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How Song Lyrics Can Teach Us Standard Written English

by Michelle Hutchinson While driving in my car yesterday, “Joy to the World,” by Three Dog Night, started playing on the radio. That song from my childhood brings back lots of memories, but hearing it again also made me realize that Hoyt Axton, the lyricist, knew his Standard Written English…or at least the correct use [...]

Is It “Stationary” or “Stationery”? Read This to Help You Remember.

by Michelle Hutchinson Confusion between stationary (with an “a” near the end of the word) and stationery (with an “e”) is common. In fact, it is so common, that when I was searching the Internet today for companies that specialize in book design, I came across the following blurb on one business’s website. I love [...]

Can Our Schools Really Teach Kids How to Write?

by Michelle Hutchinson What is it with schools today? If their efforts are supposed to serve as examples of how students should write, then why do so many institutions broadcast messages that are riddled with errors? Case in point is a blurb from the University of Wisconsin about an indoor triathlon. Notice the parenthetical phrase [...]

It’s the T-shirt, Stupid

by Michelle Hutchinson Paraphrasing a quote from the 1992 presidential campaign felt so right for the title of this blog post. Why? Well, just walk down any city street and you’re likely to see several people wearing t-shirts emblazoned with quotes or tag lines. They’re a great way to get a message across. Some shirts [...]

Why a Hockey Mom Refused to Wear a Team Shirt

By Michelle Hutchinson You know those obnoxious moms who loudly cheer on their kid’s team from the sidelines, always clothe themselves in the team’s spirit wear, and hit up all the other parents for an end-of-season gift for the coach? Well, I used to be one of those moms. Hockey was the sport in our [...]

Spin Up Some Fun in a Cycle Class

By Michelle Hutchinson I guess you could say I’m on a roll here. I started off the year with advice on choosing a gym, and last week, I posted tips on getting acclimated to step aerobics. Continuing with the exercise theme, I thought I’d provide some advice on cycling classes (also known as spin classes), [...]

Don’t Be Intimidated by Step Aerobics

By Michelle Hutchinson “Knee lift! L-step! Rocking horse!” What the heck!? The first time I tried a step aerobics class and heard the instructor call out those terms, I had no idea what to do. I felt like I was listening to a new language. Add my lack of coordination to the mix and it’s [...]

Thinking of Joining a Gym? Read This First.

By Michelle Hutchinson Prediction: Next week at this time, when I walk into my gym, the equipment areas and classes will be more packed than ever. That’s something I like to see because it means that more people have resolved to get healthier in the new year, and if people are healthier, it means medical [...]

May All the Lights of the Season Shine upon You

by Michelle Hutchinson Several years ago, my kids told me they were cashews. That’s right—cashews: children born of one Catholic and one Jewish parent. In our house, we celebrate Christian and Jewish holidays, so when Hanukkah falls in December, as it often does, our home is overrun with lights, those from the electric menorah on [...]

How to Expand Your Network on LinkedIn

Michelle Hutchinson Have you ever wanted to connect with someone on LinkedIn, even if you hadn’t met him or her, but weren’t sure what to write in your LinkedIn invitation? After all, you don’t want to send the generic message, “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” That’s so impersonal and [...]