Saturday, January 14, 2006

Ah, memories!

I don’t mean to sound immodest, but I have an incredible memory. There is no detail so small, so insignificant or meaningless that it escapes my mind. This is something that baffles, fascinates and frustrates my husband.

One night we were watching “The Black Stallion”. This is a movie I had not seen since it was in theaters when I was a child. Half-way through the film, apropos of nothing I announced, “Cassolet.”

“What?” Mike asked.

“Cassolet. That’s the name of the horse.”

“I thought it was 'The Black.'"

“No, I mean the name of the horse playing the Black Stallion. It’s Cassolet.” Michael took a few minutes to ponder this revelation. Then he asked,

“Is this something that was a big deal when the movie came out? Was this a famous horse or something?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Okay. I give up. How do you know this?”

“I saw it in the credits.” I had his full attention now.

“You saw it in the credits?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you said the last time you saw this you were a kid.”

“I was.”

“So 25 years ago, you saw a name flicker on a movie screen and you remember it to this day.”

“Yep.”

“Okay, now explain to me how you know this but you haven’t quite nailed down your social security number.”

You see, there is one drawback to my fabulous memory. I only remember insignificant, useless information. If a particular nugget of information is something that will be of no use to me whatsoever, my mind puts it in some high priority memory file, never to be forgotten. I can’t ever remember exactly when my mother-in-law’s birthday is, but I DO remember that the boy my cousin had a crush on when she was in the ninth grade was born on December 14th. (His name was Nick.)

I can’t name more than three members of congress, BUT I do know that on Gilligan’s Island the Skipper’s first name was Jonas. His last name was Grumby. By the way, the Professor was named Roy Hinkly and Lovey Howell’s name was Eunice. Lovey was a nickname. This is but the tip of the TV trivia iceberg I have contained in my mind. But I’ve promised Michael I won't reveal everything I know since he feels that there is a circus out there somwhere just waiting to sign someone who can tell people exactly how the Skipper and Gilligan met.

I don’t have any idea why my mind clings to this information. I wish I could remember things that matter. I often wonder if there is some way to wipe out my mental hard drive to make room for data that will be useful for something more than winning radio contests. (Knowing the name of General Grant's horse is good for movie tickets, you know.)

So, no. I don’t know my driver’s license number. I’m not entirely sure who the governor is and I have no idea what my social security number is though I think there may be a nine in it. Or a six. An eight? Hmmm.

I'm not going to be able to help you much with the important questions in life, but if you ever need someone for your Trivial Pursuit team, give me a call. I’ll just be brushing up on the important stuff. “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…”

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

LHAG! I have the same kind of goofy memory. I remember my friend from grade school's birthday was on April 1st, but it took 3 months for me to remember my new office phone number.

I remember song lyrics from gawd knows what song from some obscure show, but I still can't recite my new office address.

We need palm pilots.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Stacey. All I can tell you is that I refuse to play Trivial Pursuit unless Bob is on my team. We had some friends of ours over for dinner and I was on my girlfriend's husbands team and she was on Bob's. I believe it was the shortest game of TP ever played. We lost in 45 minutes. Alas.

I heard on the radio today that researchers are trying to develop a drug that masks bad memories. It doesn't erase them completely but if it works correctly, it will minimize memories of tramatic events people sometimes suffer throughout the course of life. I guess we store things in certain areas of the brain and trauma has it's own little special spot that frequently likes to torment us.

Now if they could just figure out how to turn off the "Nice to Know" spot and expand the "Need to Know" spot, we'd all be in business. At least I'd have a better chance at Trial Pursuit.

Ronni said...

Cincinnati

stacey said...

Hi honey. The rafters huh? Any chance that's where the M&M's are too?

Seriously, people. Isn't he cute? See why I adore this man?

Anonymous said...

Stacey, he's a keeper!

Anonymous said...

Hi MOM, Now When ever I get out a board game such as : Jepordy,Weel Of Fortune, Or Tivial Pursuit out I Will also get Get you.

stacey said...

You do that son. We will triumph at last over your father. Now go do your homework.