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When to Use Special Typographic Symbols
Following up on another post, I’d like to provide some information on when special typographic symbols should be used. Ampersand (&) — Used informally to denote “and” Ampersat (@) — Commonly used in email address but also used informally to denote “at” or, in healthcare, “before” Asterisk (*) — Denotes a footnote; also used to…
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Typographic Symbols and Their Names
Ever see an odd little symbol and wonder to yourself, Self, what do you suppose that odd little symbol is called? Wonder no more. Here’s a handy list of typographic symbols and their names.
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Death in Donora
On Tuesday October 26, the air over Donora became foggy from cool air being trapped beneath warmer air above in what meteorologists term a temperature inversion. Normally inversions last less than a day, but this one lasted a devastating five days. Within two days the fog had turned into a stinging, yellowish-gray shroud so thick…
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The Peaceful Transfer of Power and Hope
Inauguration Day for Donald J. Trump is in three days, and we will watch again as the transition of power from one party to another occurs peacefully and completely in a single day. Quite a remarkable occurrence.An occurrence, in fact, that forms the bedrock of a true democracy. I look forward to that peaceful transition…
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It’s Semi-Official: I’m Writing a Book
Hemingway (certainly not McPhee) at work Well, I am semi-officially writing a book. I say “semi-officially” because I’m in the early stages of research and development and I don’t have a publisher yet. I decided first that I did not want to self-publish. I’ve worked in publishing for many years and have gained an enormous…
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Goodbye, 2016. Hello, 2017
We’ve had quite a divaricate year, all in all, one with a split personality, one that feels differently to me depending on whether I think about what happened in my personal life or what happened in the nation and the world. Perhaps it is always that way, but 2016 certainly feels different. Personally I had…
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Wishing Us a Better 2017 Than Our Hellish 2016
We lost far too much and far too many this past year. We Mourn We mourn so many people who gave so much to all of us: (L. to R, top to bottom) John Glenn, Muhammed Ali, GeneWilder, David Bowie, Gwen Ifill, Leonard Cohen,Toots Thielemans Alan Rickman Alan Thicke David Bowie Gene Wilder Gordie Howe…
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Take Andy’s Rather Odd Questionnaire TODAY!
Proust had his questionnaire. Facebook is filled with them. I thought I would do my own, a wee bit odd though it might be. Unlike Facebook questionnaires, however, my questionnaire will not be used to identify your possible passwords! Give it a go! https://form.jotform.com/jsform/63464825389166
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My Responses to Bernard Pivot’s Questionnaire, with Apologies to James Lipton
At 66 I thought it might be time to do my own Bernard Pivot questionnaire, the one the incomparable James Lipton uses on “Inside the Actor’s Studio.” Here goes. What is your favorite word?Awesome What is your least favorite word?The N word What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?Honesty What turns you off?Lack of…
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Four Tips for Spotting Bogus News Stories
How many times have you seen a headline that seems ridiculous? And then how many times have you passed that story along on Facebook or Twitter? Don’t feel guilty. It can be difficult to tell the difference between fake and real. Here are four tips on quickly making that differentiation. Check the URL. The web…
