I love commas. And I love that you’ve noticed them and celebrated them here. (I’m an editor so I’m obligated to think about commas, but I do, personally, have strong opinions about the Oxford comma.) Have you noticed how many commas are in old writing? Classic books? It’s like our current culture doesn’t take time to pause, and the lack of pauses show up in our writing. So your commas feel perfect for stopping to notice the world. ❤️
"I'm obligated to think about commas" made me lol – it sounds like you're caretaking them & also dutiful toward them! So...are you holding out on me or can I hear these strong opinions about the Oxford comma?!
Ha! I guess it's just one strong opinion: I am highly in favor of the Oxford comma. It is useful and elegant. It eliminates confusion in a series. However, my company's house style is to NOT use Oxford commas. So every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be.
I am also a fan of the Oxford comma, and I often want to correct it in my student's papers, but they usually have much more jarring issues, so I leave it alone.
I can't add an image here, but I wanted to share that I had what I called a "Shira" moment of noticing today. I have a practice of noticing (my anxiety disorder/chronic pain forcing these habits through therapy and meditation), but your post was such a lovely reminder this week.
Walking into the mechanic today, I saw a graffiti-ed "Saint Paul" sprayed on the outside of a window, and I could see the reflection mirrored on the other side of the wooden panel, and it was such a delight. This small, intentional scrawl of ones town, in that town, made me wonder what the context was. This was after having to take the bus to the mechanic to pick up my car. Public transportation isn't the best around here, and I usually take to driving. I've had some isolation due to a pain flare up, so it made me feel so connected to see a young woman hop on the bus sporting her keffiyeh. I accidentally peeked at her phone (I'm like bugs to a flame when I see a screen) and saw her looking at a trans mutual aid post on Insta. I decided to not open my phone but just notice what I saw on the drive, the other people (in a non-creepy way).
I came here to post this to share that your letter this week allowed me this reminder/permission to notice and slow. I also wanted to share for any others who'd happen upon this post (though appologies to the end of the semester brain mush that it is). Thank you, again, for your words and light.
Celina, I really can't say how happy this makes me – how delighted. It moves me that this invitation to slowness & noticing means something to you & that you put it in action in your days in your own practice & that you recently felt it flare via my missive. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you for slowing down with me.
Commas are marks, no? I’ve been partial to them ever since I encountered To the Lighthouse. Woolf was the closest I’d ever come to the strange music of consciousness. There’s a funny paradox here in the tension between the supposed run-on and the pause, between motion and attention. It’s bodily and it feels true. I resist the contemporary (late capitalist, in my view) notion that they’re excessive, so I hope the feedback you’re receiving is not too strict and is nuanced and appreciative.
Today, we are told explicitly or implicitly that they’re unworthy or unfit for a modern reader’s attention — but commas, well-placed, may be the thing that actually summons attention back to the reader. Imbibes them with it.
Thems my thoughts. And thank you for sharing this — was lovely to read. : )
I love commas. And I love that you’ve noticed them and celebrated them here. (I’m an editor so I’m obligated to think about commas, but I do, personally, have strong opinions about the Oxford comma.) Have you noticed how many commas are in old writing? Classic books? It’s like our current culture doesn’t take time to pause, and the lack of pauses show up in our writing. So your commas feel perfect for stopping to notice the world. ❤️
"I'm obligated to think about commas" made me lol – it sounds like you're caretaking them & also dutiful toward them! So...are you holding out on me or can I hear these strong opinions about the Oxford comma?!
Ha! I guess it's just one strong opinion: I am highly in favor of the Oxford comma. It is useful and elegant. It eliminates confusion in a series. However, my company's house style is to NOT use Oxford commas. So every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be.
"Every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what should be" resonates, ahem, on many levels.
I can't help but tweak it for my day ahead: ""Every day is a push-pull between what is required vs what will be"
I am also a fan of the Oxford comma, and I often want to correct it in my student's papers, but they usually have much more jarring issues, so I leave it alone.
I can't add an image here, but I wanted to share that I had what I called a "Shira" moment of noticing today. I have a practice of noticing (my anxiety disorder/chronic pain forcing these habits through therapy and meditation), but your post was such a lovely reminder this week.
Walking into the mechanic today, I saw a graffiti-ed "Saint Paul" sprayed on the outside of a window, and I could see the reflection mirrored on the other side of the wooden panel, and it was such a delight. This small, intentional scrawl of ones town, in that town, made me wonder what the context was. This was after having to take the bus to the mechanic to pick up my car. Public transportation isn't the best around here, and I usually take to driving. I've had some isolation due to a pain flare up, so it made me feel so connected to see a young woman hop on the bus sporting her keffiyeh. I accidentally peeked at her phone (I'm like bugs to a flame when I see a screen) and saw her looking at a trans mutual aid post on Insta. I decided to not open my phone but just notice what I saw on the drive, the other people (in a non-creepy way).
I came here to post this to share that your letter this week allowed me this reminder/permission to notice and slow. I also wanted to share for any others who'd happen upon this post (though appologies to the end of the semester brain mush that it is). Thank you, again, for your words and light.
Celina, I really can't say how happy this makes me – how delighted. It moves me that this invitation to slowness & noticing means something to you & that you put it in action in your days in your own practice & that you recently felt it flare via my missive. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you for slowing down with me.
The creative axis of my heart, mind, and spirit tilts differently after your words soak into them. Thank you!
It feels so good to have you in my corner, Dr. Clark! I'm so strengthened at your axis' tilting. I strive toward your open-heartedness!
Well, that is kind, artistic, and made my heart smile. It is a privilege to be in your corner!
Commas are marks, no? I’ve been partial to them ever since I encountered To the Lighthouse. Woolf was the closest I’d ever come to the strange music of consciousness. There’s a funny paradox here in the tension between the supposed run-on and the pause, between motion and attention. It’s bodily and it feels true. I resist the contemporary (late capitalist, in my view) notion that they’re excessive, so I hope the feedback you’re receiving is not too strict and is nuanced and appreciative.
Today, we are told explicitly or implicitly that they’re unworthy or unfit for a modern reader’s attention — but commas, well-placed, may be the thing that actually summons attention back to the reader. Imbibes them with it.
Thems my thoughts. And thank you for sharing this — was lovely to read. : )