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Let me be totally honest and say that spelling has never been one of my strong suits.

In fact, let me be more totally honest and say that I SUCK at spelling and seem to be getting SUCKIER as I get older.

Once a month, the nun’s in catholic grammar school were evilly notorious for having a surprise spelling bee. All the students had to stand around the classroom forming a large circle as Sister would randomly call our names; asking us to spell a word. As each student failed they were asked to take their seat until only one student was left standing, whereupon they were awarded a special packet of #2 pencils and a pink rubber eraser that had been blessed by the Pope.

Needless to say, I was always the first student asked to take my seat.

Sister: “Ronald, please spell the word CAT.

Me: “K-H-A-T.”

Sister: “No…I’m sorry Ronald, please take your seat.”

Me (under my breath): “How dare you try and use a tricky word on me!”

I think the strangest idiosyncrasy I have about spelling is that I can’t spell a word out loud. In order for me to spell a word I have to either write it out on a piece of paper or type it out using a keyboard. For some reason I need to SEE a word as I spell it. I’m always embarrassed when someone asks me how to spell something because I suddenly have to say, “Wait! Wait a minute…I need a pen and a piece of paper.”

It’s funny, because for the past three years since I’ve been writing more through blogging, when I actually should be getting better at spelling…I’m getting worse.

I use to have a dictionary on my desk at all times, but now with the invention of spell check I’ve disregarded Webster all together. However, I do try and take the time after using spell check to LOOK at the word thoroughly, so I can remember it for future use.

(I just want to let everyone know that I had to use spell check in order to spell the words idiosyncrasy and embarrassed in the paragraph above)

And I need to confess something to you, my blogging friends….

…whenever I leave a comment on your blogs I always have a window open with Word Processor, just in case I need to use the spell check before publishing my comments.

(aren’t I a sneak?)

I honestly think that spell check should be added to commenting systems on every blog hosting company.

Wouldn’t that be fabulously convenient for someone like me?

I think it would make me feel more confident if I ever left a comment on one of your blogs and needed to spell a tricky word, such as….

Khat.





37 comments:

  1. I've been there, Ron. I was at work taking down a customer's address to ship them something. I could not for the life of me write the word "eighth." My brain decided to turn off and I simply could not remember how to write the word or even figure out how to fix my errors. I eventually gave up and wrote "8th."

    I think I'll have to give back my BA in English. :/

    - R

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  2. Joan:

    We are two peas in a pod on this one. I can't spell for siht. See what I'm saying. I think they should invent something that corrects as you type. Right then and there. Don't underline the word, Don't ask me to go back and spell check. Don't highlight the word. Just F'in correct it.

    My voice has been a bit horse this weekend. But I will try and manage to belt one out for ya here.

    *Ethel clears her throat. Spits. Yikes, Spits OMG. Oh Joan sorry about that but it must have been the fur balls stuck in my throat. Don't ask.

    "And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
    Little boy blue and the man on the moon
    When you comin' home dad?
    I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
    You know we'll have a good time then"

    Now let's see the damn spell checker find something wrong with my spelling. And if there is, Joan, I ask you to get those damn hangers and beat the siht out of them.

    Love

    Ethtel

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  3. I'm sorrie I'm lait. That khat is scarry loocking. Loocks lyk lozer eks syko khitty. Itt yoost too byte and skrach peepul and maik tham blied.
    Cann I hav sum pensuls and erasrs now, Sistur Jone?

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  4. I'm still trying to figure out why 'embarrassed' has two 'r's'....make that make sense!

    k....neither can I.

    K-H-A-T

    *nodding* Sounds right.
    Looks a little funny though.....

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  5. I had to look up the word 'evilly' just to make sure that was a word. It looked so weird. LOL
    So you get points for all the good ones spelled correctly in this post. LOL

    I've always been pretty good with spelling but have definitely looked things up before blog posting, commenting, and emails.

    Wayyyy back in grade school I was in a Spelling Bee. It came down to me and another student. I got the word 'Antarctic' and lost for missing the C in the middle. The girl who won was my friend so it was cool anyway. She got a dictionary. I think the loser should have gotten that. LOL

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  6. Hi Ron,

    Speeeling always my downfall two. I rembur the the days in Katholic Schul when Sister Monica would just love to sit and wate for ech of us to fail at the atemppt in the way we wood spele things out. How she would howel with deeelite when one of us wood get the wurd wrong. She would experience a deep inner nowing that she was trullly sperior being. She knew ho two speel the wurds that made us kringe and then she would take out her rosery strap and beat the everliving crap out of all of us. After that she would shrink back into her co coon and revert back to the pious old hag lady she really was. How is that for a walk down memeory lane. Now I, like you jus use spppeel chech and let things happen taht happen.

    My hats is ouff to you my doctor of letters.

    Alphabet Man on the flip side.

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  7. Hey Roberto!

    Great to see ya, bud!

    OMG...I can't believe you just said that, because eighth is a word that constantly makes me pause and think, "How the HELL do I spell that?!?!?"

    It's the 2 H's that always throw me!

    I never went to college, but in high school I always got a BS in English...

    ....B.ull S.hit!

    hahahahahahaha!

    Thanks for stopping by, Roberto!

    Hope all is well in retail!!!!

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Holy Shit, Ethel/Cat Stevens...

    your comment today, made me pee my panties.

    ...Oh Joan sorry about that but it must have been the fur balls stuck in my throat. Don't ask.

    bwhahahahahahaha!

    Hey listen, I actually DO have something on my Vista Word Processor that will automatically correct a word if I misspell it. However, it doesn't always do it.

    (that's because it's VISTA!!!!!)

    Speaking of which, I seriously need to get a Mac. I am so OVER Windows. I just had some updates and they've totally f**cked up the whole system.

    Anyway, Ethel...it's so great to hear that I'm not the only one who has issues with spelling.

    But that's ok...because at least we know how to SING!

    ha!

    Great seeing ya, bud!

    Have an awesome day!

    Love,
    Joan

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  9. Aloha Debi!

    No worries, my friend...

    ...it's great to see ya whenever you stop by.

    I know...isn't that cat scary looking? I was going to use a cute little kitty, but when I saw the face on this cat...I thought it was perfect for being pissed off that I forgot how to spell khat.

    ha!

    Yes...if you can spell khat, you will be rewarded your #2 pencils and eraser.

    BTW, I just got my Payless coupons in the mail. Which means I will get another pair of shoes! Yeepee!

    Thanks for dropping by, Deb!

    Hope you're having a great Monday!

    Love,
    Sister Joan

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  10. Hiya Mel...

    Yes! Not only two R's, but two S's.

    WTF?

    It seems that whenever a word contains double letters, that's when I REALLY get confused.

    Hey...and don't you like KHAT better than CAT? It looks so much more chic!

    tee, hee!

    Happy Monday, dear lady!

    Thanks for dropping by!

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  11. Helloooo Crystal Chick!

    OMG...that made me LAUGH!

    The spelling bee winner got a DICTIONARY?? You're right...I think the losers should have gotten that too!

    The word Anarctic always confuses me.

    It's funny you mentioned the word evilly because that was another word I didn't know how to spell. I tried spelling it several different ways before I finally broke down and hit spell check! It is a weird looking word, isn't it?

    Well...I'm so envious that you're a good speller, but BRAVA!! Maybe you could tuitor me on the weekends and I'll pay you with #2 pencils and a pink erasers.

    HA!

    Thanks for stopping by, neighbor!

    Hey...and don't love of this lovely humidity we're getting?

    Grrrrrrr.

    Have a great week!

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  12. bwhahahahahahahaha Dave!!

    Not only do you get a packet of #2 pencils and a pink eraser for that hysterical comment, but also a The Catholic School Award for reminding me of what it was like!

    ...How she would howel with deeelite when one of us wood get the wurd wrong...

    God, you are so RIGHT ON!

    Always so great seeing ya, my friend!

    Thanks for adding your genius to this post!

    Sincerely,
    D.L., Doctor of Letters

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  13. see now I think 'khat' makes you ahead of your time

    just like 'phat' became a cool word for cool clothes

    you just meant to invent a new word and they just didn't get you

    you are a trend setter

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  14. Hey Dianne!

    OMG...leave it to my best Khat-Lovin' friend to give me the PERFECT reason for my spelling error!!

    *which I now see, was NOT an error!

    And you're absolutely right...

    ...Baby Phat!

    I love you!!!!

    Gratefully yours,
    The Trend Setter
    X

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  15. I SO RELATE! You are a visual person; that's why your are into the arts and all things beautifull!

    I have to see word written out too, I am never ashamed of that. You and I, and peole like us see beauty first, then as in secondary, the ever so small details like facts and numbers come into play..I like the way we see the world better!

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  16. Hiya Funny Girl~

    You're the BOMB!

    OMG...what an enlightening and beautiful comment!

    You know, I never thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right - I AM more a visual person, so that makes total sense!

    And you're also right in saying...

    ...I like the way we see the world better!

    Thank you for stopping by and always sharing your awesome spirit!

    X

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  17. Those damn nuns are the reason people like Dr. Phil have jobs!

    I have first hand knowledge that the pencils were not blessed by the pope. They were just blessed by the priests when they got silly with the communion wine, and played with the practice pope hat!

    See. All those years of fretting for nothing!

    Love you bunches, you handsome khat you!

    xoxo
    ~vk~

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  18. Hola Vixen Kitten!

    ...Those damn nuns are the reason people like Dr. Phil have jobs!....

    bwhahahahahahaha!

    You're so right, girl!!

    OMG....I can't even stand to see of photo of that man!

    You KILLED ME with the priests getting silly with the wine and practicing with the Pope hat - HA!

    I take it then that you too went to catholic school?!

    Funny to think that at one time I actually wanted to BE a nun!

    Sister Ronald.

    Love ya too, you beautiful Kitten!

    Meow!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    XOXO

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  19. Hi Ron,

    Now don't feel too bad, it happens to us all.But, I honestly think thet "spell check" is both a blessing & a curse. A blessing to not make stupid mistakes and a curse... because it thinks for us !

    But,you know, ex-pats have these problems all the time. Depending on how much you still use English while overseas ( varies... that is one small reason too that I blog in English & not French- PRACTICE !) and your own level your English regresses !

    I have to think twice about spelling & grammar . Then I have blanks too when I have to think about a word in English.

    So you see Ron, you are far from alone in your problem !

    Big hugs to you my friend & give my regards to Love city !
    XXXX from the 2 of us to ya !

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  20. Joan.

    Don't make me jealous you bitchy broad. I want a mac as well and I'll just spit nails if you get one before I do.

    So woman, oh and btw...when you visit me and read some of the dreadful comments I post here, dear get your depends on would ya. I'm tired of coming around and having to make my houseboy clean up after you...and no you can't touch.

    Back to my point...CUFK vista. Christ almighty I feel like I'm spelling like Deb now...woot...aint that a bitch...

    shit I was going to belt out the bitch is back but I've sung that one and peeps is going to get tired of it. Listen to my language. What is this 3rd world night? pffft

    So where was I, oh yeah, Joan, download Windows 7RC it's the bomb. I have so fewer hassles now. As a matter of fact it's flowing as smooth as the river in Deliverance.

    "Down by the lazy river, come as you please
    Down by the lazy river, one big family
    If you`re all alone, you won`t be long
    Just bring your guitar and sing your song
    Down by the lazy river, everybody follow me"

    And my goodness...Watch out for that Dianne...That blue liberal give away everything to everybody burn the bra Gloria Steinem woman can be evil I tell you...just evil. And if you tell her that even though she is and I love her to bits, I'll bitch slap you to places you never even knew existed.

    "You made a fool of me, but them broken dreams have got to end.

    Hey woman, you got the blues, cos you aint got no one else to use.
    Theres an open road that leads nowhere, so just make some miles
    Between here and there.
    Theres a hole in my head where the rain comes in,
    You took my body and played to win,
    Ha ha woman its a crying shame,
    But you aint got no one else to blame.

    E-evil woman, e-evil woman, e-evil woman, evil woman

    Rolled in from another town,
    Hit some gold too hot to settle down,
    But a fool and his money soon go separate ways,
    And you found a fool lyin in a daze,
    Ha ha woman what you gonna do,
    You destroyed all the virtues that the lord gave you,
    Its so good that youre feeling pain,
    But you better get yourself on board the very next train.

    Evil woman how you done me wrong,
    But now youre tryin to wail a different song,
    Ha ha funny how you broke me up, you made the wine now you
    Drink the cup,
    I came runnin every time you cried,
    Thought I saw love smilin in your eyes,
    Ha ha very nice to know, that you aint got no place left to go"

    WOOT..

    Regards

    Ethel

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  21. Bonjour Barbara!

    My thoughts exactly.

    Spell check is both a blessing and a curse. That's why I try to LOOK at a word after it's been corrected, so I can remember.

    (sometimes)

    Ya know...I never thought about ex-pats and the fact that you're having to translate in both English and French. And you're right, if you don't use a language, you can end up forgetting.

    I think it's so GREAT you're bilingual, Barb!

    Me too...."Oui, oui."

    HA!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend!

    BTW, the City of Love has officially gotten summer. OMG...the humidity for the past four days has been horrendous! Not complaining, though. Because we've had a gorgeous summer up until now.

    (and it's almost over - yeepee!)

    XXXX to the 2 of you!!!!

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  22. OMG...Ethel...I truly think you've lost your singing mind!!!

    But I LOVE IT!!!!

    ...it's flowing as smooth as the river in Deliverance...

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    That was too funny, man!

    You've mentioned Windows 7RC before and I'm hesitating doing to because I fear a total freak out in my computer. OMG...about two days ago, I got two new VISTA updates, and now my computer is acting like it's possessed! And the worst part, is that's it's getting slower and slower the longer I have Vista.

    Mac's are coming down in price, so as soon as I get my credit card balance a little bit lower, I'll be ready to purchase one - yeeepee!

    Anway, Ethel...thanks for the songs and HYSTERICS!!

    .."Aaaaah, freak out...

    ...le freak, says, Chic...

    ...FREAK OUT!"
    ...

    Regards,
    Joan

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  23. Shaking that booy...I love that freak out...and the dregs...to die for...

    Okay listen up, pay both our credit cards down as again, I shall spit nails...fair warning.

    Well I'm telling you Windows 7RC I have not had one bit of trouble at all.

    Ethel

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  24. Aloha Ethel the nail spitter!

    A-ok, I'll go online this evening and investigate Windows 7RC.

    I let you know if I switch over.

    Hope you had a great day, bud!

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  25. ronnie: ha. hehehehe.

    sweetie. I always had trouble with the wpred tommarrow...no that not write. It was was tommorough...No that's not right either.
    anyway each week there was a surprise spelling bee on Wednesday. yeah it was funny that we couldn't catch on that the surprise spelling bee was on always on Wednesday.

    anyway...my teacher...sister mary Alice always gave me that word. I always got it wrong. You could ask me to spell it any other time and it was no prob...

    I crack under pressure....hehehe Oh and a paper and pencil didn't help. hehehe

    Your post took me back years ronnie....hehehe.

    fab post. Ciao honey

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  26. Math was my downfall. The calculator was invented for me.

    Spelling? I also use spell-check and a dictionary. I try NOT to use words like idiosyncrasy if at all possible.

    That khat is too damn cute, bro!

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  27. Dearest Miss Jones!

    OMG...you are SOOO funny!

    HOLY SHIT..if I could only tell you HOW MANY TIMES I've misspelled tomorrow you would DIE!

    I totally get thrown with any word that has double letters. Especially a word with double/double letters like Mississippi!

    It took me until high school to know how to spell that one.

    And I TOO cracked under the Sister's pressure. It was something about the way she looked at me, that made me FREEZE.

    Thanks for dropping by, Miss Jones!

    Hope you had a grande day!

    It's hotter than hell here in Philly and I'm SHVITZING!

    ciao bella
    X

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  28. Hiya Nitebyrd!

    Ok...you and I are kin.

    Besides spelling, MATH was my downfall too. Probably even more so than spelling.

    And speaking of calculators...

    ...about six months ago my calculator broke, and it took me an hour to balance my checkbook because I had to use my fingers to add and subtract!

    Thanks. I love that khat too. He kinda reminds me of my grandmother!

    HA!

    Thanks for dropping by, Sis!

    X ya!

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  29. OH! The first thing we differ on. Spelling Bee champ here. I have the Guiness World Book awards from the 70's. I check for spelling errors in everything I read. It's my pet peeve.

    In your defense, cat is very hard to spell. :-)

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  30. Hiya Chrissy!

    First of all, you are so cute.

    In your defense, cat is very hard to spell.

    bwhahahahahahaha!

    And second of all...WOW!!!!

    The Guiness World Book awards from the 70's?????

    You GO, girl!

    I am like genuinely and sincerely IMPRESSED!!!

    Well...it looks like you got all the good spelling genes in our kinship. Plus...a dazzling smile!

    OMG...you ever spot a misspelled word on my posts, feel free to point it out, ok?

    Great seeing ya, Twin!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    X

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  31. Joan...

    I just saw that snide little chirping of your's about my singing. Over the top huh? Well fine then sister. I shall remember that little comment.

    Love

    Ethel

    "You're so vain
    You probably think this song is about you
    You're so vain
    I'll bet you think this song is about you
    Don't you? Don't you?"

    Oh Ethel shush...don't tell everyone your secrets

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  32. LOLOL. ron you are the best. seriously, you crack me up. i have issues with spelling to. i was even in a spelling bee and spelled 'addition' wrong. WTH. how. i subtracted a letter. LOLOLOL.

    i do the best i can and pray spell check is more on point than i am. i have issues.

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  33. Aloha Ethel/Carly Simon!

    I think you have a FAAAAABULOUS voice, Ethel!

    I LOVE your over the top singing!!!

    You're ETHEL, for god-sake!

    Ethel was ALWAYS over the top!

    That's what made her Ethel!!!

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  34. Hi Valerie!

    OMG...I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with spelling issues!!!

    addition would definitely be a word I would misspell too!

    It's those DAMN two letters together that ALWAYS get me!

    This is why I check and re-check my blog posts 100 times before I publish them. And even after using spell check, I will sometimes find a misspelled word because I wrote it out of context.

    WTF???

    I need a PROOF-READER!!!!

    Have a great day, Val!

    Thanks so much for dropping by!
    X

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  35. God, those nuns are really bad-assed terrors aren't they?? for me, it was dodge ball but anyway...

    I cannot spell anything outloud and HAVE to go rumaging around in purse [now I can't spell rummaging-ok, spell check says it's the latter one] and since I started blogging, have lost my ability to spell-I used to be able to spell anything and somehow, through this medium, I have gotten dumb.......

    those ninny nuns put a curse on me...the stupid ouiji board, how to spell that??? well anyway, it didn't work and she got away with that curse she threatened all those years ago..who knew it would matter if we could spell or not when I was OLD!
    xoxoxox-OK, now to bed I go...

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  36. I'm sure someone has already told you this, but Mozilla Firefox has a built in spell check that is in use at all times while on the internet! It has saved me many a typo. Just a heads up! :)

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  37. Greetings Amanda~

    Thank you sooooooooooo much for sharing that because I had no idea!? How COOL!

    I'll have to look into downloaded Firefox. I keep hearing how much better it is than Internet Explorer in so many ways.

    Thanks again!

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