Mad Skills!!

A week or so ago, a couple of my friends and I took an online version of Jeopardy that would qualify us to possibly be contestants, if we discover that we are, in fact, rocket scientists. My friend Rose got all excited about it, and would ask, "What category do you hope they have? What knowledge do you feel really confident about??" She was hoping for a musical theater category (at which I stink!) and they did have one really obscure musical theater question.....but not enough that her categorical knowledge would guarantee her a spot on the show. Sadly, it was then that I began to realize I don't have many useful skills.

I WAS asked to represent our district and film a television show for our local cable channels next week. The Board is paying for a sub for me to go downtown and film a show about building relationships between home and school to increase student success. The thought makes my stomach roll. Public speaking is NOT my gift, and would rank right up there with, say, clipping people's toenails. Actually, give me the toenails....and I'm not even particular about their owner. I am scared. to. death. and just hope I don't vomit on camera. How's that for a party trick, anyway? Want to hear about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (reauthorized 2002)? What? No? Hmmm.....ME NEITHER!! :-)

A good friend of mine sends me regular emails lately to let me know he's working on his own party trick repertoire. So far he's able to dye his mustache near-black without it being noticeable and weird-looking, build the Taj Mahal (well, kind of) with sugar cubes, and use any crazy vocabulary word that I suggest to him in a conversation--without being mocked. That's my favorite trick. I suggest a word, he uses it (no matter how many syllables!), and he gets points if people don't question him.

I've decided I should work on my own party trick repertoire. There's not much opportunity for geek speak in the real world, and I did terribly on the musical theater category in the Jeopardy game. I know how to muck out a stall, set peppers, & put up hay, but here in the 'burbs I don't get much chance...

So here's my latest attempt. Shoveled the whole thing WITH A SHOVEL!!! Usually, if Eric's at work I have this wonderful neighbor who does this for me so we're not stuck in the house every time it snows. Today, though, I thought I'd try. We're out of coffee, after all, and as Rose so aptly pointed out, Starbucks doesn't deliver. I tried to figure the area of the driveway, but math isn't one of my mad skills, so I'll make a conservative guess and say it's about 4.3 million square feet. Give or take.

Look at the pictures, though....a clear driveway! I DID that!!! I even liked it!! It was like painting--instant gratification, and great exercise. I'm excited. I need to email my friend and ask, "How about THESE mad skills???" Of course, though, I think he's busy spending the day reading the dictionary....