This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
There is No Try, Only Zoo
Aug
4
2009
Another post about Saturday’s trip to the zoo – yes, it’s about another sign…
I noticed this sign at the zoo.
I know this one has nothing to do with animals. The zoo has a nice play area for children, in case they tire of animals and just want to run around and do whatever. This sign was encouraging the kids to develop scientific minds have fun while playing in the stream.
It’s not a real stream, but it plays one on TV. This “stream” is the child’s-play-area equivalent to those plastic-liner-and-electric-pump waterfalls that people put in their backyards. Yes, it is a stream, just not a natural stream. But it is fun for the kids, especially those who don’t have access to real streams where they live.
Anyway, back to the sign… It seems this sign is somewhat related to Yoda: “Do, or do not. There is no try“.
Hmm… free marketing advice time, worth the price of admission. Mountain Dew should adopt a new slogan: “Dew or Dew not, there is no try” There are obvious licensing agreement issues with the Star Wars people, but it could work. Or there’s the way I usually remember the phrase: “There is no try, only do.” They could use “There is no thirst, only Dew“.
Anyway, back to the sign… The part I don’t like is “try and block”. If you’re going to try blocking it, and then block it, why bother trying first? Just do it. They meant for you to “try to block” the water.
Remember, never try and do something unless you really want a trial run before the actual event. Try to do something. Or, like Yoda, you could just do something. Even hard things.
“Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:9
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:04 am and has been carefully placed in the Marketing category.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:05 am
That reminds me of “the reason is because.” I remember Mr. Terpstra telling us that is redundant. You need to say “the reason is that.” You could say, The reason I am cold is that I forgot my coat, or I am cold because I forgot my coat, but NOT The reason I am cold is because I forgot my coat. Everyone should have a Mr. Terpstra to teach them grammar.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Everyone should have a Mr. Terpstra to keep him warm.