You don’t get me – that’s okay

I often hesitate to talk about myself. There’s a reason for this. I feel I might come across as pretentious. However, there’s a world of people out there like me, with minds that are unstoppable. With brains that are constantly seeking knowledge. We are always exploring. Always looking for new adventures. Always straying from linear paths. We are forever branching out. Never bored.

But, this is me. It’s always been me. It will forever be me.

As a young child, life was fascinating. I remember the urgency to know more. Mom said I was reading the newspaper at age five. Libraries were glorious places. I remember how I felt as I entered the large doors. What shall I explore today? I got lost in books. They led me to other places. I could go anywhere. Be anyone.

First grade wasn’t challenging enough. “Dick and Jane” were the reading books. My parents requested a meeting with my teacher. They offered to bump me to third grade. However, my parents resisted because they felt I wouldn’t be accepted by children two years older. Plus, I was a tiny thing.

So, they put aside money, and I was transferred to St Francis de Sales, a Catholic school. It was a more demanding environment, and I also received additional schooling outside the normal curriculum. I thrived. In addition, my parents bought me learning aids from stores – workbooks. I loved and devoured those.

Then they found the perfect outlet for me. Something called a Cyclo-Teacher. What is that, you ask?

The World Book Cyclo-Teacher is a vintage 1960s/70s mechanical teaching machine sponsored by World Book Encyclopedia. It uses rotating, color-coded discs and a “question-and-answer” format to promote self-paced learning. It covers diverse subjects, including math, science, and English, for various ages.

I wish I still had mine!

You’d select a subject – for instance, math. You could start at the beginning (the basics – addition, subtraction) and work your way up to more challenging levels – algebra, geometry. You’d select a blank circle of paper, place it over your disk of choice, then close the top. One by one, questions would appear, and you’d choose the correct answer in the designated area. Upon sliding the selector at the bottom, you’d receive the correct answer and be presented with the next question.

This was heaven for me, because I proceeded at my own rate. I loved this device. I thank my parents for giving me this opportunity, which has allowed me to blossom. I am lucky that they placed so much emphasis on education.

Did I get teased, shunned, or made fun of? Of course. Oh, there goes the teacher’s pet. I had friends and enjoyed playing outdoors  – riding bikes and playing hide-and-go-seek (the normal kid stuff), but I always felt that I was different. Later, I discovered that I scored in the top 7th percentile in the U.S. However, being gifted doesn’t always make you popular. That was okay too. I had no desire to be like everyone else. I liked who I was.

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So, what led me here this afternoon? I fell upon a YouTube video.

It sounded intriguing. An M-type mind. Is this me? Not that I liked to be pegged. We tend to do that all too often, but this is ME!
(you can turn on the English translation)

YOUR CURIOSITY IS YOUR SUPERPOWER

When websites ask me to post a brief bio, it can be difficult. Most of the time, when limited to a few words, I describe myself as a woman of many hats. An eternal student of life. And again? Never bored. That’s the truth. If I have the space, I’ll add my interests: photography, reading, perennial gardening, science, writing/editing/publishing, computers, technology, music, remodeling/redecorating, cooking…

I’ve had many jobs too. I began life as a teacher. I probably would have remained in the profession, because no two days were ever the same. I felt I could be me – creative and free. However, the field was oversaturated at the time. I stayed on as a substitute teacher for a while, but it wasn’t satisfying enough. So, I did what many others did –  found something else to make money.

Next, on a bestie’s recommendation, I took classes to become a dental assistant. I was tops in my class and enjoyed the work, but after several years… I even worked in a frame shop for a few years. That was fun. It was a time of creativity – cutting glass, framing artwork, etc.

I fell in love with my true calling in the 80s and 90s. It all happened quite by accident.

We were visiting a friend who had purchased a Commodore 64 for gaming. Curious, I began reading the instructions. Oh, you can program this? I sat on the living room floor and started tapping away. The rest is history. The world of computers. Always something new to learn. Great for insatiable appetites.

While learning much on my own, I went back to my alma mater and took master’s degree classes in “Technology for Teachers”. Over time, I taught basic programming and word processing classes at night for high school students. Eventually, I formed my own company (under various names), installing servers for small businesses, repairing Windows PCs, and creating websites for clients and myself.

Oh, I almost forgot to add: I was also in several bands, singing and playing guitar and bass.

During all this, I ran two businesses with my dear husband – one a precision grinding shop (he actually taught me how to run the machines) and a mom and pop convenience store, when we moved north to get away from the city life.

I published my first books in my 60’s. My motto? It’s never too late. I’m proof of that.

Today, I still love tinkering. I run our township’s website, am also the secretary of our planning commission, and sit on the board of review. So, my life has never been linear, and I wouldn’t want it to be.

A few weeks ago, I decided to leave the world of Microsoft and install Linux on my computer. Fun! Did I tell you I loved to tinker?  Latching onto my enthusiasm, my husband inquired if I’d install the open-source operating system on his. Of course (need you ask twice?) However, I found a “flavor” of Linux geared to his love of gaming.

As I told my doctor, if I lived to be 150, I’d still never find the time to do everything I love. May I never lose that enthusiasm for life. If you’re like me, I wish the same for you.