The Bis Key Chronicles

Robert J. Samuelson of Newsweek writes:

"I have always liked commas, but I seem to be in a shrinking minority. The comma is in retreat, though it is not yet extinct. In text messages and e-mails, commas appear infrequently, and then often by accident (someone hits the wrong key). Even on the printed page, commas are dwindling. Many standard uses from my childhood (after, for example, an introductory prepositional phrase) have become optional or, worse, have been ditched."

Read the rest of the article (‘cuz it’s along the lines of the worlds ‘hurry up’ mentality that I have been harping on as of late. I told this to my Dad and at 76 he sez he has absolutely no problem slowing down. Indeed, he is constantly fighting the urge to slow down.  :o)

TED.com presents Carl Honore (thanks for the pointer Eolake):

Speed, notes journalist and author Carl Honore, has become a combining form: speed dialing, speed reading, speed walking, even speed dating. Modern life is stuck on fast-forward to such an extent, he notes, quoting Postcards from the Edge, that "even instant gratification takes too long." But there’s a backlash brewing, he says, as everyday people start putting the brakes on. He concludes with the results of his own attempt to get in touch with his "inner tortoise."

While I was listening to Carl, ironically speeding through his presentation on slowing down, I got the idea that I wanted Suzy and me to place a nice industrial strength, artsy-craftsy bench in our common area for the hundreds of people who walk by our community.

So do we want a simple design, like in the bench above or something ornate like this one to the right? Whatever we get, it would be nice for it to be made of materials that don’t need annual sanding and refinishing. Both of these models are plastic but look like wood.

I think the park bench is something that we just don’t see enough of as people hurry through life, trying to get to the next thang to do. Suzy asked me if anyone would even stop to sit on the bench and enjoy the view. I think that the neighborhood would be surprised by the number of people, besides me who would indeed take full advantage of the seat.

Now I need to run it by the homeowner’s architectural committee for approval. I’ll let you know how it goes.  :o)

Update: The whole deal is being squelched because of the liability associated with having a bench on the homeowner association’s property. Oh well, maybe I should move to Daphne’s world where benches are ubiquitous? Even my wife is concerned that someone would fall off the bench or run into it with their bicycle and then sue the owners. I just don’t think that way, but I’m running into the problem with the overly litigious US society more frequently.  :o(

On the plus side, it saves us the ~$500 it would have cost to put a bench there. And we have a park with a beach within a mile of our place and other huge county park within two miles. Suzy and I also have a nice bench on our front porch that we really enjoy.