tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9629462.post8154235322294394623..comments2024-03-26T22:23:22.556-07:00Comments on Rish's Ramblings: My Waste of TimeRish Outfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126627112516914578noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9629462.post-11112556188347024262013-05-12T04:49:04.375-07:002013-05-12T04:49:04.375-07:00Oh wow this is old, I should check my gmail addres...Oh wow this is old, I should check my gmail address more often. Sorry about that.<br /><br />I've commented on the Dunesteef forums a few times, and I used to slush read for the podcast, but my internet access is sporadic.<br /><br />That's so cool that you've studied Arabic, I didn't realise there was any demand for courses in Middle America. You could say, أنا أمريكي, لا أتكلم عربية, no need to neg yourself.<br /><br />I'm an Arabist but not an native speaker of Arabic, but I could offer some suggestions for the teaching portion of the story if you decide to go back to it and I have internet access. <br /><br />I don't know if they'd be learning Standard Arabic or dialect, standard would not be much use, but it's usually what's taught. You might need to talk to someone in the military as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13443434334539569385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9629462.post-43674545661135385752012-11-09T17:11:37.875-08:002012-11-09T17:11:37.875-08:00Thanks for the kind words. Seraph I know, but May...Thanks for the kind words. Seraph I know, but Maymunah, you are unfamiliar to me. I actually took a class in Arabic a few years ago, and have forgotten most of it (hell, I don't even remember how to say "I am an American dog, I don't speak Arabic" anymore), but I started writing a Science Fiction story about a guy who taught soldiers an Arabic class before they got shipped off to die. I got the story 91% finished before I quit, but I always meant to have somebody who actually spoke it help me with the teaching portion of the story. Rish Outfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16126627112516914578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9629462.post-22412808605807222102012-11-09T11:22:59.508-08:002012-11-09T11:22:59.508-08:00While it's not as tragic or catastrophic as th...While it's not as tragic or catastrophic as the New York storm, you've certainly made a difference to me in the last few years. In 2008 I became a Dad, and had my second child in 2011. While it's wonderful being a parent, it is very lonely at times. I hardly see anyone outside of work these days, and I don't get out that much at all ( I think my wife and I have managed to get out together maybe three times this year ? Separately maybe another couple ). It's really cool to be able to listen to your podcast when I'm stuck at home doing something banal ( particularly the banter ), or those times when I've had to take my youngest out for a buggy-ride at 3am to get him back to sleep. It's like I'm sitting in on a conversation with friends. While there are other podcasts I listen to as well - I do look forward to new Dunesteef episodes the most. Seraphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10590372127970386795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9629462.post-38919414898830412292012-11-04T22:35:31.638-08:002012-11-04T22:35:31.638-08:00I've always felt too silly to say it, but I ag...I've always felt too silly to say it, but I agree with your listener in New York. <br /><br />I'm in the Middle East, and the political situation here is always tense and on the edge of exploding. It's not uncommon for things to actually explode.<br /><br />It's nice to hear you guys chatting about movies and writing and personal stories, and just...normal stuff. Not nuclear war or genocide or bombs or imperialism. It makes a difference.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13443434334539569385noreply@blogger.com