Sometimes I Am Totally Organized

no, i know, i'm not the most "together" person a lot of the time. or most of the time. but to be fair, i am a lot more put together on the professional front.

i have been known to manage sizeable projects and not miss a beat. not drop even a tiny little ball.

however.

one of my weaknesses is that, when i'm not careful, i sometimes maybe don't take the best notes.

or to be more precise, i don't make the best notes to myself.

for you? for others? of meetings? of classes? my notes are excellent.

post-its to myself to remind me of things? absolutely cryptic.

for some reason, i like to pretend that i will know exactly what i mean, weeks or months later, by using abbreviations that mean absolutely nothing. i seem to think, despite all evidence to the contrary, that i will remember all the details of The Meeting, even if critical details are omitted, such as what the meeting is for, who it is with, where it is being held, and on what day and time i'm expected to attend.

i just moved desks at work, so i have just gone through much filing, and have found many examples of my excellent "for my eyes only" note-taking.

EO MTG TUES, for example.

anyone wanna guess what EO is?

anyone?

because like, it's not the initials of anyone i know. it's not the initials of a project i'm aware of. i notice that neither the term, "marketing," nor the terms "website," "internet," or "intranet" -- three things i tend to have meetings about -- start with the letters E or O.

(somehow, i'm sure i managed to attend that meeting anyway, but you get the point.)

another favorite thing i do is write down phone numbers with absolutely no indication of whose number it might be. and then, because clearly they were important enough to write down, i save them.

which means that, at this time, i have no fewer than 7 post-its strewn about my files that have phone numbers on them and no names or companies attached. i mean, i probably transferred these numbers into some reliable electronic gizmo, but one can never be sure. so i best keep them.

(oh, and? the number of pieces of paper with unidentifiable numbers i have at home is just downright frightening.)

but i think the best thing i do, note-to-self wise, half-write, half-scribble something "funny" someone said so that i can remember it. except of course, out of context, it's not maybe so funny. especially when i write the quote down on something unrelated.

i found a "file" today in which the first page was a photocopy of a map of the Bay to Breakers race route, from the May 13 edition of the Chronicle, with this quote at the top (in barely legible handwriting):

not doing well & dead are 2 diff things

is that not the most helpful thing you've ever read?

i mean, i sure am glad i wrote THAT down. boy, i can rest well knowing i have that KNEE-SLAPPER to pull out at any time.

guest at dinner party: so, kristy, have you heard any good jokes lately?

me: well, gosh...[me, wracking my brain]...oh, hey! did you hear the one about how 'not doing well' and 'dead' are two different things?

guest at dinner party: why NO! that is SO funny! and TRUE. did you come up with that yourself?

me: no, not exactly...

so yes, again. i am SURE this was funny to me for some very good reason during some meeting or wherever it was i received the Bay to Breakers map route. but it's lost a little bit of its punch, don't you think?

and also, it's not so much critical to the file about our professional association memberships, is it?

hmm.

Comments

  1. I knew a guy who was convinced that every time he got stoned he had these great revelations which, however, he forgot as soon as he woke up from his drug-induced snooze. Sort of like Coleridge and Xanadu. So he decided he was going to be very disciplined next time he had a Great Thought in stonerland and write it down so he would remember in the morning. And he got stoned. And he had a great thought. When he woke up the next morning, he found a crumpled piece of paper next to the sofa. (Yeah, he slept on the sofa, of course). Heaving with excitement at being about to discover the secret of the universe, he uncrumpled the paper and read:

    "This room smells funny".

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  2. EO=Employees Only?

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  3. EO = Elephant Orthodontia (come on everyone knows that).

    I always have lots of post-its with nameless phone numbers on them. I find a google search often reveals the intended purpose of writing them down. I wish i could say they were from Tyra banks and her lingerie clad buddies all of whom are clamoring for my attention but more often then not the numbers belong to local take-out places and companies that I've recieved bills from and haven't payed yet.

    That's sad.
    b.

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  4. It was an upper level DH Lawrence, E Waugh, Brit lit class... loved it and worked hard that semester for it... An A was certain... stayed up all night studying for the Final and for some reason took a full hit of speed +/- right before test. Zipped thru it, alluded to all the work I'd done with extra credit - certain it was fantastic. It wasn't fantastic. I bombed it. When professor gave it back to me with a great big red question mark (and an F) on it, and I reread the exam... it was obvious I'd made a huge mistake. Ha. Seems like a million years ago.

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  5. Note to self: TBN

    (Take better notes)

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  6. maybe I'll make a collage of the random post-its that have retired to the drawer after originally being stuck to the desk/phone/monitor/keyboard/etc

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  7. RG and K - good to see that I'm not the only one who does this too. Right now I have a list of things liek a630, v180, v220 on a post it and I think they are cell phone models but I can't be sure...

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  8. i totally do the same thing with phone numbers on postits. the worst is when they "transfer" to the wrong document. or if i take multiple numbers on one postit. dangerous. :)

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  9. My notes from my criminal law course were strewn with quotes from my professor, such as, "when I am drunk, I am a tiger..." Not so funny to those outside the class, but a hoot when studying for the final ;)

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  10. papers with phone numbers and no names...that is SO me too. Damn!

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  11. I discovered something wonderful (besides that Evian is "naive" spelled backwards): http://www.switchboard.com/ -- go to the "Search by Phone" tab and you can enter the mysterious phone number and find out who it's for! Unless they're not listed...

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  12. So there is this game for PDAs called dope wars, it might be the greatest PDA game ever. Pretend you are a drug dealer in NYC with debt and cops chasing you but all in text...
    Awesomely additive.

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  13. EO means Engineering Order where I work.

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  14. I can never make any sense of my notes, because I can't read my own handwriting on the notes. I tried using a palm for about a year and realized I was doing double work by having it. I tried to use the Franklin Covey system with all of its symbols and I can never remember them. Then when I think I have remembered the symbols, I use them. I go back to look at my notes later with my Franklin cheat sheet and I realize I used some other foreign code. Eeeek, I am obviously challenged in the note taking area, any advice?

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  15. EO - Errors and Ommissions Insurance perhaps?

    I've tried so many times to organize my home life. None of it seems to work. Glad to know I'm not the only one who's got their shit together everywhere but where it's really needed.

    Ericha

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  16. I think it's possible that the gene that leads to being a hurried speller (or a lazy speller) and the gene that leads to being disorganized are connected. I'm a hurried speller and I can be very disorganized... except when it comes to the things i love most... kids' stuff, linen closet, journal, stationery, good pens, pantry. Maybe when we're more tight with ourselves, we're more organized. being preoccupied doesn't help either...

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  17. You know, you can program your PDA to interpret your private little acronyms so that it will spell them out in your PDA-notes.

    No, wait, that would mean you'd have to be consistent and know what the acronyms actually mean in advance of writing them.

    Never mind.

    So, hey, uh, belated Happy Birthday.

    ~Kurt

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  18. Perhaps it was a meeting on how to become 'Exceptionally Organized' and you missed it?

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  19. Oh...and how does someone get others to comment on their blog?

    (Yes, I'm seeking attention)

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  20. Yes, I too tried the path of the palm pilot and only found myself playing variations of a solitaire theme ... I heart post-it notes.

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  21. Well Dan, I just checked out your blog and after seeing the way you use terms like "assmunchers" and "assjockeys"...maybe it's a good thing you don't get comments on your post! (and you have kids? nice)

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  22. Oh Alice you left out "I was thinking of rubbing one off just to help me fall back asleep". Dan, are you sure you're 33. I thought maybe it was a typo and should read 13.

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  23. Maybe you just missed your calling as a fortune cookie fortune writer?

    "not doing well & dead are 2 diff things."

    Yeah, that's taylor made for fortune cookies. All that's missing are "lucky numbers."

    Now, all you have to do is collect all your stray post-its and submit them to a fortune cookie company.

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  24. Alice said...
    Well Dan, I just checked out your blog and after seeing the way you use terms like "assmunchers" and "assjockeys"...maybe it's a good thing you don't get comments on your post! (and you have kids? nice)

    Huh? Two words in one post and that warrants no comments? Have you seen some of the blogs out there? Have you read some of the blogs out there? Thank god, I mean goodness, I don't use as much profanity as others. I don't see anyone complaining about the use of the word 'ass' on this blog when 'butt' would be so much more gentle a term. Judge not...

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  25. Or is it because I'm Canadian?

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  26. with all your hockey hullabaloo, and that bitch anne murray, too?

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  27. For Alice and Alexis:

    I changed the offending post on my blog so as not to break any of your rules for posting etiquette (look it up if you don't know the meaning).

    as for Anne Murray...I feel the same way...does that make me a bad Canadian?

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  28. Spread your tiny wings and fly awaayyy and take the snow back with you .... the one i love forever is untruuuuuuuuuuuue... ha! anne murray :) where's paul williams from?

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  29. EO = entertaining for orangutans? i'd go to that meeting! where are you kristy? i have nothing to do at work if you don't post!!!

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  30. We're not allowed to say assmuncher or ass jockey? Or rub one off?

    Why?

    WTF is with all the judgment happening in K's comments lately? First about her "list" now poor Dan is taking a reaming because he said assmunch? And this makes him a bad father?

    I think we all need to put the keyboard down, step away from the computer, count to 10, and breathe before we lay into someone like that.

    Anyway, somehow I doubt Dan's kids are reading his blog.

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  31. Just an observation. Maybe it's because Dan was using the terms in a derogatory fashion against gay men. As a gay man, I find it quite offensive and thank you Alice for realizing that those are not flattering or endearing terms used in that context.

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  32. i was just about to say that...it's definately offensive to gay people, because whether you meant it to directly target gay men or not, that is what that phrase was referring to. And the rubbing one off comment...i don't think that is offensive, but maybe because the kid was in the room, they thought it was not appropriate. But you DIDN'T "rub off" and i don't think there is any harm in the mere thought of it, so don't sweat it.

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  33. Anonymous:

    Ok, see, that's better. If you explain why it offends you, you may make a difference in someone's thinking. Alice may have pointed it out, but she didn't do it with the tact you did.

    If you just insult someone, that's not going to do anybody any good. Alexis' comment was not helpful.

    Yes, 33 year old men do still use that language.

    I'm a 29 year old woman quite fond of saying "jizz", for instance. This does not reflect on my IQ, my worth as a person, or my ability to raise children (someday, as I have none yet)

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  34. oops, when i wrote "you" i meant Dan...not you, kristy! hi!

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  35. I understand what you're saying Serephim, but when I observe a grown adult using derogatory terms that can hurt someone else's feeling, I don't really care if I'm tactful or not because they weren't only tactless, they were hurtful, rude and insulting. As for the kids, I'm assuming the same values are passed on to them whether intentionally or not. Have a good weekend everyone. Kristy, will you be entertaining us with some writing this weekend?

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  36. That's more like it!

    Anonymous: Thank you for the honest explanation. I do have gay male friends (well only two that I know of) and they find the term(s) funny but I realize that not every gay person would. I appreciate you pointing that out in the manner you did and I apologize if my humor rubbed you the wrong way. (okay, that was a bad pun but I couldn't resist).

    As for the other comments defending me, thank you as well. The history of my short blog will show that I am not intending to be cruel.

    Constructive criticism is appreciated and I ALWAYS apologize when I make a mistake.

    By gones...

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  37. Alice:

    I just think sometimes it's better to use those opportunities to instruct, rather than insult, you know? Some people really don't understand that certain words are red flags to certain groups. That may make them ignorant to some degree, but doesn't necessarily make them a bad person. They just need someone to admonish them in a way that isn't threatening ;)

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  38. (ps: Dan, I wasn't calling you ignorant)

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  39. hmmm...spoke to soon about some....

    Alice, since I know nothing about you I can only hope you do not have children, for I would hate to know how you are raising them. But then again, I don't judge others based on a personal blog.

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  40. (ps. serrephim, I know you weren't calling me ignorant but I'm man enough to admit that I don't know everything. Nor do I pretend to. Your comments are appreciated.)

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  41. This is my last comment on this topic in this thread as it is not fair to K to use this as a political forum.

    As I replied to a comment on my own blog:

    'See...I thought the terms I used referred to actions, not groups, which is why I was shocked at the response from those two people.

    No big deal though...I'm moving on.'

    Heterosexual men (and women for that matter) can be a$$munchers and a$$jockeys too. Simply because it was three men talking everyone a$$umed I was putting down gay men. No one asked if that was the intent.

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  42. Shull o'fit:

    No heat, not from me ;)

    Anyway, I hear what you're saying. Depending on my mood, sometimes I'll snap at people for being completely insensitive. But see how graciously Dan took the anon's comments?

    It's just sort of the way things go, that all language is going to be offensive to someone. So should we just not communicate? Dan has pointed out that he uses that language with his gay friends. If those are the only gay people he'd ever been exposed to, how would he be expected to know that calling a straight neighbor an assmunch or assjockey would be offensive, until someone points it out? When pointing something like that out to someone who really just didn't know any better, you should instruct, not insult. They're not going to hear your message if they think it's an attack. Like with kids: Do you scream at them and call them an idiot because they've made what you view as a mistake?

    And, personally, I don't think "assmunch" = gay. Assjockey has that connotation, yes, but to me, an assmuncher could just as easily be a straight woman munching her husband's ass as it could be about two gay men.

    I've thought this for a while, but at some point, we have to take responsbility for why we are offended, just as much as the person who offended us has to own their part in it.

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  43. Theoretically an assjockey could be a man on a woman, or vice-versa with the right strap-on. Theoretically.

    Ahh..crap. I said I wouldn't comment on this again. Hopefully we all learned something from this, I know I did and I'm a better person for it.

    Peace.

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  44. hi everyone... i didn't pick up on the gay part... i thought it was a very (straight) guy thing to say about just being horny... sounds like something a husband might say when his wife wishes he wouldn't... friendly obnoxious boy stuff that makes wives like me wonder why he couldn't just be a little more sophisticated just once. hahaha. have a good weekend K et al.

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  45. shull o'fit...my initial intent when making those comments was not to degrade anyone or any particular lifestyle. I see your point of how it all fits together (I only mentioned ABBA because it's a group I associate with both 70's and 90's) and may come across as some kind of bashing thing or something. Entirely not my intent and although I don't feel the need to do so, I will apologize one last time to those who may be reading this for the first time.

    I will post on my blog tomorrow and it will hopefully clear many things up. You are all welcome to comment on my blog, instead of clogging up K's. Unless she's enjoying reading this ;-}

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  46. kristy is asleep now; reading all these OT posts must have tuckered her out!!

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  47. wolf in sheeps clothing, thou doest protest too much, dan

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  48. "when did gay become a negative thing to say about someone"

    are you kidding me? you've never heard homophobic men use being gay as a complete insult to another man. Where have you been? Yes, i'd like to think the world is getting more educated and tolerant, but the negativity will continue to be passed on if people don't learn to realize the impact of such "[not-so]friendly obnoxious boy stuff ."

    Dan, yes, those words refer to actions that anyone could perform, but you definitely used them in a man-on-man context when talking about your neighbors. And I know you are now more than aware of this due to the lengthy thread, but I don't see how you can still deny that your comments were meant to be insults!! You were pissed at your neighbors (and rightfully so) and you meant to be derogatory to them, I am pretty sure that was the overall mood of your post. It's OK to be pissed off. And maybe it's OK to joke with your gay buddies with terms like that, but when you are in a negative mood and use terms like that, I think it loses the jovial tone and becomes malignant. And THAT is the part you should be aware of, in my opinion.

    Another note on being PC... I linked to my live journal here once, and I happened to have a post that mentioned the totally un-PC term "tards" (for mentally disabled/handicapped). I used it when directing my post to a friend of mine who is a sped teacher of that population. We use that term in a joking way all the time. Someone who reads She Walks decided to comment and tell me how intolerant I sounded. That was annoying since I don't normally have random people read my LJ. Anyway, it just taught me a lesson about what to put on the internet and when to keep things "friends only."

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  49. P.S. Dan,

    If you want everyone to comment in your own blog, you need to allow non-blogger users to post comments!!

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  50. Maybe this blog should become a friends only blog. Lots of personal information shared and it's special stuff. Some could argue it's so special it shouldn't be open to public comment, public period. Nicole, good to be reminded the words we use, choose do matter, and help define who we are. Maybe some of the stuff we share with friends we wouldn't share with the world. But everyone has to weigh that for themselves. Tolerance and patience... kindness.... Kristy has a really fun and funny style of writing... reading her helps deviate from stress of day some times... so in that sense, hope she keeps her blog public. Otherwise will wait to buy her books when she's published.

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  51. Ok. Fine. I get the point. Yes, when terms like that are used towards heterosexual men it's an insult. And of course that was the point. It was in no way, shape or form supposed to be an insult towards gay men, which is why I apologized. I'm not homophobic, I'm not against that lifestyle choice. Heck, I'm from 'RedNeck' Alberta and I'm 'pro' same-sex marriage. Judge my words if you like, but don't judge me.

    This whole thing started because I lamely suggested someone should comment on my blog. The only two comments I got actually questioned my age (meaning maturity) and my ability as a father. THAT was way too personal. And now we're on this big debate.

    I will post a new entry on my blog this morning that will hopefully express many things regarding this topic. Yes, non-bloggers can comment now too so those of you who wish to attack, reprimand and condemn people who choose to expose themselves to the public without actually having the fortitude to do it themselves are welcome to bash away at me. I can take it.

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  52. P.S. I hope K's blog is kept public because I too enjoy reading it. Her humor makes me laugh. The only reason this conversation is being held here is because the non-blogging nay-sayers couldn't comment on my blog.

    Peace.

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  53. Dan, move on. Like the other Dan said. Thou doest protest too much. You mentioned that the only two posts you got questioned your age and ability as a father. The posts were in response to your insulting use of terms that you are now trying to sugar coat. Nicole spelled it out for you perfectly. YOU invited people to your personal blog and to comment on it. In all your defensiveness, you're so busy trying to dig your way out, you're not getting it. No one called you homophobic, you may or may not be, that's not the issue. They commented on the homophobic comments you made...INTENTIONALLY.

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  54. I've tried apologizing, I've tried explaining, there's just no way to make everyone happy so yes, I've moved on. Comments on my blog have been hurtful and degrading, proving my point.

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  55. I have deleted the initial offending post on my blog. I would like to personally apologize to K for having inadvertantly started this long list of comments in her blog when it clearly has nothing to do with anything she has said. I found her one response to me in this thread very funny and appreciated her wit.

    Please comment on my blog if you wish to continue this topic however I will no longer respond. I'm moving on to much lighter subjects and will certainly be more aware in the future.

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  56. dan, you keep saying you are going to move on but you keep coming back. dude, you're starting to sound obsessive. every other post is from you, even when other posters are talking to each other or just to everyone in general! that's what YOUR blog is for. we know where to find you if we want.

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  57. Folks the bottom line is get over it! Stop wearing your bleeding hearts on your sleeves.

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  58. uh...the1thingfish, I think everyone did get over it and moved on. your post is 4 days after we all did move on. you need to get over it!

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