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December 20, 2005 How to Know if You Are Too Busy 
You fall asleep at 7:30, sleep until 6:00 am, and wake up still tired. Hmm.... Needless to say, the last gift package is not going out in the mail today. But I think I can get it ready for tomorrow. (Sorry, Rachel! But it's worth it.) In more serious news, I'd like to pass along a link I saw at Emma Sage to an online pledge to remember that words matter, and that words used improperly can hurt. She is asking visitors to pledge that they won't use the word "retard" or "retarded" to mean "stupid" or "bad." The author's name analogy is one I've often thought of myself; another one is the colour of your hair. What would it be like if you woke up tomorrow and suddenly everyone around you used your hair colour to describe what they hated? (If you're blond, you've already experienced this to some degree; but imagine if they used it not to describe something silly or ditzy, but bad.) Posted by Andrea at December 20, 2005 8:24 AM under The World EMAIL this entry (comments fields are below this section) Comments excellent reminder - I have been somewhat astonished of late to realize that people are using the word retarded like an insult again, I thought that was sooooo over and done with! Posted by: gawdessness at December 20, 2005 9:59 AM
In our house we can't even use the word, "Stupid". "No! Mommy, that's a BAD WORD!" We say, "foolish" instead. Posted by: liz at December 20, 2005 10:17 AM
Language is a powerful thing. I am careful to select my words and not allow things like saying "that's gay" or "you are a (girly bit part)" or anything like that. This is a healthy reminder. Posted by: Running2Ks at December 20, 2005 2:59 PM
Oh no worries!! I hear you on the busy, because your gift will be late as well....I SOOOOO hope it's worth it. I really do. I'm a little nervous about it though!!! It's a little more, um, risky, than other gifts. But I had to try this awesome idea I had. And lucky you, you get to be on the receiving end of an experiment. ;) Posted by: rachel at December 21, 2005 10:26 AM
And on the language piece: Here in the office, I have instituted a "no hurtful words" rule. It's kind of sad that I have to remind college students that words have power, but it has at least made it to a certain point that they won't say them here. Posted by: Rachel at December 21, 2005 10:28 AM
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