I’m a Reader

I’m a reader, I’m a reader in the same sense that others are TV watchers. Some folks can’t sit in a room with out the TV on, I can go days with out turning a TV on but have to have something to read at all times. In a waiting room or office, I’ll read any magazine available and in lieu of magazines, I’ll read posters, signage, anything with print.

I’m a bit dyslexic, but fortunately it didn’t affect my ability to lean to read as I began reading quite early and well as it made sense to me. Math and numbers are a whole different story, I transpose numbers. I didn’t become aware of it until I was 17 and working as a file clerk in an big city insurance company. In 2 months I had their numbered filing system throughly screwed up. They quickly transferred me to an alphabetical filing department.

Numbers do not stick in my head, I can not do even simple adding and subtracting in my head. I need to write it down.

I went back to college in my mid 40’s and took all the prerequisites for an AA degree at the local 2 year college except I needed a math. Knowing that algebra was over my head, (I failed it in high school) I opted for Basic Math (which the synopsis said would allow use of calculators). The reason I could take basic math and have it be credited towards my degree was, as 15 years prior I took both a furniture refinishing class and an upholstery class through the college and that dated the beginning of my college term. At the time I took those classes basic math was all that was required for a math credit. Just pure luck, but I would be able to transfer to any 4 year state college with only basic math in stead of algebra or higher. Sometimes you just got to work the system.

When I began my basic math class and pulled out my calculator my instructor said “not allowed.’ I explained to him that when I registered I verified with the registrar per the synopsis that calculators were admissible and won my case being told I was the only student that would be allowed that luxury. I passed the class with an A.

Unfortunately I never did get to complete my last two years, family obligations and needing to commute to either Tacoma or Seattle to a 4 year institution just didn’t make it possible. But I think that I have continued on to be a life long learner in many other ways. Signing off KO