Very amusing. I will have more to say later, but right now I have my head in a bowl of steam (everyone needs a hobby). But for now: I can't believe I allowed myself to become friends with someone who hates buses. You never mentioned that on your Tinder profile
I didn't learn to type until I was in my late late 50's and what a challenge!
I do agree with pen and paper though. It's something I've never been able to define - happier writing a novel in longhand, an intimate process. And the bonus is that one gets to go to the stationer's and pick paper and pen. My dream would be a Mont Blanc pen. Oooh la la!
Lovely article, Rebecca. I’ve always had the same experience with buses and find it absolutely infuriating . I had to stop myself from laughing and waking the house up when you said you use “blah” for the semicolon 😂
I wish I had learned such keyboard skills as you. I have to look at the keyboard constantly. I've tried notebook writing but I make so many cross-outs and corrections that I just end up with a mess.
I loved this bit: "By then I had my own electric typewriter cum word processor, complete with correction ribbon – yes, my machine had a ‘delete’ key! " I well remember, too, the little white bits of correction paper I used before I got a self-correcting machine. I can still feel the hum and vibration of my bright red ( huge) Selelctric under my fingers. Thanks Rebecca for taking me back! I didn't get my first computer until 1982. It was love at first draft.
1. Back in the year dot I won £50 on the premium bonds. We used it to buy a portable typewriter. IOt's in the loft. It's like new.
2. I was once asked to teach a Year 11 class of boys typing. They had to work their way through a book, and I had to supervise. They were using BBC Micros, and they worked out how to make the screen flash different colours and to play tunes. I told them if the Head walked in to switch back to typing skills.
3. I regret not having learnt typing. I'm pretty proficient and quick, but touch-typing would be the bees' knees.
Congrats on your recommend on Substack Reads! 💜 I think that was my favourite read of yours although I have so many now! I also loved the buttons piece and the book one! Ahhh how can I choose? Loved the froggies though and were always hopeful some frogspawn survives!! 🐸
This post brought back fond memories of learning to type on the IBM Selectric in college, I think it was called. After that I became a court reporter which uses a different machine than a typewriter, but we had to be able to type over 200 words a minute, a skill which took over two years of practice to develop. I still at times imagine typing along with someone speaking. I can also relate to your regrets (for lack of a better word). I have at times wondered if instead of practicing on a court reporting machine, I had spent those hours practicing the piano. I actually wrote a post about that some time ago, before Substack. 💜
Another great post to read! I enjoy your writing so much!!! 💕
I never learned typing the traditional way. I guess I learned by doing. I always wish I could have taken the keyboarding class offered at my high school when we first moved to the States from Germany but I needed other classes for credit towards my diploma, so couldn’t.
I’m in the process of looking for translation jobs right now and trying to figure out the best way to start...
We had both typing and shorthand offered in hs, but as a guy I felt I was pushing the envelope(!), so I opted for typing only. Our instructor always threatened to lay down a row of taped thumbtacks, for letting fingers sag on the keyboard! Ahh, those kinder days!
Love it. I had to look up what ‘a complete flannel’ meant! (And I’m old! But Australian) I found ‘If you describe what someone has said as flannel, you disapprove because they have said a lot but they have avoided telling you what you wanted to know.’ Good to know. Grin.
I am also a ‘get-it-all-down’ minute-taker, but I’m kind enough to carefully go through it and summarise it before sending it on to others. People who have missed meetings love it because they feel like they were actually there. I’m sure others would prefer more concise dot points, but if I’m taking minutes, I’m listening intently (to keep myself awake - the only reason I ever volunteer to be secretary) and typing frantically (on my iPad!) and making sure I get down all the stuff that actually matters (to me).
I do find your ‘location blindness’ fascinating. What does your brain retain as you travel around? Or are you just living in an inner fantasy world all the time and simply oblivious to real life?? Intriguing.
Anyway, another lovely read. Thanks so much dear Rebecca. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗😘
Yes, 9:30pm Sunday down here. I’ve had a lovely weekend though, so thanks. Hope yours is wonderful too.
If you’re making comments about how pretty a road is, then you’re definitely ’in the moment’ which is the most important thing. I spent many years living in an internal fantasy world - not conducive to detailed recall about the things around me - but at least that’s not your issue. Just retention I gather.
Like all those poor dementia patients who have the wonderful opportunity of meeting new people every day.... hmmmm..... I definitely don’t get the impression that that’s your problem either thankfully. Just a somewhat different brain. We’re all unique thankfully.
Very amusing. I will have more to say later, but right now I have my head in a bowl of steam (everyone needs a hobby). But for now: I can't believe I allowed myself to become friends with someone who hates buses. You never mentioned that on your Tinder profile
Clever ducky!
I didn't learn to type until I was in my late late 50's and what a challenge!
I do agree with pen and paper though. It's something I've never been able to define - happier writing a novel in longhand, an intimate process. And the bonus is that one gets to go to the stationer's and pick paper and pen. My dream would be a Mont Blanc pen. Oooh la la!
Do you ever think 'Oh, that pen would be nice?'
Lovely article, Rebecca. I’ve always had the same experience with buses and find it absolutely infuriating . I had to stop myself from laughing and waking the house up when you said you use “blah” for the semicolon 😂
I wish I had learned such keyboard skills as you. I have to look at the keyboard constantly. I've tried notebook writing but I make so many cross-outs and corrections that I just end up with a mess.
Mrs. Mether's typing class in the 8th Grade changed my life. I'm a very proud 60 wpm typist.
I loved this bit: "By then I had my own electric typewriter cum word processor, complete with correction ribbon – yes, my machine had a ‘delete’ key! " I well remember, too, the little white bits of correction paper I used before I got a self-correcting machine. I can still feel the hum and vibration of my bright red ( huge) Selelctric under my fingers. Thanks Rebecca for taking me back! I didn't get my first computer until 1982. It was love at first draft.
My further comments:
1. Back in the year dot I won £50 on the premium bonds. We used it to buy a portable typewriter. IOt's in the loft. It's like new.
2. I was once asked to teach a Year 11 class of boys typing. They had to work their way through a book, and I had to supervise. They were using BBC Micros, and they worked out how to make the screen flash different colours and to play tunes. I told them if the Head walked in to switch back to typing skills.
3. I regret not having learnt typing. I'm pretty proficient and quick, but touch-typing would be the bees' knees.
Congrats on your recommend on Substack Reads! 💜 I think that was my favourite read of yours although I have so many now! I also loved the buttons piece and the book one! Ahhh how can I choose? Loved the froggies though and were always hopeful some frogspawn survives!! 🐸
This post brought back fond memories of learning to type on the IBM Selectric in college, I think it was called. After that I became a court reporter which uses a different machine than a typewriter, but we had to be able to type over 200 words a minute, a skill which took over two years of practice to develop. I still at times imagine typing along with someone speaking. I can also relate to your regrets (for lack of a better word). I have at times wondered if instead of practicing on a court reporting machine, I had spent those hours practicing the piano. I actually wrote a post about that some time ago, before Substack. 💜
Another great post to read! I enjoy your writing so much!!! 💕
I never learned typing the traditional way. I guess I learned by doing. I always wish I could have taken the keyboarding class offered at my high school when we first moved to the States from Germany but I needed other classes for credit towards my diploma, so couldn’t.
I’m in the process of looking for translation jobs right now and trying to figure out the best way to start...
We had both typing and shorthand offered in hs, but as a guy I felt I was pushing the envelope(!), so I opted for typing only. Our instructor always threatened to lay down a row of taped thumbtacks, for letting fingers sag on the keyboard! Ahh, those kinder days!
Love it. I had to look up what ‘a complete flannel’ meant! (And I’m old! But Australian) I found ‘If you describe what someone has said as flannel, you disapprove because they have said a lot but they have avoided telling you what you wanted to know.’ Good to know. Grin.
I am also a ‘get-it-all-down’ minute-taker, but I’m kind enough to carefully go through it and summarise it before sending it on to others. People who have missed meetings love it because they feel like they were actually there. I’m sure others would prefer more concise dot points, but if I’m taking minutes, I’m listening intently (to keep myself awake - the only reason I ever volunteer to be secretary) and typing frantically (on my iPad!) and making sure I get down all the stuff that actually matters (to me).
I do find your ‘location blindness’ fascinating. What does your brain retain as you travel around? Or are you just living in an inner fantasy world all the time and simply oblivious to real life?? Intriguing.
Anyway, another lovely read. Thanks so much dear Rebecca. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗😘
Yes, 9:30pm Sunday down here. I’ve had a lovely weekend though, so thanks. Hope yours is wonderful too.
If you’re making comments about how pretty a road is, then you’re definitely ’in the moment’ which is the most important thing. I spent many years living in an internal fantasy world - not conducive to detailed recall about the things around me - but at least that’s not your issue. Just retention I gather.
Like all those poor dementia patients who have the wonderful opportunity of meeting new people every day.... hmmmm..... I definitely don’t get the impression that that’s your problem either thankfully. Just a somewhat different brain. We’re all unique thankfully.
Take care dear Rebecca. All the best.
Summer goal: type something, anything on one of the 6 ancient typewriters from my mom’s collection. Hopefully the ribbons hold up!
(I took typing class in high school on MANUAL typewriters! The sound of that classroom!)
Lovely glimpse into your past. And you're bilingual! A woman of so many facets--and sense of humor to go with all that.