The “F word”. Recently I heard someone declare the “F” word to be the most versatile word in the English language. Insert it anywhere!  I am so “F-ing” sick of those “F-ing” refs!   What the “F” ?!! “F” this!   “F” that! What an “F-er”!  Oh “F”! That’s “F-ing” sick!! I saved the “F-ing” turtle! (I actually heard a kid belt that one out after he helped a turtle cross the road). You get my drift.  My opinion of the “F” word?  It’s a coarse word that anyone with intelligence or class should avoid.  Yet we all use it, myself included,at my weakest moments.  And it worries me….

There is a language disorder known as global aphasia. Global aphasia is characterized by the complete loss of the ability to comprehend spoken or written language. Verbal expression is limited to words or short automatic phrases such as explicatives. Meaning can sometimes appear to be present because of the emotional content of the explicatives.  Global aphasia can occur as a result of a head injury, stroke, or dementia, the most common example being Alzheimer’s disease. In my years as a speech therapist, I have treated dozens of people with global aphasia and observed many more who were resistant to treatment. I had one patient who could only say the number “one”.  I treated a priest who could only say “G-Damn it!”  So I know this condition occurs frequently! And it worries me… (more…)

There is nothing more infuriating than technology that won’t work, especially for someone born before the age of WiFi, as I was. It seems that every time I want to add something to my home office, I find myself asking why it always has to be so difficult! In my day, the only thing you had to worry about was finding an outlet to plug the device into.  You never had to ask, “Why is this component not recognizing that component?”  Bah!!! Where is my sledgehammer?

I had wanted to purchase a printer for my cozy office nook in the living room. It is an inspiring little corner, with a soothing view, a fireplace, and English Country furniture.  It is a quiet place away from the energy of an active family, and a place where no one can disrupt the feng shui by depositing clutter into the workspace. I believe in  creating islands of perfectly flowing energy in the home even if some areas are ravaged by chaos.  To expect perfect harmony everywhere would amount to nagging but that’s a different topic.  So it was this backdrop of flawless serenity that called for a printer that could be hidden in an armoire with no cords to offend the eye.

How was I to know that setting up a cordless printer was going to be so challenging?  I figured all I had to do is unbox the device, push a button and the wireless laptop would immediately pick up the signal giving me the full office experience with the atmosphere of a retreat site.  No such luck.  As my friend and I struggled to make the appropriate adjustments (since my friend was a man, we were not allowed to read the directions), I finally suggested that we go to the Hewlett-Packard on-line “Tell Me How This Works Before I Destroy It “  technical assistance site.  Reluctantly he agreed and an hour long help session ensued.  Basically, this was the gist of the conversation: (more…)