Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
The pro football finale is this Sunday starting at 6:30pm and although some people do not follow football, most will be invited to a Super Bowl party. As with many sports and hobbies, football has it's own language. So here are some football terms and their meanings:
FAIR CATCH- A truce of sorts, allowing a punt returner to signal that he will not attempt to advance the ball after catching it, provided that the punting team agrees not to rip his head off or take his legs out from under him immediately after he does so. ENCROACHMENT- A term for when a defender enters the neutral zone and makes contact with an opposing player before the start of a play. This is subject to a 5-yard penalty. BOOTLEG- A type of deceptive running play designed to momentarily freeze the defense into thinking the quarterback has handed off the ball to a running back, when in fact he has kept the ball and concealed it on his hip and rolled towards the sidelines, after which he will either attempt to run with it or to pass it. [BLANK] AND LONG- Usually refers to a distance of more than 10 yards that remain to be covered for a first down, as in "third and long," meaning that it is third down and long yardage. BACKFIELD- The area of the field that begins approximately 2 yards from either side of the line of scrimmage, just beyond the neutral zone. It can refer to a group of players who line up in the backfield area, or to the area itself.
POSSESSION-Ask this if it's unclear whether the player who caught the ball held on to it when he hit the ground after getting piled on by a bunch of guys from the opposing team. Make sure you yell this immediately after the play, before a call is made by the ref. PLAY ACTION -appears to be a running play, but is actually a pass play. Play-action passes are often used against defenses that are presently focused on stopping the run. By simulating as if the play is initially a running play, the offense attempts to deceive the defense into acting on the fake run and being out of position in their pass coverage, giving receivers more time and room to get open behind the linebackers. DRAW PLAY-appears to be a passing play, but is actually a running play. The idea behind a draw play is to attack aggressive, pass-rushing defenses by "drawing" them downfield, leaving more open space to run the ball. Draw plays are often run out of the shotgun formation, but can also be run when the quarterback is under center. These types of draw plays are sometimes referred to as delayed handoffs.
So even if you don't know a thing about football, now you can sound like you do!
Although I speak on the radio, admittedly I do abuse the Queen's english. Usually it's a gung ho word smith who points out my errors. So when I found these 20 grammar mistakes that nearly all of us make, I had to share.
But first, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite skits on the subject. It comes from a British comedy duo of Mitchell and Webb.
Who and Whom
This one opens a big can of worms. "Who" is a subjective or nominative pronoun, along with "he," "she," "it," "we," and "they." It's used when the pronoun acts as the subject of a clause. "Whom" is an objective pronoun, along with "him," "her," "it", "us," and "them." It's used when the pronoun acts as the object of a clause. Using "who" or "whom" depends on whether you're referring to the subject or object of a sentence. When in doubt, substitute "who" with the subjective pronouns "he" or "she," e.g., Who loves you? cf., He loves me. Similarly, you can also substitute "whom" with the objective pronouns "him" or "her." e.g., I consulted an attorney whom I met in New York. cf., I consulted him.
Which and That
This is one of the most common mistakes out there, and understandably so. "That" is a restrictive pronoun. It's vital to the noun to which it's referring. e.g., I don't trust fruits and vegetables that aren't organic. Here, I'm referring to all non-organic fruits or vegetables. In other words, I only trust fruits and vegetables that are organic. "Which" introduces a relative clause. It allows qualifiers that may not be essential. e.g., I recommend you eat only organic fruits and vegetables, which are available in area grocery stores. In this case, you don't have to go to a specific grocery store to obtain organic fruits and vegetables. "Which" qualifies, "that" restricts. "Which" is more ambiguous however, and by virtue of its meaning is flexible enough to be used in many restrictive clauses. e.g., The house, which is burning, is mine. e.g., The house that is burning is mine.
Lay and Lie
This is the crown jewel of all grammatical errors. "Lay" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct subject and one or more objects. Its present tense is "lay" (e.g., I lay the pencil on the table) and its past tense is "laid" (e.g., Yesterday I laid the pencil on the table). "Lie" is an intransitive verb. It needs no object. Its present tense is "lie" (e.g., The Andes mountains lie between Chile and Argentina) and its past tense is "lay" (e.g., The man lay waiting for an ambulance). The most common mistake occurs when the writer uses the past tense of the transitive "lay" (e.g., I laid on the bed) when he/she actually means the intransitive past tense of "lie" (e.g., I lay on the bed).
Moot
Contrary to common misuse, "moot" doesn't imply something is superfluous. It means a subject is disputable or open to discussion. e.g., The idea that commercial zoning should be allowed in the residential neighborhood was a moot point for the council.
Continual and Continuous
They're similar, but there's a difference. "Continual" means something that's always occurring, with obvious lapses in time. "Continuous" means something continues without any stops or gaps in between. e.g., The continual music made it the worst night of studying ever. e.g., Her continuous talking drove him crazy.
Envy and Jealousy
The word "envy" implies a longing for someone else's good fortunes. "Jealousy" is far more nefarious. It's a fear of rivalry, or a suspicion that someone might want what's yours. Jealousy is also used more often in sexual situations. "Envy" is when you covet your friend's good looks. "Jealousy" is what happens when your significant other swoons in the presence of your good-looking friend.
Nor
"Nor" expresses a negative condition. It literally means "and not." You're obligated to use the "nor" form if your sentence expresses a negative and follows it with another negative condition. "Neither the men nor the women were drunk" is a correct sentence because "nor" expresses that the women held the same negative condition as the men. The old rule is that "nor" typically follows "neither," and "or" follows "either." However, if neither "either" nor "neither" is used in a sentence, you should use "nor" to express a second negative, as long as the second negative is a verb. If the second negative is a noun, adjective, or adverb, you would use "or," because the initial negative transfers to all conditions. e.g., He won't eat broccoli or asparagus. The negative condition expressing the first noun (broccoli) is also used for the second (asparagus).
May and Might
"May" implies a possibility. "Might" implies far more uncertainty. "You may get drunk if you have two shots in ten minutes" implies a real possibility of drunkenness. "You might get a ticket if you operate a tug boat while drunk" implies a possibility that is far more remote. Someone who says "I may have more wine" could mean he/she doesn't want more wine right now, or that he/she "might" not want any at all. Given the speaker's indecision on the matter, "might" would be correct.
Whether and If
Many writers seem to assume that "whether" is interchangeable with "if." It isn't. "Whether" expresses a condition where there are two or more alternatives. "If" expresses a condition where there are no alternatives. e.g., I don't know whether I'll get drunk tonight. e.g., I can get drunk tonight if I have money for booze.
Fewer and Less
"Less" is reserved for hypothetical quantities. "Few" and "fewer" are for things you can quantify. e.g., The firm has fewer than ten employees. e.g., The firm is less successful now that we have only ten employees.
Farther and Further
The word "farther" implies a measurable distance. "Further" should be reserved for abstract or hypothetical lengths. e.g., I threw the ball ten feet farther than Bill. e.g., The executive climbed further up the ladder of success.
Since and Because
"Since" refers to time. "Because" refers to causation. e.g., Since I quit drinking I've married and had two children. e.g., Because I quit drinking I no longer wake up in my own vomit.
Disinterested and Uninterested
Contrary to popular usage, these words aren't synonymous. A "disinterested" person is someone who's impartial. For example, a hedge fund manager might take interest in a headline regarding stock performance with which he has no money invested. He's "disinterested," i.e., he doesn't seek to gain financially from the transaction he's witnessed. Judges and referees are supposed to be "disinterested." If the sentence you're using implies someone who couldn't care less, chances are you'll want to use "uninterested."
Anxious
Unless you're frightened of them, you shouldn't say you're "anxious to see your friends." You're actually "eager," or "excited." To be "anxious" implies a looming fear, dread or anxiety. It doesn't mean you're looking forward to something.
Different Than and Different From
This is a tough one. Words like "rather" and "faster" are comparative adjectives, and are used to show comparison with the preposition "than," (e.g., greater than, less than, faster than, rather than). The adjective "different" is used to draw distinction. So, when "different" is followed by a preposition, it should be "from," similar to "separate from," "distinct from," or "away from." e.g., My living situation in New York was different from home. There are rare cases where "different than" is appropriate, if "than" operates as a conjunction. e.g., Development is different in New York than in Los Angeles. When in doubt, use "different from."
Bring and Take
In order to employ proper usage of "bring" or "take," the writer must know whether the object is being moved toward or away from the subject. If it is toward, use "bring." If it is away, use "take." Your spouse may tell you to "take your clothes to the cleaners." The owner of the dry cleaners would say "bring your clothes to the cleaners."
Impactful
It isn't a word. "Impact" can be used as a noun (e.g., The impact of the crash was severe) or a transitive verb (e.g., The crash impacted my ability to walk or hold a job). In no way should this word be assembled into a modifier. "Impactful" is a made-up buzzword, colligated by the modern marketing industry in their endless attempts to decode the innumerable nuances of human behavior into a string of mindless metrics. Seriously, stop saying this.
Affect and Effect
Here's a trick to help you remember: "Affect" is almost always a verb, and "effect" is almost always a noun. e.g., Facebook affects people's attention spans, and the effect is usually negative. "Affect" means to influence or produce an impression to cause hence, an effect. "Effect" is the thing produced by the affecting agent; it describes the result or outcome. There are some exceptions. "Effect" may be used as a transitive verb, which means to bring about or make happen. e.g., My new computer effected a much-needed transition from magazines to Web porn. There are similarly rare examples where "affect" can be a noun. e.g., His lack of affect made him seem like a shallow person.
Irony and Coincidence
Too many people claim something is the former when they actually mean the latter. For example, it's not "ironic" that "Barbara moved from California to New York, where she ended up meeting and falling in love with a fellow Californian." The fact that they're both from California is a "coincidence." "Irony" is the incongruity in a series of events between the expected results and the actual results. "Coincidence" is a series of events that appear planned when they're actually accidental. So, it would be "ironic" if "Barbara moved from California to New York to escape California men, but the first man she ended up meeting and falling in love with was a fellow Californian."
Nauseous
Undoubtedly the most common mistake I encounter. Contrary to almost ubiquitous misuse, to be "nauseous" doesn't mean you've been sickened: it actually means you possess the ability to produce nausea in others. e.g., That week-old hot dog is nauseous. When you find yourself disgusted or made ill by a nauseating agent, you are actually "nauseated." e.g., I was nauseated after falling into that dumpster behind the Planned Parenthood. Stop embarrassing yourself.
I believe the Internet has turned me into a hypochondriac. Because nearly every symptom of a horrible disease is virtually the same; fever, aches, dizziness and those symptoms mean you could have anything from a cold to cancer! So a couple of months ago I noticed this red dot appear on my shoulder after drying off from the shower. I immediately hopped online to see what it could be. Of course it appeared to match the signs of melanoma and with my love of the sun I immediately called to schedule an appointment with a Dermatologist. Plus I figured they could remove a clear mole that I had on my chin.
I got into deep thought about cancer. How my Aunt narrowly escaped a death sentence of deep skin cancer on her neck and shoulders only a couple of years ago. How I never used sun screen or covered my neck and shoulders when working outside in the yard for much of my youth. All those summers spent at the beach with single-digit SPF sun block occasionally applied. Why didn't I take more precautions? Why was I so naive?
Yesterday was my appointment with Dr. Skidmore at Florida Skin Care & Dermatology Specialists. I tried to be optimistic but preparing myself for the worst. After being checked in and taken to an examining room, Dr. Skidmore's PA came in for a first look. The moment was here. What would she say? As the examination began, I pulled the gown down from my shoulder where the thought-to-be cancer was located and I looked away and closed my eyes. What she said next caught me off guard. "Oh, it's a cherry mole". A cherry mole I said to myself. Kind of a happy name for such a horrible skin cancer! As this thought was completing in my mind, she continued on to say they are quite common for people in their 30's, non-cancerous and harmless. There was the relief in my shoulders and chest and a smile on my face. I then thought how silly I was for not further researching this on my own. But remember the clear mole on my chin I never gave much thought to and wanted removed for cosmetic reasons? She looks at it and says "this I'm concerned about". You've got to be kidding?!?! This clear mole that has been on my chin for God knows how long could be a problem? She then said that Dr. Skidmore would be in to take a look as well.
Within a couple of minutes Dr. Skidmore did begin his examination and confirmed my cancer scare was nothing but Cherry Angioma and there was cause for alarm. He then looked at this innocent clear mole; which to me was an afterthought as for the reason to come in. He too thought the mole was of concern and advised that it should be removed and biopsied to see if it's indeed cancer. But my reincarnated cancer fear was quickly calmed with Dr. Skidmore's confidence when he said that it appears to be benign mole. But you never know until it's tested right? So within a few seconds this mole was gone and floating in a vile off to be reviewed. I'll get the results next week and I am confident it is nothing but a clear mole…a mole that is off my face! As I left the examination room I felt so relieved and a bit silly. I learned that I am no doctor and everything I look up on the Internet is going to kill me.
You still have time to put your name in the hat to become Ms Bacon Queen 2012! Oh yes, the 5th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, Iowa is searching for it's queen. 10 fianlist will compete in the Bacon Queen pageant on February 16th with the winner crowned with her own tiara and sash. â«â«â«-There She Is, Ms Bacon Queen 2012-â«â«â« No word if Ms. Piggy will be a contestant.
---Chris Malone
There's a first time for everything and what a first this will be for me! I've been asked to co-host, along with Myra Monroe of GTN News, the annual Moonlight & Martinis event this Saturday night (7-10) at the University Air center! In my 20+ year career in radio I've never been asked to emcee an event of such importance as this one. To be honest I'm a bit nervous but I think everything will be ok. Anthony Clarizio, the man who is putting this together says I will do fine (and I hope he is right!). But once you find out what is event is for, you'll understand why I feel this the need to do my best.
What is Moonlight & Martinis? It's the annual event to benefit ElderCare's Al'z Place which is a daycare center for people with Alzheimer's disease. Like cancer, it's hard to know anyone who hasn't been affected by this terrible illness. To see the people you love not know who they are and for those taking care of their loved ones with Alzheimer's daily struggles in taking care of them, Al'z Place is a very important part of their lives. So you can see how vital this is to our community.
There are a limited number of tickets still available for this event. Start with a delicious martini mixed just for you from O!O Garden Grill. Then enjoy delicious food from BeBe Bakes, Beef O'Bradys, Blue Water Bay, Dragon Fly, Fuji Sushi, La Nopalera, Macaroni Grill, Mildreds Big City Food, Mr. Tequila's, Napolatano's, Olive Garden, Omi's Elegant Catering, Peach Valley, Piesano's, Take Away Gourmet and Vellos Brickstreet Grill. Dance to live music performed by September Red, silent and live auctions and a good time for all. I'd love you for to come. Click here to purchase tickets and see you this Saturday!
-Chris Malone
Who would have thought there would be a time in our lives that unfriending would be considered the ultimate insult? Now you can find out who unfreinds you on Facebook or rejects your friend request. A new browser add-on alerts users the instant that someone on their friends list 'unfriends' them and also alerts users when someone rejects or ignores a friend request. The Unfriend Finder add-on has been downloaded 44 million times. Users see a red counter in their menu bar which comes up '-1' the second someone unfriends them - a dig at Facebook's logo for adding friends, which is a '+1'. Facebook itself does not alert people when you click to 'unfriend' them, and it's become normal for people to do so stealthily.
Ten kitchen tools you didn't know you needed
Never fails that you need a specific kitchen utensil, your cabinets and drawers are void of it! So use this list as a starting point for the tools you need to make every eating experience the best.
1. Immersion blender.
Vegetable based soups, like cream of spinach, come together in a snap with an immersion blender. This handheld blender goes right into the pot and with a push of a button, creates a smooth, creamy soup. At around $25, it's an inexpensive yet indispensable tool. 2. Cast iron crockpot.
The cast iron lined deluxe crockpot by All-Clad runs around $250, but it makes crock pot cooking faster because browning can be done in the liner on top of the stove and transferred to the crockpot, saving time and cleanup. 3. Appetizer plates.
These dainty dishes can do double duty for hors d'oeuvres, small dishes and sauces. 4. Long-handled spoons.
while they may have the charm and feel of a school cafeteria, these spoons are so useful and practical that you'll wonder how you lived without them. Buy a long-style serving spoon, sometimes called a basting spoon (webrestaurantstore.com), to stir tall pots, baste roasts and turkeys, and keep you at a safe distance from hot sugar when you're cooking candy. 5. Cast iron skillets.
Grandma knew that for fried foods and baked items, a cast iron skillet could do it all. Cast iron's thickness means it doesn't heat too quickly and burn food, yet maintains its temperature, which is so important for frying. These skillets give you perfectly browned food and can't be beat for biscuits, corn bread, and perfectly glazed pineapple upside down cake. 6. Stemless wine glasses.
More than a drinking fad, stemless wine glasses are enjoyable to use and easy to clean because they fit in the dishwasher. The only problem is, guests can mix up glasses. Mikasa's "Cheers" line of stemless wineglasses come with unique designs that solve this problem (Mikasa.com). 7. Wine vacuum.
This simple, inexpensive tool lets you serve leftover red wine with the same freshness as when you first opened the bottle. Simply put in the vacuum stopper and pump the air out of the bottle. 8. Microfiber drying mats.
Running out of space on the counter for handwashing dishes and pans? Whip out these handy mats when you need more drying space. They can be tossed in the washer, too, for quick cleaning. 9. Personal blenders.
Small personal blenders that come with serving cups make fast work of blended shakes and smoothies. They're also ideal for whipping up fresh salad dressings and sauces. 10. Cheap tongs.
They may not be pretty, but inexpensive tongs are workhorses in the kitchen. Light and easy to use, every kitchen should have three or four sets. Tongs are ideal for picking up salad, turning bacon, lifting hot items and serving. Get a long pair or two for grilling.
Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
