The Daily Union ~ Feb. 17, 2008 - By Gail Parsons

This week I’m going to stray a little from my series on modern art to talk about another creative medium that I find interesting – words. After 12 years as a reporter and having several magazine credits and a book published, I have to admit that I find words quite intriguing. Sometimes it’s the misuse of words, and sometimes it’s how lightly we take our words that pique my curiosity.
Words are so easy to throw around, but they’re like feathers in a pillow. Tear open that pillow on a windy day and you’ll never get every feather back. Open your mouth, or publish a few words and they’re out there for all to see and hear. Once those words are out – they’re out for good.
The power that words wield is incredible. They can tear down and rip apart; they can be tools of change; or they can be used to bring a smile or share appreciation.
My thoughts about words actually came today after looking a word up on the on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary; yes I have that Website bookmarked.
After looking up the word I needed I couldn’t help but to click on the headline “2007 Word of the Year.”
With thousands of votes in the winning word hasn’t made its way into the hard copy dictionary, but is included in the Open Online version.
The word became popular in what is known as 133t or leet speak – a computer language in which numbers and symbols are used to look like letters. The word of the year is also the acronym for “We Owned the Other Team.”
W00t, an interjection, means “expressing joy” according to Merriam-Webster online. It can be used in a similar way as “Yay” is used – as in “w00t! I won the contest!”
That word was a new one for me.
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not, but of the other nine words on the list I what six of them meant. However, I did learn that Pecksniffian relates to a smug hypocrisy and that sardoodledom is a “mechanically contrived plot structure and stereotyped or unrealistic characterization in drama.” I think I’ll find a reason to use that word.
Of the top 10 word I think the like “blamestorming” best. Finally we have a nice word for 1. “sitting around in a group discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed and who was responsible” 2. “a meeting held in order to come up with a name of a person to assign guilt to a certain incident.”
I for one think we could all do with lot less blamestorming and a lot more … hmm let’s see … what’s one word for “let’s learn from our mistakes and find the best way to work toward improving the situation or certain incident without personal attacks, laying blame or ruining lives.”
In other JCAC news
Ok, enough about words.
Plans for the Masquerade Ball are finally falling into place. I had been getting worried. We’ve got great entertainment lined up (including a stilt-waking fire eater – this is going to be good!); some of the best hors d’Oeurves in the county; an exhibit by one of the state’s finest new artists; decorations that have taken weeks to prepare including huge murals painted by Emily Vieyra-Preston and several high school students; and fabulous masks for participants to wear to top off what promises to be a tremendous evening.
But there was one thing missing – reservations. A mere three weeks before the event and ticket sales were depressingly low. I am so glad that within days of seriously considering canceling the whole event, we started getting reservations in.
The Arts Council Board of Directors has extended the RSVP deadline and we want to clarify for people who may be considering attending that the dress is formal/semi formal. This is a masquerade ball, not a costume party, although there is a certain theory that modern day costume parties originated from the medieval masquerade balls.
Here we come into the issue of “Words” and how important it is to choose words carefully. The dress for the ball is not white tie. Men do not have to wear tuxedos but certainly may, and women will do fine in a cocktail dress or similar evening wear, but they too are encouraged to wear that elegant gown hanging in the back of the closet if they so choose.
Arts Around the State
Arts Day at the Capitol Hosted by Kansas Citizens for the Arts, Arts Day at the Capitol is an annual event for arts lovers and supporters to advocate for the arts.
This year’s event will take place on March 7 when arts supporters will gather on the state capitol’s second floor rotunda to hear from state legislators. Arts advocates will also meet with their representatives’ to talk about the value of the arts in their communities.
KAC Seeks Visual Artist to Create Governor’s Arts Awards The Kansas Arts Commission is soliciting visual artists to design and make artistic awards for recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Arts Awards. The awards honor distinguished artists, arts organizations and patrons and will be given at a dinner and ceremony on June 26.
For a list of guidelines and to download an application form, go to http://arts.ks.gov/gaa/call4artists.shtml
All applications must be mailed with a U.S. postmark or delivered to the Kansas Arts Commission office by Friday, February 22, 2008. For questions, contact Margaret Weisbrod Morris at margaret@arts.ks.gov or 785/368-6545.
Submissions sought for the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Photography Competition
The 20th Annual Gordon Parks Photography Competition is in honor of the world’s most famous photographers, Gordon Parks, who was born and raised in Fort Scott. This competition is open to anyone. Photographs submitted should reflect the important themes in the life and works of Gordon Parks.
Download the following PDF for more information: Guidelines and application – http://arts.ks.gov/documents/GP08.pdf
Questions? Call 800/874-3722, ext. 515, or e-mail photocontest@fortscott.edu