Higo Blog

Do you mean "Tourettes?" (or are you speaking of "One of the rings on the top of the saddle of a harness, through which the reins pass?")

And "Necrophilia?"

Also, do you still insist that "chou" is spelled "chioux"? You thought I was lying last night, but I think you should Google it. Do not fuck with an all-county spelling bee non-finalist.

Let me start by saying that I appreciate, although sometimes grudgingly, any criticism of the content that I post. I?m flattered that you check my posts and post feedback to let me know how I make improvements. In fact, I prefer it when someone writes straight and to the point instead of trying to spare my feelings.

I concede that I spelled Tourettes wrong (I did check Turrets on Google and it came up with some results, but I was stupid for not checking it in a medical dictionary) and have corrected it, but really man, check your arguments to make sure that they are accurate before chastising me for a perceived mistake, otherwise it's kind of embarrassing, especially when writing condescendingly. Perhaps you thought I was trying to type "necrophobia" and came up with gibberish, but necrophelia is also a real word:

Necrophelia is defined by Wikipedia as "...a paraphilia characterized by a sexual attraction to corpses. It comes from Greek words meaning "love of the dead".

Figuratively, the term "necrophilia" describes an inordinate desire to control another person, usually in the context of a romantic or interpersonal relationship; the accusation is that the person is so interpersonally controlling as to be better-suited to relationships with nonresponsive people." (from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophilia).
Perhaps you should also double check things before you commit an argument to print.

As for "chou" or "choux", I don't see how you saying that it doesn't have an "x" is less wrong than me inserting an "i" into it. Yes, I was wrong when I said it was spelled "chioux", but you were also wrong when you said it didn't have an "x":

1 chou Noun, masculine "(b) (Cookery) puff; p?te ? ~x choux pastry;~ ? la cr?me cream puff, cream bun"

You were right when you said that the spelling is "chou" (from http://www.french-linguistics.co.uk/dictionary/), and I was wrong when I said that it was ?chioux?, but you were also wrong when you said that it didn?t have an ?x?, unless I am missing something. If you still find the need to make me look like an idiot or to validate the fact that you are an eloquent writer and a first-class speller (which most people already acknowledge, including myself), go ahead- most people know that I make mistakes and that I?m not as smart as you.

Look, your criticisms are welcomed when they are valid (and because of your past comments, I have and will continue to put more effort into checking content before I post it, though sometimes I slip up) which is most of, but do you really have to point out to everyone when I make a mistake in an argument that is kind of stupid to begin with?

Well put Adam. I think that your creative spin on the Typhoon Game is pretty cool. But how the heck are you able to explain the rules of the game in Japanese? We should play when you get back!

I can explain stuff in the classroom because I had no one else to depend on when I first started teaching, but the easiest way to teach is by just doing it and giving simple instructions only as needed. The kids are pretty quick to catch on. As for playing the game outside of class- it probably wouldn't be that fun, as there are many other games that I would rather play.

Whoa, chill out dude. Don't get your panties in a bunch over what you are calling a non-issue. The fact of the matter is that when you engage me in an argument and then dismiss my claims with a sarcastic, "sure," you are provoking a response. This was my response. If you don't want me to respond on your blog in front of everyone, fine. I didn't think it was such a big deal to you. Sorry.

That said, my criticism is valid.

I don't know where you get the idea that "necrophelia" is anything but a misspelling. Maybe from the wikipedia URL you referenced?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophelia

Note that this same entry is available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophilia

More importantly, note how the word in question is spelled on both pages.

Regarding the whole reason this argument started, the correct spelling of "chou", which I admit is a fucking ridiculous reason for me to be irritated and as a result for you to feel angry and hurt, the reason I mentioned this at all was that you:
A. Contended it was spelled with an "x" on the end, and,
B. Doubted the veracity of my saying that I had asked a French friend the correct spelling.

Well my response to each is:
A. It is spelled both with and without an "x." I was pointing out the number of Google hits returned for both spellings. In this sense, I don't see why you still think I'm wrong.
B. I have no way of proving this, but can you understand that being dismissed with a "sure you did" kind of response is kind of irritating?

Now I understand why you think that I was being a dick in my original comment, and in all honesty I was, to an extent. Assuming that my criticism is at least partially valid, I contend that it is your responsibility to teach your students the correct spelling of words, and by extension, for me to give you a heads up when I see mistakes in your teaching materials. The fact that this happened to occur on your blog is at once unavoidable and unfortunate if you choose to see it that way, but there is no way I would let something like that slip - I am your brother, and as such, I will act in your best interest.

//

There, getting that off my chest has made me feel much better. And to think it was all Beard Papa's fault, that Santa-looking fuck.

Alright, thats 2 times I screwed up, but you know what? I'm really not the one with my panties in a bind. You know that you want everyone to see this, so that your point is validated. Mission accomplished, and yes I am pissed off that you chose in the first place to be such a dick. You have the right to talk to me in such a manner, but surely you realise that I'm not going to just take it humbly and be happy about it. I am greatful when you act in my best interest, but was the comment purely written for my best interest, or was there more to it than mentoring me?

I still contend that you were wrong because cream puff is spelled both with an "x" and without. You were right that it is spelled without one, but you were wrong in saying that it doesn't have one. I got screwed by just checking google and wikipedia for my definitions, and if you want to use them as sources then you might get burned as well. The reference to the French Dictionary is listed above.

As for double checking content of lessons I agree, it is inexcusable to teach inaccurate information, but I just posted this as an example. No I do not and have not taught any of my students any of those words.

But yes, lesson learned, Google and Wikipedia are not very good sources to use for spell-checking, so I will use dictionaries from now on or consult with you, heh.

I'm sorry I hurt your feelings by ending our argument with "whatever", which was rude. That was dismissive and inconsiderate, but the truth is that I just wanted to end the dumb argument- not that I doubted that you had confirmed this with a French friend. I just wanted to go to sleep, and stopped wanting to argue.

My point is that criticisms should be submitted without intent to incite anger. The criticisms are appreciated, but the venom-laced words aren't. Punch me in the face if it is deserved, but don't spit in it afterwards and expect me to ask for more.

I refuse to believe both of you are into such gnat's ass precision when it comes to expression. Neither one of you will ever eradicate misinterpretation. The word asymptote comes to mind. By now, both of you should know what the other is trying to say - without having to be so fucking correct.

"...but really man, check your arguments to make sure that they are accurate before chastising me for a perceived mistake, otherwise it's kind of embarrassing..."

Prescient.

//

This whole issue is fucking retarded. I apologize for pointing out your spelling mistakes. Won't happen again.

I'm also sorry you don't know how to use online references correctly, but I'm mostly sorry you don't realize that pretty much any criticism from me will make you feel slighted and angry, whether it's constructive or otherwise.

I initiated the whole fucking thing, and I sincerely apologize.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Adam and I have resolved this matter via telephone, which is what we should have done from the beginning, instead of allowing the reality-bending qualities of internet flaming compounded with the inherent irritations of office work influence the matter. We both officially feel really stupid at this point and apologize to his readers for sunjecting them to such trite bullshit, although we also agree that this comment thread should stand as is as a testament to the fact that even the spelling of certain French pastry is enough to cause rife among sibling.

PERSONAL NOTE:
As his older brother, I am ashamed to admit that Adam allowed me to get the last barbed word in and called for a stop to it all.

Good for you two nuts. It was beginning to read like you both inherited "I am right and you are wrong" genes from your father. Okay, and me!
Now, please pass the cream puffs, you silly boys!

God, it's painful to read because we were truly being so stupid. I'm gonna let this thread stand as something to reflect upon whenever I need a reminder.

Anyhow, I hope that someone finds my improved Typhoon game useful. If you ignore the banter in the comments, I think that the content of the post is actually pretty good.

May I add that perhaps substituting good cream puffs for alcohol ("getting tipsy") at Jus and Nam's wedding, might be a good idea for all of us? Just imagine the consequences of this sort of stuff, but with a live dancing elephant, happily marching relatives, hott weather and lack of sleep! The stuff good indies are made of!

wait...wait. I forgot to add my choux/chou/chu/shoe cream story. At 8 years old and not knowing one word of english, I went to the local bakery to buy the stuff. Had I known the spelling, I would not have been directed to the shoe store. By the way, the best choux/chou/chu cream I ever had is in Kobe -

Chi Chi L'ange (pronounced shee shee lan jew)
(078)331-5880**

Her creations were awesome. My partner and I finished off a half dozen standing in front of her shop. Make sure you try all her flavors.

**I would have written the address, but I can't read the shit. It's down the street from the first JR station south of ShinKobe JR. I think the kanji reads bright town. Something like that.

OK I'm going to check that out. Chichi, indeed.