Anaheim Anecdote: Why, yes, I am an engineer.

[elfs]

Saturday morning, after we had rallied at the chaperon spot (where at least one chaperon would sit, in rotating shifts, to be available if a kid got separated from her buddy, or if someone needed extra sunscreen, or a band-aid), I muttered something about finding more coffee. (Why, yes, I am a caffeine-based life form. Why do you ask?) One of the other chaperons asked me if I could get her one. "An Americano, leave room. And could you put some cream into it?" I told her I'd do my best, and whipped out my beloved Moleskin to note it down.

"You have to write it down?"

"I'll remember you wanted coffee when I get there, but I want to make sure I get the details right."

"Why are some of the pages cut like that?"

"Those have notes for things I've already taken care of. That way I can just put my thumb here," I showed her, "and the book opens to the first page of unresolved notes. These on top," I pointed to two glistening copper book darts, "indicate to-do lists. This one on the side is my master project list. These two on the bottom are my exercise and food logs."

"Oh, God, you're an engineer, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah."

"I thought you were a musician or something, with the beard and the kilt and the way you talk to the kids. You're just like my husband, all organized. You guys have your own language and your own jokes nobody else understands. My younger son is that way too."

I only wish I was "all organized."

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

You? Disorganized? who *wrote your own* git-based storybuilding tool (IIRC) because there wasn't anything else good enough? There's *gotta* be some Virgo *somewhere* in your chart...

'course, it wouldn't do, *at Disneyland*, to tell her what kind of writing goes in there.... :) :) :) :)

[shunra.livejournal.com]

It is interesting to note that people who put a lot of energy into trying to keep all the threads of life from tangling using bobbins and axles and pulleys and such give the visible appearance of making an effort to be organized.

People who *are* organized do it by technology so advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic. (With a nod to Clarke.)

[elfs.livejournal.com]

Either that, or they have staff.

[shunra.livejournal.com]

Staff *is* magic.

This...

[(Anonymous)]

is why I desperately need to learn how to work with staff for the project I am currently chairing (decennial accreditation for the whole company)!

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

*laugh* I ♥ the Clarkean Definition. Truth!

[shunra.livejournal.com]

now I'll just have to write it down in the correct notebook and it'll be accessible if I ever need it again...