Introductions and Welcomes Showing 2,301-2,350 of 2,568

[Ken, Moderator]

Welcome, Raiveran. My experience in some (if not all) other groups at GR was been similar. Lots of cliques. Lots of folks talking over my head to their friends, kind of like the proverbial cocktail party where people look around the room even as they chat with you. In those groups, I might as well be named "Thread-stopper" instead of "Newengland."

But I digress. Welcome! We take our award from the International Board of Friendliness (IBF) seriously (even if no one else does).

[Carol]

Welcome Raiveran. Look around and see what interests you. NE had a wonderful section on Rhetoric in February.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Christina]

Greetings! I'm relatively new to Goodreads. I live in Iowa in a house overflowing with books. I'm a true language geek--I love everything about words. The "Oxford English Dictionary" is one of my favorite works. This looks like a fun group where someone will understand if I bemoan the state of the English language. Also, you have some wonderful books on your bookshelf. I'm looking forward to some lively discussions.

[Ken, Moderator]

Hi Christina. Do you actually own an OED? Somehow I think of it as one of those 50-pound books kept on its own stand at a library.

As for Iowa, I think of the Writers Group, where I'll never be (alas).

Just checked out the bookshelf. Sheesh. Needs some updating, I think. Debs, Ruth... get on that, will ya?

[Carol]

Ha ha NE. I actually own a copy of OED. Of course you need a magnifying glass to see the entries. It came in two volumes. Mine is a little antiquated though. It is about 35 years old. hee hee.

[Christina]

I'm afraid I don't own a copy of the OED. I use the online version, even though it isn't the same as going to the UI library to use the multi-volume edition.

Yes, Iowa is famous for the Writers' Workshop, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.

[Anki]

Newengland wrote: "Anki are you by any chance one of Sonali's students?"

Kitty wrote: "I was wondering if Anki was maybe Sonali's child. Goes to show you. . Your first thought was student, mine was family. Hee hee"

Oh well, let's say both of you are right! we started out with a teacher-student relationship, but i guess she is more like my second mom ( i must point out that this does NOT include the regular naggings and scoldings from my biological mom's side! it's more of a friend, philosopher, guide kind of relationship that we share)
(*_*)

[Carol]

Anki wrote: "Newengland wrote: "Anki are you by any chance one of Sonali's students?"

Kitty wrote: "I was wondering if Anki was maybe Sonali's child. Goes to show you. . Your first thought was student, mine wa..."

What a wonderful mentor she is. Value this lady's experience and pass it along to another. Lucky girl.

[Sonali]

Thanks Ankita. Thank you Kitty,you are invariably kind,in all your posts its your warmth which comes through.

[Sarah]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined the group and I'm still figuring things out. I'll probably lurk for awhile and then dip a toe in the water.

[Ruth]

Hello Sarah. Glad you found us. Don't hesitate to join in wherever you want.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Hi Sarah....don't lurk too long:-)

[Carol]

Hi Sarah. Come on in the water is fine.

[Sarah]

Thanks all. It's always nice to be welcomed.

[Ken, Moderator]

Welcome aboard, Sarah. I just wandered in from two days in the woods with a headache. My own shower and my own bed will hopefully set things right tonight. Anyway, see you around. No need to "warm up" here. We just post free writes, pretty much.

[Jan]

Christina wrote: "Greetings! I'm relatively new to Goodreads. I live in Iowa in a house overflowing with books. I'm a true language geek--I love everything about words. The "Oxford English Dictionary" is one of my f..."

Ah! A fellow dictionary reader. I have a twelve volume dictionary, more than a hundred years old...it's so hard to leave it and go do housework!

NE...most common cause of headache...dehydration. Drink plenty of water. Have a rest. Did you take water with you?

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Don't think it was the lack of water eh NE?! Been there, done that! (Kids Jan)!

[Ken, Moderator]

Probably I didn't drink as much as usual, but definitely the "outside voices" and overall exuberance played their roles, too. As teachers, we are more used to the "structured" classroom than the "unstructured" environs of, um, the outdoors with a bazillion hyped-up 12-yr-olds. They're quite different from 8th graders, that's for sure. Amazing what two years do (and again, when they come back to visit two years later from high school). It's only us "old folks" who stay the same.

[Sonali]

Newengland wrote: "Probably I didn't drink as much as usual, but definitely the "outside voices" and overall exuberance played their roles, too. As teachers, we are more used to the "structured" classroom than the "..."
Its so amazing when I find that teachers all over the world have the same experiences.What NE has said is exactly what we face here too.I suppose kids remain the same everywhere,inspite of facile differences.Overnight excursions are nightmare and most of us try to wriggle out of it!

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

I like them....really missed not being on camp last year......

[Sonali]

We take the 16 year olds(and above)on overnight excursions;and that is difficult.The younger ones go for day out which, ofcourse is fine.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

We take about 40-50 11 year olds for an annual camp over 4 nights.

[Tracey]

Hello, all - I joined the group a bit ago (it seemed a natural fit; I'm someone who has to punctuate and properly spell text messages) but never posted - so *waves*

[Ruth]

Welcome Tracey. Waving back.

[Carol]

Hi Tracey , nice to have you aboard.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Hi there :-)

[Tracey]

Thank you!

[Ken, Moderator]

Hey, it's a fellow Connecticutite (um... if you're native, that is). North Haven is south, though, state-wise. I'm from up Hartford way.

[Tracey]

Connecutian, born and bred! Connecticut: not the most logical of states.

[Ken, Moderator]

Connecutian? We cannot even agree how to spell "person from Connecticut"! Nutmegger, then. Easier (and more flavorful) that way.

[Tracey]

It's better than "Connecticutie"...:)

[Ken, Moderator]

We really should research this. Do you think there's even an answer?

[Tracey]

I kind of did, a while back ... My company moved an office into CT, which is when I came aboard, and one of my early very important duties was to come up with a nickname for our office. I discovered that no one has ever put their foot down about what we're supposed to call ourselves. Dictionary.com says "Connecticuter"...I guess we're contrary Yankees who call ourselves whatever the heck we want. I suppose we should be glad state legislature has never wasted time making a call.

[Ruth]

My mother was from Connecticut. She called herself Millie.

[Jan]

Millie...and the millions...

[Ken, Moderator]

I don't want to be known as "Millie." Then I might have to read the dreaded Millie on the Flossie.

I disagree with dictionary dot all-is-com. "Connecticuter" could easily be mispronounced as "cuter" at the end (e.g. "I'm Connecticuter than you. How do you like THEM apples?").

I'm going with myself as the authority. "Connecticutite" it is.

[Debbie, sardonic princess of cheerfulness]

Are you SURE you're not a Connecticutie?!!! It's kinda..........cute!

[Tracey]

Bonus: "Connecticutite" is fun to say.

[Ken, Moderator]

Fun, cute... both apply to Connecticut.

[M]

I couldn't find anything in my dictionaries, so I Googled it. Apparently, Cotton Mather called them Connecticotians. Another of the early names for them is Connecticutanians.

[TheNelliReads]

I'm new to the group so I'll forgo the beer and just introduce myself. I'm Janelba. I'm a college student; English major and I've completed the Publishing Certificate program.

I look forward to the group discussions and games! ^>^

[Ken, Moderator]

Welcome, Janelba! What is a "Publishing Certificate" program?

[Carol]

Hi Janelba, so glad you joined our ranks.

[Carol]

Happy dance! Have you finished your thesis? Also glad to see you again.

[Ruth]

In what discipline may I ask?

[Carol]

So do we call you Doctor Anna?

[Carol]

Of course I forgot. Good going.

[Ken, Moderator]

Congrats, Anna, and welcome back. Thanks for the NYTimes input, too. Whipsmart list!

[Ken, Moderator]

Shamelessly "borrowed," you mean. That's what we call it.

[Susan]

Hello,
My name is Susan, and I've spent a very enjoyable hour or so reading your many threads.
I look forward to sometimes joining in....you have so many interesting discussions!