Sandra Dodd

-=-I've seen people in discussions "well" and "yeah, but"
themselves into a corner with ever changing stories and wildly
escalating
details until they've left a trail in writing even they can't follow
anymore. I'm not saying that happened here.-=-

It has happened here, and probably will again, which is one reason
I'm so watchful of the door, as it were.

What makes these discussions work is the true stories. We can't
guarantee that people who pop in here and tell stories will be
telling the truth.

A dozen years ago there was some discussion of that and while it's
two layers deep in philosophical what-ifs, those of us in the
discussion (several of whom are still around, still unschooling,
still helping other people) kinda concluded that even if a poster
were a mom-posing ) 85-year -old man who had no children, if the
advice was good and useful, that would be more helpful than that of a
mom who had children but no clear grasp on reality or honesty.

Over the years I have met lots and lots of moms and sometimes whole
families that I once knew only from words on a screen, as you see
these. Lots of other families have met me, my kids, my husband, and
seen my house, and a few have seen me sleep-deprived or tipsy and
goofy. I have no place to hide.

There are some who come to a discussion like this, or
unschooling.info, or back in the old days to unschooling.com or aol's
homeschooling forum, and within a day or two people are saying
"Wait... you said this..."

Several of them, twenty or more over the years, have risen up banshee
like screeching "You know NOTHING ABOUT ME!" (or something in that
area of emotion).

Yeah, well... at that point we know there's less-than-optimal mental
stability and calm. But we knew that before, which is why people
were saying, "Hey, slow down. Hold on. Read before you post. Think
before you write. Breathe before you screech."

Some people have an easy time in online discussions because they post
simple truths and plain ideas and helpful suggestions, and they don't
get angry if other ideas trump theirs or others dissect their
suggestions in bright unschooling light.

Some people have an easy time because they're willing to pour out
their days for others' encouragement, edification or amusement.

Some have an easy time because they just don't post at all! <g> I'm
surprised every single time, even if it's the same person telling me
again, when someone refers to one of these discussions in person when
she didn't post anything at all. Me being me, I can't not post.
I'm like Roger Rabbit responding to the knocked rhythm of "shave and
a haircut..." But some can, and so their lives are peaceful.

Some have a hard time because they come with anger, with cloudy
thinking, with a mind full of "yeah but" which they've used before in
other situations. Some like to blame other people, thing and
situations and have done so for years.

If any of you who have never seen Vicky Pollard (a character from
Little Britain) get a chance to see some, think of AlwaysLearning
when you see it. Not the good posts, but those that get the list
busy and crazy and all that. (No, but... yeah, but... no, but...)

Oh! The internet now features "no waiting" access to Vicky Pollard.
http://www.videovat.com/videos/1470/vicky-pollard-court-scene.aspx

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/littlebritain/characters/vicky.shtml

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/51679/vicky_pollard_on_bus/

http://www.filecrush.com/files/hilariouspollard.html (a dance-off, I
hadn't seen before, and should note for Americans that "estate" means
low-income housing apartments, like "the projects" in some cities)

And for those who like documentation, Vicky is a character done by
Matt Lucas, who is just amazing. I have to really concentrate and
think to realize she's "the same person" as the other characters he
does. He's as good as Mike Meyers or better and just becoming
someone else.
Here's more info on what a "chav" is:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14374273/

Sandra








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