Things I learned back then...

In my high school years I learned many things. Some I have found useful in "real-life," others have not been. I've also found some things I was NOT taught about that would have been useful.



One thing I was taught that has been exceptionally useful that last two nights is something I learned in good old 4-H. How to eat a formal dinner. With 3 forks, 2 glasses, a bread plate, and 4 courses. Only cut your meat one bite at a time. Only butter one bite of bread at a time, not the whole piece. When you are finished with the plate, placing your fork and knife across each other on the plate signals to the server that you are finished. I have used this the last two nights when eating with about a dozen physicians over the age of 50. They know how to eat a formal dinner because they are rich. I am not rich. I have never eaten a crab cake before tonight. I have never had crab before tonight, I was always afraid by some fluke I was allergic and I'd go into anaphylactic shock. I have not yet gone into anaphylactic shock, so I am assuming I am not allergic. They were good, but it just kind of tasted like fancy baked tuna. I'm such a hick. Oh well. Anyway, one thing 4-H did not teach us about formal dinners... What wine goes with what meal? White or red? I just picked white 'because I don't like red. I think that's right with chicken and/or fish? Is that right?

Two things drivers ed did not teach us are necessary to understand when driving in New Jersey. I still have not mastered the art of driving in New Jersey for these reasons. It's as disorienting as driving in another country sometimes. First, there's these things called "Jughandles" - the things that you have to turn right on before you can turn left... Confusing.

Oh yes, and the joy of traffic circles.

I guess when you live over a thousand miles from either... They just assume you'll never move so they don't teach you. East coast driving. Crazy.