Tag Archives: handwriting

writing

Pen vs. Computer

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NaBloPoMo 2011I had an epiphany tonight. I’m calling it an epiphany because it was just this calming fleeting moment in time. I was writing a friend a short little, “This is what I am doing” email. As I hit send, I thought, “I am a photographer and a writer.” That was it. That was my epiphany.

See, I’ve had others say I’m a photographer. I’ve had others say I’m a writer. But I, myself, have always said, “I’m trying to get into writing.” or “I’m trying to get into photography.” I actually had someone get almost mad at me one day and go, “There is no try. You ARE.”

And. I guess. Tonight it hit me. Really hit me. I am. And so with that, I embrace that I am a glutton for punishment. Because on top of NaNoWriMo this month. On top of finishing and preparing to start another Project 365. I am ALSO participating in NaBloPoMo — aka National Blog Posting Month. A blog post every day for the month of November.

Yes. I am crazy. But I am a writer. And I am a photographer. And these things are important to me.

So, upon having a total case of blog-block tonight, I made my way over to the NaBloPoMo homebase and looked for today’s writing prompt.

Friday, November 4, 2011
When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?

Ah. I will never give up my spiral notebook and pen. I prefer to write on the computer in general. Its just faster. But, I have to have my notebook and pen to jot notes. I think if I were still in college, I’d STILL lug a backpack of spirals over a laptop to lectures.

I heard that many schools don’t even bother to teach penmanship any more. I heard cursive writing is a thing of the past. And this makes me so sad to hear. I love getting cards in the mail. I still love handwritten letters. You need to know how to fill out a paper application for some jobs! And… dang it, sometime you just need to write a check.

Yes! I STILL WRITE CHECKS. (Oh okay, I only write them for my rent payment and to make donations at church. But still! I write them!)

I still get little hearts in my eyes at gel pens at the store. And Sharpies… Sharpies are just FUN. I wish my handwriting were better — I always have — but its not bad. And your handwriting is as much a part of who you are as is your eye color. I don’t want to see that fact just go away with laptops and smart phones.

I do prefer to write on the computer — but I will always ALWAYS love pens and paper.

random musings

Handwriting

I heard on the  news that many schools have taken handwriting out of the school curriculum. I know my sister-in-law commented that she’s had to teach my niece and nephew how to write various cursive letters because they were not properly taught it in school. It’s all because we’ve gotten so heavily tied to our computers and smartphones.

I remember in high school practicing how to write my name.  (Then, later, dreamily practicing my name with my boyfriends-now-husband’s last name.) I remember finding new and exciting ways to write the letter “D.” To swoop or not to swoop?

I was jealous of my best friend, whose name started with an “L.” I thought L was the best letter ever to write back then. Those fabulous loops!  Ah! She was so LUCKY! (See? Another “L!”)

However, thank heavens my name didn’t start with a “J.” I still can’t write those halfway decent.

Today, I’ll go a long time without writing anything. Much like the schools, I rely on my computer or phone to do with writing for me. However, I still need to be able to write to fill out a check blank, or sign important documents. Sometimes its just easier to hand write a to do list and its more personal to hand write a letter.

I wish my handwriting were prettier. Much like in school, I still pout when I see someone with prettier handwriting than me. And much like a woman has “fat days” I have “good handwriting days.” Which is what spurred this tonight. Today was a good handwriting day. It made me happy to see as I wrote out various lists and notes to myself.

I can’t image not being able to identify yourself by your handwriting. I always thought it was a part of a person’s personality. (Heck do a Google search for handwriting and personality… lots of analysis of what handwriting says about you!) I love seeing an older person’s handwriting. At work, we deal with a lot of elderly clients, who have the most beautiful handwriting still today! We also deal with a lot of mid-twenties and below, who you need a secret decoder ring to decipher what they’ve written.

Our written word is so important to our culture and our generations. I pray we don’t lose that all together… all in the name of technology.