Listens. . . . . really well

I have really been working on my listening skills. Afterall, listening skills are imperative to a successful relationship right?!  

I wouldn't want any misunderstandings to put a rift between myself and anyone else.  

However, sometimes even when I am listening I don't understand.  

Truly.  

story to follow below: 

I may or may not have been "half watching" a Star Trek movie with Eric this weekend.  (The reasons for the half watching will go left unsaid in this post).  Even without someone really cute sitting by me and distracting me I have a hard time always understanding and following movies. 

So, at one point in the movie (and a lot of other points too, but this is just about the "one point") I was confused about what was happening, so I said to Eric.  "What is going on? What is that? I don't really understand?!"  

People were jumping out of ships (the starship enterprise if I remember correctly. . . . deathstar is star wars, enterprise is star trek right?) and fighting and all sorts of REALLY riveting stuff.  I just didn't understand who was in charge, why they were jumping or fighting or what was going on.  So, that is why I asked. Simple question. 

Without even making fun of me or rolling his eyes (well he may have rolled his eyes, maybe I just didn't see) Eric told me that "It is a drill."

Oh, it all made perfect sense now.  I get it. A drill.  They were just practicing.  You know, like a drill.  I now had a frame of reference.  We have fire drills, earthquake drills, lockdown drills etc. . . at school all the time.  It is good to be prepared.  I was glad that the Starship Enterprise was gong to be prepared as well.  Prepared for what I wasn't sure, nor did I really care if we are being honest -- but remember this wasn't about the half watching the movie part of the night that was important to me it was about who I was with and what I was doing when I wasn't half watching. . . . catch my drift.  The important thing is that now I knew it was a drill and I was happy to keep on half watching. 

Anyway, I was grateful that he would answer my question and that I actually listened to the answer.  I was still kind of confused at the movie and what was happening, but decided to let Eric watch in peace and quiet.  

About a half hour of half watching later it occurred to me that it wasn't really a "drill" that they were doing.  This was for real.  A real life, real fantasty, real star-trek situtation with a real DRILL.  You know the kind that bores into other planets kind of a drill.  The kind of drill I borrow from my dad to hang my curtains kind of a drill (ya, I'm super good with tools like that if it comes to hanging cute projects and or curtains).  

Drill:  one word, one phonetic way to say it, two meanings.  

I guess that listening isn't always enough. . . . I should probably restate what I hear in a context rich sentence to see if I understand.  

ie:  "Oh, she is a little horse" might be what you hear.  "Really, a little horse?! that's nice." when what they mean is "Oh she is a little hoarse" 

Or "He is working on his patience"  and you think. . . "ya, he really does need to work on his patience"when what they mean is "He is working on his patients"

Here are a few more that I thought of (in alphabetical order or course -- as opposed to coarse)

hoarse, horse

lie, lie

lessen, lesson

meat, meet

piece, peace

patience, patients

pour, poor

principal, principal

role, roll

sail, sale

shear, sheer

stationary, stationery

waist, waste

watch, watch

vain, vane

*** So, be careful when you are listening to also clarify.  It might help (just a little).  

Oh, and for the record:  The next night we half watched Pride and Prejudice and I had to answer his questions that time.  He's manly and sensitive like that to half watch Pride and Prejudice with me.  

(his idea, not mine. . . . but I think he knew that the other half of the evening that wasn't watching might be better with a movie like pride and prejudice in the background:  just saying)

There are no drills in pride and prejudice.  They do everything "for real" the first time. They don't have to practice. 

Also, until I go back to Oregon there will be no half watching of any movies. I guess I'll have to actually pay attention to the movies I watch. You can't half watch alone.  Lame.  

Also, we didn't take any pictures this trip, but here is one from last time.  

He really is that hot.  

(see the definition(s) of hot below)

Forget Mr. Darcy.  

 Hot:  attractive, handsome, irresistible, stunning
 Hot:  warm to the touch


No misinterpretation. He fits both descriptions.