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Jewish World Review July 24, 2007 / 9 Menachem-Av 5767 The Doldrums — Singular or Plural? By Greg Crosby
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
We have now officially entered the time of year that many refer to as the "mid-summer doldrums." Sometimes the most interesting and thought provoking things enter my mind during these mid-summer doldrums. Sometimes not. You be the judge. My first thought is, is the word "doldrums" singular or plural? It sounds plural to me. So if it is plural, then is it possible to have a singular "doldrum?" And if not, why not? This is my doldrums dilemma.
A generation or two ago no one would have believed the extent that tattooing and body piercing would become acceptable fashion statements in American society. I recently read that as much as 50% of the entire American population between the ages of 17 and 30 has at least one tattoo or piercing (in a place other than an earlobe). It is not uncommon to see young girls with multiple tattoos on their arms, necks, legs, and backs. So what's next?
Have you noticed how up-close and personal television commercials have become? The ads for prescription and non-prescription medications seem to be the worst. Personal hygiene products that are hawked as helping with itches, odors, and fungus, as well as drugs to remedy various sorts of digestive maladies and bodily function difficulties are all over the airways at all times of the day and night. What used to be the most private of issues are now screamed across the TV sets of America at full volume.
It's the middle of summer now and that means only one thing — the big news, once again, is THE HEAT! Yes, the whole country is experiencing high temperatures, from New York to Oregon. There are no snowstorms in the forecast, no freezing rain, no icy roads. California is hot. Nevada is hot. Georgia is hot. North, south, east, and west — all hot. Can someone tell me why this is NEWS? We go through this warming thing every single summer. Hey! IT'S SUMMERTIME! IT'S GONNA BE HOT!! GET OVER IT!! Summer is usually hot, winter is usually cold, nighttime is usually dark, and daytime is usually light. Until these things change drastically, I really don't see a need for panic, okay?
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© 2006, Greg Crosby |
Mitch Albom | |||||||||||
