A rose by any other name (or pronunciation) ...

Columnist has a pretty good command of the English language, but sometimes it’s the pronunciation that gets her.

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By TAMMY MALGESINI

INSIDE MY SHOES

Published on September 30, 2015 5:23PM

I like to think I have a pretty good command of the English language, but sometimes it’s the pronunciation that gets me.

I’m glad I’m in print media, because unlike radio and TV, as long as you spell the words correctly, you’re good to go.

I recently fielded a phone call from a Tri-Cities news station inquiring how to pronounce “the local middle school.” A co-worker had told me a news anchor had completely slaughtered the pronunciation of Armand Larive the night before in a newscast.

Just to mess with the guy, I said rather slowly, “Sandstone Middle School.” There was silence on the other end of the phone and then the guy said, “No, another one.” And then he attempted to pronounce Armand Larive.

Honestly, I felt his pain. I’ve had my share of laughable linguistic moments. However, when I mess up on words my audience is generally a small group or just one person — not thousands of TV viewers.

But, my husband doesn’t soon let me forget my phonetic foibles.

Like the time I was talking about a particularly disturbing part in the latest Stephen King novel. Saying it was quite macabre — only pronouncing it mack-a-bree. Or when I was telling him about talking to someone about an episode of “Intervention” and how the situation quickly went awry — pronouncing it awe-ree. And, of course, there was the time I was obtaining information from the concierge desk at a fancy San Francisco hotel. Yup, I messed that one up too, saying kon-kur-odge.

Evidently my linguistic limitations are especially an issue when dealing with French words. I was covering a 4-H horsemanship competition shortly after starting with the newspaper. I didn’t have a clue what dressage was, much less how to pronounce it. I approached someone who appeared to be affiliated with the competition and asked, “What exactly is dressage?” Only I pronounced is like dress-age: dress as in the article of clothing, and age, like what age is the participant. Put that together and it’s nothing like the actual French pronunciation of druh-sahzh.

Luckily, I can laugh at my faux pas — and at least I know that’s not pronounced fox paws.

Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.

Can opener proves perfect gift

Community Editor Tammy Malgesini finds an unconventional anniversary gift is an ideal upgrade.

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By TAMMY MALGESINI

Inside my shoes

Published on September 15, 2015 10:43AM

I’m not normal.

There, I said it — it’s out there. However, for those that know me, this isn’t any big revelation.

The reason I reiterate this now is my husband, John, got me a can opener for our anniversary. Societal standards have suggested women don’t want appliances as gifts. However, I was thrilled!

On the morning of our 32nd anniversary, I was wondering why there wasn’t a card waiting for me in the bathroom. Over the years, our bathroom has become the communication center where John leaves me messages or cards.

Notations on the dry erase board on the mirror let me know everything from John is working late or planning a Costco run to suggestions for our dinner date or it’s time for me to order more Advantix for our canine kids. Cards are generally left in front of the mirror or dangling from a hook in the ceiling.

John always gets me a card for special occasions. When there was no card to be found in the bathroom Sept. 10, I wondered, “What gives?”

I made my way downstairs to get a glass of Pepsi and feed the dogs. And, there on the kitchen counter was a card and wrapped box. I was quite surprised. My first thoughts were, “We haven’t bought each other anniversary gifts for a number of years” (we generally take a trip) and, “What am I going to get him?”

When I opened the box to reveal a funky new-fangled can opener, I smiled and laughed. You see, I never directly told John I wanted one.

The night before while wrestling a can of refried beans with the 32-year-old Rival can opener, I said in exasperation, “I want a new can opener for our anniversary.”

John, who was chillin’ in his chair in the living room, didn’t respond. There was no knight in shining armor to conquer the can, no comment about how much the can opener sucked and no offer to get the “analog” opener out of our travel kit in the garage. Tired from a long day at work, it was just me and the elusive beans.

Come to find out, he went to Wal-Mart before going to work that morning and chose the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch model.

Yep, a man that listens and a can opener that cleanly removes the top are both pretty special.

Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539

Inside my shoes: Love to take a photograph ...

Columnist shudders to think that people will someday depend on a cell phone to take their wedding photos, senior pictures or other important events.

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By TAMMY MALGESINI

Community Editor

Published on September 1, 2015 9:35AM

I’m old school. 

Sure, I take photos with my cell phone, but those I plan enlarging, displaying in my home or give as gifts to friends are taken with my Nikon camera. 

Recently, it was World Photo Day. I’d like to think we’re meant to celebrate photos taken with real cameras.

I shudder (not shutter) to think that people will someday depend on a cell phone to take their wedding photos, senior pictures or other important events.

Oh, and I don’t make phone calls from my Nikon. I don’t even want to. When I’m out taking photos, I’m in the zone and don’t want to be interrupted by phone calls.

I’ll admit, I initially drug my feet when it came to digital cameras. However, that wasn’t such a bad thing because technology greatly improved before I shelled out the big bucks to purchase one. Luckily, my Nikon lenses are all compatible.

I recently participated in judging duties in the photography at Umatilla and Morrow county fairs. While I’m sure some of the entries originated from cell phones, the majority of the images were captured with a camera. You know, a stand-alone device you take pictures with.

And don’t even get me started about people who take photos with an iPad — too late. Seriously, this summer I was riding on the Route of the Hiawatha, a remote mountain bike trail in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho and Montana, and people were emerging from a tunnel to take photos. 

When someone pulled their iPad out of their backpack, I thought really?!? It’s not like it can hang around your neck like a camera. Besides that, the area is so remote, you can’t immediately upload photos to the Internet.

Cameras are more convenient to pack around when hiking and biking than an iPad. In addition, they provide better quality images.

While I’m talking about cameras, I want to stress more isn’t always better. Check the settings on your camera to ensure you’re shooting at a higher resolution. While your memory card will hold more photos at low resolution, the quality isn’t as good. When you do capture that photo you want to enlarge or submit to the newspaper, it’s not going to be very good quality if you have your settings set too low.

If you need help, check with a camera shop, photography buff or maybe even take a class. Hermiston Parks & Recreation periodically offers classes that are designed to help amateur shutterbugs. The next one is coming up in November, just in time to get some tips before preserving holiday memories.

And who knows, maybe you’ll take some awesome shots and enter them in the 2016 Umatilla County Fair.

Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life. Contact her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.