From using the active voice to omitting needless words, Strunk and White’s classic is worth revisiting now and then to remind you to write with clarity. Rereading this little book has always been one of the best ways to kill a couple of hours.

All my life I tend to look for a father figure because my dad is hardly around. In retrospect, I have met and become acquaintances with the men that I had a great deal of respect for. Unfortunately, circumstances changed and so were their presence. Although they appeared in and out of my life, I am glad that they came along. My memory of them will never fade. They will always be apart of my life; therefore, this piece is dedicated to the men I look up to.

I landed in the US for the first time in Connecticut during the winter. It was freezing cold and my oldest sister’s husband at the time took off his jacket and put it on me. I immediately felt the connection with him. He took my side when his sons, who are just a few years younger than me, got into a fight with me. He helped me with my fifth-grade homework even though he had limited English. When he couldn’t figured out the answers, he took my homework to work with him so he could continue to work on during his breaks. I was glad that we lived under his roof as we started our new life in the States. Unfortunately, his marriage with my sister did not last. Although we have moved on with our own lives, I will never forget those time with him.

Years later, my older middle sister met her boyfriend who was charming and skillful at cooking authentic Vietnamese dishes. I always loved hanging out at his trailer home listening to Vietnamese music, watching Chinese TV series, and eating delicious food. At the time when ballroom dancing at Vietnamese party was the trend, he taught me all the moves: chachacha, rumba, tango, bepop, and valse. After he and my sister got married, they sold the mobile home and bought a real house. My mom and I moved in together with them. He got me into online trading. We had many deep conversations on life and stock. Unfortunately, his marriage with my sister did not work out. I still see him once in while when he comes to my sister’s house to pick up the kids, but we are no longer closed. Nevertheless, I will never forget those time with him.

In high school I dated a girl. Couple months into the relationship, she introduced me to her older sister who introduced me to her boyfriend. He was attending college at the time and he was a handy guy. He helped me fixed my car, like replacing the battery and the transmission belt. He understood that I could not afford to pay an auto shop to do so. We drank together a few times even though I was underage. Unfortunately, the girl and I broke up on a bad term. As a result, I have never seen him since, but the memory of him lingers.

In another relationship, I became closed to her aunt’s husband. He and I bonded over music, food, and drinks. I was already out of college; therefore, I was legal. Weekends at his house were always filled with delicious Vietnamese dishes, wines, beers, and laughters. He stuttered when he talked unless he had some alcohol in his system. He was normally quiet until he had a few drinks. He cracked some of the most hilarious stuttering jokes. For example, he once said that you can never win a street-style argument over a stutterer because he could say, “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck you more times he you could say fuck him.” He was a generous man who often picked up the bills when we went out to fancy restaurants with the big family. He lived a simple live and strived to be an excellent father. Those were the two characteristics that I wanted to apply in my own life. I am sure he still has all that characters in him. Unfortunately, our relationship ended when his niece and I broke up. Disconnecting with him hurt me the most. In many ways, he was my role model and my father figure. I have tried all I could to stay connected, but all we have left now is the good old memory.

When I first met my wife, she talked a great deal about her father; therefore, I could not wait to meet the man that had a profound influence on the love of my life. I can still recall the day we came to pick him and his wife at the airport as they were returning from their vacation. He was skinny and wearing glasses that made him look like a teacher. He was, indeed, a teacher. One occasion, when my wife and I were still dating, I stayed with her whole family at her sister’s apartment for a holiday break. Her father asked me to help him fix the front gate. I did not know what I was suppose to do so he handed me a wrench and asked me to unscrew something. I held up the wrench, but did not know how to operate it. He said to me that my father is a house builder and yet I don’t even know how to use a wrench. I replied to him with a joke that I am not my father, but I actually meant it. He took me under his wing and taught me to be the man around the house. I was so happy that I had finally found a father who were willing to show me the rope. When my wife and I bought our house, he helped us out with painting the walls, changing the toilet seats, and replacing the shower heads. Whenever things broke around the house, I consulted him first. I determined to learn as much as I could from him not just how to fix things around the house, but also how to keep a marriage last. He and his wife had been married for forty years; therefore, the man knew a thing or two about maintaining a long-lasting relationship. Unfortunately, cancer took his life. I was devastated; life was so unfair. I thought I have founded a father at last, but then I lost him just like that. Although we are physically separated, I will never forget the man who gave me his blessings as well as his beautiful, precious daughter.

As I am reflecting on the men I have been looking up to, I realize that I still have one more in my life. My wife’s sister’s husband is like an older brother to me. No wait, he is my older brother who is kind, humble, and generous. He works hard everyday from dust to dawn, and yet I never heard a word of complain from him. He is outstanding at establishing his professional career as well as doing home improvement. Whatever fixes we need around the house, he is our first resource. Base on the first time we met, I would have never known that he is an introvert. Maybe he was just asking the right questions and I was just doing all the talking. These days we hang out at least three days a week. With our kids, we do almost everything together from going vacation to having sleepover. Because we see each other so often we hardly have anything to say, and that is perfectly fine. We are comfortable with just being around each other. I am thankful to have him and my sister-in-law living closed by. They are our immediate family and I hope that they won’t move anywhere else.

As for my biological father, he is still the man that made me. It is unfortunate that he chooses to live his life without me, even to this day. I do have some great memories of him, but they are as far back as when I was a couple years old. At that time I was too young to understand what bonding even meant. Now being a father myself, I have nothing to look back to guide me. As a result, I am improvising my ways through. Being a father is hard; therefore, I no longer hold grudges against my dad. I accept the way our relationship is meant to be. I am not a great father myself; I have many flaws. At least I am here for my kids. They can learn from my mistakes and not to repeat them. Whether I will succeed or fail, they can look back to their childhood to use as a guide as they navigate through life.

Để đáp ứng yêu cầu của những khán giả hâm mộ nhạc trữ tình, Lệ Quyên cho ra đời Khúc Tình Xưa 3 với 11 nhạc phẩm quá quen thuộc như “Hoa Nử Về Đêm” (Trần Thiện Thanh), “Kiếp Cầm Ca” (Huỳnh Anh), và “Đêm Tâm Sự” (Trúc Phương) song ca với Thái Châu.

Với phần hoà âm trung bình của nhạc sĩ Tấn Phong cộng với cách trình bài trung thành của ca sĩ Lệ Quyên, Khúc Tình Xưa 3 sẽ không đem đến cho người nghe những gì bất ngờ. Lệ Quyên không nhọc công đem lại những nét mới lạ. Cô chỉ hát cho đúng điệu bolero và ra cảm tình.

Tuy album không dở nhưng nghe Lệ Quyên hát lại “Người Đi Ngoài Phố” (Anh Việt Thu), “Ai Cho Tôi Tình Yêu” (Trúc Phương), và “Sương Lạnh Chiều Đông” (Mạnh Phát) làm tôi thèm được thưởng thức lại giọng hát Thanh Thúy đã thu âm trước 1975.

In fifty short lessons, including the distinction between a and the, the use of punctuation to create special effects and the neutral tone in gender, Roy Peter Clark encourages readers to “live inside the language.” It’s a fulfilling read for anyone who uses language to communicate, which is all of us.

What a charismatic stand-up comedian. For an hour and forty-five minutes, Gabriel Iglesias delivered his craft with high energy, clever transition, and sincere storytelling. From making flawless Indian accent to dealing with his weight to raising his stepson, Iglesias never ceased to be hilarious. He brought back so many great memories including fixing the good old Nintendo games and using the paid phone. The Fluffy Movie is highly entertaining.

Aziz Ansari drew a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden even though his performance was not superb. From immigration to animal cruelty to misogyny to technology, he had some good topics, but he didn’t land the punches. Perhaps he was too nice to take a firm position on his stands. It could also be that my expectation of him has escalated after Buried Alive.

Sau bốn ngày được nghỉ (hai ngày bị tuyết và hai ngày cuối tuần) cộng thêm đổi giờ (một tiếng sớm hơn), Đán không muốn đi nhà trẻ sáng thứ Hai. Nó không chịu ăn điểm tâm cũng không chịu ra khỏi nhà. Nó chỉ muốn được đưa anh Đạo đến trường. Sau khi tiển anh Đạo vào lớp và phải vào xe, Đán nếu chặt lấy tay mẹ và khóc, “I want you” (con muốn mẹ). Tôi nhìn hai mẹ con như đang đóng cải lương vậy. Tôi bảo mẹ nó buông tay ra nhưng không chịu. Cuối cùng tôi phải đóng kính xe.

Khi lái xe đi nó khóc ầm ĩ, “I want mommy” (con muốn mẹ). Tôi cứ mặt kệ và tiếp tục lái nhưng lòng thì cấu xé. Tôi có quá lạnh lùng với nó không? Khi đến nhà trẻ nó đã dịu lại. Lúc bế nó ra khỏi xe thì nó chuyển tôn, “I love you, daddy.” Tôi không nói gì và cứ ẵm nó vào lớp. Khi thấy cô và bạn xếp hàng đi đến phòng chơi, tôi định cho nó đi cùng các bạn nhưng vì còn nhiều đồ trên tay nên tôi đưa nó vào lớp trước. Trong lớp không có ai cả và khi cởi áo lạnh nó không chịu. Nhìn mặt thấy thảm và tội tôi hỏi, “Hôm nay con muốn đi chơi với ba không?” Nó gật đầu và mặt tươi hẳn lên. Tôi dắt tay nó đi ra khỏi lớp. Khi đến cổng anh Việt Nam hỏi, “Cháu bị bệnh hả?” Tôi mỉm cười đáp, “Dạ bệnh… Bệnh lười.” Thế là hai cha con cùng cúp cua. Cũng đã lâu tôi không được cơ hội đi chơi riêng với nó.

Tôi đưa nó đến Dunkin Donut rồi gọi một món ăn sáng nó thích: miếng và thịt ba chỉ chiên dòn được gói lại trong cái bánh tráng Mể. Nó muốn thêm một cái donut tôi cũng cho. Trong lúc nó ăn thì tôi lục đục mở iPhone lên tìm chổ đi chơi. Định đưa nó qua Port Discovery bên Baltimore nhưng chổ đó đóng cửa vào ngày thứ Hai. Tôi chọn Kid Junction vì ở gần nhà và tôi nhớ lúc trước Đạo có đi sinh nhật một đứa bạn ở đó. Kid Junction có chổ leo trèo và chỗ tuột tụi nhỏ nó cũng thích.

Không chỉ chơi playground, Đán còn muốn đi chơi công viên nước nên tôi gọi điện thoại nhờ mẹ nó xoạn dùm cho hai cha con đồ tắm. Mẹ nó cũng biết gần Kid Junction có một chổ tắm trong nhà. Tôi ghé lại nhà lấy đồ. Đán thấy mẹ như không còn đòi mommy như lúc sáng.

Hai cha con đến Kid Junction lúc 10 giờ sáng tưởng rằng sẽ không có ai nhưng ngược lại đã có sáu hoặc bảy mẹ (chắc là stay-at-home mom) đưa con đến chơi. Đán muốn tôi leo trèo và tuột cùng nó. Chơi cả hai tiếng đồng hồ tôi mệt và đói nên gọi món chicken tenders (gà chien dòn). Đán ăn một cây cà rem rồi ăn một miếng gà. Nó ăn thêm một cây ca rem nữa và ăn một miếng gà. Nó đòi thêm cây thứ ba tôi không cho. Thế là hai cha con cùng nhau chơi videogame cho đến một giờ trưa. Thấy nó cũng hơn chán nên tôi rủ nó đi chơi nước.

Chỗ chơi nước có cầu tuột nhưng lại không có nước phun. Anh lifeguard nói đến bốn giờ chiều họ mới mở nước phun. Trong bồn tấm vắng vẻ. Chừng năm người lớn và một thằng bé Hàng Quốc cự tuổi thằng Đán. Thằng bé ít nói nên Đán chỉ chơi với ba nó thôi. Hai cha con bơi lội đến hai giờ rưỡi chưa. Thấy nó buồn ngủ nên tôi đưa nó ra xe. Chúng tôi ghé qua chợ Đại Hàng mua cho mẹ nó một số hộp me ngọt. Dạo này mẹ nó bị nghiện ăn me ngọt.

Sau khi rời chợ thì nó ngủ trên xe nên tôi đành lái dòng dòng nghe nhạc cho nó ngủ. Lúc nó thức dậy cũng đã bốn giờ rưỡi thế là hết ngày. Về đến nhà anh Đạo đi học đã về. Gia đình hộp lại mua pizza ăn tối. Mông rằng sáng thứ Ba Đán sẽ chịu đi nhà trẻ.

Bỏ làm một ngày dành thời gian cho con rất đáng. Nếu như đi làm sáng thứ Hai tôi cũng sẽ không vui. Cứ nghỉ đến cái mặt sầu thảm của nó. Thú thật thì với con tuy ngoài thì cứng rắn nhưng trong tâm rất mềm nên tôi không biết cách ứng phó với tụi nó. Tôi không lúc nào cũng chìu chuộn tụi nó. Tuy nhiên không cầm được khi phải đối xử nặng với tụi nó. Bây giờ mới biết làm cha không dể nhưng đã quá muộn màng.

In his entertaining How Not to Write, The New York Times’ William Safire shows that explaining grammar doesn’t have to be dried and boring. Because Safire focuses more on the art of writing than the craft, he makes the book quick, fun, and helpful to read.

In an intriguing and unquestionably obsessive history of Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style, a timeless advocacy for clear writing, Mark Garvey traces back to its originality and documents the engaging exchanges between Jack Case (editor) and E.B. White (writer) on the art and craft of writing the book. Garvey also recounts its wide success to the mass audience as well as its harsh rejections from the English departments. Reading Stylized is hard to resist rereading the little book.

My writing on Professional Web Typography is going well. The content is shaping up. I hired a copyeditor to help me with proofreading. I also began to work on the design of the site. Once the editing is done, I’ll invite some friends to look at the book. If everything goes as planned, I should have the book live at the end of April.

My research for the final project on Understanding Vietnamese Typography is so far so good. I have been learning quite a bit about Vietnamese grammar and diacritical marks. I am sure this project will help type designers and typographer understand Vietnamese typography. I can’t even wait to begin to work on the web site, but that won’t happen until the fall. So I still have plenty of time to work on the content.

Spring break is next week. Since I don’t attend any class, my schedule will be the same. I came in the art building the first time last night since last semester to speak to students about web presence. Thanks to Jim for inviting me to speak and treating me to dinner. I used the opportunity to practice my public speaking. I did well (I think). I was not nervous at all, but my stomach was hurting afterward. Maybe all that butterflies was trembling inside of me while I gave the lecture.