. I just find it interesting that rarely do I have conversations with people about Memorial Day that have anything to do with remembering people. Nevertheless, we had a very nice Memorial Day Weekend. It was rather chill.

On Saturday, we went to a local carnival that had taken over the baseball field at the neighborhood park.

On Monday, some friend of ours came over and there was lots of food... and playtime in the pool for the kids. Photographic evidence below...

RDT: As Far As I Can Throw You...

I realize that aside from my wife and my best friend, there are very few people that I trust implicitly. I mean, there are people that I trust to a degree, but not unconditionally. There are people I can trust depending on the circumstance. For instance, I can trust some friends with money and I can trust other friends with my car. But there are certain friends for example, whom I would NEVER ask to babysit, ya know?

Also, with all the betrayal and cruelty I've experienced at the hands of my ex-wife, I will NEVER trust her again in life. I don't trust her to tell the truth or do anything remotely considerate. And no amount of time will ever change that. Sometimes when trust is broken, it is irreparable.

Over the years, I've found that one of the basic realities of online interaction is that trust becomes your most important (and sometimes your only) asset and most valuable currency. As much as we may talk to people on a regular basis online, there is often a very real feeling that they are still an "offline stranger". So unless you've met them in person, talked to them on the phone or seen them on video, you have nothing to confirm who they are other than their word. That means your word is the foundation upon which these relationships are built. Without it, the relationship falls apart.

Back in 2009, my identity was called into question when someone swore that I was actually a woman pretending to be a man. They said they had proof of my deception and threatened to make it public if I didn't confess. I responded by posting a picture of myself with a rather smug look of slight humor on my face. If it weren't for the fact that I am indeed male and confident that whatever proof they had was either made up or nonexistent, I would've been concerned. Instead, I just found it funny... slightly.

Truth is, there are so many videos and pictures of me floating around the web that one could easily stumble onto them without even trying. However, it got me wondering about what we think we know about our friends online and how much of it we actually believe. It's become so easy to pretend to be someone else online that the common default is to be wary of everyone until such a time that you've been able to confirm them for yourself. Xanga has been plagued by fake accounts, and the number of people with multiple accounts has gotten to the point that any sane person would be well within their right to be somewhat suspicious.

But what can you do about it?

I mean, is it easier to simply decide to maintain your privacy and say to hell with everyone else and their cries for verification? Or is it better to prove you are who you claim to be (however that's done) so that your trust, your honesty, your virtual currency doesn't diminish in value? I don't know. There's no simple answer to those questions. Everyone has to make their own choice in the matter. All I know is that trust is earned.

For the rest, I don't trust you as far as I can throw you.

I'm being lazy today, so here's a brain teaser that I thought would be cool to share. I was able to figure this out in about 2 minutes (which, after figuring it out felt like a really long time ). Think you can figure it out?

Click Here ---> ESP Experiment

Let me know if you figure it out (but don't give away the answer!). And I'll be happy to explain the trick to anyone in a message if you get stuck.

The Soundtrack Of My Life

I've been thinking long and hard about my music. As many of you know, I've never aspired to be a recording artist... going on tour and the like. I've been there, done that. I've performed in front of thousands of people. Been on TV, in movies and a few commercials. But I've never sought out fame or fortune. I just love to make music. I love writing! I love singing! I love playing! But what I love more than music, is my family. And providing for them has always been my focus and priority.
 
Recently, I've felt increasingly dissatisfied with my 9 to 5 job. There's nothing going on that makes it bad. I actually love the work we accomplish helping people. I just wish for something more. Something that would allow me to combine my passion for music with being more available to my family.
 
To that end, I've praying about what God wants me to do with the gift he's given me.  In all of my praying, the recurring message is that over the years I've cultivated deep friendships with some amazing people, who've already accomplished a lot in music...

I have a good friend from college who is a successful producer, as well as a professional drummer (jazz, pop and rap). He judges drum competitions all over the country.

I have another friend who has written and produced for countless artists like Pink, Katy Perry, Timbaland, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, Christina Aguilera, Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Flo Rida, Blake Shelton, Backstreet Boys, Hunter Hayes, Katharine McPhee, Mitchell Musso and Rascal Flatts.

And recently in 2011, another good friend founded and is Executive Creative Director of a music conservatory in the Inland Empire.

I only mention these to say that I know people who have found a type of success in the music industry that doesn't involve an office cubicle. In the end, that's what I truly want. In trying to figure out what my options might be, I figured the best thing to do is ask those who've already figured it out.
 
So, I started asking...
 
I reached out to them and told them that I'm not looking for a job lead. I'm seeking advice. They know me. They know my talent, my history with music, and my appreciation for the artistry involved. Knowing me in that way, I just want them to help point me in the right direction. I would love to be a songwriter or be involved in discovering new talent or collaborating on creative projects involving music. But the key is knowing where to start and how to get from simply "wanting" to "being". So I asked for their suggestions, advice, other people to talk to, etc.
 
The response has been truly humbling. The outpouring of support I've received just overwhelms me with emotion. I will keep you posted as I push forward with what will hopefully become the new soundtrack of my life.

This morning I talked to my best friend...

This is a guy I've known for more than 20 years. We went to high school together... were roommates in college... and were in each other's weddings. For as long as I've known him, he's always been fit. He works out regularly. Eats healthy foods. Coaches his son's football team. Overall, he's the epitome of health.

That is, until late last week when he suffered what was determined to be a T.I.A. (Transient Ischemic Attack). It's a (mini? small? minor?) stroke that can be a precursor to something more serious. Here is what he had to say about it...

We don't have time to waste. I don't have time to kill. I want what remains of my life to be spent wisely. That is why I'm going to see him on Saturday. That is why I called him this morning. He could've been taken away in an instant and although I'm positive he already knows, I wouldn't have had a chance to actually tell him that I love him and that he's important to me.

It reminds me of my all-time most popular post EVER that got more 170,000 Views, 100 RECs, email shares and even a like on Facebook. Don't wait... don't kill time.

My Heart Brakes

"Nothing warms the heart quite like brake lights in the morning."

My commute the last few days has been horrible. I leave my house at 6:45am and I get to work after 8:00am. You'd think I lived in another state and not just a little over 15 miles. :-/

What Gates May Come

My mother's day gift to my wife is nearly done! I've finished installing all of the white pickets and the post caps. The only thing left to do is build and install the gates! So, now you know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Just so you know... those post caps are solar powered and illuminate at night. They look so beautiful once the sun has gone down. I'll try to get a picture of them at night. Needless to say, my wife is pleased.