When I'm waiting for a fax or for a meeting to start, I like to test myself. Sometimes, I try to write out a block of scripture from memory. Or, I'll list the perfect squares up to 30 or 40. Right now, I'm trying to learn the presidents in order - which is something I never had to learn in school - so testing myself would do no good at this point. I hope to be able to recite them from memory by next month. And, I'm ashamed to admit that I've never made myself learn the bible books in order which I've wanted to do for years, so I am diligently working on that.
Yesterday, at the start of two different meetings, while waiting for some of the participants to show up, I decided to go back to the basics and make two lists... the United States from west to east and (later in the day) the state capitols from east to west. Mind you, I didn't allow myself to go back to my first list to make sure I had all of the capitols included on the second list.
This morning, I decided to check my work. Sadly, both lists had only 49 entries. For the life of me, I could not think of the state I had forgotten or the capitol I had forgotten. Then it hit me. Delaware was missing from the first, and Dover was missing from the second. The entire state seemed to be erased from my mind.
I've never been to Delaware, so I guess I should visit sometime soon.
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7 comments:
Your mind is WAY too active, my friend.
When I have idle time, it's usually that: idle. Sometimes I make conversation or daydream (pondering the mystery of Tater Mitts and other such wonders).
Yeah, my brain gets tired just reading about what your brain's up to.
You are quite a busy bee! I don't like idle time myself, but I do much less productive stuff (like spider solitare or freecell) Maybe I should try to strengthen my mind instead!
I've done that! I mean the part about forgetting Delaware, I've forgotten Delaware. (But I have been there, if you count passing through for twenty minutes on the interstate being there).
Why test yourself? Especially the perfect squares, who needs that?
I hope the learning of the Bible books goes well. I did it a few years ago - most of what I remember is just from practical use though.
Mike: See, I knew you were hooked too! :)
Jeremy: My brain can't keep up with your brain in most things, so that's why I have to exercise it from time to time. Just wish my brain could more easily remember the important stuff, but I'm trying to train it to do better!
Elizabeth: I don't know why I'd ever need to know the perfect squares, but it just seems like good information. Guess I continue to be involved in math in the way that I can. Sometime, I take psychology tests just to keep up my knowledge - in the math areas especially. But, you're right... none of this probably is very useful except to keep my mind going. They say that helps fend of Alzheimers and dementia. We'll see.
Would be better, probably, if I just stuck to the scriptures.
Wish you the best with the states and presidents. We learned a song in elementary school for the states, but I can only remember up to about Massachusetts.
I confess I don't use my idle time like I should. Sometimes I'll play a crossword, which is also supposed to fend off Alzheimers, but it's not nearly as helpful as memorizing scripture.
The state song is "Fifety-nifty United States," I learned it in 5th grade chorus and on good days I can still remember them all.
I learned a song for all the presidents up to Clinton too, but I can only remember chunks of the song.
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