12 September, 2007

Back to school

Well, it's "back to school" time for a lot of kids, and being a kid at heart, I didn't want to be left out this year. So I signed up for an introductory XML course at Online Learning.

I've got to learn the basics before I try figuring out how to prove to my current employer that we'd all benefit from authoring in XML - at the very least.

The course began this Monday, so I’ll be doing the first two assignments this weekend. My journey has begun!

05 April, 2007

I just joined BookCrossing. Does that make me a bookie?

At the STC Exec. meeting Tuesday night -- during the social part of the evening -- we got talking about the upcoming EAC (Editors Association of Canada) Book Swap meeting later this month. That got me moaning about the fact that I have to get rid of a bunch of books that I've been holding on to. Some I've read, and unfortunately, some I haven't. The unread ones were purchased with good intentions: building up my general knowledge, feeding established interests, trying to stretch my areas of interest, but most have them have remained unread for years. So, it's time for them to go. I think I'll take some of the unread ones to the EAC meeting. Perhaps I can swap them for others that I am more likely to read.

As for the read ones, I shall release them into the wild via BookCrossing. I just signed up, and already am thinking of places where I can release my pre-loved paperbacks.

And hey Pat, thanks for serving the hot crossed buns as dessert last night; I'm still happily remembering them!

08 January, 2007

A question about word order

This morning while reading the preface of a book about English language usage, I came across the following sentence: THE COMPLETE PLAIN WORDS has a plain enough purpose: to make the task of writing easier for those who wish to write better than they now do. I questioned the word order at the end of the sentence, and I was wondering if anyone else questioned it. So, do you think,
  • the word order is correct.
  • the adverb should follow the verb.
  • I shouldn't worry about it; it's just a matter of personal style.