Events of July 29
1965 Thursday - The Beatles movie "Help" primeirs in England, Queen Elizabeth attends.
1981 Wedneday - Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer
1983 Friday - Suave, debonair, David Niven dies.
Two days ago I had a flashback to an interesting day. On Friday July 27, 2001 I went to New York with a young lady to see the ALbert Ellis Institute. Albert Ellis was one of the pioneers of modern psychology. He created Rational Emotive Therapy. Basically the therapy is based on the idea that all human misery is caused by irrational ideas. Some of the ideas include that one must bew liked by everyone,If there is an impending disaster we should be terribly upset about it, and it is awful if we had an unhappy childhood and we will never recover. Ellis was famous for having people challenge their assumptions and he was known for being very blunt about it. My friend was going for her own sessions and also for trainings to be certified so she could perform Rational Emotive Therapy.
It was a sunny and unusually cool July day. We went for a walk around town, went to the noon mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. My frined had sang for the New York Philarmonic and was showing off her voice in the cathedral. Then we ate our bag lunches and walked around the park. Then in the mid afternoon we went up to her session. I had been wanting to meet Ellis since I was in college more than 20 years earlier. He sat with headphones on. This 87 year old man . During my friend's session he gave himself an insulin injection while he talked to her.
While I am not parmitted to share what was discussed in the session, I can share that Ellis had a mouth like a sailor and was entertaining to see in action.
After the session we walked around Central Park. I noticed that I was starting to get the siffles and a little bit of a headache. It got worse as the afternoon wore on. Our plan was to go back at 7:00 and see him do more sessions with an audience. I suggested we go home as I was starting to feel worse. However, she said if we go home I will regret it for the rest of my life.
So back we went. By this time I was getting the chills and could barely sit up. We went into the room and people were gathering. Finally Ellis walked in. He picked up a 3x5 card on the tabe and said "Where's Frank". Unbeknownst to me my friend had arranged for me to be the protagonist and have a counseling session on stage. Aside from feeling very sick I really did not have anything to need a counseling session for. So I made some nonsense up which this crowd of New Yorkers was not buying into. They covered me with a blanket and as son as my turn was over I went out to lie on the sofas in the waiting room.
Eventually we made it bak to New Jersey after a cab, subway, train and car ride. I drove home with what little energy I had left, Packed a couple of things and went to my local hospital, Shore Memorial. I was there for a week with the wost case of summertime pneumonia that the doctor had ever seen. Being that pneumonia is the leading cause of death among elderly men I has hoping that Ellis did not catch it. Fortunately he did not. However, he died six year later on the same week of kidney failure ( Tuesday July 24, 2007).
So I would remember that day even if I did not have a good memory. However, I remember every day of my life and can connect events by having all these references of dates. For example, here is a series of connections.
Saturday July 28, 2001 sickest day of my life. I connect that with Wednesday January 1, 1969 and Thursday January 1, 1981 being ill on those days too. I then connect from July 27, 2001 with Friday March 22, 2002. On that date I also went to the Ellis Institute and stayed well. I aplogised to everyone for being snappy the other time and helped a lady who was having problems with her teenage sons get on the stage fro a session. So I atoned. Essentially everything that I remember is in a square in my mind with a date in it.
On upcoming blogs, I will teach you how to make connections. To start, you can pick something you are interested and know about. Then I will show you how to connect new information to what you already know. It makes learning more interesting.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Hot topic
Events of July 25 -
1975 Friday - A Chorus Line premiers on Broadway. It runs for 6137 performances.
1985 Thursday - A spokeswoman for Rock Hudson publicises that he has AIDS.
1990 Wednesday - Roseann Barr sings the National Anthem at the San Diego Padres game.
Last week the Midwest had one of the biggest heat waves ever. The east coast experienced it the past few days. In my area, Atlantic City had it's second hottest days ever on July 22 and 23. The official high was 105 degrees. Only Saturday June 28, 1969 was hotter at 106 degrees. The heat index was over 120 degrees on Friday.
Almost everything that I know is connected to a date. Not only do I remember the date of the information but I remember the dates I learned it. For example, recently somebody asked me when was the last Beatles concert. I said Monday August 29,1966. Then they asked me did I know about it then because I was only six years old. I did not know about it as a six year old but then I proceeded to tell them the date I learned it. On Friday October 6, 1978 I bought a book entitled The Beatles Forever by Nicholas Schaffner at my college store at La Salle College. The book contained the information in it about the last concert.
You may be thinking, well that's how you remember information, but what about someone who knows nothing about dates. Everyone has something, and when you think about it, many topics that they know something about. The idea is to connect information about something you do not know with information you know.
Ask yourself this question. What am I interested in. It could be a hobby, something with your career. Maybe you know a lot about prime time television, old movies, sports, housecleaning, webkins ( yes even children can become an expert on something as I did). Once you recognise what you know about you have a tapestry of knowledge which you can connect anything to. The remainder of these blogs will be about using what you know to learn what you do not know.
When I learn new things I find that I am constantly making associations between seemingly unrelated topics. For example, with the Atlantic City heat records I noticed that the record of 106 degrees on June 28, 1969 was a few weeks before Apollo 11, the first moon landing. Now the second hottest on July 22 and 23 2011 was a few days after the final space shuttle flight. I have now connected two seemingly unrelated topics and used then as a aid to remember each one. You can learn this too, and get good at it.
1975 Friday - A Chorus Line premiers on Broadway. It runs for 6137 performances.
1985 Thursday - A spokeswoman for Rock Hudson publicises that he has AIDS.
1990 Wednesday - Roseann Barr sings the National Anthem at the San Diego Padres game.
Last week the Midwest had one of the biggest heat waves ever. The east coast experienced it the past few days. In my area, Atlantic City had it's second hottest days ever on July 22 and 23. The official high was 105 degrees. Only Saturday June 28, 1969 was hotter at 106 degrees. The heat index was over 120 degrees on Friday.
Almost everything that I know is connected to a date. Not only do I remember the date of the information but I remember the dates I learned it. For example, recently somebody asked me when was the last Beatles concert. I said Monday August 29,1966. Then they asked me did I know about it then because I was only six years old. I did not know about it as a six year old but then I proceeded to tell them the date I learned it. On Friday October 6, 1978 I bought a book entitled The Beatles Forever by Nicholas Schaffner at my college store at La Salle College. The book contained the information in it about the last concert.
You may be thinking, well that's how you remember information, but what about someone who knows nothing about dates. Everyone has something, and when you think about it, many topics that they know something about. The idea is to connect information about something you do not know with information you know.
Ask yourself this question. What am I interested in. It could be a hobby, something with your career. Maybe you know a lot about prime time television, old movies, sports, housecleaning, webkins ( yes even children can become an expert on something as I did). Once you recognise what you know about you have a tapestry of knowledge which you can connect anything to. The remainder of these blogs will be about using what you know to learn what you do not know.
When I learn new things I find that I am constantly making associations between seemingly unrelated topics. For example, with the Atlantic City heat records I noticed that the record of 106 degrees on June 28, 1969 was a few weeks before Apollo 11, the first moon landing. Now the second hottest on July 22 and 23 2011 was a few days after the final space shuttle flight. I have now connected two seemingly unrelated topics and used then as a aid to remember each one. You can learn this too, and get good at it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Another Flashbulb Memory - The First Moon Landing.
July 20 events -
1969 Sunday - The First Moonwalk Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin
In a previous blog I mentioned two recent events this year that most people remember where they were. The Royal Wedding on Friday April 29, and Bil Laden's death on Sunday May 1. If you had an interest in these events you probably remember watching the wedding, and where you were when you heard about Bin Laden's capture.
For those of us who are old enough we remember what kind of a day and evening we had 42 years ago when the astronauts from Apollo 11 walked on the moon. I remember being called in from playing in the afternoon, a sunny day and watching the Lunar Module land. Then after dinner I was over a friends house talking to his grandmother and he about the landing. Then I rode home on my bike before dark, it was drizzling. Then staying up ( I was nine so it was exciting to stay up until midnight), hearing Neil Armstrong's famous words "That's one small step for a man ugh! One giant leap for mankind". I can remember feeling sorry for Michael Collins because he had to stay in the Command Module and orbit while Neil and Buzz got on the moon.
This was easy for me to remember for several reasons. It was a significant news event, I had an interest in space, I was additionally excited because we were going to the shore for our vacation the next day, so the day had emotional significance. All of these factors contributed to my ability to memorise them.
Think for a minute about a hobby or interest you have. It could be sports, entertainment, computer games or anything. How long did it take you to learn what you know about the subject? When you were learning about it were you struggling, or did the information come easily? More likely than not, the information was easy to learn because you were interested in the subject.
Since I was interested in space exploration and dates, I remember where I was during all the moon missions. Friday November 14, 1969 watching the Apollo 12 liftoff in my fourth grade classroom. Wednesday November 19, 1969 seeing a large picture of astronaut Pete Conrad beaming and the caption was "This is the life, on the moon". Tuesday April 14, 1970 waiting for the school van and my mother coming out and telling us that there was a problem and they may have to come home in the lunar module. Friday February 5, 1971 taking chairs into another fifth grade classroom to watch Alan Shepherd set foot on Fra Mauro.
Additionally, I remember on Friday November 16, 1973 watching the third Skylab crew liftoff from my eighth grade homeroom. This was during the "Energy Crisis" and one of my schoolmates said "Look at all that fuel being wasted". No one laughed. Those astronauts were Ed Gibson, William Pough, and Gerald Carr. Tuesday April 14, 1981 watching John Young and Robert Crippen safely land the first shuttle at Edwards Air Force Base from a classroom at La Salle University (Then a College).
Someone might be thinking "Okay, so you memorised what you were interested in, and said that anybody can do that". Yes that is how you get started. However, to advance and develop a memory that can do anything you need to be able to connect new and sometimes uninteresting information with old information you already know. In future blogs and in my upcoming book I will teach you how to do this. Stay tuned!
1969 Sunday - The First Moonwalk Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin
In a previous blog I mentioned two recent events this year that most people remember where they were. The Royal Wedding on Friday April 29, and Bil Laden's death on Sunday May 1. If you had an interest in these events you probably remember watching the wedding, and where you were when you heard about Bin Laden's capture.
For those of us who are old enough we remember what kind of a day and evening we had 42 years ago when the astronauts from Apollo 11 walked on the moon. I remember being called in from playing in the afternoon, a sunny day and watching the Lunar Module land. Then after dinner I was over a friends house talking to his grandmother and he about the landing. Then I rode home on my bike before dark, it was drizzling. Then staying up ( I was nine so it was exciting to stay up until midnight), hearing Neil Armstrong's famous words "That's one small step for a man ugh! One giant leap for mankind". I can remember feeling sorry for Michael Collins because he had to stay in the Command Module and orbit while Neil and Buzz got on the moon.
This was easy for me to remember for several reasons. It was a significant news event, I had an interest in space, I was additionally excited because we were going to the shore for our vacation the next day, so the day had emotional significance. All of these factors contributed to my ability to memorise them.
Think for a minute about a hobby or interest you have. It could be sports, entertainment, computer games or anything. How long did it take you to learn what you know about the subject? When you were learning about it were you struggling, or did the information come easily? More likely than not, the information was easy to learn because you were interested in the subject.
Since I was interested in space exploration and dates, I remember where I was during all the moon missions. Friday November 14, 1969 watching the Apollo 12 liftoff in my fourth grade classroom. Wednesday November 19, 1969 seeing a large picture of astronaut Pete Conrad beaming and the caption was "This is the life, on the moon". Tuesday April 14, 1970 waiting for the school van and my mother coming out and telling us that there was a problem and they may have to come home in the lunar module. Friday February 5, 1971 taking chairs into another fifth grade classroom to watch Alan Shepherd set foot on Fra Mauro.
Additionally, I remember on Friday November 16, 1973 watching the third Skylab crew liftoff from my eighth grade homeroom. This was during the "Energy Crisis" and one of my schoolmates said "Look at all that fuel being wasted". No one laughed. Those astronauts were Ed Gibson, William Pough, and Gerald Carr. Tuesday April 14, 1981 watching John Young and Robert Crippen safely land the first shuttle at Edwards Air Force Base from a classroom at La Salle University (Then a College).
Someone might be thinking "Okay, so you memorised what you were interested in, and said that anybody can do that". Yes that is how you get started. However, to advance and develop a memory that can do anything you need to be able to connect new and sometimes uninteresting information with old information you already know. In future blogs and in my upcoming book I will teach you how to do this. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sorry for the interruption
July 17, 1955 Sunday - Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California.
July 18, 1921 Monday - Future astronaut and senator John Glenn born
July 18, 1921 Monday - Aaron Beck the founder of cognitive therapy born.
July 19, 1969 Saturday - Mary Jo Kopechne dies at Chappaquiddick.
July 19, 1986 Saturday - Caroline Kennedy weds Edwin Schlossberg
July 19, 1990 Thursday - Nixon library dedicated at Yorba Linda, California
July 19, 2007 Thursday - Dow Jones above 14,000 for first time
In the last post I suggested that there are beliefs that you can change about your ability to remember things. Essentially all you need to do to change a belief that you can't is to replace if with a belief that you can. Every time you think "I don't have a good memory" or "I am a week away from Alzheimer's" you can catch yourself and think a replacement thought, such as " I can remember things when I learn the techniques" or "How do I know what will happen in a week, I could be smarter in a week", with enough practice, you will believe in yourself.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Last night at the Trump Plaza
Last night was an interesting and (pardon the pun) memorable night. I met with another man who was studied at the University of California who has the Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory that I have. First we amazed the waiter by telling him the day of the week he was born. He was born October 12, 1980. I informed him that it was a Sunday and it was the day that the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Houston Astros to move on to the World Series. A couple at the table next to us overheard the conversation and asked us if it was the same study that was on 60 Minutes on June 19 which featured Marilu Henner. We informed them that it was and they began asking us dates in their lives. We were able to tell them the day of the week, weather and news for all dates they asked.
As the meal continued Sean and I quizzed each other on past weather, geography, and popular music. Sean is 40 year old, in fact it was his birthday, and I am 51. Consequentially he knew the times of all the 80's tunes they were playing. I know more of the 70's. This was the first time I have ever had the opportunity to be entertained by someone who knows all the dates instead of just being the entertainer. We talked about how we have made money at parties entertaining people by telling them about the day they were born, married, or graduated. I brought a copy of my book "Living With A Phenomenal Memory". You can order it on http://www.iuniverse.com/ or on Amazon .com. I convinced the waiter to order a copy for himself and his friend.
Next week we will get back into learning techniques for improving your memory. Have a good weekend!
As the meal continued Sean and I quizzed each other on past weather, geography, and popular music. Sean is 40 year old, in fact it was his birthday, and I am 51. Consequentially he knew the times of all the 80's tunes they were playing. I know more of the 70's. This was the first time I have ever had the opportunity to be entertained by someone who knows all the dates instead of just being the entertainer. We talked about how we have made money at parties entertaining people by telling them about the day they were born, married, or graduated. I brought a copy of my book "Living With A Phenomenal Memory". You can order it on http://www.iuniverse.com/ or on Amazon .com. I convinced the waiter to order a copy for himself and his friend.
Next week we will get back into learning techniques for improving your memory. Have a good weekend!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Out late tonight
I was out late tonight having dinner at the Trump Plaza. I will tell you all about it in tomorrow's blog. It is memory related.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
How to change your negative beliefs about your memory.
Events of July 13 -
1977 Wednesday - NYC blackout that lasted 25 hours.
1978 Thursday - Lee Iaccoca fired from Ford Motor Co. He later takes over Chrysler Corp.
1985 Saturday - Live Aid Concerts held in London, Philadelphia, Moscow, and Sydney.
In yesterdays blog you learned what negative beliefs you have about memory. A list was created and you were encouraged to think of your own self limiting beliefs.
In my counseling practice, I often teach clients to re-frame their beliefs about themselves which could be causing them depression or anxiety. When someone has enough beliefs that life is bad and unsatisfying they become depressed. Similarly enough beliefs about life being overwhelming will produce anxiety , and beliefs about their life being unfair will produce anger. When I get them to re-frame their beliefs they often are relieved of their anxiety, depression, and anger.
What does re-frame mean? If you took the brown frame on a picture and the silver frame on another picture and switched them, the pictures would not look the same. This holds true for beliefs that you have about yourself. If you change the belief, you change the way you feel about yourself. Let's use as an example some of the beliefs from yesterday about your ability to memorize.
I have a poor memory - I can develop my memory and improve it with practice.
My memory is not as good as it used to be when I was younger - I have more that I have to remember now, and I can learn anything with practice.
I was not born with a good memory, it runs in the family - Nurture can trump nature, I can develop a good memory.
I am under a lot of stress, and I can't remember anything any more - When I am no longer under this stress my abilities will return.
I am depressed and I can't remember anything anymore - I can develop a better outlook and a better memory.
I have had too much alcohol and drugs in my life, my brain is fried - Even an out of shape person can exercise and rebuild their body, I can re build my brain.
I am good at music, art or ________ but not memorizing - I have some talents , and I can develop others.
I am a week away from Alzheimer's - I am a week away from a better memory with practice.
Changing your beliefs can make a big difference in what you can achieve. However, I am not saying that if someone is depressed or anxious that they should not take medication. Or if someone has ADHD that they should not take medication for it.. However, changing your beliefs can help the medicine work.
Tomorrow we will learn specific techniques to change your beliefs.
1977 Wednesday - NYC blackout that lasted 25 hours.
1978 Thursday - Lee Iaccoca fired from Ford Motor Co. He later takes over Chrysler Corp.
1985 Saturday - Live Aid Concerts held in London, Philadelphia, Moscow, and Sydney.
In yesterdays blog you learned what negative beliefs you have about memory. A list was created and you were encouraged to think of your own self limiting beliefs.
In my counseling practice, I often teach clients to re-frame their beliefs about themselves which could be causing them depression or anxiety. When someone has enough beliefs that life is bad and unsatisfying they become depressed. Similarly enough beliefs about life being overwhelming will produce anxiety , and beliefs about their life being unfair will produce anger. When I get them to re-frame their beliefs they often are relieved of their anxiety, depression, and anger.
What does re-frame mean? If you took the brown frame on a picture and the silver frame on another picture and switched them, the pictures would not look the same. This holds true for beliefs that you have about yourself. If you change the belief, you change the way you feel about yourself. Let's use as an example some of the beliefs from yesterday about your ability to memorize.
I have a poor memory - I can develop my memory and improve it with practice.
My memory is not as good as it used to be when I was younger - I have more that I have to remember now, and I can learn anything with practice.
I was not born with a good memory, it runs in the family - Nurture can trump nature, I can develop a good memory.
I am under a lot of stress, and I can't remember anything any more - When I am no longer under this stress my abilities will return.
I am depressed and I can't remember anything anymore - I can develop a better outlook and a better memory.
I have had too much alcohol and drugs in my life, my brain is fried - Even an out of shape person can exercise and rebuild their body, I can re build my brain.
I am good at music, art or ________ but not memorizing - I have some talents , and I can develop others.
I am a week away from Alzheimer's - I am a week away from a better memory with practice.
Changing your beliefs can make a big difference in what you can achieve. However, I am not saying that if someone is depressed or anxious that they should not take medication. Or if someone has ADHD that they should not take medication for it.. However, changing your beliefs can help the medicine work.
Tomorrow we will learn specific techniques to change your beliefs.
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