I imply. You infer.

While there are some mistakes I will probably continue to make for the rest of my life (like damaging my credit or getting hair dye on the bathroom ceiling), there are, believe it or not, some mistakes that I have actually learned from.

Like the time I wrote a highschool English paper in which I repeatedly confused the words "imply" and "infer." I believe the topic was persuasive writing or something, and in my defense the teacher did say my writing was clever and amusing. But she also said I made the "common mistake" of misusing imply/infer. She said this in front of the whole class. She told everyone in the class that my mistakes were common. Mistakes. Common. I was not impressed. Why hadn't my parents taught me the difference between these two words? It's not exactly the kind of thing you pick up on the street, and I don't recall hearing about in school, not until the day my "common mistake" was put on display for the world to laugh at. Or if not the world, at least my grade nine English class. But the point of this anecdote is that I have never since mistakenly used imply when I meant to say infer. Or vice versa.

And then there was the more recent day when I forgot my security badge, which I need to get around the building at work. Seriously, that place is like Get Smart, there's magic doors and elevators that only open when you wave your security badge in front of them. You'd think we were CIA rather than just directory publishers. The day I forgot my badge I had to hitch a ride in the elevator with badge-wearers, and I had to stay at my desk all day or I wouldn't be able to get back to it if I'd left. But since that day, I have never forgot my badge. I put it on first thing when I wake up, and double check at least 11 times on my way to the bus stop to make sure it's still on.

Then there's the whole Sasquatch Festival. Every year we debate about going, but this year we decided to do it. We booked it off work, drummed up the cash, and got all pumped about the lineup. Then we waited too long, got caught up in the group-planning confusion trap, and ended up missing out when they sold out of premium camping passes. So sad. But this too, is a mistake I will learn from. Next year we will be first in line with cash in hand to secure our own spot. Provided the lineup is even half as good as it is this year. Come Hell or high water, we shall be in attendance at that damn festival next year. "Come Hell or high water" is kind of a strange expression. If you change the "or" to "and" the high water could douse the fires of Hell and everything would be cool. I think I will say come Hell and high water from now on, you know when I'm in a situation that kind of sucks but has a solution in sight.