Saturday, December 14, 2013

3 Reasons Ashley Cline Writes Well

The question came up whether Ashley Cline writes well. She's my niece, but I need to analyze the question dispassionately. I looked at a sample of her work at her school paper, the Clipper. I looked at the first 3 examples and saw the following.

1. "Rainier Hall Begins Repairs" shows that she can write utility articles usefully. Just as some stonework is  not statuary but sidewalks, so too some writing is not poetry but utilitarian. Just as you wouldn't want a sidewalk with so many chiseled flourishes that people fall off it, so too you don't want utility articles to have too many decorations. Mostly they need the Who/What/Where/etc.. This article got 'r done and that makes it good!

2. "Doctor Who: Who cares?" shows that she can write explanatory articles honestly and with a light heart. I came away from the article feeling like I has learned a lot about the show, and even though the article read quite fast. I especially liked
"...Many people do not understand the appeal of the show. They hear that the main actor changes every few years, or that the main villain is a salt-shaker with a plunger and a whisk for a weapon. Both of those are very true points,..."
This passage is honest. While the writer is a fan of the show, she is not blind to what nonfan readers are going to think, and addresses issues of interest to them. The elevates the writing above the level of mere fan reporting. In addition, the phrase "very true points" is much funnier than simply "true". As Terry Pratchett explained at a book-signing I was lucky enough to attend, and ordinary, utilitarian phrase can turn funny by the addition of an unnecessary word (His example: "Smack inna face with a fist" is not funny, but "Smack inna face with a stinky fist" is.) Somehow, converting the utilitarian "true" to the more grandeloquent "very true points" introduces humor.

3. Finally, the movie review "REVIEW: Thor: The Dark World" combined those two features: it was both useful - it gave me a good idea whether I would enjoy the movie - and amusing. To me, the most important part of a review is its power to help me figure out where to spend my time and money - and this review does so. The reviewer explained what she found important in this movie, and also explained a few other things that other people might find of interest. A really good review does this while amusing me, and this review's gentle humor kept me reading until the end.
I was puzzled about the review's reference to "Shirtless Thor" but that may be just because I'm an old fuddy-duddy uncle who is not prepared for my nieces to be out of middle school. I promise not to inflict my illusions on them, as they grow into fine adults and, in this case, a talented writer!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Doris Regina Receveur Winnie Rests Now in Peace

Doris Regina Receveur Winnie (September 17, 1929 - December 13, 2013) finished her book at last. Mother of 11 children who put her to the test, she rarely had an unkind word and never an unkind deed. We miss her, but she guides us still. The quote was one of her favorite sayings. When we kids would demand an explanation why we should do something unreasonable like clean our rooms or take out the garbage, I don't remember her ever raising her voice; it was enough for her to say "Because I am your mother, and I love you." Who could resist that?

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Busy Week

Earlier this week I met mom at a doctor's appointment. They like to have a family member present to help understand what doctor says and explain to her and to family as needed. When the visit was over, mom get into the transport van and I went home. We had the usual hug and a kiss and goodbye.
A day or two later the news came that she had an event, probably a stroke. She's in the hospital and the news is not surprising for someone of her health condition but it's not good either. We'll be having a family meeting Monday for the hospital staff to brief us.
Things are basically out of anyone's control; biology and so forth have their way and we can only do our best.
Last week I heard of the death of William T. Booker, a Tuskegee airman who I'd helped at the VA.
Last month was the death of my father-in-law, Larry.
My Aunt Sugar, whose husband passed away, responded to the news about my mother with the comment, "This shit has to stop".

4freeCLE: Free Continuing Legal Education! December 8, 2013

4freeCLE: Free Continuing Legal Education!
If your mail system truncates this newsletter, look for "Show Whole Message", 
or see the web version at  http://www.4freeCLE.com
December 8, 2013
In This Issue
Webcasts
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan, Maryland + Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virgina
Virgin Islands
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Archive

For AV CLE On Demand, SeeRewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Your State

Computer In Rain
Earn CLE Anywhere!
Webcasts 

CLE State-by-State
 
Each of these programs can earn you credit, at no cost, in the state in which it is listed. 
In some cases, the programs require that attorneys attending apply for credit via reciprocity or other rules; check with the credit-granting authority in your state.

Alabama

Alaska

Free CLE Arizona
Arizona

Arkansas

CaliforniaFree CLE California

Free CLE - ColoradoColorado

Connecticut
Connecticut does not have a mandatory CLE requirement at this time. Any of the programs may be of interest to Connecticut lawyers, including the free webcasts above.


Delaware

District of Columbia
DC does not have a mandatory CLE requirement at this time. The webcasts and other programs listed above may be of interest to lawyers licensed there.

FloridaFree CLE Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

IllinoisFree CLE Illinois
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Illinois.
Indiana

Iowa

Kansas
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Kansas

Kentucky
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Kentucky
Louisiana
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Louisiana
Maine
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Maine
Michigan, Maryland + Massachusetts
Michigan, Maryland & Massachusetts do not have a mandatory CLE requirement at this time. The webcasts and other programs listed above may be of interest to lawyers licensed in there.

Minnesota

Mississippi
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Mississippi

Missouri
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Missouri

Montana
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Montana

Nebraska
Nevada
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Nevada

New Hampshire
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: New Hampshire

New Jersey
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: New Jersey.

New Mexico
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: New Mexico

Free CLE - New York
New York
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: New York.
North Carolina
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: North Carolina

North Dakota
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: North Dakota

Ohio
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Ohio

Oklahoma
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Oklahoma

Oregon
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Oregon

Pennsylvania
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Dakota 
South Dakota does not have a mandatory CLE requirement; the webcasts and other programs listed above may be of interest to lawyers licensed there.
South Carolina
Tennessee
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Tennessee

TexasFree CLE - Texas

Utah
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Utah

Vermont
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Vermont

Virginia
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Virginia

Virgin Islands
Washington
For more AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Washington State.
West Virginia
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: West Virginia

Wisconsin
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Wisconsin

Wyoming
For AV CLE, see Rewinn's Guide to Free CLE: Wyoming

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