Grammar, the comma, and me: copy from a comment

I try. I do try.

Unfortunately, since the advent of school, work, Livejournal, and the myriad other little distractions that have crept into my writing life, the noble comma's proper use has occasionally eluded me.

I was raised with excellent grammar; it was not something I learned from school. Many parents impart religion upon their children to stick to them unbreakably throughout their lives. My parents stuck me with proper usage instead.

School

I'm having a dreadful time staying awake. Next time I see Darkside, I may ask of him that he order me to go to bed in a timely manner, because that's the only thing that's worked to get me to sleep so far.

reading

Rather than be a complete bum about things, though, I'm going back to the strategy that served me so well in high school: reading. I am generally able to retain things I hear while reading better than I retain things heard while sleeping. Being there in the first place helps too.

Reading is something I haven't done enough of lately. I need to refresh my mind.