There are three levels of information reception: that which you need to know, you don't need to know, and you need to NOT know.
I thought that all of this forgetfulness was because of my age. But lately I've come to another conclusion. And you know what? It makes a whole lot of sense. It's not about senility, it's not even about stress, it's about capacity. The brain is not a sieve, it's a vessel. I like to think of mine as a wine decanter, but that may be beside the point. When you're young, you can put all kinds of things in there and they just slosh around in all that space. But as you go through life, more information goes in, and it's got less space to fill, but that's OK, it's not like its spilling over. Yet.
But eventually, at some point, you need to start discriminating, choosing what you're gonna let in that glass and what is just not needed. Use your space wisely. Because if you're going to let in any inane, witless piece of junk, something's going to pour out. And, I've found, you don't get to choose. Whatever drains, drains. So, for instance, you may know that the face Suzy's dog makes looks like he's smiling, but not why you just walked into the kitchen.
And more than just not having the capacity to process it all, it's also true that there may be some flotsam and jetsam that can actually taint the waters, so to speak.
See, it's not that I'm getting old, I'm just not using my capacity wisely.
TMI is a thing, friends. In fact, it seems these days too much information has taken on a life of its own. In light of my recent epiphany, let me just say that if there are questionable tidbits of information you share just with those on your own private "need to know" list, tell me how to unsubscribe. Because, although we applaud curiosity as a way to further our understanding of the world, and I agree with that philosophy, there are just some things I don't need to know.
In fact, as I take control of my information retention, let me be clear, there are things that I desperately seriously, critically, acutely, perilously need to NOT know.
This is true whether you're sitting in my kitchen over a cup of coffee and a donut, or you're a frequent guest in any of my social media news feeds.
I thought that all of this forgetfulness was because of my age. But lately I've come to another conclusion. And you know what? It makes a whole lot of sense. It's not about senility, it's not even about stress, it's about capacity. The brain is not a sieve, it's a vessel. I like to think of mine as a wine decanter, but that may be beside the point. When you're young, you can put all kinds of things in there and they just slosh around in all that space. But as you go through life, more information goes in, and it's got less space to fill, but that's OK, it's not like its spilling over. Yet.
But eventually, at some point, you need to start discriminating, choosing what you're gonna let in that glass and what is just not needed. Use your space wisely. Because if you're going to let in any inane, witless piece of junk, something's going to pour out. And, I've found, you don't get to choose. Whatever drains, drains. So, for instance, you may know that the face Suzy's dog makes looks like he's smiling, but not why you just walked into the kitchen.
And more than just not having the capacity to process it all, it's also true that there may be some flotsam and jetsam that can actually taint the waters, so to speak.
See, it's not that I'm getting old, I'm just not using my capacity wisely.
TMI is a thing, friends. In fact, it seems these days too much information has taken on a life of its own. In light of my recent epiphany, let me just say that if there are questionable tidbits of information you share just with those on your own private "need to know" list, tell me how to unsubscribe. Because, although we applaud curiosity as a way to further our understanding of the world, and I agree with that philosophy, there are just some things I don't need to know.
In fact, as I take control of my information retention, let me be clear, there are things that I desperately seriously, critically, acutely, perilously need to NOT know.
This is true whether you're sitting in my kitchen over a cup of coffee and a donut, or you're a frequent guest in any of my social media news feeds.
Baked Cookies and Creme Donuts
This week's treasure trove of things I need to not know:
* I need to NOT know how many times your reaction to your current medication has sent you running to the bathroom.
* I need to NOT know the size of your cat's hairball. And please, in the name of all that is holy, do not include a picture.
* I need to NOT know any other body function (or malfunction) that occurs when you sneeze.
* I need to NOT know what your husband calls his favorite body part. Nor what you call it.
* I need to NOT know what you stepped in on your daily walk. Not how it looked, felt, what it sounded or smelled like. Nothing.
* I need to NOT know that you wore your underwear inside out today. I do it all the time but you don't see me talking about it (oops, I think I just did). And if you wear them on your head, or if your significant other wears them or pretty much anything else underwear related, it all falls under this need to not know umbrella.
* I need to NOT know the blow by blow gory step by step details of your recent surgery. I'd be happy to wish you well, however, if you just let me know that you'd had surgery. Or stitches. Or even a little boo boo.
* I need to NOT know anything at all that includes the words: cockroaches, puss, manscaping, fungus, phlegm or tripe. Under any circumstances. Ever.
* I need to NOT know that you're dry. Anywhere. Or wet for that matter.
* I need to NOT know what color your child's poop is (was, or ever will be).
My brain thanks you.
Baked Cookies and Creme Donuts
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 TBSP French Vanilla creamer
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
5 TBSP butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup Oreo Thin Bites Cookies, crushed
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
about 5 - 7 TBSP French Vanilla creamer
1/3 cup Oreo Thin Bites Cookies, crushed
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 12 donut pan cups.
*Whisk together the buttermilk, 2 TBSP French Vanilla creamer, vanilla and eggs, then the melted butter.
*Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the liquid mixture, just until incorporated. Fold in the 1/2 cup Oreo Thin Bites cookie crumbs.
*Spoon or pipe evenly into the prepared donut pan(s). Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing.
*Whisk together the powdered sugar, baking cocoa and as much French Vanilla creamer as is needed to get the mixture to a glaze consistency. Dip tops of the warm donuts into the glaze. Immediately sprinkle with the remaining crushed cookies. Allow to set
I think I don't need to know any of those 'facts' either :-)
ReplyDeleteI bet you don't!
DeleteOMG I was cracking up reading the list of what you do NOT want or need to know. Why? Because I had this exact conversation with a friend through text yesterday. I get WAY too many details of what is happening in her life. I love her, she's a dear friend, but I seriously don't need or want to know about your...bodily fluids. Eww just eww
ReplyDeletebut on a different note, you could share all these "what not to share" details in a fly post. LOL
LOL, and there's someone we both know who posts daily about things I(we) need to not know.
DeleteYep. All of the above.
ReplyDeleteMy brain is full. That's why it takes longer to process or retrieve thoughts. They've got to find their way out from wherever They're stored.
Except for really old memories. Those seem to have drifted to the top. Maybe squeezed there. Like a pimple.
My grown children help me with the whole 'things I do NOT need to know' scenario.
Now with some news stories and movies they'll say. "Ummm . . . Mom? I think you're better not knowing."
And I'm good with that!
Oh hell, yeah, when one of my boys says that there's something I'm better off not knowing, I definitely don't want to know.
DeleteOh yes...oversharing. What a fun pastime!
ReplyDeleteWanna know next time I number 2? 😂😂
You know I love you, but I think I'll take a pass. . .
DeleteI also do not need to know such facts
ReplyDeleteI am not at all surprised.
DeleteThere should definitely be a law against to much TMI! I don't want to hear anything with vomit, mucus, snot, bodily functions and so on! (Rena)
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Delete