Daily freewrite: 02/10/10: You say, I say

From oneword.com - "Tomato"

Is this tomato or tomahto? If I can't pronouce the word of the dary correctly I'm not sure how I can be expected to write about it. This is a dilemma and I see no way out of it at this point. I'm trapped while the clock counts down to zero. Waiting... Ding.

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What do you think of the phrase, "Is it just me, or . . . " Personally, I'm not crazy about it because I don't know why the person doesn't just say, "I think it's ____". Maybe it's an insecurity thing with the thought being if you say it's too hot and others don't thinkn it's too hot then you might be thought a fool so this provides a safe out. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but no one sharing a thought/feeling should ever be thought foolish unless they're trying to be foolish on purpose.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have a friend who says that NY's Eve is the most depressing day to be single, but I disagree and think it's Valentine's Day.

A couple of weeks ago the depressing news was all about Haiti and partisan politics and now the depressing news is all about snow and partisan politics. Why is the news never about chocolate or mushroom and olive pizza or White Castle hamburgers or unaired first-run episodes of Frasier?

Comments: 18

Marianne M. Feb 10, 2010, 9:48am UTC

LOL! I say too-may-toe, do you say too-mah-toe ... I say poe-tay-toe, what say you????

Michael Fishman Feb 12, 2010, 11:52am UTC

Hash browns with lots of ketchup!

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Len Maxwell Feb 11, 2010, 2:56pm UTC

I find Valentine's Day very depressing. I was married -- twice -- on that day.

Michael Fishman Feb 12, 2010, 12:02pm UTC

I had one good Valentine's Day and I wrote a little story about it and I think I'll share it later. I might not find the day so depressing if they hadn't turned it in to another national holiday complete with heart-shaped pizzas.

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Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 11, 2010, 5:42pm UTC

Michael, I really enjoy watching your freewrite unravel in thought, but not tangle into a mess. [oo, baby, is she hot on the metaphorical train today!]

Michael Fishman Feb 12, 2010, 12:02pm UTC

Thanks, Susan!

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Barbara H. Feb 12, 2010, 3:50am UTC

Whether it is tomato or tomahto, it still tastes the same between slices of homemade bread, topped with a few strips of crunchy bacon, add a slice of lettuce and a little mayo and you have a sandwich fit for pauper or prince. Each of which, will have a thankful tummy and satisfied taste buds.
You are a very honest and sincere man in realizing that people do say what they think others want to hear because those people fear making a wave and being thought less of because of it.
Lots of fear in this world.
I hope it doesn't take them as long as it took me to find out that I may give my honest opinion and still remain upright. A little scathed at times but still upright. There are a few in the world who say: "Please always be truthful!" then when one does, that person suddenly decides he/she doesn't want the truth but it s too late because you have already started down the truthful path they directed you on. That is called changing the rules after the plat has begun. Can't abide that in people. But have learned a great deal from it.
Your post has covered a lot in thought. I thank you.
Your suggestion of applauding olive and mushroom pizza makes me want to try one tomorrow. (I should not have gone to bed hungry)

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 12, 2010, 10:09am UTC

Barbara said: There are a few in the world who say: "Please always be truthful!" then when one does, that person suddenly decides he/she doesn't want the truth but it s too late because you have already started down the truthful path they directed you on.

What true, ringing true, words!! Love 'em. I don't fear much, but I do fear those sort of folks.

Michael Fishman Feb 12, 2010, 12:07pm UTC

Yeah, I agree, but I also think it's up to us to know when to really be honest and when to be diplomatic. If someone is wearing their brand new polka dot chartreuse shirt and asks you how it looks and whether or not you like the color, that isn't the time to be honest with them!

Len Maxwell Feb 12, 2010, 1:22pm UTC

Okay, I'm being truthful, Barbara. I hate you. I have everything except tomahtoes and I really need a BLT right about now. I'm off to the store.

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 12, 2010, 1:43pm UTC

Michael, one can be truthful and tactful, yes? "Your dress fits you like a glove, as if it's tailored just for you! And the colors! I think of the sky when I look at your dress."

All true, but no value statement. The key, I think, is to not offer value statements, but observations.

James Ciriaco Feb 12, 2010, 2:09pm UTC

This amounts to casuistry, but casuistry is not always a bad thing. :)

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 13, 2010, 12:25am UTC

Count on James to use a word I'd have to look up. :-)

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Michael Fishman Feb 12, 2010, 2:24pm UTC

Susan, good points, and I think that's what I was trying to say about being diplomatic.

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 13, 2010, 12:26am UTC

Well, yes. The dress fits like a glove revealing your voluptuous rolls of flab. And the sky I'm imagining isn't blue, but stormy. [ahem]

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 13, 2010, 4:32am UTC

You know, Michael, I'm not talking to you here. :-) Unless you wear a dress.

Michael Fishman Feb 13, 2010, 8:25am UTC

I've never worn a dress. We're talking only about polka dot chartreuse dresses, right?

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Feb 13, 2010, 5:17pm UTC

absolutely.

Men in dresses aren't such a strange idea. Think kilts, judicial robes, clerical garb, togas, Indian pajamas,

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Daily freewrite: 02/10/10: You say, I say

Comments: 18

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