Making broad, sweeping statements is always dangerous. Writers should almost always qualify certain words with “almost” or “virtually.”
You see, I just committed that writing faux pas, so I could correct it. And you thought I intended to let my pattern discombobulate.
If you are still with me, congratulations! Knowing when to quit is sometimes difficult for poets, writers, and speakers. Ever notice how some writers and speakers will spill out what they have to offer and then start repeating it ad nauseum.
A lady called me the other day to complain that our spiritual group did not have its address listed. She called me because my phone number is listed as a contact as one of the co-ordinators for the group.
You see, it is a large organization, and we have groups around the world, and when people visit my area which is quite touristy, they like to attend a group meeting, so we have phone numbers of the leaders published in free mags so the visitors can call us and get the address.
So this lady from a few states away calls to complain that our address is not listed, and after she suggested that it be listed, she told me how frustrated she was a while back when trying to find the meeting place.
I told her I would discuss the matter with the other leaders and see why we do not have it listed; maybe we will be able to list it. That was obviously all I could do at that point,
but then she started up again telling me how frustrated she was when she could not find us a few weeks ago, and she continued to complain, gripe, and harangue; I repeated that I would look into the issue; I would tell the main leader, and maybe she could get it listed.
To be continued, see “On and On: Repetition ad nauseum”
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