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10/26/2009

Monday Meanders 10-26

I am so frustrated that my weekend 'take home' project, from the office, has proven to be difficult and intractable. I am going to be forced to call in help. And I hate that.

My one and constant outcry, when working with computer equipment is: I hate it when this stuff makes me feel stupid.

Fortunately, when working with computers, there's usually somebody in your sphere who knows the answer - you just have to find that person. My Grandpa said - "The smart man does NOT know all the answers ... he knows where to FIND them."

The rains keep coming and my lawn stays wet .. and it's getting longer. It's gonna hafta be soon ... that's all I can say.

There is at least one reader who doesn't know about my sign off. So I will retell it here. There was a time when I ended my posts with a wish for peace - and that was the last word in a post - "Peace." A friend of mine, from Trinidad, taught me the word, which is actually a whole proverb from Africa, Ndinombethe. It's pronounced "N-dee-nome-bay-tay" and it means "As I go, I am wearing you." My personal philosophy, out here, on this blog, is "It ain't about me, and it ain't about you, it's about us." Ndinombethe speaks to that so eloquently, I adopted it as my close, instead of the cliche and somewhat trite "Peace".

Each of us leaves little marks on the other - each of us is colored and flavored by our interactions with each other. We all 'wear' each other.

Ndinombethe.

20 comments:

Jientje said...

I love what your grandfather said. He sounds like a wise guy. You got it from him, I'm sure.
Ndinombethe

Shadow said...

yes, we do soak in a bit of those around us...

Audubon Ron said...

Sorry dude, I like the go in peace and may the force be with you better. In my world if you go with me on you I just sneezed all over you or spilled a cup of coffee on you.

Ashlie- Mommycosm said...

Ahh, wise man. I see where you get it :)

Tara R. said...

Your grandpa was a very wise man. I really like that quote.

witchypoo said...

Aslong as you know while you are wearing me, I been farting a lot lately.

moneythoughts said...

I was going to try and write something serious, but after reading a few of these comments, I started laughing.

Dave Garroway of the TODAY SHOW ended the show with his hand up and said "PEACE". As a kid, I liked that. Dave was a good guy. So, I don't think to say "PEACE" is trite. That is my opinion. We can all do it a little differently, and that is alright too.

Joyce-Anne said...

Grandpa was a very was man. It's the "stupid" man (person--to be p/c) doesn't ask for help and possibly makes things worse.

Meanwhile, thank you for giving us the correct pronunciation of Ndinombethe. I've been mispronouncing it all this time...

That One said...

One of the first things I did when I started reading you was google Ndinombethe. I appreciate the pronunciation tip as I had been saying it wrong.

I've got friends who are not afraid to ask others for advice. They are also the type of people that draw you in. So not only are they extremely knowledgeable about topics they've researched, they are surrounded by fascinating people.

Expat No. 3699 said...

So, if you’re wearing all of us you won’t need a coat this winter; not even when it’s 20 below with the wind chill.

Cathy said...

love that quote from your grandfather!

Unknown said...

I wish your Grandpa had been my tech certification instructor. I figured if I knew where to FIND the information, there was no need to memorize it. Right? Sheesh.

Heather said...

i love the way you close your blog posts.. it always make me smile.

:)

Unknown said...

Jientje: Well, i guess I got it from somewhere.

Shadow: And some of them we drink in by the gallon - like you.

Audubon Ron: It's okay, Ron. You go your way - I go mine. And keep a lid on that coffee.

Ashlie: Like I said .... above.

Tara R: I don't have too many 'quote' from him - those I have are good ones.

Witchypoo: Ahhhh. That accounts for the aroma lately ....

Moneythoughts: Yes - all a bit differently.

Joyce-Anne: You're welcome, Joyce-Anne.

Tuli: I'm glad you like the pronunciation tip.

Employee: No - I have all this love around me to keep me warm.

Cathy: Thank you, ma'am.

Hyphen Mama: Uh, it don't work that way.

Heather: I am glad - so glad - I can make you smile.

CaraBee said...

That is a lovely saying.

I hate asking for help, but I'm always glad that I did. A dichotomy for sure.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

If we wait long enough, the snow will cover the grass and it will no longer be an issue...

secret agent mama said...

I love Ndinombethe. It reminds me of a part of a "hymn" that is sung at Orthodox Easter, believe it or not.

The word it reminds me of is "Oblekostesja" and it means clothe yourself in the Lord.

Still here, much love to love you!

Unknown said...

i adore your sign off, always have ~ it says so much. if i were to implement one my own, it would be 'namaste' - a gesture done in yoga practices meaning 'i bow to you' or 'i bow you'.

Nicole said...

Beautifully said once again!
Hope you got the problems solved and hope you can mow your lawn soon ;)

Momisodes said...

Your grandfather was a wise man.

I hope all the kinks with work have worked out.

And as always, I love your sign off message.