Day: 10- Talent Show

So today I had to post my list I made on day 3… Ermm, I already did that… Bit of a cop out? Anyway, I could at least still do the second part of the act so I chose to (admittedly indirectly) use my computer skills.

I always forget how hard it can be for older people to understand computers. I mean don’t get me wrong, I myself was not born in an age where everyone had one. I’m not even sure if my folks had a computer when I was born… I’d probably say they didn’t, although I do remember our first.

I was talking to my mum about it the other day and she said that we barely used it for the internet! I can barely believe it now, the internet is pretty much my life now, and I know my mum couldn’t live without it. She said the internet was connected to the phone bill? So you were charged more per minute or something, but I really have no recollection.

Anyway, my first computer spent its days in our study and it was a beast, absolutely huge! My favourite game was Noddy which you needed a disk for, and I loved painting pictures on, wait for it… Colour magic, anyone? However I did grow up learning or sort of self-teaching myself about computers, the internet and programs so I get on rather well with technology and I can normally figure something out in the end.

Now back to my day 10 act. I study Spanish and I’m time tabled to have conversational classes with a Spanish man, who I think would be in his latte fifties. Oh and bless him, he didn’t know that you could set a language preference on Word so every time he typed something in Spanish to his wife (or whoever) he’d battle with the computer to try and get it to stop changing his words.

I’d never noticed. I felt so bad it took less than 1 minute to save him hours of frustration and he was so grateful. Honestly, if someone had waited that long to tell me I’d have been so disappointed, but he was just so thrilled to have his problem solved.

So to all you people out there, who aren’t sure if they can set the world on fire with a small talent, just find the right person at the right time and they’ll see to the rest. Chin up and keep trying to make a difference!

Day 9:- Listen actually

Well, I always said I was more of a listener than a talker, and it was time to put this to the test. It’s very difficult when you especially try and concentrate on what every individual you encounter is saying…

I wish I’d gone to see the man they had last year who sat on a settee in the middle of a town with his ‘I will listen sign’. I remember watching the footage of people having a good old chat with this friendly fellow and wishing I could just tell him all my problems.

It’s funny though, even though I know he’d listen, I’d still wanted him to be interested, or give me dive… you know, prove to me he actually had listened? If I’d actually seen him, would I not just have walked on by? I hope I’d have admired you deeply for trying.

I found the second part of the act even more difficult, not to be judgemental. It’s something we all do when listening to a story, we take to facts and we store them and from them we form an opinion on a topic.

So unfortunately I-will-listen-sofa-man, my statement this year was alas, not quite as bold as yours, but after listening all day I was genuinely shocked by what some people have to say! So much for thinking I was already a good listener.

Day 8- O. T. T

So by Day 8 I was lagging a bit (as I am with updating my acts) but someone’s act of kindness really made my day so I thought I’d stick to talking about that instead.

Free cake.

A boy throwing Asda muffins at sleepy, confused 17 and 18 year old faces during the early hours of form. Not everyone’s ideal, but for me it was simple, yet ingenious. And although your fellow friend looked like she wished the ground would swallow her whole, you did it without looking the least bit uncomfortable!

An amazing start to any morning, free food and a good old giggle; a great way to bring a smile to my face. Thank you to the fellow Y13 form class who so kindly selected our form to be on the receiving end, if I wasn’t so shy I’d thank you all again in person.

Day: 7- Redial

When I was younger I used to ring my grandparents every night. And if I stayed at a friend’s (in primary school I assure you!) I’d always use the home to wish my parent’s good night but now, I’m sure the 9 years-olds of today just send their folks a quick Snap Chat of them about to go to sleep for the night.

I barely ever use my home phone. I mean, why bother when your parents have paid for a contract mobile you never let out of your sight? So on Wednesday (when it was actually Day 7) I took great liberty in picking up our oldest household to fulfil my 40 act challenge.

I chose to ring my Grandma. Firstly, because I never text, email or Facebook message her because she doesn’t understand how to do any of these things and because she always wants to hear what’s happening. There’s also the fact that she’s been in Spain for a good fortnight and when I actually took the time out to think about it, I kind of missed her.

So if you’re thinking of giving someone a call tonight, I’d do it. It certainly made me feel a lot better, and I hope she enjoyed it too. So reconnect, I swear it’s worth it.