Gogether

Anyone who reads this journal knows that typographic matters occupy little of its author's attention. Because LiveJournal offers a "preview" function, which permits one to sort out spelling and similar errors prior to posting, then one might imagine that perfect spelling and grammar would result. In point of fact, though, I rarely use the "preview" function, and I am frequently willing to write in a grammatical style that could charitably be described as "provincial rather than accurate".

But I posit my theory today that my laissez faire attitude to such matters works a positive good. I offer as "proof one" for my theorem a bit of serendipitous discovery. As you know, great scientific discoveries seems to happen whenever someone spills burning chemicals onto countertops, or inadvertently grows healing mold. My discovery came while using that charming modern convenience, the AOL instant message service.

My invention is called "gogether". It's a typographic error for the word "together", of course, but it means so much more. What does it mean, really? I'm not sure, but I'm sure it means a lot.

Let's try a few sentences, and I'll show you what I mean:

"I saw them standing beside the bar, and let me tell you, from the way they were nuzzling, they were not just together, they were GOGETHER".

"I've been putting my resume GOGETHER and let me tell you, I'm one happening guy".

Of course, the wonderful thing about the word is that it stands in for not only the "together" words, but also the "gather" words. Observe:

"GOGETHER Your lilies while you may".
"So I GOGETHERED".

Finally, it's a great name for an older home.

"Welcome to GOGETHER. I hope you find it to your comfort".
"I wish I had never come to GOGETHER. What was I thinking? Surely not that a
40something year old man could love a nanny like me?".

Of course, the song "Come GOGETHER, right now, over me" has all sorts of new suggestive and allusive possibilities.

The list goes on and on. My theory is that there are too many words with determinate meaning. Poker is much more fun with wild cards. I submit, for your grammatical pleasure, the word "gogether". You'll find it gogethers your life.

Speak slowly

Lately I speak a lot on the telephone with kind business folks who do not use English for a first language. I have learned to slow my cadence and broaden my words. My first teacher in this pastime was the band Cheap Trick. I love on "Cheap Trick, Live at Budokan" (a classic by any measure) how Zander (and perhaps Nielsen) intone the words very slowly and clearly. It works! I can make myself understood to people with schoolbook English.

Simple monologue: "I....want...you...to....want....me!", which, if you think about it, is a good way to introduce a song titled "I want you to want me". Of course, my favorite song on the album is "Surrender", and perhaps this speaking slowly is a form of surrender. A surrender to the realization that sometimes you have to pace yourself to be understood. Surely not a surrender to a theme park. I find myself much too torrential for that kind of surrender, sometimes. But it's all communication.

I had a dear friend in college, who, also, coincidentally, made a lawyer, only instead of being my kind of lawyer, let's say a "Kenmore appliance" lawyer, she's the "globe-trottin'", Ivy League, "big firm partner" kind of lawyer. She started college at 17, which is when I met her. She was a torrent of words then. Her friends had just one word for her: "Breathe!!". She was young, then--I'll bet she speaks more slowly at 40.

But I argue for breathlessness in expression. I argue for putting all those ideas out there. I am shy by disposition, but I notice lately that I am willing to "risk" extending myself, just a bit. Never mind that I always cringe a little ("gee, I come off all wrong!", I think to myself). It's perhaps a virtue inspired by LJ, or maybe I'm just too old to worry anymore. But although I value sheer enthusiasm, I'll try to learn the lesson that I learn when I speak to my overseas callers. Speak in round vowels. Intone. Repeat words when necessary. Simplify. Use please and thank you a lot.But on the converse side, let me reach out a hand once in a while, and see what I learn.

A man told me how it is easier to understand long messages than short ones.
I pray this is true.