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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that by my age I should know more stuff?

55 replies

DollysDrawers · 01/07/2012 08:39

I am 45 and kind of average at most things. Educated to degree level, OK job, quite creative. But there are so many 'normal' things I don't know or can't do. Nothing major just silly things are of little or no importance but it just struck me that I seem to be going through life in a little bubble of not knowing stuff!

I don't know what celery salt is or what you would use it for.
I can't carve a chicken, it looks like I set the dog on it when I've finished.
I can't cook rice.
I have no idea how to change a wheel (I am shamed by this one).
I still can't put a duvet cover on without a great deal of sweating and swearing.
There are many, many more a lot of them food related so maybe I'm just a shit cook. Smile

Is it just me?

OP posts:
PooPooInMyToes · 01/07/2012 08:42

You'll never know everything, just decide what is important.

(I don't know any of those things either)

JeezyPeeps · 01/07/2012 08:43

Have you ever tried to cook brown rice? Much easier and better for you!

lovebunny · 01/07/2012 08:45

ah, but can you look it up? if you can google, you can know everything. if you can look it up in a book you can know interesting things.

Original poster
DollysDrawers · 01/07/2012 08:45

The brown rice incident is never spoken of in this house Jeezy. T'was a terrible day for sure.

OP posts:
Himalaya · 01/07/2012 08:45

You tube is your friend! ;-)

Original poster
DollysDrawers · 01/07/2012 08:46

I did You Tube carving a chicken once but I got distracted and ended up watching old Adam and the Ants videos for two hours.

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 01/07/2012 08:47

Oooh I need to know about the brown rice incident, I really do!

Losingitall · 01/07/2012 08:47

Get microwave rice
Celery products are the work of the devil
Get a pro to change the tyre
Have the duvet cover inside out when you start to put it on

Chill out!

KneesoftheBee · 01/07/2012 08:47

Yes, I agree with lovebunny.

Why carry stuff around in your head when Google is at your fingertips?

JeezyPeeps · 01/07/2012 08:47

DollyDrawers, I love you. I love anyone that spends 2 hours watching the god that is Stuart Goddard.

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 01/07/2012 08:49

I don't know how to change a plug and would need instructions for that.
I don't know how to sort the laptop if the router is not working.
I don't know how to make meatballs and have never tried to find out.
I don't know plumb a dishwasher.

You are not alone. Grin

I do how how to put on a duver cover! Need a few tips, OP?

headinhands · 01/07/2012 08:49

NEED to know how one goes from carving a chicken to Adam Ant?

MrsHelsBels74 · 01/07/2012 08:51

Get a steamer that can cook rice...easy peasy.
I think duvet changing without sweating & swearing is a myth.

ComposHat · 01/07/2012 08:52

I can't cook rice. I have no idea how to change a wheel (I am shamed by this one). I still can't put a duvet cover on without a great deal of sweating and swearing.

All of these, plus fix a puncture on a bike, change a plug, bake a cake, know how to play poker.

Original poster
DollysDrawers · 01/07/2012 08:52

headinhands you wouldn't believe me if I told you. It would only prove the mass of random crap that goes on inside my head and then you would all KNOW why I don't know stuff!

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 01/07/2012 08:53

I don't find changing duvets hard.

I feel like I should be saying this in a confessional!

Original poster
DollysDrawers · 01/07/2012 08:55

I feel like I should be saying this in a confessional! Grin

I got my friend to show me once and she had the duvet cover inside out and did a kind of flippy thing with her hands and the bed appeared to make itself in a slightly creepy way. I've never looked at her the same since.

OP posts:
pantaloons · 01/07/2012 08:56

My problem is I know loads of shit random stuff that will never ever be useful, but nothing of any consequence.

And it's getting worse, I seem to now be incapable of doing basic sums, let alone changing tyres!

Bluebell99 · 01/07/2012 08:57

I can help with the duvet cover. I worked in a boarding school many years ago. Turn the duvet inside out, reach inside and pick up two fartherest corners in each hand, then with each hand still inside duvet, pick up two corners of duvet, then shake cover over duvet. Hths

Bluebell99 · 01/07/2012 08:59

Oops should read, turn the duvet cover inside out!

Himalaya · 01/07/2012 08:59

Ok, so rice...

Buy basmati, not quick cook or any of that nasty American long grain.

One cup/mug feeds two adults.
Measure into a sieve and rinse for a minute.
Put the kettle on
Put rice in saucepan with two mugs boiling water from kettle to every mug of rice
Bring back to gentle simmer.
put lid on
cook till water is all gone (about 20 minutes)
Go watch Adam Ant videos

Westcountrylovescheese · 01/07/2012 08:59

Celery salt is just a flavouring though that makes things taste of celery. Your life, I suspect, is happier and tastier without it.

Sometimes maybe we don't know stuff as our lives are better that way... that's what I tell DH anyway. If I knew how to do DIY things I would have to DO DIY things. That is why I don't know and don't want to know. Wink

...now need to 'forget' how to use Hoover/washing machine/sink/bleach and my life would be nearer to happy. Grin

toomuchmonthatendofthemoney · 01/07/2012 09:00

Yep, I do,the inside out duvet cover thing, it really works.

As for the rest, bah, pass me cake (made by someone else) who cares?

Acumenoop · 01/07/2012 09:02

There are often instructions on the inside of the plug case.

Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Stick a fork in the top to hold it steady. Make a diagonal slice between the breast and the back thigh, pressing the sharp edge on an angle towards the centre back /. Same on the other side. Then back up to the top of the bird, holding your knife at a shallow angle with the sharp edge towards the outside \ saw firmly into slices.

Acumenoop · 01/07/2012 09:03

restrains self from lecturing on duvets

(omg I'm sorry it is a sickness)