Projection

Let's see what dictionary.com says about the word project (emphasis on the second syllable -- I'm not talking about a science fair):

Project – verb (used without object)
1. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
2. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc., in an audience; communicate clearly and forcefully.
3. Psychology. to ascribe one's own feelings, thoughts, or attitudes to others.
4. to extend or protrude beyond something else.

Any one of these definitions can come into play during a normal day.

Number one can be important when you really need someone to hear you, say, for instance, when speaking to a large crowd or giving a presentation.

Number two is vitally important to writers, for who are we if we can't put our thoughts, personality, etc, into our characters?

Number three is a little more abstract, yet still common. Who hasn't refused to look in the mirror when things are falling apart, and instead chosen to blame everyone else for their misfortune? I like to think I'm pretty good about not doing that, but it doesn't mean I don't slip every now and then.

Now, number two seems like the most appropriate entry for a post about writing, but that's not what I'd like to talk about today. No, I'm going to discuss number four. As I mentioned the other day, we had my four-year old nephew for the weekend and yesterday I was introduced to definition number four by the way of projectile vomit.

That's right.

I was very very fortunate in that he refused to eat anything the night before, then downed two glasses of water as soon as he got up so the said projection only contained water. Lots and lots of water. For a minute I thought we'd actually gone ahead with the installation of a kiddie pool in our living room and it'd sprung a leak.

Wow. I've heard all my friends with kids talk about projectile vomit and how truly impressive it is, especially coming from such a small child, but I didn't understand until he was walking through the house, spreading his joy.

We delayed our return trip by a couple hours -- we weren't looking forward to an hour and a half long drive in a hot car with a sick child -- but he made it just fine and seemed to be back to normal once we got to his house. Other than that it was a fun visit and he said he'd like to come back again next month.

How was your weekend? Any projects you'd like to talk about?