Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Things I've learned recently...

I'm a firm believer in life-long education, the “never-quit-learning” slogan, and that “knowledge is power.” So, I thought I'd share with you some of the stuff I've learned recently.

1) I will never understand the allure of Star Wars. Any of the Star Wars.

2) There's very little the Playfriends can't figure out, organize, or handle when we put our heads together.

3) First chapters suck.

4) There's always something else on the To Do list


5) It's not enough to read a contract – you actually need to understand it.

6) Platypuses are venomous.

7) The plural of platypus really is platypuses (not platypi).

8) Writers avoiding their WIPs will happily engage in spirited and complicated email exchanges for amusing purposes.

9) I will never be able to read all the books I want to.

10) I really need to lose ten pounds.

11) This time I mean it

12) I have no willpower.

13) My friend Jean makes awesome toffee.

14) School will always be canceled on the day you have to accomplish something.

15) There is way too much crap in my office.

16.) My groove thang just doesn't shake like it used to.

So, have you learned anything recently you'd like to share with the rest of us?

PC

21 comments:

Maven Linda said...

But I WANT the plural to be platypi :-). Just like the plural of Lexus is Lexi. Lesuxes is such a clumsy word.

I learn every day that there are things I don't know, and I need to grab the dictionary or the encyclopedia. Isn't that great? I would be so bored, otherwise.

Last Friday, I learned I could repair torn down fencing to keep the cows from escaping (again). My repairs weren't the conventional repairs, because I'm not strong enough to handle the wire, but I was strong enough to pull up the crushed fence and use some cord to tie the top strand to the unbroken strand of barbed wire along the very top of the posts. A whole long section of fencing was therefore decorated with bows, the long ends flapping in the breeze and helping to keep the cows spooked away from that section. When he got home, the DH smiled and left my bows right where they are, even after he repaired the fencing.

Linda Winstead Jones said...

I'm always learning something. Hope I never stop. Can't think of anything interesting that I've learned recently, not on my first cup of coffee :-), I remember years ago when my DH was out of town a lot on business, and I learned how to paint, fix the doorbell, patch a hole in the wall, and handle all sorts of repairs around the house because he wasn't there to take care of these little everyday things. Necessity is often at the root of learning new things. Ah, life. :-)

LJ

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

I want it to be platupi, too. It should be. Isn't the plural of rhinonceros, rhinoceri? Or is the kid in that Christmas song right? Rhinoceroususes? Hippopotamuses?Can't be right.

The Playfriends will conquer the universe. Just need all the kids into school all day and we can begin our dastardly plan to take over the world.

Things I've Learned:

1. Measure

2. It really is about the exercise. Damnit.

3. A little faith goes a long way.

4. Sometimes shaking things up can change other areas of your life for the better.

5. I will never live in Australia.

Darling Geek said...

While I admit that the more recent Star Wars movies are a steaming pile of suck, I was amused that, despite telling me how bad Attack of the Clones was every five minutes, PC was completely unable to turn away from it until the final credits rolled.

Playground Monitor said...

I've learned I really can write a story longer than 5000 words. Chapter 10 is still kicking my butt, but at midnight last night I was 900 words closer to the end than I was at 8:00 yesterday morning.

My DH traveled years ago too, but I learned to repair toilets. I'm not so good with the float mechanism, but I can replace a flush lever and flapper valve with the best of them.

Probably the biggest thing I learned was to pick my battles, especially with my kids. Don't sweat the small stuff, and a whole lot is small.

And never say never. When the DH told me we were moving to Alabama, I think my reply was something like "Over my dead body." We've been here 28 years and I tell folks this town is the best kept secret in America -- good schools, low cost of living, people transplanted here from all around the world who each add their little bit of flavor to the town.

And lastly, I've once again learned I don't like veggie day.

Misty Williams said...

I learn things everyday and love it.

1. I want to learn more!

2. Not enough time in the day to do the above! HA!!

3. I really want to lose 30 pounds and I mean really.

4. Life is too short.

5. I need to relax more often.

6. If I don't relax more the stress is going to take over and I will not let that happen. Because of #4.

7. Stop trying to do everything for everyone else. (to have more of 5)

I think I see a pattern. HAHA!

OH!! And the main one...
FINISH THE DAMN BOOK!!! :)

Misty Williams said...

I want to learn how to type. HAHA.

3. should be and I really mean it.

Wished I could say it was because I just got up. LOL.

Problem Child said...

DG-- that movie is a train wreck of suck.

And Mr. "My-dog-Twilight-sucks-I'm-bringing-home-the-next-book-tomorrow" has zero room to talk...

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Well, for me, the thing about Star Wars... I like the *idea* of it. The characters, the storyline, the epic battles, the whole hoopla of it. Actually watching the movies... not so much. Yes, the new ones are bad, but really the dialogue in the old ones were pretty bad too, they just have the benefit of being considere classics. George Lucas is a visionary, but a miserable screenwriter.

There. I said it.

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

I learn something new every day and I think my life would suck if I didn't. At the moment I can't think of anything specific...

I'm a huge fan of the original Star Wars...the new ones not so much. Actually haven't even seen the last one (or the third one or however the damn numbering system works).

Instigator

Katherine Bone said...

I guess I'm in the minority here. I LOVE Star Wars. The 3rd installment, where Anakin turns into Darth Vader is gripping. What bothers me is between the first original Star Wars and the second, Mark Hamill looks weird. Why? Because he had a serious car accident and had to have his nose completely redone. Though I know he couldn't help it, it bothers me. :(

Jar Jar Binks, nuf said.

I've learned:

Love your kids. You never have enough time with them and sometimes less than you think.

Life is more important than worries, anxieties, dilemmas.

Love is more important than anything else.

Good will triumph over evil.

Believing in yourself molds your destiny.

Live for those you love. Laugh with those you love. Love those that are in your life.

Rise above circumstances.

Eat more chocolate. ;)

mslizalou said...

On Star Wars, Lucas should have ended it with the original triology. The 3 new ones almost ruined the series.

1. I love learning something new

2. I really need to lose at least 30 pounds.

3. The Wii is totally kicking my butt.

4. I will never be able to get through my tbr pile as long as new books come out each week.

Problem Child said...

SP -- I was mainly interested in the developing love story between Annikin and Padmae (sp?)... and that blew chunks.

DG has never recovered from JarJar...

Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones) said...

I learned yesterday that the printer can jam to the point that I can't do anything about it, no matter how many times I remove the paper tray and toner cartridge. It made me feel some better that it took Computer Guru over an hour to fix it.

As to Star Wars—I liked the first ones. By first ones, I mean the ones with Luke, Lalia and the boys. True Star Wars people will argue what's one, two, and three. Yeah, yeah. Shut up. I can count. I saw some of that second batch and finally said, "I'm not participating in this anymore." And I haven't.

What is the plural of mouse? Not the rodent or Mickey, but the thing the right of my keyboard?

Anonymous said...

Star Wars...yes, plot holes abound, along with other issues, but the new episodes are visually stunning. I enjoy watching them unfold on a large screen.

I have learned many things, but some of the most important are:

1. Faith is paramount, especially faith in myself as a writer.

2. Morale is precious - it is a lamplight in the darkness of doubt.

3. Having a job when you need one...priceless.

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Do you really think the girls will eat allllll that toffee??

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm not a Star Wars person other than selling some of the merchandise on Ebay. What I have learned is most of the items already listed above and be patient.
robertsonreads
word verification - ocychit - sounds dirty

Linda Winstead Jones said...

Star Wars: I loved the first three, caught bits and pieces of the next three (eh), but -- I saw my grandson fight Darth Vader at Disney MGM, which was priceless, and I have a Space tree which is decorated with -- among other things -- many Star Wars ornaments. And Star Trek. And Farscape. If only I could find Firefly ornaments . . .

LJ

Darling Geek said...

A Firefly ornament? done.
http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DH13420BF

Linda Winstead Jones said...

Thanks DG! I now have an Inara shuttle ornament headed my way. Serenity will be out in May, and I'll get that one, too. Too cool. :-)

LJ

Christine said...

Everything I've learned, I learned from Nestor, my handyman/painter during the staging process of getting my house ready to sell a year ago.


Whenever there was a problem or crisis, he'd say,

"Don't panic, I can fix it."

I miss Nestor.