Saturday, May 30, 2009

Lay vs. Lie - The Answers


Quiz Results

Winner with a perfect 10: TopSurf.

YowZah! I only got 8/10. (Missed #s 2 and 6 ... and I knew better on #6.)

Her prize? Why ... nothing less than a day with Lisa Simpson at surf's convenience. (She's pretty smart too, y'know. Crabby sometimes, but smart. She and surf should get along just fine.)



Special mention to Midd13m4n who did, er ... swimmingly
while circumventing the entire "lay / lie" issue with tact and common sense no one else seemed to possess.

And .... away we go .....


1B 2A 3B 4B 5A 6A 7B 8A 9A 10B

1. Correct Answer: B
I am dizzy and need to lie down, not: I am dizzy and need to lay down. In the present tense, lie means to recline while lay means to put or place.

2. Correct Answer: A
When I got dizzy yesterday, I lay down
, not: When I got dizzy yesterday, I laid down.In the past tense, lay means reclined while laid means put or placed.

3. Correct Answer: B
My brother lays carpet for a living
, not: My brother lies carpet for a living. In the present tense, lies means reclines and lays means puts or places.

4. Correct Answer:
B
Lay the carpet after painting the walls
, not: Lie the carpet after painting the walls. In the present tense, lie means to recline and lay means to put or place.

5. Correct Answer:
A
We need to lay this baby down for a nap
, not: We need to lie this baby down for a nap. In the present tense, lie means to recline and lay means to put or place.

6. Correct Answer:
A
We will know when we have laid this issue to rest when we no longer fight about it
, not: We will know when we have lain this issue to rest when we no longer fight about it. In the past tense, laid means put or placed. "Lain" is only used with a participle (has, have).

7. Correct Answer:
B
The lions are lying in wait for their prey
, not: The lions are laying in wait for their prey. In the present tense, lying means reclining and laying means putting or placing.

8. Correct Answer:
A
The lions have lain in wait for their prey
, not: The lions have laid in wait for their prey. In the past tense, "lain" is used in the sense of reclined with a participle (has, have). "Laid" means put or placed.

9. Correct Answer:
A
I laid the blanket over her as she slept
, not: I lay the blanket over her as she slept. In the past tense, lay means reclined while laid means put or placed.

10. Correct Answer:
B
I will lay my head on my pillow shortly
, not: I will lie my head on my pillow shortly. In the present or future tense, lie means to recline and lay means to put or place.


Thanks to everyone for playing! You're all the wiser for it. (Just another part of Rupe's "value added services".)

............................. Ruprecht ( STOP )

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lay vs. Lie


Lay vs. Lie Quiz

Because it was necessary for me to use a form of the word "lay" recently, I had to do a little research. It seemed my English had become a bit rusty and I needed a little primer.

*light bulb comes on*

Thus, I decided to torcher (er ... "torture") you as well.

Come on! It'll be fun! Choose the correct sentence below. Post your answers in comments. I will post the official answers Saturday. As incentive, prizes may be given.

No cheating! You can do it! Onward ... !!!

(P.S. I know for certain that uptight dude in the chair over there is not "lyeing" .....)


1. Choose the correct sentence.

A) I am dizzy and need to lay down.

B) I am dizzy and need to lie down.



2. Choose the correct sentence.

A) When I got dizzy yesterday, I lay down.

B) When I got dizzy yesterday, I laid down.



3. Choose the correct sentence.

A) My brother lies carpet for a living.

B) My brother lays carpet for a living.



4. Choose the correct sentence.

A) Lie the carpet after painting the walls.

B) Lay the carpet after painting the walls.



5. Choose the correct sentence.

A) We need to lay this baby down for a nap.

B) We need to lie this baby down for a nap.



6. Choose the correct sentence.

A) We will know when we have laid this issue to rest when we no longer fight about it.

B) We will know when we have lain this issue to rest when we no longer fight about it.



7. Choose the correct sentence.

A) The lions are laying in wait for their prey.

B) The lions are lying in wait for their prey.



8. Choose the correct sentence.

A) The lions have lain in wait for their prey.

B) The lions have laid in wait for their prey.



9. Choose the correct sentence.

A) I laid the blanket over her as she slept.

B) I lay the blanket over her as she slept.



10. Choose the correct sentence.

A) I will lie my head on my pillow shortly.

B) I will lay my head on my pillow shortly.

.......................... Ruprecht ( STOP )


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

New Grizzly Bear





Snippets on the Imeem up there. But click the above link to get the meat as well as the potatoes .....

........................... Ruprecht (STOP)


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Simply Put .....





Dear EarthLink:


Getting me back on-line 4 weeks after the fact does not constitute a “win”.


Love, Ruprecht


(A soon-to-be former, 12-years-of-loyalty-mean-nothing customer)



Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

(non) Mother's Day


I can't rightly remember when we used to celebrate Mother's Day. But I know it was a long, long time ago. It seems some sort of incident mars the day each and every year.

When did we celebrate Mother's day last?


..... It must have been before the Mother's Day where the long, cozy brunch turned into a detour off the freeway in order to "eject" some obviously bad artichoke hearts from that luncheon buffet. (That was the "Side Of The Road" Mother's Day)


..... It must have been before the Mother's Day where the broken foot turned into a run to the emergency room visit. (That was the "911" Mother's Day)


..... It must have been before the Mother's Day weekend of the 72-hour flu "celebration". (That was the "Chicken Soup And Bed Rest" Mother's Day)


..... It must have been before the Mother's Day where my youngest daughter leapt into the arms of my mother-in-law with a running start for a loving hug, miscalculated her leap and, instead, gave my MIL a broken nose. (That was the "Doesn't Grandma Look Different Today?" Mother's Day)


..... It must have been before the Mother's Day where a tardy church run yielded a speeding ticket. (That was the "$125.00 City Coffers Contribution" Mother's Day)

..... It must have been before the Mother's Day of the gall bladder attack and subsequent hospital visit. (That was the "Something's Missing" Mother's Day)


Yeah ... I remember we used to celebrate Mother's Day. It just doesn't seem to be a conducive day around the House Of Rupe. For anyone.


But, we feel the tide turning. Something different is in the air this year. We can feel the positive energy flowing 'round, permeating our space, offering a glimmer of hope that this Mother's Day will bring a change.


Among other things, a day of relaxation, Mike Rowe and a "Deadliest Catch" marathon are in the cards for my wife.

And, God willing, that's what she'll have.


Happy Mother's Day, Dea.

....................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Thursday, May 7, 2009

The High, Dashed By The Low


It should be a day of revelry in the baseball world:


13-0: Dodgers Set Major League Home Record Start



But, instead, I'm having a really difficult time of it:

Ramirez Suspension Sends Shocks Through Mannywood



......................... Ruprecht ( STOP )


Monday, May 4, 2009

Cinco Por Drinko


Because we all have a little "borracho" in us, here's some savvy tips for your dining and dancing pleasure come the day Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army:




..................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

"Ay, ay, ay, ay ... Canta y no llores ...."