Last week, I started to register for a young professionals networking event, but I couldn't make it past question 3: tell us about something you are an expert in.
I thought about this for days, but as it turns out... I'm an expert in nothing. There are things I would like to be an expert in, sure: Cheese. American presidents. Wine. World War II. Middle Eastern politics. I read books and articles about these things.
But ask anyone that knows me: my memory is, well, broken? Some would call it borderline creepy.
I'll remember what color shirt you were wearing at that restaurant we went to on a random Tuesday, and I'll remember your cousin's ex girlfriend's name that you briefly mentioned -- by the way, how did she do in that marathon you told me she was running 2 months ago? -- but I have trouble remembering the plots of TV shows or the details of articles that I read. Sometimes I'll hear something fascinating on NPR, try to tell Y about it 5 minutes later, and realize I can't remember what I just heard.
Thanks to this tendency to retain only incredibly useless information, the things on which I can call myself an expert are few and far between.
But I think we can all agree that they are oh-so-important:
- The birthdays of all three Hanson brothers.
- U.S. state capitals.
- Celebrity baby names
- Plot details of all of the Baby Sitters' Club books
- The words to the rap at the end of Waterfalls by TLC (I seen a rainbow yesterday, but too many storms have come and gone leavin' no trace of not one god-given ray...)
- Mall directions (I always know where I am in a mall. Even the Mall of America. That's kind of impressive, right? Just say yes.)
I didn't go to that networking event -- I didn't even finish registering -- but I'll bet the people that did go have no idea who Kristy Thomas is, and why her great idea was so important.
Idiots.
I LOVED BABYSITTER CLUB BOOKS! I know them all :)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several of them, did you start skipping chapter 2? I did - it was always the same! WE GET IT, CLAUDIA HIDES CANDY IN HER ROOM AND MALLORY HAS 7 BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND KAREN IS A TWO-TWO!
DeleteLOL - you HAD to skip chapter 2! I mean come on - I think it was actually copied and pasted from book to book! I also am an expert in mall directions and only incredibly useless information! Glad to know I'm not alone!
DeleteHa i love this post. I forget things too a lot like where I left a pen that I was using 5 seconds before or even what I was going to say but for some strangely creepy reasob I remember names and faces even if we were not introduced but not celebrities :) ordinary bland boring ppl
ReplyDeleteI lose, like, 12 pens a day :)
DeleteThe Babysitter Club books were awesome! My favorites were Dawn & Stacy :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I too have a broken memory! It's really bad that I can't remember anything if I don't write it down. AND?! I owned every single last baby sitter book club book! Awesomeness. Coming by from Jenni's link-up :) Loved this post!
ReplyDelete"The birthdays of all three Hanson brothers." you just made my friends LIFE, I'm sure.
ReplyDeletebless your memory. I'm pretty sure you'll survive this. I don't chalk it up to an awesome memory maybe kinda a sad memory hold.. the fact that I can remember everything about Grey's Anatomy. The only subject I could come up with. WINNING
I am not a pro at anything, but I am good at lots of things. I always say I am multi-talented.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Those skills are all wonderful. Specifically knowing the raps to random songs and knowing Babysitters Club Book plots. Pure awesome. I find myself singing the B2K Bump, Bump, Bump rap a lot.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm kind of the same way. I remember what I wore to see The Jungle Book when it was re-released in the 80s (and where we ate lunch after) but I can even tell you what happened on the most recent episode of Mad Men, which I just watched two days ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can rap every single word of Whatta Man by Salt N Peppa. Every.single.word.
i love this - so me! i have a terrible memory for certain things, but remember random details (unimportant to *some* people), and am expert at nothing (but WWII expert would be aweomse!)
ReplyDeleteahh, I am the same way - I call it 'mom brain'.
ReplyDeleteUh count me in for all the lyrics to DMX Why do good girls like bad guys (thanks, college. That English degree isn't doing me any good but I'm ready for throwback jams at a moment's notice). Also, I now wish there was a Babysitter's Club Book Club. I'd totally join that.
ReplyDeletehaha - love this! and i def was a Babysitter's Club freak. i spent all of my allowance on those books. good times. :)
ReplyDeletehaha that's awesome! I totally use to rap to TLC songs too :) Do you know all the Will Smith rap lyrics too?? I might be an expert in that too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!
Christy
Sunny with a side of…
PS. Found you through The May challenge link :)
Love Kristy & co.! There are so many times when I think of different events in "their lives" and compare them to mine! :) Found you through the May link-up!
ReplyDeleteWas OBSESSED with the BSC!! And yes, I also skipped ch 2 :)))
ReplyDeleteOh man, I miss the BSC! My life goal when I was a kid was to be in a real life Babysitters Club...too bad I hate kids....fail. I think everything on your list is essential knowledge. Glad to find you today!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you and I sound a lot alike! I never remember the things I actually should remember.
ReplyDeleteone sweet tuesday.
Loved your take on this challenge. Gave me a smile. Also, I was addicted to Baby Sitters Club books (I even once owned the board game!) and I totally know who Kristy Thomas is! I used to wish like mad she could have been a real life friend of mine.
ReplyDeleteThe Babysittters Club books were awesome, except for chapter 2. I think Claudia, Mary Anne and Abby were my favorites.
ReplyDeleteSoooo, I will admit I collect Babysitter Club books. You are pretty much my new best friend.
ReplyDeleteAlso, hello from Wisconsin!
Liz
i couldn't help but wonder...
Dicey *wink, wink*- I gotta say your memory is tip-top for all things vital. Mine blows. I can't even remember all five Backstreet Boys.
ReplyDeleteAnd with that, I will hang my head in shame.
Mall directions is a funny thing - somehow I have TERRIBLE navigational sense but can always tell you which end of a mall a particular store is on (and get there without getting turned around). Peter, on the other hand, terrible at that. We all have our gifts, and it sounds like yours would make you an excellent trivia night teammate :)
ReplyDeleteDude. I have seen Hanson in concert, and am seeing them again in Sept. LOVE THAT YOU MENTIONED THEM!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Babysitter's Club! I had all of those books and I miss them terribly! I used to think I was so sophisticated when I would wear big earrings and a side-pony like Claudia. And I have dreamed of going to NYC because of Stacey...that's still on the Bucket List. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDelete