Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Speed, Sanity and The Power

Of Centrifugal Force


First a bit of history. I am quick. I move quickly, speak quickly, dance on 1, learn quickly, anger quickly...you get it. I am married to the most laid back person on the planet. As a result of that union we have two fairly even paced/tempered children. "Yadda, yadda yadda", what this all means is that everyone is the house is operating at a speed much slower than mine. This is insanity inducing. Most verbal disagreements escalate in the heat of my inability to allow the other party to respond. (Actually, I have many times answered my own question/accusation and gone on to the next one before Favorite Guy gets a word in.) Think court, only you are sentenced before you can answer the first part of the indictment. It is equally frustrating all across the board.






This week I am introducing some new lessons, one of which is long division. Can I just tell you that long division has never been as long as it's been this week. I have had to break these problems down into so many steps, that I can't even add anymore. I realize that I am completely devoid of sense when I operate at any speed less than warp. It's as if any semblance of logic and order spills out where there exists little or no acceleration. Ack! I'm powered by centrifugal force!

This would explain some other recent issues; sewing is one. Surely, I should not apply Danica Patrick like force to the pedal. Especially, when I have no idea what the hell I'm doing in the first place! What's a girl to do to slow down? Does anyone else have this problem?

17 comments:

High Desert Diva said...

Quick isn't my m.o.

Long division has been long forgotten.

Sewing bites.





Chamomile tea?

Sandra Evertson said...

Thats funny, same with me and my husband is also so very laid back!
Sandra Evertson

BeadedTail said...

I have this problem but only occasionally. Most of the time hubby and I both are too laid back which doesn't help in getting things done. I could use a little of your faster speed!

My Inspired Reality said...

Oh, that sounds so much like me - I am fast with everything:):)

Anonymous said...

I go fast and eff things up royally. It's an effort to make myself go in 'chill' mode but I have to do it. I make myself slow down and I breath. I know it sounds simple, but it works.

A glass of Pinot Noir has a soothing effet on me. But I'm assuming you are teaching in the daytime, so not such a good ideal.

As for sewing...yeah, I have a machine. And its still in the box.

Anonymous said...

Oops. I meant to spell effect.

As for the math, ick!

Unknown said...

although i'm also pretty laid back, i've realized that my mind often works much quicker than those around me. then there's this internal intensity that causes me to want to get things out before others can respond. not cause i'm mean, but just cause.

it took time and practice, but i've learned to harness this for the benefit of myself as well as those around me. it ain't easy, but i do my best...

now as for me and the sewing machine we *still* have our moments.

Darius T. Williams said...

Um, I have this problem kinda - but I live a lone so, I'm good. I can go as fast or as slow as I choose.

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

I used to have this problem big time (maybe it's us NYC/LI girls ; ) but time seems to have cured it. (I"ve got about 20 years on you!)

Do you meditate? Given where you already are, I'm not sure I'd recommend starting out with seated meditation (although it would be good for you), but you could try walking meditation....

Definitely need to slow down when teaching.....it might also be fun/different to look for streaming videos for some instructional pieces. Here's one I like:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/homeworkhelp/homework_help_home.html

MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner said...

Guilty as charged. It's not such a bad thing to be quick on your feet when it counts, but on occasion, I move way too fast for the kids--which means my expectations can be a LOT out of wack when it comes to what they can do and whether they can pull it off. I'm working hard on this. Really hard.

When all else fails, I send them to their dad. He's way less high-strung. Especially when it comes to long division.

MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner said...

OH!!!! Go over to MyBrownBaby... I have a surprise for you, you rock star.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

not me,l but i tell u, it makes me mad when students cant get proportions or do a square root by hand - where have we come

Unknown said...

I used to be speedy too. Now I am able to hold it in but I think my frustration with others (slow pokes) is obvious because I haven't mastered a poker face.

Emeka Amakeze said...

Being fast is not that bad but not carrying everybody around you along makes you seem like an alien.

Maths, long or short, i'm on vacation.

Jewelry Rockstar said...

You are hilarious.

Unknown said...

Health problems have slowed my body. Resultant financial problems have slowed my ability to get things done. To bring my mind into alingnment, I turned to meditation.

When I'm too wound up to SIT and meditate, I stand on my front porch . . . and blow bubbles for 20 minutes. Everything falls into place when you're watching bubbles drifting on the breeze.

Now, go forth and blow!

Barbara said...

Yikes! Math!!

I think I operate at a speed a notch below yours on most days...well at least I use to. My batteries have needed replacing since January.

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