Logic or Something Else

Me no Math

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I was working with two of my co- workers and we were counting the tills at the end of the night. Whatever amount you are over you have to subtract so much to make your till an even $200.00. The girl finishes hers and says right away so I have to take let’s say $178 dollars out. I was standing there, and I said, did you do that math in your head? Both girls turned around and looked at me and said yes. I said I cannot do that. I have to get my calculator or write it down in order to see the result. They both looked at me like I was crazy. I’m like, sorry I cannot do math in my head. My brain is not wired for it. Something is missing. Whatever wire there is that connects to the part of my brain that takes a multiplication equation and makes it make sense is missing, it has left the building. If there ever was a building in the first place. 

School Mathematics

Is this from something that stems from my childhood? Could be. I recall doing math in school. I was mediocre at it. No talent, not really a grasp of understanding. Just muddling my way through the class until I could get out and do something productive, like drink or smoke. Maybe those last two things are the reason my brain doesn’t understand math. I know 2 and 2 add up to four. I know the basics but to grasp the core principles of math. Not sure I understand it. Words are my primary, my favorite. Words I understand. I can construct a sentence with no problem. But give me a math quiz and I’m floundering. I'm way over my head. A sinking ship with no lifeboat. Dead in the water. Make it make sense. 

Are all people like this? Or am I an enigma. Weirdo, a little short on the uptake. I’d like to know. 

Google, I Love It

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If you google mathematics (you know how I love Google), you will find it states mathematics is the abstract science of number, quantity, and space. What does that even mean? I love the simpler version, for those of us math dummies. Math is a study of numbers and how they are related to each other and to the real world. Makes sense. Why anyone loves math is foreign to me. I couldn’t not love it more. If I never had to use it in my life again. It wouldn’t bother me. Unfortunately, I work in retail, so Math is everywhere. Counting change. Reconciling your till at the end of the night. You know, things that give me a big giant headache thinking about it. Is there a way to work this out? Other than getting a different job. I’m not sure. You would have thought, me, not being a numbers girl wouldn’t go into retail. I live in a small town so jobs are scarce so I take what I can get. I’m just doing it as a side kick anyway since I am at retirement age. I’m too unsettled to not work. Not yet ready to do the nothingness of retirement.  Hand over my keys, stay at home permanently. My dog Ernie would love that, I’m sure. But would I? 

Muddle My Way Through

Back to math. I guess I’ll just keep muddling along with my current job. The till tells me what to hand back to customers anyway. If I had to do it on my own I’m not sure people would be getting the correct change back. Especially when give hand me a hundred-dollar bill when their order comes to $8.76. I sigh and count it out. On the norm my till is usually only a penny off. So, I’m doing something right. 

What’s that sir? I gave you the wrong change. I haven’t done it yet. But there is always a first time for everything. 

Until then keep your money and you won’t have to worry about being shortchanged. 

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Don’t come to my register.

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