ANNARCHY - Latest Comments in Korean Otters

Re: Korean Otters

Dana — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:06:14 -0000

This entry really struck a chord with me. I grew up much the same way you did -- sensitive, easily embarrassed, unsure of myself and timid.
I still deal with some of that today, which can be terribly infuriating as a 33-year-old mother of three. I am still waiting to outgrow that.

Re: Korean Otters

Nettie Hartsock — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:50:37 -0000

I loved this post and having a 12 year old daughter (Emma) I can totally relate to all the school stuff. And being a shy 12 year old myself - totally relate to all the school stuff. :>)

When Emma was in 3rd grade I sent her to school dressed in her pajamas on Pajama day but as it turns out I was a week ahead as I had written it down wrong on the calendar, so she was the only one there that day wearing pajamas. bad mom.

Re: Korean Otters

Terri — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:02:28 -0000

utterly sweet, wonderful writing, Ann. thank you. I'm the opposite personality-wise, but sometimes I live my whole day wrapped in mondegreens - best relax and enjoy!

Re: Korean Otters

Alan (Toad) — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:59:27 -0000

Great post Ann. I've often wished that I was less sensitive to and aware of the opinions of others.

Unfortunately, it's our ability to observe the human situation, to accurately perceive what others are feeling-- both about us and about themselves-- that makes us good writers. Those who lack that ability are often, it seems, able to press on without the embarrassment or self-consciousness that plagues so many of us.

To them, "Korean Otters" would (at best) be a funny joke that they'd retell at parties without the slightest tinge of embarrassment, or (equally likely) just something else that annoyed them about Maryse- it would be her fault, not theirs!)

You've obviously hit a nerve here though- I think I'm comment #35! Thanks so much.

Re: Korean Otters

Julie — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:13:51 -0000

I didn't realize there were any Korean Otter biologists to disappoint?

Re: Korean Otters

Leigh Duncan - Durst — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:36:03 -0000

That was just laugh out loud funny. I snorted. Thank you.

Re: Korean Otters

Ann Handley — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:41:55 -0000

For the record, this blog post is now the #1 search result on Google for "Korean Otters." Sweet glory! Indeed a moment to celebrate -- as getting to the top spot on Google isn't an easy task, and the position is quite coveted. As Peter Kim noted, by taking #1, I have made many biologists very, very disappointed.

Re: Korean Otters

Kelly Tovar Mullaney — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:25:15 -0000

When you are learning another language, you also learn to read the body language of people, and like Chelle, I also laughed when other people did. And when I made mistakes, I would find it funny and laugh at myself, which really helped to lessen the embarrassment.
This reminds me when I first came to the US as an exchange student, my host family they had this joke about two cars crossing the street and one of them ending up as a vegetable for the rest of its life, I thought it was strange, but funny that a car would turn into a veggie, and we would all laugh, especially when I told the joke. It wasn't until years later when I learned that the joke was about two carrots, not two cars. Now that was embarrassing and funny. They thought I could not pronounce the word! Another opportunity to laugh at ourselves!

Re: Korean Otters

Julie — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:41:55 -0000

Well Makund...
Ummmm... It's like this you see...
Midwife eh?
Well... what you don't know about Ann... And me of course...
She has been helping me give birth to my inner blog...

Re: Korean Otters

Shelley — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:56:54 -0000

I only wish Kinsey would follow in Caroline's footsteps with aspirations to be a blogger. Right now? Her dream is dog grooming. Yeesh.

But at least it's a LITTLE easier to dress up like a dog groomer on Career Day. A sloppy lesbian-ish gal in a pediatrician/nurse smock covered with poodle fur?

Don't hate me. That's what our schnauzer's caretakers look like. :)

Re: Korean Otters

Mario Vellandi — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:03:58 -0000

Great story! I can so understand the misunderstanding as I'm familiar with French syllables and pronunciation - esp. when I sounded them out.

Re: Korean Otters

Lani — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:30:32 -0000

As the mother of two Korean children, we celebrate Korea day at least twice a year on the anniversary of my children's arrivals. I was preliminarily excited to learn that schools were catching on to our otherwise small family ritual celebration. We also often dress up, however it is more frequently in HanBoks than in otter suits, but we are open to whatever makes everyone feel comfortable and at home. I think we should nationalize "Korean Otter Day" to ensure that everyone feels "in the loop", overcomes any tendency towards embarrassment, and works through miscommunications with hearty humor and a fifth of scotch. It all sounds good to me.

Re: Korean Otters

Maral — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:40:47 -0000

You make me laugh out loud!

Re: Korean Otters

Chelle Parmele — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:20:12 -0000

Oh my. This was great. Hurray for Korean Otters!

I can sympathize with the butt of the joke comment, although with me, it was mainly because I never understood the jokes being told. I learned quickly to laugh when other people laughed. I think that's why to this day, I only ever remember two jokes. :D

Re: Korean Otters

Ann Handley — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:11:57 -0000

Wow -- thanks for the comments, all. I gotta say -- it's very cool the way folks relate to my posts, which I always partly regard as a little too weird and personal. (And yeah, feel embarrassed over them, too... lol.)

Zane -- No scotch. You are right: schools are quite humorless. Not that I blame them, but...

Christian -- Dispatching Otter suit to you. Check your mail.

Kristin -- My imaginary best friend is happy that you can relate!! : )

Re: Korean Otters

Kristin Gorski (KG) — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:41:06 -0000

Ah, getting embarrassed over being embarrassed ... I'm right there with you, Ann! My face is flushing just thinking of all those embarrassed-of-embarrassed times. ;)

This is such a great story and such a wonderful example of the active imaginary worlds we still carry around in our own heads, even as adults.

P.S. I love the game "Telephone" where we all sit in a circle and someone starts with a sentence, and after ten or twenty whisperings, it comes out completely different when done. Such fun! How could anyone ever be bored with everything that goes on in our own brains?

Re: Korean Otters

Christian Gulliksen — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:20:18 -0000

I never woulda pegged you for being a quiet and nervous child! You get more and more interesting.

Oh, and I'm totally going as an otter for Korean Day. It's a great idea :)

Re: Korean Otters

Cam Beck — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:04:29 -0000

What a great reflection of the human psyche. Now what you said in last week's video is making sense: Your highest aspirations, your worst fears... they are all subject to scrutiny on a blog.

It reminds me a bit of my own experiences growing up, and how I felt embarrassed because I thought others look at me like everyone looks at Napoleon Dynamite (not literally, just with the same awkwardness). Like you, I suspected I was the butt of some joke and that I should be ashamed of it.

Eventually, I learned to embrace the joke. Sure, you may be laughing at me, but at least you're laughing. :)

Re: Korean Otters

Zane Ssafrit — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:25:14 -0000

Being the youngest myself, you bring back so many memories with this post. It's very sweet, very touching.

I noticed that you kept that sensitivity alive, possibly made stronger for the 'conditioning' you survived.

Ok. But now bottomline....did she take a bottle of scotch? I hope not, and expect not, as schools have no sense of humor any more. On the other hand, what a scene that would be! I know I'd probably fall out of my chair laughing...

Re: Korean Otters

Adele McAlear — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:02:51 -0000

I live in Montreal. Korean Otters are common. At least she didn't say Korean Phoque. Pronounced like the F-word, phoque means seal in French.

Which of course leads to the story of the French Canadians at Sea World who were looking for the seal exhibit. Not knowing the word in English, they asked passers-by where they could find a phoque. The perfect set-up for a hidden camera show.

Re: Korean Otters

Beccy — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:18:14 -0000

So the whole embarassment thing resides with me no-matter what its origin. Add to that, my continual ability to mix up metaphors and I continue to perpetuate the embarassment...now all I can do is laugh at myself along with the rest of the world.

Re: Korean Otters

Toby — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:45:05 -0000

Ann - once again your writing touches chords that have not been played in many years. speaking of blogging = being a writer .. i would love to see your posts as a collection in a book one day ;-)

does Laurie-Maude have her own blog? perhaps there should be a social media network/community (safely guarded) where children can write together? by the way your daughter has the most interesting friends!

Re: Korean Otters

Yvonne DiVita — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:42:05 -0000

I thought I was the only one who got embarrassed about being embarrassed. For years, I avoided embarrassment to the point that I almost became a total recluse. (everything embarrassed me - especially compliments). Then, when I figured out that I couldn't hide from my children's friends and had to do PTA meetings and such, I went out and... got embarrassed but...I dealt with it.

What great stories you share here. They always unearth memories - some good, some not so good. Still, what are we but the sum of our memories?

Re: Korean Otters

pprlisa — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:30:31 -0000

Ann,

This reminds me of the embarrassment with always getting the lyrics to songs wrong and belting them out in front of people - of course, I still do that now. :)

Awesome Korean Day choice for your daughter by the way.

I feel for you on the teasing as a child, I am from a famly of very smart, quick witted and painfully sarcastic people and it can take a toll sometimes, something I try to remember with my own kids. Thanks for the reminder again.

-Lisa

Re: Korean Otters

Bob Younce at The Writing Jour — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:22:49 -0000

I think I must be a very visual learner. This happens to me all. the. time.

But only on the phone. In person, I never have this problem.

Then again, maybe I've got a crappy phone.