Having gone to school in the 60s and 70s, I am thankful that all of my teachers took interest in teaching us how to read, write and comprehend.  I remember a professor in college who had given me (initially) a slightly lower grade on a paper until I showed her that the spelling that I used for a word was in the dictionary and was an alternate spelling.  She looked at me, not in disbelief, but in that look of appreciation that a teacher gives when they know that you have listened.

As I was reading an article, and the subsequent responses, on the Comcast website -  I was struck with shock and horror.  I take it for granted that I proofread my comments, but it appears that the bulk of the computer literate crowd that post responses to news articles do not know how to spell or which version of a word to use.  I've noticed this also, not just in internet articles/comments, I've even seen it in memos or emails at work.

Ranting?  Well, just a bit.  However, I think it's time that we remember the proper usage of words.  Here are  some of my "ENGLISH" pet peeves: 

• Whine when you're talking about the liquid that is drunk - Wine
• Usage of IT'S - I can remember having it drummed into my head that if you can use "It Is" in place of it's, then you need an apostrophe.
• Proper case of the letters.  It is not that difficult to remember to use the shift key and typing in all lowercase or all CAPS is quite annoying (at least to me).

Sadly, many people seem to think that "Grammar" is married to Gramps. 

Well I think that is enough ranting for one entry.  I hereby give up the soapbox to the next concerned person.

You may wonder what the title means, well to put it simply - it's just a few more days before I turn 50, the same age as AARP and Kevin Bacon, Anita Baker, Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Annette Bening, Tim Burton, Kate Bush, Brett Butler, Drew Carey, Sean Cassidy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Foxworthy, Scott Hamilton, Patricia Heaton, Holly Hunter, Ice-T, Alan Jackson, Michael Jackson, Andie MacDowell, Madonna, Gary Oldman, Prince, Tim Robbins, Sharon Stone, Tanya Tucker, Keenen Ivory Wayans - just to name a few of the famous ones.

Yes, I decided to go for the larger type because these darned screens can be difficult to read when you wear bi-focals!

The past year has been quite different:

• In January, I accompanied my parents for a trip to celebrate their 55th Anniversary and a pre-50th Birthday for me. We went where every kid needs to go (at least once), to Disneyworld and it was my first trip! Had a blast.
• One week after returning, my partner and I acquired the first floor where I had been living (in the lower level only) and now have a spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Baltimore.
• In April, my mother had open heart surgery. She's doing great, had the Aortic Valve replaced and better than new!
• In June, I got a promotion at work. I'm still figuring out what this "sales thing" is all about, but doing ok for the new kid (yeah kid and he's almost 50) on the block.
• In August, my partner and I took our dog and we ventured north...to Jamestown, NY where Lucille Ball was born. We didn't get there for the big Lucy-Desi festival, and we still had a great time.
• That brings us up to the month of September, where on the 26th in the Year of the Dog (a.k.a. 1958) I was born.

I am sure the best is yet to come! Wishing everyone that reads this message all the best too!

Now the quote, from Mark Twain: "When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.

This had been a year!  In September I turn (or will have turned) 50 and my parents celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary.

Had my first trip to Walt Disney World.  Accompanied my parents and made it a family vacation, an anniversary celebration (for them) and an early birthday (for me). 

Traveled to Jamestown, NY - the birthplace of Lucille Ball - in August with my partner