The Winter That Wasn't

Oh where, oh where can we get a snow view?
This winter in Baltimore has been a bust.
With meteorologists and their forecasts untrue,
Who can we possibly trust?

Do they not see what they do to us
Each time they hypothesize a storm?
The mention of snow and ice makes all of us cuss
As we sprint to the supermarket -- true to form.

Bread, milk, and toilet paper are on our long lists.
But as we sadly find that items are gone from the shelves,
It's certain we might plan a near caper,
Or wish for replenishment from Santa's elves.

We buy things we don't need,
And we don't buy things we do need.
All because they so shamelessly mislead.
Have they been to the store and seen the stampede?

Here's a plea for them to get it right.
It's not fair that they get it wrong though still get paid.
Stop giving the citizens of Baltimore such a fright.
One day we will wise up and not be so easily swayed.

That Feared Word

Tax season is upon Americans again, which makes the IRS happier than a 5-year-old on Christmas morning.  Those of us on the other side of this institution instantly experience trepidation when we hear the word audit.  However, the IRS sees the word in this way.

Another
Usual
Day
In
Taxland

The Fault Line

Here are the unfortunate four faults I found within, interestingly, the last four hours.

Spotted on a large piece of plywood near a restaurant remodeling project:  Constuction entrance.  (spellcheck!)

Located on the marquee outside of a firehouse:  Have your child's birthday here!  (I assume this means there is a  fully equipped hospital on location?)

Found on an Internet news site:  The daybooks were a place for students to collect unsensored thoughts, which could then . . . essays.  (see comment on #1 above!)

Viewed on the same Internet news site (different article):  Prosecutors contend . . . to get his wife away from other divers to kill them . . . battery was in upside down.  (I had to read most of this article in order to realize the accused was not trying to do away with the divers).

Editor needed STAT!

Stop the Madness

In the blog world, there is a phenomenon known as frackin' Friday.  We bloggers are able to rant about what we wish.  So here's mine.

The phrase when and if is used quite frequently in our everyday world.  Yet it is incorrect to put them together with 'and.'  Why, you ask?  When can be various parts of speech, but either way the word denotes a time frame.  Something will happen eventually.   If can be a conjunction or a noun, but the word requires a condition for something to happen, and that something may never happen.

So one can see that created as a compound phrase, these words cannot co-exist.  That is not to say that it cannot be written in some fashion, but better sentence construction is in order.

Punitive Measures

A local elementary school here in Baltimore held a pep rally yesterday.  This was, of course, in support of our hometown Ravens traveling to New England for the upcoming championship game on Sunday.

An email was sent to parents stating that if children did not wear either purple clothing or Ravens 'gear,' they could not participate in the rally and would be shuttled to the library. 

I found this interesting since the library certainly should never be considered a form of punishment.  Not only that, Baltimore's slogan years ago was "The City That Reads."

A Bitter Pill Indeed...

I stumbled upon a captivating article this morning.  A sizable pharmaceutical company is recalling several of its medications.  Those listed were Excedrin, NoDoz, and Gas-X. 

If you find yourself requiring these meds but can not take them, I deduce this means your head may possibly burst from pain.  Perhaps you will not realize this pain or the fact that you are breaking wind since you will be asleep from a lack of caffeine.  Just make sure that you are alone, or at least that no one is down wind, when this occurs.