Back in 1995 I wrote a letter to Cecil which made the papers (I felt honored – go look for COLIN JOYCE (my real name).
Anyway, back when he wrote it, and up until I looked at it a year ago, his reply started with “Ya mean well Colin, but you can’t ask a decent question to save your life.”
ZING! I was touched to be ZINGED by Unca Cecil.
But today I had a debate going with a co-worker and decided to show him what Cecil said on the matter. So I search here and find it and it now starts off with “MAYBE SO”.
MAYBE SO? MAYBE SO!!!
What happened to the ZING? I deserved it, I felt. or at least I LIKED it.
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I changed it. What good is being an editor if you can’t edit? You take that James Joyce. Man, I coulda made something out of that guy. That said, if you really want I can change it back. You masochist.
Unca Cecil’s little minion editor (Redundant?) recently chirped
**
To be honest, Unca Cecil’s "I’ll tell you a thing or two attitude" is one of things that made me one of the TEEMING MILLIONS. That bozo with his “Why do clocks run clockwise” books . . . A cure for insomnia, and it’s like reading a letter from your grandma. Unca Cecil is like reading a letter from your Tourette-ridden grandma who isn’t allowed to write letters anymore.
And that’s why I love him.
So, yeah, please put it back, and also fix it in the damn book!
XOXO,
Frumpy Jones (AKA Colin Joyce)
P.S. And what, didn’t you do a good enough Job editing it way back in '95?
P.S.S. And I take offense at you making light of my Great great great great Grandfather Jimmy.
For the record I agree with you. It was Cecil's smug, sarcastic style that initially attracted me to his columns and eventually to join the teeming millions. I also agree that he's gotten a little softer in his dotage (sorry Ceece). But hey, the questions and answers selected for publication are still interesting and informative. The current incarnation of Unca Cecil has managed to retain a bit of the old "edge", the blade has simply dulled and tarnished a bit. Thank goodness that the original luster is still visible beneath the patina.
Also for the record: subsequent Post Scripts require that you add an additional P. PS, PPS, etc. Also, use no periods.
Think good thoughts...
The joke wasn’t lost on me, Frump-meister. It seemed to me that your thread’s main subject and purpose was to point out that Cecil had softened up and that you resented having the answer to your question edited for publication in book form. The purpose of my final paragraph was to offer you another ZING since your first was unjustly taken away. Frankly, I was hoping you’d take the opportunity to ZING me back. Was it good for you? Thanks for playing.
I do agree with your main point, though, and am happy to know that I’m not alone among the millions!
Think good thoughts…
