Brain Power

photo courtesy of  universal mind power

My neighbor is in the early stages of alzheimer's, or is it dementia? I can't remember. Regardless, losing my mind is one of my fears. That and becoming lactose intolerant and diabetic, and being forced to give up wine and cheese.

In an effort to strengthen my mind, I signed up for Lumosity. Each day I do a series of small, nonthreatening games (I hate games) that work my IQ, memory, cognitive control, concentration, critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Some games I am pretty good at. Others, I suck at. Either way, I feel good about spending 7 to 10 minutes a day strengthening my brain. Next on my list: quads, ass, arms, and abs.

Yesterday, as I entered the lobby of my doctor's office building, 15 minutes late for my appointment, from the corner of my eye I noticed a stack of pennies sitting on top of a thermostat. At the end of my exam I mentioned this to the good doctor, mainly because I was curious if there was some sort of scientific reasoning behind it. Does the copper in the pennies help regulate the temperature?

My doctor confessed that he never notice the pennies or, for that matter, the thermostat. He asked me what the temperature was set at and to my surprise, I knew. It was set to the far right, above 80 degrees.

"How many pennies are on the thermostat?" asked my doctor.

"Eight," I guessed.

On my way out, I stopped and counted the pennies. There were indeed eight pennies stacked one on top of each other and the thermostat registered 69 degrees but was set as high as it could go.

I was half-way out the door when I decided I needed a picture as proof if I were going to blog about it.

As I was about to snap the picture, two 20-something hedge fund hotshots entered the lobby from their first floor, investment firms office door.

"That's a fascinating picture," teased the first baby-faced, money maker.
"Bet she Instagram's it," sneered the other.

They don't realize I get the Instagram reference, having seen the Instagram Youtube parody video just days before.

Ignoring them both, I snapped the picture with my iphone (and yes, later instagrammed it) and strutted out the door.

I wish I waited long enough for the camera to focus but I could feel their snickering on the nape of my neck.

As I headed to my car, my internal dialogue ignited...

Sure, you're good managing other people's money but are you as observant as I am? You manipulate billions of dollars but don't notice the pennies in your lobby? Clearly this Lumosity business is working. My IQ is growing by leaps and bounds. I am brighter than the average hedge fund hotshot...

And then I opened my car door and was reminded of what happened earlier that day.

After a liquid lunch (hot tea, and soup) with Miss Pegged at a restaurant on Greenwich Avenue, we walked back across the street, heading for my car. When I opened the drivers side door I noticed a pair of mans, light tan, leather gloves on the passenger seat and my internal dialogue ignited...

Hey, where did those gloves come from? This black leather interior must be hot in the summer. Nice chrome and tortuous shell trim. Clearly a dog's never seen the inside of this car.

And then it hit me...

THIS IS NOT MY CAR!

Quickly, I jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut. "Who doesn't lock their car!" I yelled.

I took a giant step back and checked to see if the police were behind for me. That's when I noticed that the car was a black, Audi sedan. I drive a navy blue, BMW. And I parked it 8 spots down. The only thing I got right was that we were both parked on the same side of the street.

Probably best if I bump up my lumosity tests. Go for the platinum membership, if there is such a thing. I can't remember.

xo, MonkeyME