Patrick's Place

Headed to the Queen City: Here’s a ‘Life Update’ On social media, people tend to preface news of major moves with the phrase, ‘Life Update.’ Here’s mine: I’m moving to the Queen City.

Headed to the Queen City: Here’s a ‘Life Update’

Would You Rather Be Feared or Respected? A co-worker recently asked an interesting question on his Facebook profile: Would you rather be feared or respected? Here's how I'd answer.

Would You Rather Be Feared or Respected?

No, Em-Dashes are Not an Automatic Sign of AI In grammar, em-dashes, those longer, wider dashes, serve a valid purpose. Unfortunately, some claim they indicate when AI wrote something.

No, Em-Dashes are Not an Automatic Sign of AI

Bluesky Launches Drafts Option Like X Shortly after X created Bluesky-like starter packs, Bluesky has now released an update with a feature found on X: a drafts option.

Bluesky Launches Drafts Option Like X

X Rolling Out Bluesky-Style 'Starter Packs' With imitation being the highest form of flattery, the social media platform X is flattering rival Bluesky by rolling out 'starter packs.'

X Rolling Out Bluesky-Style ‘Starter Packs’

During Recent Connecting Flights, the 'Impossible' Happened I recently found myself in absolute shock while in between connecting flights at a major airport. If you fly often, you'll understand.

During Recent Connecting Flights, the ‘Impossible’ Happened

Where'd this 'Some Kind of Way' Thing Come From? Have you heard someone use the phrase about someone 'feeling some kind of way'?If you haven't, I bet I can guess what that feeling will be.

Where’d this ‘Some Kind of Way’ Thing Come From?

Would I Ever Leave WordPress for Substack? With the recent launch of Substack's streaming app, some might wonder if I might be thinking it's time to leave WordPress for Substack.

Would I Ever Leave WordPress for Substack?

YouTube Plans Crackdown on 'AI Slop' The CEO of YouTube announced plans to use artificial intelligence against one of AI's worst accomplishments: AI slop.

YouTube Plans Crackdown on ‘AI Slop’

10 February Causes Worth Remembering This Month There are plenty of February causes competing for your attention this month, so I compiled a list of them worth pondering this month.

10 February Causes Worth Remembering This Month

Done.

Soar or Sore? Which One Do Eagles Do? When deciding between soar or sore, you have to keep in mind that they're homophones, one of English's little evil tricks.

Soar or Sore? Which One Do Eagles Do?

Substack Streaming TV Service Launch Concerns Creators Some creators who rely on Substack aren't apparently thrilled by the new Substack streaming TV app, it would appear.

Substack Streaming TV Service Launch Concerns Creators

Why Do Winter Storms Get Names All of a Sudden? You may have noticed mentions of a "Winter Storm Fern" recently. But since when do we name winter storms? Blame one network for that!

Why Do Winter Storms Get Names All of a Sudden?

Why Open Primaries are Better for Democracy My home state of South Carolina is considering two different bills that would end the practice of open primaries in the Palmetto State.

Why Open Primaries are Better for Democracy

Let’s Talk Winter Olympics, AP Style The Associated Press recently posted a reminder about AP Style for newsrooms covering the Winter Olympics, which are on the horizon.

Let’s Talk Winter Olympics, AP Style

But If I Stop the WordPress Heartbeat, Wouldn't That Kill My Site? I recently received reports of problems with my website from the hosting company. This time, they suggested I stop the WordPress heartbeat.

But If I Stop the WordPress Heartbeat, Wouldn’t That Kill My Site?

‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals Double Standard for LGBTQ Roles A streaming TV gay romance series is drawing a lot of attention and exposing a double standard for actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles.

‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals Double Standard for LGBTQ Roles

What's the Panic Prompting Transgender Student Bathroom Bills? Several states, including mine, are pondering bathroom bills that would dictate which school restrooms transgender students may use.

What’s the Panic Prompting Transgender Student Bathroom Bills?

Ever Heard of a Pangram? There's One You Probably Know! I suspect there are a great many people who have never heard the term 'pangram.' But despite that, most people do know an example of one.

Ever Heard of a Pangram? There's One You Probably Know! #grammar

Did You Suspect a Missing Comma in MLK Day Coverage? Every January, the nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some may notice a missing comma.

Did You Suspect a Missing Comma in MLK Day Coverage?

Paid or Payed? The One Time the 2nd One is Correct Ok, grammar enthusiasts: It's time to pay attention so you're sure to know the difference between the words paid and payed.

Paid or Payed? The One Time the 2nd One is Correct #grammar

How Much Did the Big X Outage Affect Your Life? Depending on how much you use it, you might have known about Friday's massive X outage that interrupted service for hours.

How Much Did the Big X Outage Affect Your Life?

Is Queer an Acceptable Term for the LGBTQ+ Community? Since June is Pride Month, you're going to see a lot of LGBTQ+ stories. You're going to see an increasing use of the word 'queer' as well.

Is Queer an Acceptable Term for the LGBTQ+ Community? #grammar

Happy Belated Birthday? That's Not the Way to Say It! I freely admit that I've been doing it the wrong way. For years, I'd wish someone a 'happy belated birthday' if I was a day or two late.

Happy Belated Birthday? That's Not the Way to Say It! #grammar

Areal or Aerial? Yes, They're Both Valid Words A weather alert about possible flooding prompted a debate among viewers over whether a TV station meant areal or aerial.

Areal or Aerial? Yes, They're Both Valid Words #grammar

Ever Heard of a Mondegreen? You Definitely Have! A joke about the national anthem is a good example of a mondegreen. It's something you may have experienced without knowing the term.

Ever Heard of a Mondegreen? You Definitely Have! #grammar

Is AI Writing Killing Our Writing Skills? I saw a post on social media the other day lamenting the dependence on AI writing and how it'll only make everyone's writing worse.

Is AI Writing Killing Our Writing Skills?

Beast or Breast? What Can Music's Charms Soothe? There's a well-known saying about music having charms that can soothe a savage something. But is it a savage beast or breast?

Beast or Breast? What Can Music's Charms Soothe? #grammar

Why AP Style Doesn't Like Brackets in Quotes You can find valid reasons to use brackets in quotes when you're writing about what someone said. But AP Style argues against their use.

Why AP Style Doesn’t Like Brackets in Quotes