Holmes From Home

Octopuses or Octopi?

So is it octopuses or octopi - and how do you know?

I'm often confused about how to pluralise words ending in -us, as there doesn't seem to be an easy rule. Then someone told me that words derived from greek go from -us to -uses and words derived from latin go from -us to -i! Simple! If only it were true, and if only words with latin derivations didn't then originally start from greek and vice versa.

Octopuses and Octopi

It's octopuses - because it's from the greek (you can tell it's greek because Octo means 8 in greek, aparently, and greek words go from "-us" to "-uses") wheras  cactus become cacti, because it's latin - having said that, biologists (and purists) would probably say octopodes.

Here are some others:

abacus -> abacuses, crocus -> crocuses, locus -> loci, fungus -> fungi

So now you know!

Organised or Confused?

I think I quite disorganised. I never seem to get done all the things I intend to do (like posting blogs regularly and going to events) but everyone else seems to think that I'm really organised. I've almost finished my Christmas Shopping, have started wrapping presents, Christmas Eve's dinner for guests is already in the freezer and I have more lists than you can shake a stick at. But does that make me organised?

I moved house in January (that's 11 months ago for those who can't work it out) but I'm still living out of boxes. I've done my Christmas shopping but haven't got anything in the fridge for tea. My "to do" list is much longer than my "done" list.

(Speaking of lists, just so you know, I am one of those people who has a ToDo list, and if I do something that's not on my list, I write it on so I can cross it out! I know I'm not alone, but don't know why I do it - no-one checks my lists.)

So, am I organised, confused or schizophrenic?

Hello!

Well, here it is, my first Weblog. I feel quite vulnerable writing my thoughts down for anyone (anonymously) to view, and quite nervous about that "publish" button winking at me from the bottom of the screen.

I've been thinking about having a blog for ages - and thanks to a shove from a blogging enthusiast (thanks Andrew!) thought I'd give it a go. I don't know if it's pent up writing energy, or a need to just get more technology savvy, but I've just had this urge to get a blog up and running, and frankly I've run out of excuses for not doing it.

Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised at how easy it's been (apart from losing my first post by doing a preview and then not saving it - DOH! A bit of research and a leap of faith is all it takes. So if you are thinking of blogging too, but are a bit technophobic, then just jump in and try it. I don't think you can break this internet thing, and you never know - you might enjoy it.

I'm away to see how this looks now... so how does it go? Save THEN publish...