2 things I did this week that got me (warranted) dirty looks

1) Went to a neighborhood tennis/basketball court to try out my new skates… with my DOG in tow.  Right after I started rolling around, 4 actual tennis players came to play a game of doubles.  Guy looks at me, I smile, he looks at dog, dirty look.

2) My mom called while I was waiting in line to get my cell phone plan changed.  I told her I’d hang up when it was my turn, but I was too distracted to notice when my turn came up.  Guy behind me says “IT’S YOU!”, I turn and apologize, dirty look.

American

Me:
I'm going into the Gap, see you in there.

Simon:
Nik wants to know why you call it The Gap.

Me:
Ummmm, because that's what it's called.

Simon:
No it's not, it's called Gap.

Me:
No, it's THE gap, look at the sign on the wind... Oh. OH. So you just say, I'm going to Gap?

Simon and Nik:
Yes.

Me:
My mind was blown when I looked at the logo and it didn't have "the" in it.

Simon and NIk:
Want to go to The Sephora? Want to go to The Ralph Lauren? Want to go to The Puma?

“…I find a naturalistic understanding of human nature to be indispensable to leading a wise and mature life, and it is often exhilarating. Wisdom consists in appreciating the preciousness and finiteness of our own existence, and therefore not squandering it; of being cognizant of what makes people everywhere tick, and therefore enhancing happiness and minimizing suffering; of being alert to limitations and flaws in our own judgments and decisions and passions, and thereby doing our best to circumvent them. The exhilaration comes from understanding that we are a part of natural world; that deep mysteries can be explained; and that the world — including our own mental lives — can be intelligible, rather than a source of superstition and ignorance. Yes, mortality sucks, but given that it exists, I’d rather know that than be kept in a childlike state of delusion.”

- Steve Pinker


Just reading through Pinker’s AMA and I love his response to a person who asked him if he thought his understanding of the human mind negatively affects his own happiness.  How meaningful and intelligent and perfect.