I recently discovered a misunderstanding I had with the English language. My detractors would say "you mean there's just one?" Precision when using the language is important. I only let a "50-cent word" slip into my writing if I feel it's needed for absolute precision. All things being equal, go with the more generally understood word. "Grandstanding" impresses no one.
It does not hurt to be perceived as erudite sometimes. Maybe it would make some people respect my opinions more? It's nice when one can reach the "erudite" plateau. But the overriding aim is always communication. A friend advised me many years ago, that if I were to have a lapse and write something not all that readable, some people might avoid my writing in the future. Well, it's impossible being perfect at anything. Writing can be like golf?
Any number of factors might nudge you into an "off" day. With the newspaper here in Morris, pressure to deliver product daily can cause weariness that affects focus. Distractions around you affect focus. Being sleep-deprived? Well that's certainly a given. As I get older, I realize better the importance of having a good diet. For a long time I thought a good hot breakfast could always get me through a full day. Since then I have admitted that greater care is needed. Or am I just getting older?
Rhetorical question?
Rhetorical question?
So my recent revelation about the English language had to do with the term "weekend warrior." I probably held off on actually using this term in my writing. But it was in my head. Perhaps when the time came where I weighed using it in my writing, I felt I had to confirm the definition. And at that point some revision was called for.
How might I have developed the misunderstanding? Well, I think it's because I was searching for a term to describe something I had noticed in day-to-day life. To explain: Through the years we have seen a steady fading of the "weekend." It was once ensconced in our lives thanks to two things, 1) primarily the organized labor movement, and 2) the great U.S. middle class that came out of World War II. Today we continue recognizing the "weekend" as when we tell someone "have a nice weekend." It's a line like "how are you today," not meant to convey a whole lot of meaning. It's courtesy.
But haven't you noticed: the great American weekend has been fading?
Remember "blue laws?" Rather quaint. Shall we hold Sunday sacred? We really don't anymore. More and more normal business gets performed on Saturdays and even Sundays. The trend continues. People need their regular needs met on weekends, after all. Maybe the main street hardware store is closed but then there's Wal-Mart with its big league hardware department.
As the trend proceeds, there is a corresponding trend, that of weekend employees who try their best but are not as competent as the Monday-Friday people. So you might be advised to watch how you get handled by the weekend folks. I recently had Caribou Coffee screw up what they charged me for my usual breakfast on Sunday morning. It was a young worker who was nice but not really on top of it.
So, I came to think of employees like these as "weekend warriors." I ran the term by Del Sarlette one day and he corrected me most forcefully. It's good to get corrected that way if you are really wrong.
No one bats a thousand. So my understanding of "weekend warriors" was entirely in my own head.
My definition is amusing, I feel, and I feel a term is needed for what I sometimes notice when making weekend rounds. But I whiffed on "weekend warrior." Mea culpa. I plug on as a writer.
From the Urban Dictionary for "weekend warrior": "a person who holds a regular job during the week which restricts their ability to party/go on trips/partake in awesome activities, and thus plans epic weekend adventures to compensate."
Well, shall I write about football, i.e. "are you ready for some football?" - Hank Williams Jr.
I'm reminded of the late Tim Heuer when thinking of Hank Williams Jr. The country singer is the prime exhibit of how success is achieved in popular music with your own distinct style. He is the son of the late singer Hank Williams, a troubled man. Hank Jr. embarked on his music career riding his dad's coattails some in terms of style. Then he broke away completely.
I'm biased against Southerners who talk about the Confederate flag and all that stuff, but I can't find it in myself to diss Hank Williams Jr.
Getting back to football, the MACA Tigers lost on the road Friday night The game was played at Rockford against the Rockets. I could not find any details, outside of the score, anywhere in the media until this morning, Sunday. I stayed home from church because my church is pushing a mask requirement (or strong suggestion) again. I find the mask uncomfortable for the full hour.
Our Tigers had a huge problem with interceptions Friday. It was the story of the game as quarterback Brandon Jergenson had trouble with errant aerials. My goodness, seven interceptions in the stat report for the normally smooth-performing QB. A good scouting report by Rockford?
Jergenson did throw for 317 yards and three touchdowns.
We assumed a 6-0 lead thanks to a scoring pass that had Jackson Loge on the receiving end. It was a 36-yard pass hookup. So things are off to a nice start. After that encouraging first score, my goodness the host Rockets put together a skein of 26 points. We lost in the end 26-22.
We were hurt by just 37 yards rushing. We showed spark late in the game, just not enough. The clock ran out. It was our first loss of the season.
Loge finished with seven pass receptions for 108 yards and the TD. Toby Gonnerman wrapped his arms around the ball for four catches, 100 yards and a score. Cole Wente caught the football four times for 100 yards and a score. On defense Wente intercepted two passes.
The Rockets improved to 2-1. Samuel Zilmer passed for 115 yards on six of 13 for the winning effort. He also tossed a TD.
My podcast for Sept. 19
If I keep doing this often enough, maybe I'll get a "radio voice?" Just kidding, it doesn't matter. But I invite you to visit my "Morris Mojo" podcast on this sunny Sunday. I share on the potential scandal in South Dakota where super-rich T. Denny Sanford faces child porn access allegations. Very untidy matter. So is money everything? Is golf everything? You may click on this permalink, and thanks:
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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