As editors, most of us probably consider books among the very best of gifts we ever received—or gave. A recommendation for a good read can be just as valuable. Here’s a sampling of what we dipped into this year that…
’Tis the season of New Year’s resolutions—with a constant stream of articles, TV and radio news stories, and online clickbait telling us what we need to do to have better health, better productivity, and a better life in 2019. I’ve…
The holiday season is upon us, and many will be busy looking for that just-right gift for friends and family. As happy as this time of year may be for those who celebrate, the busy-ness of it all can also…
As WCEA’s 25th anniversary year winds down, we’re casting a nostalgic look back at Christmas 1992. Brian Mulroney was prime minister. Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” topped the Billboard charts. Fax machines ruled, and CDs outsold cassette tapes…
Summer and the movies go together like editors and—bad behaviour? These five features, all watched and applauded by WCEA partners, portray editorial types as an unusually dark, debauched breed. 1. Bored to Death: In this undervalued HBO series, Jason Schwartzman…
’Tis the season for spooks, so what better time to talk about zombie rules? First, a little background. The term “zombie rules” was coined by Stanford linguistics professor Arnold Zwicky in a 2005 blog post: In the process of dissemination,…
Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. Lacking the hype of Christmas (at least in Canada), it’s a time to be grateful for the things that enrich us—family, friends, and food for body and soul. In the latter category fall books, of…
Last night, it being Halloween—or perhaps Hallowe’en—I spent a few minutes thinking about apostrophes again. My blog writing schedule seems to be governed by dates of note that may or may not take apostrophes (see my April 1 posting on…
Posting a blog entry today, I am, of course, tempted to write something farcical, outrageous, or dare I say, even foolish, it being April 1. But humour can be a dangerous thing when shared with readers unknown. Some so-called jokes…
