5 minutes to slow down, laugh, and share something in common. Every Thursday.

Do People Really Change?

My Nana, like many nanas, has a ridiculous number of photo albums filled with pictures of me (and probably her other grandkids, too).

In the spring, I asked my Nana to start mailing me one photo each month. I figured it would be a fun activity for her each month and equally enjoyable for me to receive them. Everybody wins.

As you can see, Nana understood the assignment…for the first three months.

In July, she threw in a wildcard.

She sent me my midyear report from 2nd grade, written by my teacher, Debbie.

The only logical thing to do with this report is to go through it publicly, right here, line by line, and see how accurately 2nd-grade Doug and today’s Doug match up.

Introduction

Statement #1: ‘I have had a wonderful time getting to know Doug.’

Verdict: FALSE. Debbie starts with an obvious lie in the very first sentence, immediately ruining all credibility and calling into question the validity of this entire report.

Statement #2: ‘Doug has a wonderful sense of humor.’

Verdict: TRUE. Debbie immediately vindicates herself—and the report—with one of the most astute observations I have ever seen.

Statement #3: ‘I have found a warm and sensitive young man.’

Verdict: TRUE. This feels very accurate. I have always been hypersensitive, both to physical and energetic sensations. Recently, I learned more about Human Design, discovering that my design includes feeling the energy of those around me. A blessing and a curse now, and I’m sure it was the same then

Paragraph #1

Statement #1: ’He is an avid reader. There is nothing Doug loves more than sitting quietly with a book.’

Verdict: TRUE…for now. A year ago, I would have been shocked to read this. I hadn’t read a book in years (except for a few business-related audiobooks). However, I got a library card 6 months ago. I got a Kindle today. I even read a fiction book! (Beartown, it was okay.) Some things do change…multiple times.

Statement #2: ’Doug has definite ideas on (what) he prefers.’

Verdict: TRUE...for better or worse. I have long had an inflated ego regarding art (music, movies, books, etc.), believing that the art I like is good art, and therefore everyone should and will enjoy it. While I do still feel I have great taste, I have been putting in effort to open myself to the artistic perspective of others—and the role of timing in when one may find value in a piece of art.

Statement #3: ’Doug is quite confident in his abilities and has had many successes in class.’

Verdict: TRUE...because I decided so. Confidence is a self-fulfilling trait. Initially, I was confident because I decided to be. Eventually, I am confident because I am confident.

Statement #4: ’Just recently, Doug “fish bowled” his story.’

Verdict: UNCLEAR. I have no idea what this means. It sounds like I pulled some shit. It reminds me of something I did a few times in my teenage years, where I would purposely go off-track telling a story to see how long people would listen. I’m pretty sure my dad still does this, and it drives me nuts.

Paragraph #1 Cont’d.

Statement #5: ’Doug does not enjoy creative writing projects. He finishes as quickly as possible giving very little detail in his writing. We are working on the use of proofreading and editing skills to help us create a more finished product or what we call our “final copy”.’

Verdict: TRUE. I have strong memories of loathing these projects. Learning about my Human Design has helped me put this feeling into words: I feel my role is to create things, not to perfect them. This distaste for creative writing is okay, though; it’s not like I disliked newsletters or anything!

Statement #6: ’Doug verbalized his hatred for newsletters.’

Verdict: FALSE. Well, shit.

Conclusion

Statement #1: ’Doug is well liked by all.’

Verdict: TRUE. Whew, that’s a relief. I have found this mostly supported by y’all’s kind words and testimonies, and it means the world. I am grateful.

Do you have artifacts from your youth?

Email me with any funny or interesting moments; I’d love to share them for all to enjoy!

😄 Funny Business

📊 Community Poll

Results for last week’s question: All other things aside (e.g. ease of eating), what’s the BEST TASTING crustacean?

I’m convinced cultural status played a role here. Lobster is easily the most bougie and pricey, and my un-researched opinion is that people convince themselves it’s better because of that.

I’m firmly in crab country. Love crab.

On to this week’s question…

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Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom yourself not only to bear with the necessity but to do it willingly. — Marcus Aurelius