“I Now Rue the Day”: My Top 5 Most Regrettable Moments & Why I Need a New Gregorian Calendar
For some reason, I decided to Google “13 October day in history” today…just to see if anything interesting has ever happened on 13 October. I figured that there would be a list of things (which there was), but I’m not sure I would classify any of them many of them as interesting…except for one.
Apparently, due to the Gregorian Calendar being introduced in 1582, the 13th of October was eliminated from that year in Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain – as in, that day never existed in those countries. And that got me to thinking: what if there was a day that I could just completely erase from my life and memory, never to be remembered again…which day would that be? Have I ever done something that I regret to this day? Have I ever said something to someone, only to have them reply back (while shaking their fist in the air), “You will rue the day, PCC…RUE THE DAY!!”, and 3 years later think, “Man, that guy was right! I am so ruing that day right now!”
These guys need to come back and make another calendar...I have a few days that I want to annihilate from history.
To be honest, I think there are many days that I would like to obliterate from my memory, but here is the list of my top 5:
1) I rue my first day of kindergarten…
During the course of that day, my teacher explained to us that she was going to take us on a quick tour of the school to show us where everything was. She asked us to slowly walk to the front door and line up. Apparently, I did not think that was necessary because I ran to the front door. At top speed. And then I pushed a kid out of my way so that I could be first. Why is that so bad? Because it was the first time that I got into trouble at school (and on my very first day!) for breaking the rules. This led me down a path of in-school-rule-breaking and also speeding while I drive – I realised that running to the door got me there faster than anyone else, and that I could apply that same logic to all things in my life.
BOOM! Day is now obliterated. I have now never broken a school rule and, subsequently, have never received a speeding ticket.
Yeah, don't trust that little blonde girl...you know she's just shoving kids left, right, and centre trying to get to the front of the line. Trust me...I know the type.
2) I rue the day that I ate my first Big Mac…
For those of you who are loyal readers, you understand that I have a quasi-addiction to Big Macs. If I could take back the day that I first tasted one, then I wouldn’t have this love of a food that is so SO bad for me and also kinda makes me sick to my stomach too – it’s a love-hate relationship (I love them, they hate my stomach). Also, I’m pretty sure my brain cells would thank me (Big Macs kill brain cells….right? I’m pretty sure that’s scientifically accurate…).
Oh, how I rue the day I first tasted one of these things!! So disgusting and unhealthy...actually, I could go for one right about now.
3) I rue the day that I first listened to a Backstreet Boys CD…
Why? Because I now have to admit that I once listened to a Backstreet Boys CD. Worse still, I secretly enjoyed it.
I mean, honestly...how can I look myself in the mirror knowing that I listened to this album. I mean, honestly... (Photo credit: http://www.dance-lyrics.com)
4) I rue the day that I chose which university I wanted to attend by flipping a coin…
Seriously. That’s what I did. I couldn’t decided which college I wanted to go to, so I flipped a coin and let fate choose for me. Don’t get me wrong; I went to a great school*, but just imagine what I could have done had I put a little more thought into it. I could have studied Law, Information Systems Engineering, or even Clown Cabaret! I mean, the possibilities were endless! So, my advice to all you kids is: choose wisely and carefully where you want to study. Don’t flip a coin. Coins don’t care about your future. I care about your future [insert cheesy-moment soundtrack from Full House or Family Matters here].
*Fate chose to enroll me into Jim Bob’s College. Nah…I’m just kidding. I didn’t go to Jim Bob’s College. They didn’t accept me…
Imagine if Fate had dealt me THIS card...what would I do with that?? Clown Cabaret is a real class, and I would've been the one in the banana suit. I have no doubt about it. (Photo Credit: http://www.desertcompanion.com)
5) I rue the day of 7 July, 2007…
I was asked by a couple of friends to write a song for their wedding and perform it on the day itself. As they prepared to sign their marriage certificate and take a few photos, I strolled over to the piano, sat down, and began to play. Half-way through the song, I forgot the words. To my own song. In front of 207 people. I decided to fill the time with a lot of “ooh aahs” and “la la yeahs”. If that doesn’t make you look like a no-talent idiot, then I don’t know what does.
I rue that day like no other, my friends…like no other.
This is sort of the face that I made when I forgot the words. Then the bride looked at me with the same face. Then all of the guests did too. We all had the same expression - one of confusion and embarrassment for all involved in that moment in time. (Photo credit: http://www.starzlife.com)
As painful as it is to re-visit some of these ridiculously embarrassing and regrettable moments in my life, it’s somewhat cathartic to share them with you here. I feel like I’m confessing to you some of my more rue-able (what? That’s a word!) moments in life in hopes that you will not make the same mistakes that I have…or at the very least, I hope you read it and think, “Wow…that’s lame. I’m glad my moments are not as bad as hers!” 😉
Now, all I need to do is make up a calendar somewhere (a la the Gregorians) and just pretend like these days never existed…
What is the one day that you rue above all others? Has anyone actually ever said the words, “You will rue the day!” to you before? If so, please tell me because that will make me laugh like nothing else…
Filed under: College, Education, University | 36 Comments
Tags: College, Education, humor, regret, rue the day, school, University
PCC Advantage
I am a university graduate, and I now work for a private college. I began writing this blog as a means to inform people about issues pertaining to higher education, both publicly and privately funded.
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Among my circle of family and friends I would actually be the lone candidate to drop “rue the day” on myself or someone else. I don’t think anyone I know knows that phrase and if they do, certainly don’t roll it out. I “rue the day” I first entered a Panera Bread because I have become a gutton of massive proportions and could easily live there. I tend to gain weight by looking at food and unfortunately have become fairly addicted to their Asiago Cheese Bread. I’ll eat a sandwich there and get loaves to take home to make more. I’m managing to stay at my desired weight by compensating in other areas, but if they had not opened one nearby none of this would have ever happened…so I have to “rue” that day. I had a very difficult time deciding on a college also. When I finally did and was gung-ho to go, it unfortunately was one with a very high entrance standard and they wanted me to go to one semester of summer school…with no guaranteed entry in the Fall. I decided to attend another college to ensure I didn’t find myself school-less come Fall. That was a “rue” day when they laid the summer school requirement on me because I really wanted to go to that college…but couldn’t buy in to their “uppity” attitude regarding my high school marks.
Ooh, yes…I would also rue the day that I first walked into a Panera Bread. The Asiago Cheese Bread is un-buh-LEEV-able!! That’s definitely a rueful moment, indeed…
As for choosing which college to go to, I’m glad I am not the only one who rues that particular moment. It was such a hard decision to make, and I was so young and just didn’t have a clue what to do. So? Out came the coin. Ridiculous. And pretty immature as well, I might add! lol! I can see why you rue that moment as well – opting for the “sure thing” instead of taking a chance on something that could have been great.
Either way, I guess we can’t rue too many moments in life; after all, they make us who we are today, right? Full of Cheese Bread and all! 😉
Thanks again for dropping in, SportsAttitudes! Your comments are always appreciated! 🙂
Christy,
I totally feel for you. That must have been awful listening to the Backstreet Boys, My daughters went through that and InStink about the same time.
I had to sing a song for my wife at my own wedding. “True Companion.” It went well and it was still an event that has scarred me for life. I can only imagine how you must have felt!
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
It was awful, Steve. Truly awful. If I could erase just one day in all of history, it would be the day that the Backstreet Boys came into my life and on the radio. I shudder to think about it…
I’m glad that your song went better than mine did. I usually don’t forget words to songs (especially my own!), and I don’t know why it happened that day, but it did. Now I understand why Christina Aguilera always sings a bunch of “yeeeaah oh yeah yeah yeahs” when she sings live – poor kid probably forgot the words and doesn’t know what else to do, and that seems to impress people for some reason. 😉
Thanks so much for stopping in again, Steve! Always great to hear from you!
I was a pretty old person before I understood that the word was “rue.” I thought people were saying, “You’ll rule the day.” It didn’t make sense, but then, nothing did. Or does. You forgot the words to your own song — now that’s a story that’ll never get old. Great post.
Yes! I also thought it was “rule the day” for quite some time as well! Then I found out it was “rue” and that didn’t seem quite so great…haha.
Yes, I forgot the words to my own song. To this day, I still don’t know how that happened; it’s never happened before! But you’re right – it’s a story that will never get old, so I shouldn’t really rue that day, right? I should just look back on it with utter embarrassment…that’s enough. 😉
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment, bronxboy55!
I remember the 1st day of kindergarten being scary…didn’t want my mom to leave me there. It was cool after about 2 hours though…man, that was a very long time ago.
Sounds like you had a better first day of school than I did…apparently, I had quite the issue with authority because I got in trouble more than once that day…and, subsequently, more than once every other day I was in school as well. Haha
Oh, how I rue my first day of school! *shakes fist in air*
Thanks again for dropping by, MindSlam! Always appreciated! 🙂
I got “extra recess” in kindergarten because I was “the girl who couldn’t pee.” I know that’s TMI and I maybe don’t want to throw the whole day away over it. So why am I even commenting?
So, you were the girl who couldn’t pee, eh? Is that because you suffered from performance anxiety? Too much pressure on you to do it during recess? Ooh, that’s rough, kid… 😉
Yeah, you don’t need to throw away the whole day for that one…we’ve all been there. Actually, I know many 50 year olds who are still like that…
Hehe! Performance anxiety… I just didn’t want anyone else to know. You know, I wasn’t used to other kids being around.
Great and creative topic. But I like Big Macs, and I don’t get sick – I just want another.
Haha! Well, I wish I had a stomach that could handle that amount of grease, salt, and fat, but I don’t….but oh, how I wish I did! Oh, Big Macs! How I rue the day you came into my life and made me love your deliciousness but also made me sick to my stomach! How I rue the day!!
Thanks for stopping in, BrainRants! I know you’ve had quite the busy day today, so I appreciate you taking the time to visit! 😀
I’m dying over the Backstreet Boys. 🙂 Come on, you know you still know the words! You are free to picture me banging on my piano now… “♫♪ Isn’t she lucky, that Hollywood girl…♫♪” It’s true!
I’m actually drafting a piece for my Annieversary (which includes a link to your page, btw). It talks about what a mistake I made the day I started posting my stories on Facebook! I so rue that day!
I love your posts! They always make me so happy!
It’s true! It’s true! I do still know all of the words! *shakes head in shame* Stupid “Backstreet’s Back, alright!” song…can’t get it outta my head. I rue the day, Backstreet!!! Oh, how I rue that day so very much!
I can’t WAIT to read your post about posting your stories on Facebook! You are an incredible writer, so I can’t imagine why that was such a mistake! Well, unless all of your friends thought that they were true stories about them…I guess that could kinda be a problem… 😉
Thanks so much for always being so encouraging, Anne! You’re the best! 🙂
The really sad thing is that someday, Backstreet Boys and Brittney Spears are going to be “classics” and we’re still going to know the words.
Statistical Analysis has a scheduled release date just before Halloween.
Bah! You’re right!! Wow…what a sad age we live in….
I am pumped to read that post, Anne! Let me know as soon as it’s up please! 🙂
I’m sitting here trying to think of a day I rue. Can’t think of one. I tell you getting old does have it’s advantages. I can’t even remember what the question was now.
Well, you are a lucky, lucky man, Doc. Most people have at least one day that they regret…me? I have several.
In fact, I even rue the day that I first heard the phrase “rue the day”…
I can’t stop laughing at number 5; “ooh aahs” and “la la yeahs”… Classic. I would expound on the days I’d like to erase but I’d sound like a jerk. Good read!!
Well, I’m glad that at least someone can laugh at that day…it was horrible and one that I desperately wish I could take back. I mean, you can’t live something like that down!
Thanks so much for stopping in, BeaneathTheUnderdog! I appreciate it and feel free to drop in any time! 🙂
You rule breaker you! Okay, Big Macs got me too. I can’t help you on the Backstreet Boys. You’re on your own there. And I picked my college by going with the time tested tradition of being dragged into applying by my mom and going once they accepted me. I love her for doing that. Weirdest of all perhaps? I was also in a wedding on 7-7-07. I didn’t sing but did say the prayer before dinner.
Yeah, no one can help me on the Backstreet Boys. It’s a silent pain that I shall have to endure for the rest of my life.
As for the wedding, I wish that I had just said the prayer before dinner too…you can’t get embarrassed doing that. Unless you forget how to pray or what God’s name is…that’d be pretty bad, I guess. 😉
Thanks again for stopping by, Clay! Your comments are always appreciated! 😀
Hey girl, check my latest post…I have given you an award.
Seriously?? That’s awesome! Thanks so much! I’ll head on over there right now! 🙂
interesting to see this
Thanks very much, deanjbaker! I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
Hi, i stumble upon ur blog today and it fascinated me alot… keep up the good work.. maybe u like mine too
hassaan
I think we all have moments we regret. The important thing is not to dwell on them to much. I love your style of writing, very humorous!
Yes, you are absolutely right, and that’s why I only just decided to confess my most regrettable moments…so that I may no longer be tortured by them. 😉
Thanks so much, Smart Cookie! I really appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment as well! Much appreciated! 🙂
That Backstreet Boys album showed up at my buddy’s house one day in 1997 as we were preparing for some grim and gritty regional high school debate team championships. Lost a lot of respect for him that day.
Yeah, I can understand that…I lost respect for myself when I caught myself singing to those songs at the top of my lungs.
I’m still rather ashamed…
Hilarious! Your list is awesome, but seriously; your first day of kindergarten?
Aren’t you being a little hard on yourself?
Not really. I believe that’s when everything fell apart in my life. I blame my teacher. She should have done something more than just yell at me for running and stopping me from eating paste.
Thanks again, Hook! 😉
Admit it, you still like BSB. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that I admitted it – http://foodandwinehedonist.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/guilty-pleasures-back-street-boys/
No way, man. BSB sucks. There’s no way that I’d ever like their music now…
(P.S. If you ever meet Nick Carter, will you tell him I think he’s dreamy?) 😉