So I just finished my daily perusing of blogs today (ok, I'll be honest--it was my second perusing today. Work is a little slow . . . ) and I just had this feeling of really loving my place in this world and my connection to so many fine people. And as I was reading some comments on blogs, I suddenly realized (well, I "realized" it before, but it struck me suddenly, like how sometimes I realize, "I'm married!!! Wow! How did that happen?" End of side-note) that some of the comments on my friends' blogs were from other friends who didn't know those friends except through me and a couple of other friends, and they are now great friends. (Did you catch how that worked?)
I actually only read blogs of people I know, other than occasionally the blogs of some of Royce's friends. I guess I'm just not as good at becoming kindred spirits with people I haven't spent a lot of time with. Or maybe I'm overwhelmed by the number of friends I have! But the fact that some of you read each others' and comment on each others' blogs absolutely delights me. The fact that two people I love and adore know about and love each other is one of my favorite things! Sometimes I'll talk to someone about one of you, and it's so hard for me to convey just how really great you are. They smile and nod, but they don't get it! So when somebody gets it, I feel like my mission in life is accomplished. Do you think that there will be some of that in the eternities?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Oops!
I have speech problems. They're not diagnosed, but they're very real. Especially when I'm tired! Often my words slur together, I mix up consonants and vowels, I put part of one word on the end of another, I stutter, I trail off at the end of my sentences, etc. etc.
In casual conversation this poses no real threat. The other party simply points out, "I can't understand a word you're saying." Or they laugh at the blunder I did not realize I just made. It's funny, and makes for great jokes.
But in my professional life, it's not such a good thing. I'm trying to pose as an intelligent advisor; someone who knows what they're talking about. If I can't articulate my thoughts, or when I slur my words together, I don't sound so smart anymore. So I try really hard to speak clearly, and when the occasional faux pas happens, I try to regain ground as quickly as possible.
Now for the story of the day (you knew there was going to be one, huh?). I was meeting with a [male] student who wanted to create a graduation plan. In my mind I was trying to say something along the lines of, "I think this is a great idea to write down what you have left. It really makes things clear when they're written out on paper." But what came out was, "Great! Let's get it on." And my brain stopped there. The active part of my brain is screaming, "Get it on paper! Get it on Paper!!!" Finally, as I try to regain that ground, I say quietly, "Let's put it on paper." Close enough?
Let's just hope that maybe my words were slurring together and trailing off sooner than I think.
In casual conversation this poses no real threat. The other party simply points out, "I can't understand a word you're saying." Or they laugh at the blunder I did not realize I just made. It's funny, and makes for great jokes.
But in my professional life, it's not such a good thing. I'm trying to pose as an intelligent advisor; someone who knows what they're talking about. If I can't articulate my thoughts, or when I slur my words together, I don't sound so smart anymore. So I try really hard to speak clearly, and when the occasional faux pas happens, I try to regain ground as quickly as possible.
Now for the story of the day (you knew there was going to be one, huh?). I was meeting with a [male] student who wanted to create a graduation plan. In my mind I was trying to say something along the lines of, "I think this is a great idea to write down what you have left. It really makes things clear when they're written out on paper." But what came out was, "Great! Let's get it on." And my brain stopped there. The active part of my brain is screaming, "Get it on paper! Get it on Paper!!!" Finally, as I try to regain that ground, I say quietly, "Let's put it on paper." Close enough?
Let's just hope that maybe my words were slurring together and trailing off sooner than I think.
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