[LiteraryLark]

I was talking to my BFF about a special talent I have.

There is a new customer at work who has been coming in more frequently and has dementia.

There is a special word called "word salad" or "word scramble" which is a "confused or unintelligible mixture of seemingly random words and phrases"...that to most people, sounds like crazy talk. To me, I can understand everything he is saying. I've had enough experience with people with dementia to hear what he says in relation to what he wants and how he feels. Even other caregiving coworkers have trouble understanding what goes on with word salad, but it's a special talent I have to communicate with those who use word salad. I tell people I'm "fluent in dementia"

Do you have any special talents?

[downandlonely]

I wouldn't say I'm fluent in dementia, but I am good with languages and pick them up easily. I majored in French in college and can read other romance languages pretty easily because of the similarities.

I also like my speaking voice and enjoy public speaking.

[unaluna]

Downandlonely - me too! Only i learned french in 9th grade.

Hey guys, me three. Y tu mama tambien! (I jest) I'm good at retaining what I learn with languages I'm learning, pronouncing, etc. I've taken Spanish middle school through college, I know a little Polish and ASL too. I'm not fluent in any of it, but maybe someday I will be.


I used to be good at dancing (ballet, modern, jazz) and anything physical, including some sports like basketball and swimming. Now I just hold solo dance parties in my kitchen.

I think I'm good at soft skills type things (interpersonal, communication, listening, empathy). But not all. I've been told I probably have a very high EQ. But...there's always things to learn and ways to grow in that area. Its interesting to me, and just helpful to know, that this is not a skill that everyone cares about improving. I also have to be careful with empathy and kindness because people take advantage and I want to protect myself - I tend to give too much sometimes, and care too much sometimes. I am learning that its okay (and freaking necessary) to put myself first.

[Mountaindewed]

I can predict when something really bad is about to happen. I just know. I can feel it. In December 2019 a couple weeks before Christmas I was sitting in bed and I was just hit with this sudden thought of "something really bad is about to happen in the world and Christmas 2019 will be the last time things will be peaceful in the world for a long time." I even posted it here on a check in thread. I told my mom and asked if we could go look at Christmas lights and I was really scaring her.

Then Covid happened. But like it just suddenly hit me when I was sitting in bed doing nothing and I've had other similar intuition and feelings about bad things happening. To be honest I was feeling kinda uneasy right before the Ukraine war but I tried just brushing it off and not thinking about it.

[eskielover]

Lol....I talk to animals. We communicate well. I used to think wow, my dog is smart but most animals respond to me. I even had a barn cat in the barn where I used to have my horse respond. After my horse died & I was finished mowing the farm she was at (no one living there) I was driving my truck out the gate & locking it & told the barn kitty that followed me out to the gate, to jump in my truck & I would take her down the hill to my farm & she did & has had a warm home to live in all winter. I also talk to my wild raccoons & the mares & foals in the foaling barn where I am working during foaling season. Interfacing with animals is the highlight of my life.

Other talents, I was a computer firmware designer during my career so I can mostly figure out techie stuff I run into. Also good with accounting & budgeting. I also do most of my repairs & mechanics around my farm if I have the muscle & tools to do it. I also enjoy painting, crafts & gardening in all my spare time

[unaluna]

Wovengalaxy - y tu mama tambien has kinda the same ambience as "and your little dog too!"

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Wovengalaxy - y tu mama tambien has kinda the same ambience as "and your little dog too!"

There was Mexican movie in early 2000s with this title. I saw it in a movie theater, it touched on some serious topics of growing up, coming of age and sexuality. It had a lot of layers. On the surface it was a road trip of two teenagers traveling with an adult woman and engaging in sexual activities.

Oh yeah usually subtle meaning of the phrase is “F… your mother too” or “up yours”.

I remember the movie so well even though I just realized it was 20 years ago

[divine1966]

As about special talents, I can teach anybody just about anything. Like if you struggle with any concepts, I’ll find the way to teach you so it will click and you’ll grasp it. Need to prepare for any kind of exam? I am your person.

I draw and paint and I am really good at decorating and making places look good. I could make a really dinky house or apartment to look good in a short period of time. I have a good eye.

But I really really wish I could sing. I am tone deaf and it sounds right in my head but it ain’t right at all. So I’d say I am special in having congenital amusia. I don’t even recognize different voices when people speak. It’s weird. Especially since I do love music. It’s genetic as my mom was tone deaf too

Originally Posted by divine1966

There was Mexican movie in early 2000s with this title. I saw it in a movie theater, it touched on some serious topics of growing up, coming of age and sexuality. It had a lot of layers. On the surface it was a road trip of two teenagers traveling with an adult woman and engaging in sexual activities.

Oh yeah usually subtle meaning of the phrase is “F… your mother too” or “up yours”.

I remember the movie so well even though I just realized it was 20 years ago

My understanding of the phrase is its like saying "and so is your mom." I wasn't trying to say "f your mom," to anyone here LOL.

I remember that movie, it came out in the late 90s I think (edit: correction, early 2000s I just saw you said that). I never actually saw it though!

Edit: I think you're right about the "F your mom" meaning. I looked it up and it's like if someone says "f your mom," you would say back "y tu mama tambien." Lol.

[unaluna]

For some reason i had it in my mind that it was an Almodovar film. Guess not!

Sorry for the detour.

[zapatoes]

I’m good at writing stories, editing articles in a newsletter, still pretty good at spelling despite easily relying on spell check for many years now, and good memory when studying for exams and sometimes used acronyms to learn info. In 6th grade my poems would get published in the school newsletter. Oftentimes people are good at what they also enjoy, well maybe not always. Someone could be great at baking homemade cakes, but not enjoy it and find it a chore. I really enjoy writing and could endlessly write in a journal regarding what I’m thinking about. On the other hand dislike talking, I mean I enjoy socializing one on one or in small groups, but more than that dislike it. Dislike talking at meetings usually, especially if there’s more than 3 or 4 people.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by unaluna

For some reason i had it in my mind that it was an Almodovar film. Guess not!

Sorry for the detour.

It was just as weird (not in a bad way)

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by WovenGalaxy

My understanding of the phrase is its like saying "and so is your mom." I wasn't trying to say "f your mom," to anyone here LOL.

I remember that movie, it came out in the late 90s I think (edit: correction, early 2000s I just saw you said that). I never actually saw it though!

Edit: I think you're right about the "F your mom" meaning. I looked it up and it's like if someone says "f your mom," you would say back "y tu mama tambien." Lol.

Direct translation isn’t really anything sinister but it’s always used with that meaning by native speakers 😉

Sorry everyone for hijacking!

mine is that I can remember, and retell jokes that are told to me.

my memory's basically gone in other areas so it's remarkable. some people often ask me if I have 2 diffrent brains. lol

[Marie123]

I am a dancer (ballet) singer, author poet.

[Gawain]

Does being incredibly and immensely sarcastic and cynical count?

Because if so, I may just be some sort of super human.

[downandlonely]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

mine is that I can remember, and retell jokes that are told to me.

my memory's basically gone in other areas so it's remarkable. some people often ask me if I have 2 diffrent brains. lol

My memory is very good, too good really. I remember hurtful things my family of origin said when I was a child (over 20 years ago) and can't seem to let go.

[MuseumGhost]

I am also good with language(s). I took Spanish all through my youth and into high school. I learned Greek from hanging out with friends I made in school. I took Italian and French in college, and did very well with both. And my English is just alright....

But I can also spot a true antique, and something of worth, in a pile of junk. I can see a bargain from a hundred paces away. And although I'm not a full-time antiques dealer or certified appraiser, I can predict with about 85% accuracy the value they will give to items on both the American and the British Antiques Roadshows. I don't know how I do it, I just have a skill for knowing what antiques and vintage items are worth.

Also, small children and animals seem to really like me.

[Brego]

I learned Spanish at one point. Not difficult. But I tried at French and couldn’t get it.

My superpower is making sure everyone and all groups be taken care of.

[Howard32]

My special talent is doing creative writing.

[Soupe du jour]

I'm an excellent home cook, talented and creative dancer, and better than average writer, when I apply myself and take the time. I also have an excellent ear for languages (pronunciation) and above average ability to identify songs after just two to four notes.