Big girl...small fry!!

When The Four Seasons came out with this song, I initially thought it was "Big Girl, Small Fry!!" Naturally, it was embarrassing when my friends said, "What? What did you think the words were? Are ya kidding?? That is too funny!!"

This is one example of how a person can just get something wrong, and to this day, it brings a smile to my face whenever I hear that song.

I have made a couple of other blunders [I know it's hard to believe!!], and I will share two of them, on the chance that you could use a laugh. [Same way that I used to share my BJ's ID because the ridiculous photo caused laughter whether you knew me or not!!!]

In Senior year of high school, I applied to three colleges: one for a degree in Special Education, another for a degree in Elementary Education, and the third one to be a licensed Speech Therapist. This third school sent me a letter setting up an interview, and I was excited thinking that this had to be a good sign. All was going particularly well when the saying, 'Perspective is Everything' became crystal clear to me. The woman asked me, "Were you planning to commute?"
To which I answered with a smile, "No...I will be driving my car to school."

Huh?? You see, the only time I had ever heard that word was when my Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill moved to the Jersey shore. Uncle Bill had many years in as a fireman, and to keep his job and benefits...he commuted to his job. As in...

He took a flippin' train!! Commuting was 'to take a train!!!!"

While my response made no sense to the woman conducting the interview, it made perfect sense to me! Oh well, I didn't attend that college.

And now...40+ years later, when someone will mention their 'commute', I say, "Oh, you're going by train?!" [for a laugh].

My next example caused people to burst out laughing. Many people wouldn't share this info, but fortunately, I am able to laugh at myself. So, here goes:

Probably forty-something years old and teaching with a newer teammate, she asked me if I would like to go see 'The Nutcracker' with her. Since I had never experienced this holiday production, I said,

"Sure thing! I've never been!"
Tickets were purchased, and finally the day arrived when we traveled to see the Russian dancers perform 'The Nutcracker.' I instantly recognized the beautiful music. But after about 5 minutes, I leaned over and whispered, "Are there no words to this story? Isn't anyone going to speak?"

She just shook her head and smiled. And I learned that they 'dance the story'.

My, my, my! Well, what do you think about that?

Again, another lesson in 'perspective is everything.' There were three kids in my family and both of my parents worked to support the family. The 'culture' fund was nonexistent. So while I was very familiar with the Nutcracker music, my friend's reaction to my question was both kind and her face quite expressively memorable!
When I share this story, I can laugh at myself as well as join in the laughter with the newest person who is generally quite amused by this. Hey! I didn't realize that evidently I was the only person on the planet who didn't know this. One of my many talents remains...

Without any effort, I can often be very entertaining.