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 4- : Connect

I try and do this more often anyway; and considering I’m pretty shy I don’t think I’m doing too badly!

The lady who serves me at my local Co-op has a female west highland that she bought last year. I’m sure she told me her name, and I’m almost certain my mum knows it!

The man in the library has a niece who went to Cambridge to do medicine and he loved the halls where he was once invited for dinner. But I have no idea what his name is.

My next door neighbours have a son and a daughter, she’s from the Philippines and he grew up around here. I know their names.

My other neighbours have a cat called ‘Harriet’…

I know everyone in my street bar the couple on the end who still smile when they see me.

The cleaner at my school had a lovely holiday and wishes that all mirrors were circular so she didn’t have to wipe down them after she’d scrubbed them in her usual circular motion.

My school bus driver is called Adam!

Plan of action: Today when I go out I’m going to continue to smile at people in the street and maybe talk to a few passers-by who look more friendly than average.