Author: R. Petty

Travel Tales: The Hungry Man

On By R. PettyIn Short Stories1 Comment

Written by Trip Miller

“It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on Earth has ever produced the phrase, ‘as pretty as an airport.’ Airports are ugly. Some are very ugly. Some attain a degree of ugliness that can only be the result of a special effort.”

– Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul

When Raven asked me to guest write for Rev Pub, her only guidelines were to have fun and write about something I know. Luckily for this site and the readers, I don’t know much. However, one subject that dominated the early part of my adult life was travel – specifically business travel – and although I hate to brag, I became something of an expert.

Over the course of roughly seven years, I flew every week, generally leaving Nashville early Monday morning and returning either Thursday night or Friday afternoon from places like Dallas, Sacramento, Kansas City and Philadelphia. During that stretch, I put my flight total at about 800, almost exclusively flying Southwest Airlines.

As most business travelers will tell you, the lifestyle quickly becomes a study of routine. Everything from the way I packed my roller suitcase to the strategy of picking the security line of least resistance (avoid the line with the most gray hair) quickly became second nature. By the end of my first year on the job, I was going through these motions almost on auto-pilot, which left an abundance of time to observe my fellow man.

There is no other place in our society where people act the way they do in airports. Airports are a sort of moral vacuum – places where courtesy and cleanliness flee like vampires from sunlight, places where it’s acceptable to do the things you do when you’re alone, even though you’re in the middle of hundreds.

Here is one of the more colorful characters I met during my travels; I hope you enjoy him as much as I did.

The Hungry Man

One truth of airport life is there are not enough seats for everyone. This is especially noticeable in dining areas, but even at the gates, you’ll find men in expensive suits sitting on the floor pounding away on laptops or sipping seven dollar coffees. People guard their gate seats like they are in line for concert tickets as boarding time approaches.

On a Friday evening in Charlotte, I found myself at one such crowded gate. At this point in my travel career, I accumulated enough status to be one of the early boarders, one of the noble few, and as befitting my rank, I waited on the edge of the boarding area. Now, generally speaking, the area around the boarding agent’s counter is kept clear out of respect for those needing to make flight changes and for the disembarking passengers – it’s a sort of halo of no-traffic.

At this particular moment, the halo is empty. My fellow travelers and I are arced around the agent’s counter at the prescribed distance like we are about to hear his great sermon. But lo! Who approaches? A forty-ish man with two bags and a large Styrofoam container weaves his way through the crowd, and seeing no other place to eat his meal, settles on the countertop of the boarding agent’s desk. He sloughs off his bags and proceeds to shovel forkfuls of barbecue into his mouth (because who doesn’t like barbecue?), not two feet from the agent’s face.

A man eating bbq at the airport

Now, by some sort of divine timing, the passengers from the just-landed plane begin to make their way down the tunnel and out of the door that Hungry Man and his bags have so masterfully blocked. He continues to eat, oblivious of those who struggle to avoid him and his luggage.

Finally, the agent notices and politely asks the man to relocate his feast. Without looking up, the eater gives the agent a casual left-handed bird and stuffs a biscuit into his mouth (remember boys and girls, we’re at the airport, it’s an asshole’s playground). Just then a young woman talking on her cellphone trips over his bags and goes sprawling into a businessman who then drops his fountain drink onto her back.

His meal finished, the Hungry Man picks up his bags and casually walks away, leaving his food container and drink on the counter, never once acknowledging the accident he caused. And you know what? It wasn’t even his gate.

The next time you fly I urge you to look up from your iPad and take note of your fellow humans. You’re bound to see something shocking and gross and amazing.

Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section!

How to Use a Semicolon

On By R. PettyIn Grammar and Punctuation, Writing for Web and TipsLeave a comment

GrammarTips

Semicolons (;) are sexy when used correctly. They are so cool, they can not only replace a comma but also an entire word. Many writers often misuse them or use a comma instead.

Some writers discourage semicolon usage in Web writing because they are hard to see, but sometimes you have to use them in order to save space and manage your tone. Periods are often hard stops, and semicolons are a good way to keep the reader reading and keep you from sounding abrupt.

Common terms used in this post:

Conjunction = A word that connects words or groups of words. Eg: and, but, or

Here’s a quick guide to semicolons:

Rule 1: Use a semicolon to join two complete sentences if you want to eliminate the conjunction.

Example: We’ll talk tomorrow; I’ll give you the details.

Rule 2: Use a semicolon between two sentences with a conjunction if the first sentence has a comma.

Example: When I finish the list, I will email you; and you can start your project.

Rule 3: Use a semicolon before introductory words such as however, therefore, and for example, if they introduce a complete sentence. Then use a comma after the introductory word.

Example: I went to the bookstore; however, I did not find the book I needed.

Rule 4: It is acceptable to use either a semicolon or a comma before an introductory word if it introduces a list. Use a comma after the introductory word.

Example: I bought all of my supplies; for example, pens, paper, stapler, and laptop.

Example (with comma): I bought all of my supplies, for example, pens, paper, stapler, and laptop.

Rule 5: Semicolons separate multiple units that have commas within them. Think multiple cities and states. Note the semicolon before and.

Example: We traveled to Chicago, Illinois; Nashville, Tennessee; and Austin, Texas.

For those punctuation nerds out there, check out the 13 little-known punctuation marks. My favorite is the sarcmark; what’s yours?

Sources: The Blue Book of Punctuation and Grammar, my brain

If You Want to Write: Be Reckless, Be a Lion, Be a Pirate!

On By R. PettyIn Books, Short StoriesLeave a comment

“There exists in most men a poet who died young, whom the man survived.” –Sainte-Beuve

In each of us there is a passion for something. We feel, see, smell, hear, and taste the world. Everything around us awakens our senses and forces us to feel emotion. We are human, and that is how we live.

In chapters 6 and 7, Ueland continues to explain what holds us back from greatness. We are afraid and insecure, and she urges us to let go — “be careless, reckless, be a lion, be a pirate! when we write.” Do not worry about what others think.

Following this advice, I am including a personal piece of writing from an ongoing project I have sporadically worked on for years. I challenge you to open up and write about your day, week, job, or whatever, and see how it turns out. You may be pleasantly surprised! PS: I welcome feedback 🙂

My First Job Interview

If you have ever worked, then you know you usually have to fill out an application. The company I worked for had a one-page, front-and-back, application. It was your standard application: contact info, work experience and references, and there was no need to submit a resume. I don’t think we ever looked at a resume; I know I didn’t.

There were no background checks or drug tests, and I was hired in 1997 when you assume people realized the world had changed. Kids were growing at rapid speeds and getting into trouble much younger. Either the company trusted their employees, or it simply didn’t care; it doesn’t matter which one because it was, and still is, common for employers to run these checks. We just never did.

I was 15 with no real work experience. Sure, I mowed yards, cleaned houses, and babysat some, but I had no way of selling myself. Nor did I try to. I picked up the application as soon as I turned 15 and did not submit it until two months later. I wasn’t nervous; I just wasn’t motivated or excited. Little did I know turning in that application would change my life — and my outlook on life.

I remember exactly what I wore because now some 15 years later I would have never worn that outfit to a job interview. Well, my rebellious side of me would want to just to see if I could pull it off again. I wore a bright, blood-red buttoned sweater with a black lace shirt underneath it, a long, black skirt, and knee-high vinyl boots. I walked in and asked for the manager, and a middle-aged man came to the front, of course, and I handed him my application. He looked it over, asked me what hours I could work and how old I was. I responded, and he hired me. That was it … no interview, no checks, just a “be here at 8 a.m. on Saturday.”

Surely, you can see the problem. First, I could have been a prostitute or a crack fiend who just walked off the street. Secondly, it gave me a false perception that finding a job was that easy. And third, it taught me nothing about the real world; if you smile pretty and look cute, you will get what you want. Thank goodness I never actually believed that.

The hiring process was pretty much the same. A person walked into the store, talked to the manager, and as employees you’d hear, “We’ll let you know,” which meant get out of here; or “Here, [whoever], make sure this person gets an employee packet, and we’ll see you on Monday or whatever day they chose. It was interesting to watch the handful of interviews our managers conducted because they were always in the breakroom where employees came and went, and they were no more than 20 minutes long. We were too busy to interview, and honestly I think we just needed bodies. If your application was spelled correctly, you were old enough to work, and we needed you, you were hired. I ruled out applications with misspelled city or state names, but we kept them for one year, as required by law. And people wonder why turnover is so high in retail.

Lindsey Stirling in Nashville

On By R. PettyIn Concerts/Shows1 Comment

It’s easy to let others drag you down. The world is full of doubt, hate, and problems. I am by no means an optimist, but we do sell ourselves short. We talk ourselves out of something before we try it. We doubt others when they have a crazy idea or want to make a change. We pass judgement every day.

This weekend someone who overcame these obstacles inspired me.

Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Sterling with her violin

This adorable violinist played the Cannery Ballroom Friday night and lit up the block with her smile, sparkling outfits, bubbles, and light show.

During her performance, she spoke about those telling her she wasn’t marketable and wouldn’t make it – on national television. Stirling was on America’s Got Talent in 2012 and was told she wasn’t good enough. They said she needed a group to make it work.

Boy, did she prove them wrong.

Two months after her CD release, she graced Music City with her awesomeness. I fell in love with her energy and music, and she is different, which is hard to find nowadays. Once known as a hip-hop violinist, she evolved into her own sound. I love her original music that blends well with dubstep.

The Show

I was a little nervous about how Stirling would be live. I was afraid the dubstep would hum too much, and it was my first instrumental show, besides the symphony, so I wasn’t sure how well I could dance. Happily, I admit I was wrong.

The acoustics were great, and the Cannery was the perfect venue for an instrumental show. There was a real drummer and keyboardist, so the dubstep wasn’t produced on a Macbook (as James says). It was actually better live!

Aside from hearing my favorites from her CD, she played a mix of Micheal Jackson songs, Phantom of the Opera, the Zelda Medley, and Evanescence’s My Immortal. Stirling bounced around stage; her energy radiated through the venue, and I have never seen so many guys dancing. It was one of the most fun shows and diverse crowds I have ever seen.

What We Should Learn

We should never give up on our dreams and goals. This woman was told on national TV, she’d never fill a Vegas venue. She was told she wasn’t good enough even though she was talented. She handled the criticism with grace and style and came out better from it (see Transcendence).

In writing, we often face rejection and criticism. Our articles and stories are ripped to shreds, and we are left to clean up the mess. The important thing to remember is you are good enough. With perseverance and hard work, you can do anything. So keep writing, even if it’s not your best, and do what you need to do to overcome the world’s negativity.

Who do you admire? Feel free to share in the comments section!

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean Review

On By R. PettyIn Games, ReviewsLeave a comment

I would not call myself a gamer. I am pretty up-to-date on what comes out and which ones are popular, but I owe that to my large group of gamers who I spend time with. My son, husband, brothers, and best friends are all avid gamers, and it fascinates me. But I’ve never had the patience to sit down and play to the end.

When I was younger, I played the Marios, and I even beat Paper Mario 64 about 10 years ago. I’ve played other classics like Pacman and Final Fantasy, but up until this year Paper Mario 64 was the only game I had beat.

Then Lego games came into my life.

The Lego video games won my heart. Although I have beaten Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4, I am going to discuss the most fun game I have played to date: Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.

Lego Pirates is the perfect game adaptation to the movies. The game contains all four movies, and you can choose which movie you go into. It’s easy, quick, and a great way to kick back after a long day.

Here’s why:

  • You can break nearly everything with your weapon. There is something very satisfying about hitting a bucket or tree with a sword causing it to bust into Lego pieces, which count as money and rank you as a true pirate.
  • You can play as your favorite character. Playing as five different Jack Sparrows in World’s End was a blast!
  • It’s easy to play. Like any game it can be frustrating, but you’re never stuck long.
  • The Lego graphics and in-between scenes are funny. They won’t kill Lego Norrington; they will take his head off, shove a fish up it, and you watch it swim away. Davy Jones looks amazing too.
  • It’s good, clean fun. It’s a Lego game, so you can play with your small child in the room or they can play it. Co-ops are a great way to spend time together, too.
  • You get lost in Lego world. When your eyes are tired and you can’t read, or you’re anxious but don’t have the energy to work or sleep, this games lets you to kick back and have fun. No worries, no deadlines, just action-packed fun.

My complaints:

  • It’s easy to overthink. Coming from a long line of gamers, I expect to solve some complicated puzzle or need a code. That’s not the case in Lego games. Once you figure it out, you’ll often say OHHH … and feel a little dumb for not solving it sooner.
  • When more than two characters are involved, they can get in your way. This week, I had to “kill” my own teammate because he was in my way (he really just exploded into Lego pieces). How many of you have fantasized about doing that in real life? 😉

This game is perfect for anyone who loves the Pirates franchise – no matter your gaming experience. It’s highly addictive though, so if you can’t control yourself, make sure you watch the clock. I have lost sleep more than once while playing these games.

I hope anyone interested will try it, and if you have played it, let us know what you think below!

How to Change Passive Voice to Active

On By R. PettyIn Grammar and Punctuation, Writing for Web and Tips2 Comments

GrammarTips

Recently I have noticed an increase in passive voice, and many people don’t know how to correct it. Passive voice is not grammatically wrong, but you usually want to avoid using it because the quality and clarity of your writing may suffer. This is especially important in articles and other nonfiction writing when every word matters.

What the heck is passive voice? Passive voice is an indirect way of writing something. Once you learn the differences and how to spot it, you can easily edit sentences into active voice.

Common terms used in this post:

Subject = Performs the verb and usually comes at the beginning of the sentence

Verb = the action of a sentence

Object = the thing the verb was done to, often at the end of a sentence

How to spot passive sentences:

The subject of the sentence becomes the object, or it is dropped entirely.

The object becomes the subject.

There is often a ‘to-be’ verb or the prepositions ‘of’ or ‘by’.

Examples:

1. The population of the city grew by more than 20 percent this year.

2. The award was won by the school system.

3. Rodgers has been throwing the ball at his coach.

4. The store was not open.

Now, look at the above sentences and ask, “how can I rewrite that in a more straightforward way?” This rewrite may change passive to active. Many times if you switch the current subject and object in the sentence, the sentence will be active (example 2). Also, making the subject possessive may work (example 1), and if you are ambitious, try to replace two or three words with one (examples 3, 4).

Here are the rewrites:

1. The city’s population grew by more than 20 percent this year.

2. The school system won the award.

3. Rodgers threw the ball at his coach.

4. The store was closed.

If you’d like to practice editing into active voice, try these tests. They will even grade them! 🙂

Towson University

English Club

Sources:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/539/02/

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/passive-voice/

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive