Tuesday, May 08, 2007

peachy king

now playing: the beekeeper ~ tori amos
mood: shrimps

Been getting feedback on my blog lately. Cool, people read it, lol!

So, in BD we talk a lot about muscle memory, and after a while your body will just kinda remember the movements and free you up to focus on other things, you know the harder stuff that takes more concentration and such. (bare with me, tangent ahead.) Well, I got to wondering if there is a way to get rid of the stuff in your long term memory, and is it taking up valuable space that could be used for those things that need more concentration.

For instance, when I was in 8th grade (about 15yrs ago, so you can do the math,) my English teacher, Mrs. Vinson had us learn the "23 verb list, Go!" She used to also say, "peachy king" a lot. It was a list of 23 verbs, that were important, why I don't know anymore. But she would have us drill them by writing them over and over randomly through out class. (Hence the "Go!" part.)

And now, 15 yrs later, I can still recall the "23 verb list, Go!" It's not like I drill it either. It just pops up there randomly and I recite it to myself. So, is this taking up valuable memory that could be used for dance? I mean, could I do a tummy flutter or Turkish drop if I could just forget the "23 verb list, Go!" or what? Would I be able to remember to keep good posture and pretty arms if that wasn't taking up space in my brain? And if so, how do I get rid of it? Is there a "return to default settings" button in there somewhere?

I'm pretty sure the answer is no, unless I go through hypnosis or something. In which case, I would probably still remember "23 verb list, Go!" and instead see dead people.
~N

is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, has, have, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could

1 comment:

Unknown said...

"Muscle Memory" is also key to musicians. It's how they can make chords on a guitar or piano without having to look at their hands. And yes, you'll probably be a little old lady in a wheelchair at a nursing home and all we'll be able to get out of you is "is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, has, have, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could!!!"