I have learned not to wander off in IKEA. There is no cell reception and it’s hard to find your Loved Ones once you part.
Air Hunger
I learned a new term, dyspnea, which means shortness of breath. Even the spell-checker here doesn’t know it!
I am fortunate and grateful to be managing a project that is intended to improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients, and this is a symptom to manage.
You can learn more about it here: http://www.clinicaltrialssearch.org/lung-cancer-symptom-assessment-and-management-intervention-nct00852462.html
Board Game
I learned that if you are going to use whiteboard cleaner, do it when you are not going to need to stay in the immediate area. Use it, for example, on the way out the door at night. That stuff is unnecessarily strong.
What I have NOT yet learned is why a brand new whiteboard and brand new whiteboard markers even NEED whiteboard cleaner! What happened to the technology of oh about 15 years ago – the idea of using a plain old chalkboard type eraser, without noxious chemicals, and it worked just fine?
I said Restart
I learned that for some (really stupid) software, restarting the computer is not the same as shutting it down off and turning it back on again. It means use the Start > Shutdown > Restart option ONLY.
And isn’t is stupid that to shut down you click Start anyway? (this is probably where we hear from those Mac users… go ahead!)
Pickup Line
I have learned that there are more shuttle buses from the Bank of America stop, right around the corner from Jimmy Fund Way, then there are from the main Dana-Farber campus stop.
A line forms there, and a number of Longwood Medical Area shuttles stop there.
Score!
Plug Not
I have learned that some but not all of the buses from New Hampshire to Boston (and back again) have power outlets for use by passengers.
Change We Don’t Believe In
A few quarters and some stray underwires (?) but really it was the Susan B Anthony dollar that did the real damage when caught in the workings of our washing machine – to the tune of over $200!
So the lesson is ALWAYS empty your pockets before you put your clothes in the wash.
And no, you can’t have your dollar back.
I just called to say…
I learned that if you are going to be late to the doctor, it pays to call ahead. It makes it easier for the office to juggle around you and it makes it more likely that you’ll get in at all.
Leaning not to be late in the first place is a different lesson. Stay tuned. The year is not over.
Cordless
I learned that if you want to charge your cell phone you really need to plug in both ends of the cord.
Paddle in Peace
I learned that kayaking and rushing is a terrible combination! I learned that it’s a very bad arrangement to have to catch up with other paddlers. Hard to do and not fun.
At the same time, I learned that kayaking with a bunch of friendly strangers can be really fun.
Just start out together or go another day.
Jane's Lessons Learned 