Monday, June 1, 2009

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?

18 comments:

JLC said...

Ew. I am a mom and I STILL hate vomiting. Give me poopy pants any day!

There wasn't a lot of proJECTing going on, but I completed a lot of PROjects. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, he also threw up during the night, but didn't wake us up, so the sheets were fun. I figured it was bound to happen sooner or later.

erica m. chapman said...

Oh, that sounds awful. I fear that the most when I have a kid, well I mean the trivial fears, not the real ones. I HATE anything having to do with that. Have you ever noticed how often it is on tv?? More than one would think.

I'm so sorry that you had to go through that, but very happy that the trip was uneventful.

I wasn't sure where you were going with the definitions... very clever. I've heard when it's your kid, it's not as bad. I hope that's true :)

Have a great Monday,

Er

Jenna said...

LMAO...that was good practice for motherhood :).

Sorry...I'll stop laughing now...but it is good practice...now you just have to brush up on poop, pee, snot and UGS's (unidentifiable goobery smears--you will find these on the walls, on the floor, around the toilet, and sometimes on YOU).

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Erica, it wasn't too bad since it was all water. He puked all over both our feet and Ibis finally carried him to the porch so it would at least all be in one place. I guess nephews are pretty close to your own kids so it wasn't too bad.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Jenna, we did have a bit of snot the night before during a ten-minute crying jag. :P

Yes, I chalked it all up to good practice.

JLC said...

*Laughing at Jenna's post*
UGS... LOVE IT!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, I'm glad you said that because I didn't feel my response to Jenna's comment was nearly appreciative enough.

She's a funny funny lady. :)

erica m. chapman said...

Melanie- I'm so glad it wasn't that bad. Kudos on getting him outside in time. I had an incident in my car with the puppy after a vet appt. that was... well... I didn't get her out in time, let's just say.

I too LOL at Jenna- "unidentifiable goobery smears."
I love it!! I try to avoid the UGS as much as possible. Husbands can have them too as well as puppies!

Great post Melanie :)

Nadine said...

LOL - That cracked me up! But I'm so sorry you had to clean it up! It's funny how kids walk around while throwing up - I don't want to move when I am sick. Glad to hear he was fine by the time you dropped him off!

Robin said...

Once when Alex was little he swam in my friend's pool and swallowed a ton of water. He got out of the pool and vomited like a little boy fountain. Then he wiped his mouth and jumped back in the pool. Diane and I hosed down the deck, but we couldn't stop laughing. Bad mother. Bad.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

OMG RObin, not only did you make me crack up, I actually snorted. Too funny!

And I think you're allowed to laugh when they're fine. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Erica, I will never forget one of my many drives from Virginia to Michigan with my parents. I was in the backseat and our Miniature Schnauzer was riding up front with my dad. The dog started to throw up so my dad threw the dog at ME!! What the hell was I supposed to do? Not pretty.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, I had never seen that before. He didn't cry or anything and seemed fine afterwards. But yeah, it was the walking around that was odd.

WendyCinNYC said...

Oh yeah, that's lots of fun.

I still get shivers remembering my daughters' episodes of projectile vomiting.

Ew.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Wendy, I think we got off easy. For the first time it wasn't bad.

Jewel Allen said...

Oh, Melanie!!

I am so sorry.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Pink. :)