Problem Solving

Someone recently asked me how I solve a problem. First and foremost, I said that it depended on the problem. Everyone’s definition of words is different. What I might consider an enigma, another person might see as a routine issue. 

Typically I find that a lot of my problem solving stems from something ‘not being quite right’ in the pit of my stomach. I can look at data and may not completely understand it upon first glance but immediately I can feel that something is off. From there I will review the data until I can figure out where ‘the off’ is back ‘on’. If that doesn’t happen after slicing and dicing for a while, then I may bring in a second pair of eyes. Often others can see things that you can’t because you’ve been looking so intently at the data that it becomes one big fog of information.

Another scenario is where there is a bottleneck or barrier to getting something done. In this kind of problem, often it is about generating ideas and other options to clear out the bottleneck. I might draw out a current situation and then some variations that could fix the mess. Invariably, once I have something prepared in some form or other, I might present it to someone else for validation or even just as a sounding board. Does my thought process make sense? Is this a feasible solution? 

What it comes down to is that my way of solving issues is a very individual thing at first and then I will collaborate and bring it to others for confirmation. 

After I thought about it for a while, I wondered what other ways there were to solve problems. When I was working on math or Science problems in school, it was always me first and then consult with either a teacher or a classmate. Perhaps the real problem here is how one defines solving a problem in the first place. Honestly, I am not sure. Shall we discuss it further?

Loss of Appetite

I decided to treat myself to a quiet book reading lunch by myself today. Sometimes there just isn’t any better to way to ease into the week than to schedule some ‘me’ time. I went to a local restaurant, book in hand, sat down and flipped to the page I was last reading. 

And that’s about as far as I got. Unfortunately I went to lunch a tad later than I normally would have and the place was crowded. Even though I was eating alone, I was really eating with the tables beside me as well. To one side was a duo of younger people who might as well have been texting each other through the whole meal because they spent that much time on their cell phones. They might have even been texting each other, I’m not entirely sure. Then their food arrived and the proceeded to chew with their mouths open. The lip smacking and noodle slurping made me want to run my nails down a chalkboard. It really wouldn’t have been as painful as this cacophonous chomping. Dear Almighty Being, why does this always happen to me. 

I tried to focus on the book. It was, after all, quite funny. Then the other table started in with their laughing and complaining about their co-workers. As much as I tried not to eavesdrop, it was impossible. My soup arrived and I tried to focus on that but ‘chomp chomp’ was all I heard on one end. I put my book in front of my face to cover what looked like a pride of lions attacking a gazelle on National Geographic. Actually the lions might have been less noisy. I’ve never see people or animals slobber over food like that in my life! 

The book boomeranged the chomping noises away but let the other ear open to the table on the side. They kept laughing and being mean. I called my waiter over and asked him to pack up my lunch. He asked if something was wrong. I said ‘I suddenly lost my appetite’. I explained that it might come back a little later and I didn’t want to waste the food. I requested the food and check at the same time so that when they arrived, I paid and picked up my stuff and left. 

So much for a relaxing lunch! Sadly, it was much tastier at my desk than I ever imagined. I guess I learned my lesson, best to eat lunch before the crowds arrive so I can enjoy both my book and my meal.

The Missing Shoe

Early this year I decided that I would start to run. I have never really attempted to run before because the occasional rush to catch a bus down my block has already left me breathless, which isn’t fun. After those dashes, I’ve also found myself in horrible knee pain. 

Regardless, I was determined to lose my saddlebags! It was a lot of unnecessary weight that was probably causing more knee pain that some pounding from a run would ever do. In order to get into the mindset of running, I needed the right sneakers. I went to get fitted at a local specialty store, which was an interesting experience in itself. 

The next day I put on the sneakers and I immediately felt the difference. I felt supported and comfortable in a way I hadn’t ever felt in a pair of shoes. I then went to the gym to run. I ran 6 minutes and I felt good. My knees didn’t hurt after the run. But boy the next day! I was hurting. I was incredibly sore. It was both exhilarating and scary. I felt like I could finally get rid of the thighs and butt but then I wondered how I would feel if I ran more than 6 minutes. Would I need a stretcher? Would I need to be in traction for the rest of my life? 

I didn’t have to really worry about it after that because I never got to run again. One day my daughter started to play with my shoes in the closet. Since that day, I have not been able to find one of the shoes in that pair. I have looked everywhere imaginable and am unable to find it. With my Lenten sacrifice, I can’t buy another pair either even though I am getting to the gym in a more routine fashion.

So perhaps it’s not just my knee but the whole universe that doesn’t want me to run. Even my daughter knows more about how much harm it can do that I’m aware. I’m sure that if the sneaker doesn’t reappear before the end of Lent, that as soon as I go and purchase another pair, it will pop up.

Banana Split

My daughter is quite talkative. She has an extensive vocabulary already, which I attribute to my obsession with storytelling. I enjoy our nightly routine of cuddling and reading books together and this has paved the way for her logophilia (word love).

There are a few words that she says that make me smile and a number that my husband enjoys (and they are not the same words, which is cool). And I think she has a favorite word. Can you guess which one it is?

My husband recently bought my daughter orange tulips and gave them to her. Her response: ‘Oh banana!’

While reading a book that depicts a half moon in the illustration, she yells out “Banana!”

While eating some of the yellow peeled fruits, she practices by saying “BAnaNA! BaNAna! Binana! Benana!” with a slightly full mouth. She then smiles to show me the BANANA mush in her mouth. 

She definitely has taken a gander to other words as well but the potassium rich fruit seems to be the prominent word spoken around my house with my daughter. It is clear she appreciates words, or maybe just that one word. Maybe the banana doesn’t fall too far from the tree?