Last month as I flew home from Wisconsin, the man in the seat next to me started to chat. In the minutes that followed, he told me what he did for a living (some sort of important job working with companies like Boeing, Estee Lauder, etc.) and then he eventually turned the conversation to me and asked the question I always dread.
“So. What do YOU do?
I momentarily debated with myself whether I wanted to give my simple answer, “I am a secretary” or whether I wanted to launch into my more complex answer. (And just to note: I don’t mind saying I’m a secretary; my quibble with that answer is that it is only about 1/20th of what I do in any given day but it’s the easiest answer to give.)
After the silence had gotten a teeny bit awkwardly lengthy (because my fogged over brain was slightly on the sluggish side), I finally took a deep breath and replied, “Well, I am a blogger, photographer, graphic artist, writer, singer, church secretary, songwriter, media tech director, pianist, and pastor’s wife.”
I don’t think that was quite the answer he was expecting.
He looked impressed (in a taken aback sort of way), asked me a few thoughtful follow-up questions, and then we both settled back into our seats, our books, and our privacy.
As I thought about that conversation, I came to the conclusion that there are few other question that can garner such simple and complex answers as that one.
And it occurs to me that the thousands of readers who stop by Smithellaneous each month must have a whole boatload of fascinating answers.
So here’s the thing:
If you were on a plane and someone asked, “What do you?” how would you respond if you went beyond one-word answers like secretary, officer, doctor, mechanic, architect, housewife, etc?
What brief additional sentences would you add if someone said, “Tell me more?”
I look forward to reading your responses. (And it’s also a great way for us all to get to know each other.)
Becky, my answer would be that I work at a local bakery and clean houses-if they asked for more info, I wouldn’t know where to start! I do a lot of in home care for a few elderly locals that can’t afford to pay for help and are still ok not being a nursing home if they have someone to advocate for them and drive them around, do laundry, keep the windows washed and floors scrubbed and bring in some goodies for the holidays, etc. AND I also do a lot of cooking and cleaning and babysitting for my parents, since they have seven kids younger than me still, AND I do so many little things that really do make up a large portion of my time but I wouldn’t know how to break it all down. I guess it comes down to just doing whatever needs done and trying to spread grace around.
That was a really lovely idea to ask that question, I will have to use that in conversations in the future. People are much more apt to feel comfortable if you can figure out what things they hold close to their hearts and then validate them in conversation. Thank you much! 🙂
P.S. I love your blog! I’ve been reading it for quite a few years now, I think I must have stumbled across it when I was fifteen or so-I’m eighteen now-and you are always a ray of sunshine! Have a beautiful day and a wonderful year. 🙂
Ann,
It’s so great to have a younger reader show up here; thank you for hanging out with us!
As I was reading your comment (before I knew your age) I was picturing you as an adult woman in your 40’s or 50’s because your perspective and your viewpoint on life are so mature
Then when you got to the part about having 7 younger siblings at home I was like, “Okay. She is probably NOT in her 40’s” 🙂 I know you must be an enormous help and blessing to your parents.
Your line “doing whatever needs to be done and spreading grace around” is something that should be cross stitched on a pillow case. Such profound, simple truth in that statement.
Thank you for taking the time to write and be a ray of sunshine in MY day!
Love what you’ve done with the BLOG. Sarah was right on FB. You should be so very proud of yourself.
As for the question….I just say I’m an elementary school teacher (I don’t want to explain the whole disability thing). That’s usually followed by what grade (“everything K-5 and I spent some years as a reading specialist”). I always hope that I can appease them w/out having to explain. Though carrying a bag with a pump for tube feeds or TPN depending on what’s going on is another whole conversation. Though, in the last few years I’ve only flown for medical appointments.
Talking about questions, the one I dread the most since my brother passed is; “Do you have any siblings?” I’m proud to talk about my brother but as I’m sure you can understand that can easily turn into a very uncomfortable exchange for the other person. Yes, is my answer, ALWAYS. That is usually followed with, what does he do? I have to decide at that time do I talk about what he did as if he were still doing it as to not make the person feel uneasy or do I say, “Before he passed away he was……..!” That can continue on to what happened, etc.? And when everything is said and done, I’m in tears and sometimes so are they. These conversations don’t have to happen on a plane either.
That’s the problem with small talk, sometimes! While being friendly and polite is nice, sometimes just tuning everyone out is my preferred way to fly/sit in waiting rooms. Which than makes me seem snotty and rude and I try not too be that type of person.
Isn’t it strange how there are certain questions that should be easy to answer but can also require so much thought before answering or you to have a “rehearsed” answer available?
Hope all the Smiths’ near and far are doing well. How’s Momma Campbell feeling?
Jodi,
You summed it all up perfectly when you said, “Isn’t it strange how there are certain questions that should be easy to answer but can also require so much thought before answering or you to have a “rehearsed” answer available?”
I have found it interesting that a good number of my readers are in that same boat–struggling with whether or not to give the “easy” answer or give the answer that opens up the whole conversation to all levels of emotion and vulnerability.
I love your answer that you do have a sibling, even though he is no longer living. He is, and will always be, alive in your heart and your memories. You will never be without the assurance that you are a brother-blessed gal!
Thanks for asking about my mom; she is doing great! Living back at home and no longer needing official physical therapy. We are so thankful.
I am retired so my answer is usually easy. I read and crochet… I am flying to see a great grand daughter ( and the rest of the family) for Christmas so I am going to see what sort of replies I get. I do hate the question how many children do you have. I like my daughters answer tho, I have four, ,one lives in heaven
Sharon,
“I have four daughters; one lives in heaven.” That is so heartfelt, so poignant, so perfect.
Thankfully I will not be flying as much as I have the past two years. In the past with the exception of one lovely lady I hid behind my head phones and reading on my iPad.
Cindy,
Enjoy your non-flying life! Headphones are nice to pull out when you feel like being quiet.
What do I do. Partnered with a wellness company to earn money. I need to work harder at that. otherwise I play clarinet and hand bells at church, SS class secretary, do home improvements with church, am part of an Early Response Team with natural disasters, attend senior college where I take piano, guitar, French and woodcarving. Am a children’s leader with Bible Study Fellowship, fitness buff swim several miles weekly, cycle 50 or so miles weekly, a home maker, wife, and mom
Mary,
Well, you know exactly how I felt on that airplane, don’t you? 🙂 It’s really difficult to say to someone, “I work with a wellness company” and leave it at that when there are so many other things you do!
And your list is truly amazing! I love how you have made learning new skills a priority in your life–you are truly inspiring in that regard. And THANK YOU for being on an Early Response team for disaster. Not an easy place to be but what a difference you make.
I don’t like that question either. Mostly because I’m not much of a conversationalist so I always worry that my answer wont be ‘right’ or enough. I’m the shy, observe-from-a-distance kind of girl. 🙂 Anyway, my daytime, paying job is as an office manager for a trucking company and I have been here for almost 33 years. For the longest time, I was the only one in the office so for the first 10 years, I did EVERYTHING. Payroll, payables, receivables, truck licensing, quarterly reporting, financial statements, tax returns, etc., etc. And back then it was all done the long, hard way with pencil, paper, typewriter, etc. Advancements in technology sure have made my life here so much easier over the years, along with the hiring of an Administrative Assistant. Whew! And I am about 7 years away from retiring!! In the non-paying world, my greatest joy and blessing is being a wife, the mother of two great kids, ages 33 (daughter) and 30 (son), and a grandmother to 4 super adorable little people ages 18 months to 3.5 years. (Girl, boy, boy, girl) My husband and I have been very happily married for 35 years. We have an awesome group of friends that we hang out and vacation with and we love to golf, watch football and spend time with family. I also love to cook, exercise, be outdoors, garden and sing in the church choir. I love my life and wouldn’t change one single thing about it!!
LeeAnne,
I can’t imagine that the company you are with will EVER let you retire; you might as well just plan on working until you are a hundred! The knowledge you have accrued in 33 years must be monumnetal! And of course, I am very impressed by anyone who works with numbers as part of their job–my hat is off to you.
It’s great to hear about the joys of your life and how much you enjoy doing things with the people you love–friends and family, both. I agree. You are a blessed lady!
Hmmm. The short answer is always “I’m an online marketing manager” but that doesn’t really sum up the busy-ness of my days! The longer answer would have to be:
“I’m an online marketing manager (currently 3.5 days, soon to be 4 per week). This involves marketing client websites to drive more online visits and sales/leads to help their business flourish. This encompasses a wide range of areas including blogging, social media, networking and client liaison. This also turns me into a wannabe web tech on many occasions, where I have to try and figure out a CMS and implement content to save costs on web developer fees. In this way, I’m primarily self-taught, but (self-flattery) quite good at picking things up as I go. I also know my way around more Analytics programs than I care to think about, WordPress, Webmaster Tools, Moz and other diagnostic tools for websites.
So what do I do with my other 3 days a week. Well. I run my house, look after my 1 year old daughter Bethany, my two labradors Sparky & Ollie and occasionally my husband (when he’s not out at work, which can be rare some weeks). These jobs aren’t 9-5, they’re full-time and run concurrently alongside my “main job” as above (which incidentally is 9-5 two days and 9-3:30 the other 2). I spend a lot of the time I’m not driving my desk driving my car instead – taking my daughter to nursery, my dogs to my mother-in-laws for doggy daycare, or to the vets (Sparky has just had a tail amputation), myself to work, doctors appts, shopping, play dates…etc.
In my spare time (haha) when I’m not at work or running errands, doing housework or spending time with my family, I like to craft. My most recent project has been a scrapbook for my friend’s hen party which was this weekend just gone (2 full days of spa time with nary a dog nor child in sight!); prior to that i created her wedding invitations, my daughter’s christening and birthday invites and subsequent thank you cards and her first year scrapbook (which is ongoing). I am also knee deep in 2 cross stitch projects for Christmas 2016 and I also love to read, and currently trying to reach my goal of 113 books for my Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge (currently on 76, not sure this is looking likely!). We are just about to start Christmas present crafts for family and I’m also trying to sort out my tax return and an insurance claim for Sparky’s recent vet work.
At some point in all of that I also sleep and try to meet up with friends – last night I had a delicious girly meal with my mummy group, and later this week I’m meeting with another set of friends for dinner.
I may not always meet my deadlines or my goals, but I like to be busy…..”
Rebecca,
If I recall correctly, you have loaned your technical expertise to me a few times over the years when I had blogging snafus. (Edited to add: actually, I think it was another Rebecca who did that. It’s nice to have so many Rebeccas hanging out here; I have a special affinity for that name!)
I love that you are able to do so much of your job being self taught. It sounds like you are a quick study so that would definitely help in that regard. I’m the kind of person, on the other hand, who has to have things explained a few (or sixty) times. 🙂
You are a perfect example of that conundrum of answering, “What do you do?” One or two word answers are fine but they are so inadequate in giving people a picture of what we REALLY do.
You sound like your life is busy and fulfilling and that you are using ALL the gifts you’ve been given. So interesting to peak into your life!
I work as a network engineer for the railroad in the IT department. More importantly though, I’m a mom to 3 and a wife. We just celebrated 20 years of marriage. We have 2 teenage boys (15 and almost 13) and a 7 year old girl. My boys play basketball and my daughter is in gymnastics and softball and about to try her hand at basketball for the first time this season. Life is very, very busy but also very, very full. I’m so blessed.
Heidi,
A network engineer sounds complicated; you are obviously blessed in the brains department.
And you are ALSO blessed to have a husband, 3 great kids and a life you enjoy! I know with kids the age yours are, you probably feel like you are always going somewhere and dropping someone off. But as Steve and I often say to each other, “THESE are the good old days!”
I’m an oncology nurse and I often only say I’m a nurse. I hesitate to mention the oncology part because it invariably gets the “oh my I’m sorry” look and I’m not at all sorry about my chosen career path and can’t ever imagine working elsewhere. I just don’t appreciate the looks and pity I get when I mention it.
Sarah,
I love that you are unapologetically NOT sorry for being a nurse working in oncology. I think other people just think of the trauma and the sorrow involved in that field, but you obviously think of the way you are blessed to get to help people through the worst season of their lives.
Thank you for what you do!
I’m an assessment librarian and assistant professor. I’m not a librarian by training and I have a PhD in Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences. So, really, I’m a researcher who uses those skills in assessment and evaluation.
Brooke,
I can imagine that when you tell people you are an assessment librarian, they are definitely curious to ask for more information about that job. Sounds fascinating!
Librarian, professor and researcher . . . I have no doubt your brain gets a good workout every single day!
I am a retired Social Work supervisor and teacher. Currently I volunteer at our local hospital, teach Sunday school to young ladies over 70, sing in the choir, am president of our local Pilot Club which deals with brain-related disorders, enjoy photography and counted cross-stitch, am a wife, sister, grandma and have two adorable dogs.
Ann,
I love that your “young ladies” are over 70. You and Jim are great examples of age just being a number because you continue to live life large!
You are a great example of making the last half of your life the best.
I hate that question too! I think it is mostly because I never know HOW to answer…although I can appreciate your answer -I might try that next time! Normally my answer depends on who asked and how interested they look and well, of course how much coffee I have had! If I were being serious I would probably just stumble my way through trying to say: I work in my dad’s auto shop…and am also a freelance writer who loves to travel. If I had way too much coffee I would probably blurt out a lot of random things that don’t really have anything to do with each other or answer the question. 🙂
Christina,
I know–it’s tough isn’t it? We are all so much more than the answers to that question and yet so few opportunitiesy lend themelves to telling all we would like to tell!
I thought it was funny that you said too much coffee might cause you to blurt out random things with no connection to the question. I truly understand! 🙂
Hmmm … since miracle worker is not an acceptable job title (chuckling), I am the Executive Assistant to the president of AMI, Inc,, as well as the Sales Manager handling both domestic and international sales. We manufacture dry hydrotherapy massage systems for both medical and non-medical markets. In addition, I am the Accounting Department, the Graphics Department, Onsite Grammar Checker and the Office Equipment Repair Head. To become well rounded in my position(s), I’ve spent time on the production floor learning to make a variety of sub-assemblies. In my non-office time, I devote myself to assisting in the healthy growth of my 6 year old grandson while helping my son learn the parenting ropes. On the rare day I am neither in the office nor grandparenting, I treasure silent moments at the oceanside (or anywhere really) and uninterrupted sleep. When I am recharged via said uninterrupted sleep, I love to DIY projects for our home. NOTE: All true, but written while laughing (almost uncontrollably) at the craziness of my life!
Guerrina,
I’m so glad I wrote this post because it gave me a chance to find out all those interesting things about you!And it sounds like you got a kick out of actually seeing all the components of your life written out in black and white.
Sometimes I think we don’t know the scope of what we do from day to day until we stop for a moment and really take stock. And then I think that your term, Miracle Worker, truly does apply!
I know your son and grandson are blessed to have you in their lives–loving and mentoring them.
I’m not sure I’m understanding… Why do you dread the ‘what do you do’ question?
Kristina,
Good question! I went back into the post and added a little clarifcation.
Mainly I dread it answering it because I’m never sure if I should say “secretary” (which is easily understood but doesn’t even begin to describe what I do in a day) or If I should launch into a medium version, or a longer version of the answer.
On an airplane, when no one is in a hurry to leave or move on to the next thing, I feel ok about the longer answer. But still–I overthink It every time. 🙂
I am a home daycare provider, for the past 28 years. I have been privileged and blessed to be able to be home when my own 3 children were young, got them off to school and I was the one they told how school went when they got off the bus at night 🙂 I have also had for 11 years my own 2 grandchildren in Daycare til they moved 2 hours away 🙁 I have had over 400 children in my home throughout the years. Love it. Wendy
Wendy,
Four hundred children?? That is amazing! Think of all the lives you’ve influenced and the adults who will cross your path in the future and hug you and thank you and say, “I was one of your kids!”
No greater job on earth than the privilege of getting to influence young lives. (And how nice you got to have your own grandkids in your daycare!)
I’m mostly just Jenna, plain and simple.
I am also a wife, granddaughter to two very special grandmothers aged 98 amd nearly
101 , mother to a teen daughter who i adopted 6 years ago, and new guardian/ full-time care giver to my daughter’s 20 year old brother who recently moved into our home 7 weeks ago. Both my kids have cognitive and developmental disabilities etc and so I’m thankful i have the experience of being a former pediatric physical therapist (and also special needs group home worker prior to that) as those skills are invaluable in parenting my kids. (I had to relinquish my PT career several years ago due to my own disabilities and health challenges). I am a writer who has a small blog and who offers my editing services to charities i believe in free of charge. I am a friend, lover of nature and beauty, delighter in the colour perriwinkle blue, and creative soul. I have always loved long walks in nature, but I’m currently a wheelchair user desperately trying to regain the ability to walk. I use assistive voice technologies to speak. I’m someone who has survived some hard things i never expected to face and has been taught invaluable lessons in the process, such as empathy, humility and how to respond with creativity and love in the face of challenges. I am a gardener who especially loves to grow and harvest spices, tea and veggies. That is challenging given i live in a climate with snow 6 to 8 months per year where the temperature can fall to minus 35 in the winter (but most winter days are between minus 10 and minus 25). In recent years I’ve bought special grow lights and have grown plants indoors.
Jenna,
I think that anyone who asked what you did would be most blessed if they would be able to hearthis entire answer you just wrote.
What amazing words from an amazing person.You have faced hardships and challenges beyond what many of us can imagine and yet you continue to give and grow and smile and nurture and make the world a better place.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Well….that’s a loaded question. I mean, do people really want to know? And it will lead to more questions, especially if I mention my Sarah. Do I really want to chat?
But let’s say I feel like it. My answer would be that I have been an RN for the past few decades, but right now I am a full-time caregiver for my severely disabled daughter, who is 20.
Bam!
And then there’s an awkward moment of silence usually on their part as they absorb the answer. After that, I follow their lead.
It’s always interesting and most times I am able to educate during the conversation. But I always feel they got more than they bargained for by asking the question. LOL.
It is ok to ask which disabilities your daughter has? I have mild CP myself and Asperger’s Syndrome so I always get curious about other people’ disabilities.
Hi Greywildcat, I’m happy to answer your question. Sarah is officially ‘undiagnosed’. She most closely resembles Rett Syndrome but they can’t find it in her DNA yet. It is often described as having autism, CP, parkinson’s, anxiety disorder and epilepsy all in one girl. For insurance purposes she is considered spastic quadriplegia CP, but it’s much more than that. She is a sweetheart with a wonderful sense of humor.
Lesley,
Thanks so much for replying; I love seeing readers interact!
And I was also thankful for a chance to get a better picture of the challenges you and Sarah face together. You are an inspiration.
Lesley,
I would love it if you would send your educational assistance in my direction. 🙂 Can you help me (and maybe other readers as well) understand what is the best thing to say in this sort of conversation?
I think the temptation would be to say, “Oh, I’m so sorry” and yet what is there to be sorry about when you are caring for a daughter you love? And one really wouldn’t say, “How interesting,” or “What a tough life you must have,” or any other number of responses. So if you were having this conversation, what would YOU like to hear someone say?
That will help those of us who may feel unsure to prepare the way for richer, better conversations down the road.
Sending hugs tonight to you and your sweet Sarah.
Hi Becky,
Sure, I’d be happy to share. Surprisingly, the worst things to say are “I’m sorry”, “I could never do what you do”, “She is so lucky to have you”, “God Bless you”. The reason being that, you are right, she is not a sad story, she is wonderful. Also, saying ‘I could never do what you do’ makes it sound like it is a terrible experience taking care of Sarah and also, in truth, yes, you probably would do what I do because it is your child and you would do anything for them. “God Bless you” makes me feel that Sarah is seen as this unbearable burden. One woman said to me in a parking lot, “God will bless you” and I replied “He already has”. And finally, “she is so lucky to have you”. Why is that? Because she is so difficult that no one else would take care of her? Uggh. No. I am lucky to have her.
It probably sounds like I am super sensitive and maybe I am a bit, but many other parents of like children actually feel the same way. We are not special people and we think our kids are great. So what is one to say? Good question. I like to hear, ‘what does she like to do’, ‘tell me a little more about her’, ‘does she go to school’, ‘do you have help with her care?’, ‘tell me a little more about Rett Syndrome’. I love to talk about Sarah if people happen to be interested. I follow their lead, always.
Hope that helps 🙂
As far as other children’s response to Sarah when we are out in public, I would say this to the parents: Let the children look at Sarah, let them approach us and ask me questions, don’t pull them away like she is something to be avoided. Let them learn. Children are always curious and I like to answer their questions. Most often I hear, “What is wrong with her?” “Why is she in a stroller?” My answer is usually “Her legs were not made strong like yours are so she needs to sit down”. Always, that is enough for a child. If they remain in the vicinity showing more interest I tell them her name and I tell them she can’t talk but she will listen to what you say to her. Nothing wrong with curiosity. Parents are the problem, making it look like Sarah is scary.
Haha, you probably got more than you bargained for here, but what the heck, since you asked……:)
Lesley,
What a fabulous teaching moment for me and for ALL of us who read what you said.
So many of us are in need of education and I, for one, am thankful to have the insight you have offered. The last thing I want to do is to add to the burden of a parent with a special needs child; I want their interaction with me to be live-giving and affirming and for them to leave feeling encouraged and most of all, HEARD.
I am grateful you took the time to write all that out. Thank you!
For the past 25 years I have been the caretaker of 16 sales men who sell semi trailers for the largest dealer on the East Coast – Prior to this I worked 2 years for a dentist as his receptionist and 2 years for a recycling plant so that I could work local while my boys were in middle school and then 8 years previous to that I worked where I work now. I am headed – I hope – to retirement the end of July 2017- would have retired prior except for health insurance. I also live and am the night time caregiver of my sweet mama who turns 89 this week. I have to say I am surprised that World Book is still in business- and yes we still have ours but I figured everyone used the internet now days.
Becky,
It must be an interesting job to so fully inhabit a masculine world–working with 16 men and helping to sell semi trailers. I’m impressed! I’m sure you can hold your own and make things happen after 25 years of doing that job.
And your retirement is not too far away. After reading your job list, all I can say is that you have most definitely earned it!
I’m retired, so I do whatever I want to do with my time now. 🙂
I’m a retired special education teacher. First I taught general office and retailing to classes of students who were either mildly retarded or too learning disabled to be mainstreamed. Later I taught regular high school subjects (including a NY Regents class) in a special school for students who were identified as severely emotionally handicapped.
And now I’m retired, and I do whatever I want to do with my time!
Oh….did I mention that I’m retired?
Shame on me! At the time I was teaching them, some of my students were identified as “mildly retarded.” I believe that today they would be identified as “mildly developmentally delayed.” My apologies to anyone I might have offended by using my old lady terminology.
Jan,
I can only imagine how many students you have impacted in your years of teaching, mentoring, and nurturing. I know some days and situations were challenging but what a joy it must have been to have seen your students learn, grow and succeed. My hat is off to you!
And thank you for following up on the “mildly retarted” term. You are a person to be admired!
I’m looking forward to reading the responses to your inquiry. I’m sure they will be very interesting since you have such a diverse group of readers.
What do you do? I am a senior accountant for World Book Encyclopedia and I also do personal income taxes.
Follow-up – Yes, we do still make them. The new edition 2017 Encyclopedia will be our 100th edition. (Inevitably someone asks “They still make those?”). Depending on the time of year, I am often asked for tax advice too.
I think both of my jobs lend themselves to be good ice breakers because most people grew up with World Book and EVERYONE can relate to income taxes.
Have a great day!
Mary,
You’re right; your job IS perfect for an ice breaker! I can think of very few people who do not have at least some familiarity with World Book Encyclopedias; they are such an important part of the fabric of our culture, especially the past few decades.
I actually wouldn’t mind having a set of them myself, even with Google to rely on. There’s just something great about picking up an actual real book and inhaling the smell of the pages and the aura of all that knowledge!
I’ve never met a person who worked for World Book; reading your comment is as close as I’ve ever come. 🙂 And I am VERY imipressed you do personal income taxes. I would be overwhelmed in the first three minutes.
Thanks for sharing about such interesting jobs!
Becky,
My mom was a teacher, however at one point she also sold World Book Encyclopedias eventually becoming an Area Manager for them while still teaching! Of course we always had a current set of them (which although now outdated I still have.) As a person who has always loved to read, one of my favorite things to do was to pick a volume at random, open it and just start reading! Much more interesting that way than to just start at the beginning and read straight through the set! Amazing the things you can learn from reading the encyclopedia. You said it best when you said, “There’s just something great about picking up an actual real book and inhaling the smell of the pages and the aura of all that knowledge!”
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
How cool to have TWO readers with an involvement in the World of Encylopedias. I know our kids and grandkids probably don’t even know what we are talking about but for those of us who had those wonderful books in our homes and libraries, it’s a treasured memory.
And I agree with you about opening a book to a random page and just reading whatever is there. Fascinating stuff!