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The Wrong Pencil
Omitted Sounds
Upminster Windmill
Marathon 2015
The Wrong Pencil (9 April 2015)
I have spent a lot of time writing about the advantages to the shorthand
writer* of using a beautiful flexible fountain pen full of fresh juicy
ink, flowing smoothly like oil from a well, in an endless river of
precious black gold. I have conceded the merits of using a pencil, and
how it need not be the poor relation of the pens. In fact* I passed all
my shorthand exams, up to 150 words a minute*, using a pencil, or at
least* a succession of them over the months, swapping one for another
that seemed to perform better. Not being able to get hold of a shorthand
pen is therefore no barrier to shorthand success. I have tried to see
the benefits and drawbacks from every angle, and have done my best to
recall the performance of every writing implement that I have ever used
for shorthand, starting with the cheapest of cheap pencils from the
corner shop, on to a clutch pencil, and then finally acquiring a Senator
shorthand pen in the mid 1970’s. At that time I also tried several other
pens but the Senator was the best, with the gold nib being the most
flexible and comfortable. I now use the Noodler’s pens for most of the
website outlines but stick to the Senator for my occasional real-life*
shorthand writing*.
* Omission phrases "in fact" "short(hand) writer" "words (a) minute" "rea(l) life"
"short(hand) writing"
* "at least" "at last" Always insert the vowel
Farm boot fair
Last weekend* I found that all of my warnings about
carelessness with writing instruments came back home to roost, and I
relived the frustrations of using the wrong pencil. I went to a boot
fair with my family at a local farm. In the UK a boot fair is where
people turn up at the venue in their cars, full of items they wish to
sell, either from clear-outs at home or maybe things they collect for
the purpose, in order to* make a small profit, and a few regular
traders as well. They set up tables in front of the boot (or trunk) of
their car, and people like me wander round looking over the offerings
for bargains and rummaging in the boxes. I was really only looking for
garden plants and maybe casting an eye over the old books, and so I knew
I would be back at the car before the others. I always take something to
do or read, and so I took my Ipod*, a notepad and some pencils, to take
down some of my own* dictations. I can’t let everyone else work through
them without having a go myself.
* Omission phrases "Las(t w)eekend" "in ord(er to)"
* "Ipod" "Ipad" Always insert the
second
vowel, and also in "notepad" which
could look similar
* "my own" Full stroke for own, as
the N Hook would be "mine"
I started on an easy speed, and was soon covering the page at a
comfortable rate. The pencil was a bit too hard, and the outlines were
very faint. I stopped the recording and changed to the softer pencil.
That made a darker more legible mark but it was rather blunt and very
soon the wood at the tip was touching the paper. I stopped the recording
again and grabbed the nylon-tipped pen which is one that can take a
fountain pen ink cartridge, which I refill from a syringe with my
favourite ink. It barely gives thicks and thins but I was not concerned
about that on this occasion*. After a page and a half, it became drier
and drier*, and faded to nothing as it gave up its last drop of ink.
These three were the only implements I had in the bag. I delved into the
depths of the handbag pocket, for the half size mechanical pencil that I
keep there. Although the lead was extremely thin, all went well and the
outlines were pleasingly* legible. I felt that with care I could* avoid* a
break although I knew that shorthand should be about robust writing and
not fussing over the pen or pencil. Then with a sudden faint cracking
noise the tiny piece of visible lead went flying away into the air and I
had to advance the lead and miss out a chunk of words.
* "on this occasion" The shun hook of changes direction in this phrase
to balance the outline, which helps to keep the stroke straight
* Omission phrase "dri(er and) drier" See more examples at
www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk/phrasing4-omission.htm#OmittingRepeatedSound
* "pleasingly" Keep clearly through the line and insert the first vowel,
as "pleasantly" is similar in outline and meaning
* "I could" Not phrased, so it
cannot be misread as "I can"
* "avoid" "evade" Always insert the
vowel, as they are similar in outline and meaning
Even better when the whole pen
is transparent (Noodler's Ahab)
With my fourth implement proving less than* perfect, certain
uncomfortable words began to form slowly* in my mind,
"This is what you
tell everyone else not to do." I began to wonder why I did not just
bring my usual shorthand fountain pen, with its dark ink that I can see
clearly on the page, an ink supply that will not run out unexpectedly as
there is a window where I can check its level, and a nib that can stand
up to writing the thinnest and thickest of strokes without any problem.
I spent the remaining ten minutes of waiting time persevering with the
mechanical pencil, but if it had been a fast dictation then I would
certainly have had to use the first pencil, as faint lines are merely
annoying but it would at least* have continued writing for many more
pages than the other three.
* "less than" Downward L to make a good join
* "slowly" Advisable to insert the vowel, as "slightly" could also make
sense
* "at least" "at last" Always
insert the vowel
Obviously I was not treating the dictation as I
would advise others to do. I should have continued with the first pencil
until it wore down and then done the same with all the others even
though it was only practice. I had brought bread but wanted cake. The
shorthand pens were sitting at home crowded together in their mug,
asking themselves why I had left them behind in a stuffy room and had
not* taken them on an outing into the fresh air and given them a taste
of working outside in the pleasant* countryside. When I arrived home,
they were all standing in a row, frowning and looking at me
reproachfully, saying, "We told you so, serves you right!" I accepted
their reprimand and promised I would never do it again, and that if a
hard pencil was all I had, I would keep going all the way to the bell
sound at the end of the dictation. They accepted my apology, and I
hurriedly sneaked out into the garden to get the new plants in and
recover my composure, and leave any further shorthand adventures until
the evening. (998 words)
* "had not" Quicker to write separately, as the
phrase would require the Hay dot and vowel dot, thus not saving any
time, see
www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk/phrasing7-misc.htm#contractedapostrophe
* "pleasingly" Keep clearly through the line and insert the first vowel,
as "pleasantly" is similar in outline and meaning
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Omitted Sounds (18 April 2015)
These paragraphs practise outlines that omit a sound that is very
lightly spoken and often not spoken at all in normal speech. Although
some books describe them as contracted outlines, they do not belong to
the official list of contractions, and behave as normal outlines,
written in position and able to be vocalised when necessary. Practice
for the contraction list will follow in future articles.
Omission of light P. We PUMPED up the tyres and JUMPED into the car. We
had not* SKIMPED with the supply of sandwiches. We PLUMPED up the
cushions in the back seat. The superior suspension DAMPED the movement
every time the car was BUMPED by a hump in the road. We DUMPED our coats
in the car, TRAMPED to the beach and ENCAMPED amongst the sand dunes. We
CLAMPED the parasols in position but unfortunately*
we were not EXEMPT
from the midges. There was a PRESUMPTION that we would also visit the
nearby town and so later on there was a RESUMPTION of our journey. We
claimed EXEMPTION at the toll gate on the bridge and the man in the
booth STAMPED our pass card. He appeared to be SWAMPED with work
undertaken in very CRAMPED conditions. I think he might hold the job in
CONTEMPT and be PROMPTED to look for another, if he is TEMPTED by a
better position. We went into the shops on the ASSUMPTION that we could
make a REDEMPTION of our discount vouchers. We faced the TEMPTATION to
buy some sweets and my friend was the main TEMPTER.
* "we had not"
Quicker to write separately,
as the phrase would require the Hay dot and vowel dot, thus not saving any time,
see
www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk/phrasing7-misc.htm#contractedapostrophe
* "unfortunately" Optional contraction
Omission of light T. I have instructed the POSTAL assistant not to be
WASTEFUL with the POSTAGE STAMPS* and to SUBSTITUTE a lower value one
for non-urgent items, before the mail is given to the POSTMAN. We are
OPTIMISTIC that the increase in POSTAGE will be POSTPONED and that
POSTAL charges will MOSTLY remain the same. I have asked him to add a
POSTSCRIPT to this month’s* newsletter saying that we may have to
SUBSTITUTE* other colours of WAISTCOAT and that this SUBSTITUTION will
not affect any returns of the goods. Ask the builder to repair the
faulty WASTEPIPE and let us know when it has been SUBSTITUTED* with a
new plastic one. If I am not MISTAKEN this particular employee has
rarely made a MISTAKE in his work. His referees gave good TESTIMONIALS
of his performance and his work is also a TESTIMONY to his OPTIMISTIC
and hardworking nature, always dealing HONESTLY* with customers, unlike
the previous employee who was found to be acting DISHONESTLY.
* Omission phrase "pos(t)age s(t)amps" "to this (mon)th's" Stroke Ith is
generally intersected for "month" but joined if more convenient months"
* "subs(t)itute" Omits the first T
* "honestly" Always insert the
first vowel, and the diphthong in "nicely", to differentiate
He regularly carries a shorthand TEXTBOOK and practice material on some
POSTCARDS and after he has completed his training at the main POST
OFFICE in a TRUSTWORTHY manner, he is OPTIMISTIC that there will be no
POSTPONEMENT of attaining a better position. He is smart, TASTEFULLY
dressed and MANIFESTLY enjoys his job but I think eventually he will
become RESTLESS or even LISTLESS if he does not receive some well-earned
ADJUSTMENTS to his salary. He has in fact* been offered a job at the
INSTITUTE* of Engineering. Consequently we have now INSTITUTED* an
improved process for promoting from within as it is most important* that
we do not lose our best personnel to other companies and INSTITUTIONS*.
Some of the students were BOASTFUL when they passed their exams and some
were WISTFUL when they did not. They WISTFULLY said that the subject
matter was BEASTLY* and they had been marked UNJUSTLY. Others were
MODESTLY surprised and were glad that they had persevered STEADFASTLY.
Although the food in the restaurant was TASTELESS, the view from the
window was RESTFUL and had been VASTLY improved by the new planting.
Note that the following use the T stroke. When she found out how
COSTLY* this GHASTLY* gift was, she went GHOSTLY* pale.
* Omission phrases "in (f)act" "mos(t) important"
* "ins(t)itute, ins(t)itution" Omit the first T
* "beastly" Distinguishing pair
with "bestial" which includes the T stroke
* "costly " "ghastly" "ghostly"
Advisable to insert the vowel in these, especially as the last two are similar
in meaning
Omission of light K or G. My new assistant is very PUNCTUAL and he knows
how to PUNCTUATE* letters correctly, using all the appropriate*
PUNCTUATION marks. However he has no COMPUNCTION about taking long lunch
breaks and I have warned him about this in the STRONGEST* possible
terms. The LONGEST* time he was absent is two hours. His handwriting is
very DISTINCT and I DISTINCTLY remember seeing his neatly written
application form. He gained a DISTINCTION in his Arts Degree and is
therefore quite good at reading INDISTINCT handwriting and EXTINCT and
DEFUNCT forms of script. We are ANXIOUS to ensure he does not LANGUISH
on low pay, with all the ANGUISH that entails, and in order that he can
continue to FUNCTION properly*, we are going to SANCTION a pay rise. We
were driving to the SANCTUARY when the car suffered a PUNCTURE at the
crossroads JUNCTION and INSTINCT told us to immediately park up in the
nearby PRECINCT. To put it quite SUCCINCTLY, our car had become a
NON-FUNCTIONING vehicle. (806 words)
* "punctuate" Note the use of two T strokes, and not halving, similarly
effectuate, fluctuate.
* "strongest, longest" These are optional alternatives to the full
outline using the G stroke. There is no reason not to use the shorter
versions, as they do not clash with anything.
* "properly" Insert the first vowel, and the diphone in "appropriately",
as they are similar in
outline and meaning
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Upminster Windmill (24 April
2015)
At the beginning of April I went to an
open day at Upminster windmill in East London. It is one of the few
surviving smock windmills, so named because its tapered shape resembles
a white shepherd’s smock garment, wide and full at the base, and
gathered in at the top. The mill was built in 1803 by John Noakes and
was used for grinding flour* until 1910, and then it produced animal
feed until 1934. The mill became derelict until about 1960 when it was
repaired and then opened to the public in 1967, staffed by volunteers.
We had visited in January and having walked around it several times to
get good photos, we were left wondering what was inside, which had to
wait until we returned home to look it up on their website. As might be
expected, the name Upminster means church on the hill, just the right
place for a windmill, and we certainly felt the chilly breezes on that
January day.
* "flour" The outline for "flower" has a triphone, as it is considered to be
two syllables. It is a useful distinction to make for the shorthand
writer, although not always discernible in ordinary speech.
It was much warmer and more pleasant* on our recent visit.
The weather was overcast but mild, and on arrival we saw cars pulling up
onto the large grassy area at the front. Tours were being conducted in
groups of about eight people. The tour started outside with a description of
the former cottages, bakery and steam mill, which are now just
foundations and excavated areas. We then entered the mill and were taken
straight to the top. We climbed several sets of steep narrow wooden
steps, although ladders* would be a more accurate term. Our guide
described the operation of all the items of equipment on each floor.
Just seeing all the gear was interesting in itself, but it came alive
with our guide’s knowledgeable* and comprehensive explanations of how
everything worked. The view from a small open window at the top seemed
much higher than the windmill had appeared from the ground and the
chinks of light coming through odd places in the timber walls made it
obvious that the mill interior must have been* a draughty place to work.
* "pleasant" "pleasing" Helpful to insert the
first vowel
* "ladders" L is not doubled for "-der, -ther" unless it is part of a longer
outline such as "stepladder"
* "knowledgeable" Based on the contraction for "knowledge", it is same outline as an unvocalised "enjoyable", this
latter should have the diphthong written in, to distinguish
* Omission phrase "must (have) been"
We made our way down to the floor below, gingerly* descending the steep
ladder backwards. Once our group was down, the next one was allowed to
enter the building and climb to the top, and in this way the groups were
kept moving but also separate* from each other, ensuring a safe
experience for all, necessitated by the tightness of the space on each
level. As I listened to the descriptions* of the machinery*, I was
continually amazed* at how a single turning shaft could be made to do so
many tasks, and include so many mechanisms for power control and
adjustments*. Obviously this has all been perfected over the centuries
and what we were looking at was the result of all the accumulated
inventions and improvements that men have created in that time, each one
building on the expertise of the previous generation*. We saw the huge
cogwheel* that transfers the power to the subsidiary wheels. Our guide
took out one of the cogs and showed us that it had a very long root,
just like a tooth, held in place with a wooden pin, so that they could
be replaced as necessary.
* "gingerly" Optional contraction
* "separate" Keep the T full length, as "separated" would also make
sense here
* "amaze" and "amuse" Always insert the vowels
* "descriptions" The singular is a contraction but the
plural is a full outline, so that it does not look like "discourse" which has a
similar meaning
* "machinery" Optional contraction
* "adjustments" Omits the lightly
sounded T
* "wheel" Written with two strokes here, in order to be able to join.
* "generation" Optional contraction
Loose cog tooth lying on top
On the Stone Floor* are the millstones, each pair enclosed in an
octagonal wooden box called a vat or tun, and the chutes that feed* the
grain into the central hole called the eye. The bedstone remains
stationary* and the top runner stone is the one that rotates. The
millstones do not actually touch but are separated by a space the
thickness of a piece of paper, and this space is finely adjustable by
the tentering* gear. Incorrect operation, such as insufficient grain
flowing through the stones, could result in the stones touching thus
producing sparks, which our guide rather understatedly described as "not
a good idea in a building like this!"
A small transparent
perspex model of the millstones, two circles showing the pattern of the
grinding lines, illustrated how the rotation produces a scissoring
effect that cuts the grain, as centrifugal force propels it towards the
edges of the stones. Below is the Meal Floor containing devices for
sifting the flour and removing bran, and bagging* up the various grades
of products.
* "Stone Floor" Using initial capitals, to retain the sense of the floor
name (the floor where the stones are located), rather than an adjective "floor made of stone". These two versions would be
pronounced with the emphasis on different syllables, and shorthand needs
to reflect that.
* "feed" Vowel needed, as "fed" would also make sense
* "stationary" The Shun hook written on this side in order to join the
R. "Station" on its own has the hook on the other side, as per normal
rules
* "tentering" This outline also reads "tendering". If necessary, you
could abandon the dictionary outline and write T + N + Tr + Dot Ing, to
ensure a more accurate reading of an unusual term
* "bagging" Keep clearly thick, as "packing" has a similar meaning
Grain chute and hoppers above the
vat containing the millstones - Perspex model
All the while I was walking around, I tried
to imagine what it would have been* like when the mill was working. It
would have been a health and safety officer’s nightmare, with giant
pieces of unprotected spinning machinery* groaning and rumbling, and all
the bins and hoppers rattling as the grain descended. The trap doors
would be heard banging as the sacks of grain were hoisted up and the
whole building would be vibrating and creaking. Flour dust would be
everywhere, causing severe irritation to the lungs and often death from
fibroid phthysis*, commonly called miller’s lung. The stone dressers
also suffered this complaint from inhaling stone dust as they renewed
the grinding surface pattern of the millstones. The miller would be
shouting to his assistant, as no doubt normal speech would be inaudible
above the din of the machinery*.
* Omission phrase "would (have) been"
* "machinery" Optional contraction
* "phthysis" The PH is silent, so outline is similar to "thesis"
One might imagine that flour production came to a halt when there was no
wind, but with the increasing prosperity of his business, in 1812 Noakes
added a steam mill to the rear which operated a further two sets of
millstones. The foundations of this are undergoing excavation at
present. Finally we reached the ground floor, with displays of
archaeological finds, model windmills in a glass case, a larger working
model of the windmill, an old millstone, photographs, newspaper
cuttings, flour containers and packaging bags throughout the years, as
well as the necessary souvenirs and information table. I am sure my
Upminster windmill pen and pencil are identical to those sold in other
historic buildings but they are a reminder of a very informative and
interesting day out, to see a treasured remnant of our industrial
heritage and the remarkable skills and inventiveness of the craftsmen of
the past. (1006 words)
Now I can sail through my shorthand
www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFbwHVL5vms Aerial view from drone
CGI animations: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ4JDV-v_4s Windmill workings
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbV48rkXk2w Steam mill workings
Every shorthand writer's nightmare - the big gap
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Marathon 2015 (28 April 2015)
Last Sunday I watched the London Marathon
all the way through, on the television screen and from the comfort of my
armchair. I had intended to do some other* things with the time, but
somehow seeing it on the screen made me hesitate, then hover, and
finally sit down and watch. I have no interest at all in sports, but
this is one that I do enjoy seeing, probably because people are not*
really in competition with each other, and are mostly wanting to improve
their own performance, or maybe just get to the finish line regardless
of the hours taken. I know the elite runners are competing, but I do
feel that they are only using each other’s presence in the race to
boost their own performance, and are not*
setting themselves against
anyone else.
* "some other" Doubling to
represent "other"
* "are not" In full, not using
halving and N Hook, as in most other phrases that would look too much
like "will not"
Although I have seen it many times before, I am always amazed* at how
many people have made the bold and courageous decision to apply for a
place, been accepted, done as much training as they can, and have turned
up on the day, ready and willing to put their absolute* best effort into
running the 26.2 miles around London’s roads. This year over 38,000*
runners took part, starting in a Royal Park and ending up at a Royal
Residence and a large percentage were running to raise money for
charities. Whilst watching the elite runners, I admire their skill and
endurance, as they are obviously not getting out of breath in the first
mile as we armchair viewers would be likely to do! They settle into a
consistent regular pace and it is interesting how some of them* let
another become the leader of the group and keep themselves behind for
most of the route. The exciting part is when they start to break up in
the last mile or so, and make their sprint towards the finish line, and
that seems to be* where the competitive aspect becomes more apparent.
* "amaze" and "amuse" Always insert the vowel
* "absolute" and "obsolete" Always insert the first vowel
* "38,000" Use stroke Ith for thousand only with normal numerals
* Omission phrases "some (of) them" "seems (to) be"
I really look forward* each year to seeing the imaginative ideas and
costumes that some of the runners deck themselves out with. My favourite
this year was the tyrannosaurus dinosaur, especially as it had its own
legs, attached to the heels of the runner, so that it appeared to be
walking on its own. Another favourite was the lady dressed as a painting
of the Mona Lisa, with a hole in the framed canvas for her own head to
go through. I am sure that even now people are thinking up ingenious
get-ups and working out how to make them, so that they can run without
being overburdened by the extra weight or getting overheated.
* Omission phrase "look fo(r)ward"
www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/london-marathan-2015-the-race-where-mona-lisa-goes-neckandneck-with-a-trex-10204377.html
(You will, of course, spell marathon correctly when you transcribe!)
I admire the marathon frame of mind*,
pushing through and defeating any negative thoughts that try to hinder
them, and the utter* determination to finish, or at least* go as far along
the route as their leg muscles will take them. This is all about the
"battlefield of the mind" where their original decision to persevere can
be either swayed, toppled and defeated, or the challenge can cause it to
be strengthened, toughened and reinforced. Being amongst so many other
runners, as well as the cheering crowds, clearly provides the necessary
encouragement, as strength or willpower threatens to fade, and even in
the less popular* areas along the route, there are groups of bystanders
clapping and cheering the runners. I always wonder how the very last few
people cope, as they have 38,000 people ahead of them, and they must
have to cheer themselves on much more than* those in the middle and
front.
* Omission phrases "frame (of) mind" "much mo(re tha)n"
* "utter" "true" Always insert the
vowel as these are similar in outline and meaning, likewise "utterly,
truly"
* "at least" "at last" Always
insert the vowel
* "popular" Keep the Ar curved, so it does not look like "populated"
which would also make sense
I am writing this on the Monday after, and I really feel for all those
participants waking up this morning with their limbs and feet letting
them know that they have pushed it as far as possible*, something I only
experience when I have overdone the gardening or furniture moving. I am
sure they are relieved it is done and their goal is achieved, but also
maybe sad that the exhilaration of the day has now begun to dissipate.
Many will counter that by setting to work with a plan of action for
further training in order to* improve performance for next year’s
marathon.
* Omission phrases "as far as poss(ible)" "in ord(er to)"
Following a marathon is a really good opportunity to see inspirational
examples of how to push through and this can be applied to your
shorthand writing* efforts, gritting your teeth under difficulties, and
finally getting to the goal, and, after making some corrections, being
ready to do it all again, with greater skill and better results*. During
the race they were talking about "my PB" meaning Personal Best and of
course, these are the first two shorthand strokes we all learned. I hope
your PB is improving regularly and rapidly each time you take on your
own speed and endurance challenge. (802 words)
* Omission phrases "short(hand) writing" "better (re)sults"
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