Droppin' Some Verbal Knowledge

Here are a few of my favourite phrases that I've picked up over the years. First the word/phrase, then the definition and then an example.

A Grip:
Definition- a long passage of time, usually at least since last Spring Break
Example- Dang...how've you been? It's been a grip since I last saw you!

Fixin'ta:
Definition- making preparations
Example- Q. What are y'all doin'? A. We're finxin'ta go to the mall.
[note: "fixing to" or "fixin' to" are not aceptable]

Geekin'
Definition- to act awkward or nerdy
Example- I really wanted to make a good impression on that chick, but then I just started geekin'. I probably blew it.

Howdja-
Definition- to inquire into a course of action
Example- I've been trying to get that lid off all day; howdja manage to get it off?

Flip-flopper
Definition- someone who is prone to change their mind alot
Example- Down at the slam dunk contest they had some real flip-floppers

Rule of thumb
Definition- a general measure of advice or operation
Example- I can get mean, but as a general rule of thumb they shouldn't bleed for longer than 15 minutes

Customers

I have my own business that I run on the side of my main job. My main job has me slaving for a very large financial institution In my "spare" time I fix "regular" computers here in my neck of the woods.

I typically have good customers that I can help and who kind of keep the code of being nice to their computers. I have another customer though who isn't.

This post is about understanding and communication.

I had a customer show up at my doorstep last night saying that she was having problems with her computer. She also has other problems. The biggest problem is that she lacks the understanding of how to properly operate her computer as well as lacks the descriptive ability to really be able to tell me what the problem is. When I talk to her on the phone she tells me that her computer "shuts down" when she's trying to download a song. When I go to her house to see, I find that it is her crappy Internet connection [four letter word; starts with Juno] has dropped. Then she tells me that she was trying to "download" games from the internet, only to later reveal that they are downloading fine...she just thinks that they are going to install themselves automatically. Or she says that her computer's sound does not work...only to find out that she does get sound; she just can't hear the cheesy MIDI music from lame Hallmark websites

Life is about communication. It is harder when we don't have the words or understanding for how to communicate with each other. It is vitally important in a marriage though. It takes work. We also have to work at it in other relationships as well. We must educate ourselves in the words that best describe and then figure out how to appropriately use them.

Are our relationships suffering discord because we are not being understood, or because we might be giving out wrong impressions or ideas? We should seek be understood, but we should also seek to understand others. That's the most important step to making all of this stuff in life work.