<p>Thanks, HMW. That had always puzzled me. </p>
<p>It is clearer when what is in the quotes is someone actually speaking:</p>
<p>With sweaty palms and pounding heart, the hopeful senior ripped open the envelope. She happily squealed, "I got in!" </p>
<p>I hadn't really thought about the subject of the "boy wonder" example! My first grader is quite comical, but no "boy wonder!" (I think that's right?!) Hmmm....why does that seem weird? I'll take your word for it!!</p>
<p>Yup, it's much easier to see what's correct when you're quoting someone. And you're right - if you were ending the sentence with an exclamation mark, it'd go outside. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: The last time I was actually a paid copyeditor/proofreader was when I was pregnant with D . . . who is now a sophomore in college. I do edit books for a living, but since I spend a lot of time reminding people (who want me to "just take a look at this") that editors are not actually grammar fascists/proofreaders, I shouldn't really hang out a virtual shingle as an authority. ;)</p>
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<blockquote> <p>The hardest thing for me to remember when typing these days is that there is only a single space after a period. <<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>WHAT? REALLY? Is this true?</p>
<p>As for " boy wonder," that brings up the always fascinating topic of making a plural out of words:</p>
<p>boys wonder, anyone?</p>
<p>I discovered the new rule about "one space after a period" fairly recently. At my age it's much too difficult to change what was drilled into me in 9th grade when we all took the mandatory typing (not keyboarding) class. I just figure it's not something I'm going to worry about.</p>
<p>You mean it used to be 2 spaces after a period? I am left in the dust as usual. I'm trying to think of what book this reminds me of--Emma, where Mr. Woodhouse is overwhelmed by the idea that young people might open a window during a dance.</p>
<p>I had always used two spaces after a period until around 1990 when my copy editors changed it to one. However, they told me that was only for when my text was right justified. They still used two if I left the right hand ragged. Then I changed jobs in the mid-1990's and became my own editor and just use one all the time.</p>
<p>My kids think CC is creepy. </p>
<p>But I get so much good parenting advice here. We're all hs and college parents. And sometimes it really helps to hear from someone completely outside the situation who can be more objective.</p>
<p>Am I the only person who has written dozens (hundreds) of posts, and then not posted them? Sometimes just the act of writing stuff down clarifies my thoughts. Works especially well in the "Say It Here Cause You Can't Say It To Their Face" thread.</p>
<p>But you know what's really bad? I have a friend who reads this forum a lot - the one who introduced me to it, ie my crack dealer. Everytime she mentions this site to parents at our high school I cringe. I'm afraid I'll be outed because I've written some pretty specific stuff! So I'm selfish about CC - I should tell lots more parents about the good advice available on CC, but I'm afraid they'll find out who I am so I keep my little "CC Secret."</p>
<p>I actually took the "Tales from College Part Eleventy-Zillion" and turned it into an email, a few friends wrote me back to tell me how hard they laughed.</p>
<p>yes -- I've inquired a few times about changing my user ID to no avail. I signed up without knowing what I was getting into -- now realize I'm way too at risk for exposing my children to ridicule. So I just keep all of my snide comments -- and insightful wisdom -- to myself. Too afraid to out the family. Too bad.</p>
<p>What--I think lots of people change their user ID--I've recognized several people with new names.</p>
<p>Same here, ivoryk - I've been asking for months to change mine. My kids don't come near CC, but adults I know in RL do, and although my user ID's got nothing to do with my real name, plenty of people would recognize it for various reasons. CC's been unresponsive. I got one email asking me why, and I explained in detail. Nothing since, though I've repeated my request at least twice more.</p>
<p>Don't you just sign up as a new member with a new name...after all you don't want your new name being linked with old posts as that would defeat the object.</p>
<p>If you have multiple email addresses, you can have multiple ID's.... don't ask me how I know this.</p>
<p>If I were going to do that, I'd use an easily identifiable ID like the one I'm on now for general stuff, and a different one for parenting problems/kid privacy stuff.</p>
<p>But that's all theoretical.....</p>
<p>Wow, I just had a funny thought. What if everyone on here has 3 or 4 names, and there's really only a dozen of us talking to each other? ha ha ha</p>
<p>::::light dawns:::::</p>
<p>I believe I may have one person who chases me around the board using different names just to harass and pester me. I think it's kind of flattering in a creepy kind of way. Oh, I know they are chasing me, I just wonder how many. Remember, it's not paranoia if they really are after you. ;)</p>
<p>well, maybe. But I don't have another e-mail address. I'll have to think about this. It's not like I have infinite wisdom to impart. I'm just trying respect my kids... but I do think I could be more honest under the guise of anonymity. Why do I think this thread isn't long for this CC world?</p>
<p>oh curm -- if I knew you could be spooked, I'd be chasing you all over these boards!</p>
<p>Going back a few posts to the punctuation stuff (and apologies that I haven't read the entire thread): I'm a graphic designer by trade and there are "punctuation styles" that are standard for writing and publication. AP, Chicago and AMA come to mind. Business writing is different than published writing. A business letter will have two spaces after a period, where a published work will have only one (taking a moment to wax nostalgic on the days before typography was a lost art). Consistency is key and there may be an expected standard for scholastic writing.</p>
<p>I never knew that one space after a period was even an option! I just checked it out on my Word grammar check, and both single & double space can be used without getting the dreaded green squiggle. Wow! I learn something new every day. SCG09 - so I can continue to use two spaces after a period, since most of what I type is for business purposes? I pride myself on excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation!</p>
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uhhhh...uh...thanks? Chase away. It could be fun. I ain't that quick. ;)</p>