Feeling stoopid

I don't know, but lately, I've had multiple occasions to feel slow.

For one, I just learned that Pluto is no longer a planet. I learned this since Girl was reciting the EIGHT planets in her Dr. Seuss planets book and The Husband goes, "Do you remember when Pluto was a planet?" Um, dude. When did that happen?

I was immediately transported to 5th grade where I made a science project with paper mache planets and THERE WERE 9.

The Husband informed me that Pluto was no longer considered a planet and this happened years ago. "Don't you listen to the news?"

Clearly, that would be a no.

Okay, maybe I did hear that but because it carried a valence of 0 for me, it never registered. I mean, I'm not exactly sure what was going on in my life when the breaking news broke, but chances are if I was with with child or post-child, it just went in one ear and out the other. Or if I was sleep-deprived from medical training, that could be another reason. Was it around 9/11? There must be a good reason.

It's kind of embarassing learning things from a 4-year old's books.

Anyway, I also found myself at a homeowner's association meeting recently with a room full of mostly strangers (this is for our old house which we're renting out), and saying things that must have marked me for an idiot. I swear. I said at least 2 things which reflected poor math skillz and florid misinterpretation that after I realized my errors, made me feel EXTREMELY vapid. I mean, I said things involving such math mishandling, no one would have believed I have an advanced degree.

I feel kind of silly about that.

It all goes to show that you remember what is salient and important to your everyday existence, things you need to know, which apparently for me, do not include astronomy or arithmetic.

Comments

[Middento]

OK, the funny thing is that immediately before reading this, I joined the Facebook group, "When I was your age, Pluto was a planet." Because I remember being wistful when I found this out.

Xan's new space-themed lunchbox, by the way, has a crying Pluto in the corner. Hilarious.

[alejna]

I think I may have learned about Pluto from this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufNwkVGOKiY

[AJU5's Mom]

The pluto thing was after 9/11 - so I would go with the kid defense (although I don't remember when exactly). And the numbers thing - do you know how bad the average adult is at math? You error may not really have been that bad!

[Stimey]

Pluto was de-planeted about three years ago. I remember because Jack was REALLY into space at that time and I couldn't bring myself to tell him.

[KC]

Middento- There are just some things that should stay constant. Like planets and scientific elements. It ain't right.

alejna- wow there's a song. With reverb. Great.

aju5's mom - Um, no. The error was BAD. I'm becoming the person that I used to secretly laugh at at meetings - the DUMB ONE. I used to be sharp but motherhood has dulled my blade.

stimey-Well I was clearly pregnant and therefore temporarily incapacitated mentally. Rejoice!

[rimarama]

It's OK.

I still secretly believe that Pluto is a planet. In fact, Pluto is going to come back swinging.

Also OPENLY believe that you are wicked smaht.

[Manic Mommy]

Pluto is now a dwarf planet.

Did I tell you I got out of my physics requirement in college by taking Astronomy? At the start of Astronomy II, the prof started with "...and we'll be discussing Astrophysics this semester..." Me: uh-oh.

[WhyMommy (Susan)]

Right -- a dwarf planet! And there are dozens of other ones, including Pluto's own moon Charon! (Now known as a binary dwarf planet.) There is so much to learn....

By the way, I'm recommending you for something -- will send deets on email if I can find yours!

[Hetha]

Um, the Pluto thing is news to me dude. Yikes.

I use sleep deprivation as my excuse for everything these days. If this kid ever does start to sleep, I'm going to be S.O.L. in the excuses department.

I hear you're getting some snow soon, my husbo is likely going to be trapped there for the weekend. :-(((

[AmyAnne]

I'm sorry, but there were at least 4 big words in there. You lost me at 'valence' and 'salient' and really, really lost me when you started throwing around that other weird word, what was it? Oh, 'math'.