Technical

My Uncle Walt used to include me in his informal speeches on aerodynamics, engineering, violins, ships, and hatred of metrics. Although I scarcely had the vocabulary to follow his explanations, I soaked up his words eagerly, feeling honored that he bestowed such knowledge on me, assuming I could actually understand him, and I tried to remember, and to ask intelligent questions. Which is why I knew about the Spruce Goose when I was seven. He gave me a cutting off his omnivorous curiosity, and I nurtured it in myself.

D loves guitar gear. He will go on about it. And even though I cannot play any instrument (no, not even zills, nor my simple dulcimer, I have tried, honestly) I know far more about guitars that I did 16 years ago. I pretend no expertise, I defer to D's deeper, more energetic knowledge. I love to listen in on technical discussions, and I do learn.

Many of our friends have computer science degrees, or work in the field, or both. I cannot thereby fix your computer issues, but I have learned not to fear the technology, and know to make sure everything is plugged in before calling IT. I feel no need to contribute to their litany of complaints, but I like the assumption that I am not one of THOSE users.

To me, when knowledgeable people speak to me as an equal, or at least as an interested and intelligent person, I am honored that they consider me worth their breath and effort to explain. I like when surgeons take the time to show me this interesting break or abnormality, or "This is the nerve root you were protecting..." I have a lot of the background to understand this, of course, but I am not a surgeon, and this is cool stuff.

Uncle Walt used to say he had just enough information to be dangerous in just about any subject. My prickly gift , and only inheritance I will see from any of my family, was from my erstwhile Fairygodfather. I like to think he would laugh, and nod sardonically.

Though he probably would not forgive me for liking the whole metric system.