August 25, 2012

Can You Do This?

When I was at uni studying Arts (and YES you can call it 'studying', as Arts is an Extremely Useful degree to have, especially if you want to be like me and not have a real job) I had one aim in mind. Okay, two aims. The first was to get my degree so that I could be qualified to teach Arts to other people (even though I didn't as that was a bit too 'real job' for me). The second was to learn to twirl my pen around my finger like the Asian guy in my Symbolic Logic class.

I can't remember much about Symbolic Logic (except that it involved a lot of symbols, I was very good at it, and at the end-of-year exam a mature-aged male student took one look at the paper and walked out of the room). What I remember very clearly, though, was the incredible Pen Twirling.
This Dream SHALL Become A Reality
 
Imagine yourself holding a pen as if you were about to write, then lifting up your index finger and giving the pen a quick nudge with your middle finger so that the pen goes flying around your thumb and back into the writing position again. That, my friends, is the Pen Twirl. And I knew I had to master it.

I asked the Asian guy for a lesson, and he patiently agreed to teach me. And then I practiced the manouver over and over again, until, after a year of Symbolic Logic and dozens and dozens of lost pens, I was a Pen Twirler myself. Not only could I twirl it forwards around my thumb, I could twirl it backwards, too. I still consider it to be one of my finest achievements.

But now I've become obsessed by another skill that is beyond me. Both my daughters are able to lift one eyebrow at a time, and I have no idea how they do it. And I need to know. I need to be able to lift one eyebrow. I don't know why, but I just DO. It is killing me.

I have started practicing the Single Eyebrow Lift every day, holding down one side of my face with a finger whilst I raise the other. So far all I've done is to increase the burden of wrinkles on my forehead, but I know my persistence will pay off sometime.

At least, I think it will. It bloody better. Or I will have to learn to juggle tennis balls or something, and that won't do anyone any good.

Can you raise one eyebrow? Or wiggle one ear? If so, can you tell me HOW???
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38 comments:

  1. TaraMaccaAugust 25, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    Not likely in the near future to be able to teach you OR show you- I have so much botox in my forehead that they don't work at all anymore, which is a good thing, cos with MY Arts degree I got a job, & an asshole of a boss!!!
    Lol- good luck!

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  2. MindyAugust 25, 2012 at 6:48 PM

    Brilliant idea TaraMacca, Kerri can get botox on one side (choose which eyebrow you prefer to raise) and not on the other. Voila! You can raise one eyebrow. What could possibly go wrong?

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  3. Corenne TavaresJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Apparently the eyebrow raising (or not raising) is hereditary. If one of your parents can do it, you have a 50% chance of being able to do it. My husband and youngest daughter can't do it but I can and my oldest daughter too. We irritate them by raising an eyebrow or alternating each one up and down - we can go pretty fast too. ;-)

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  4. Lisa RobeyJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    My mother and sister can both do it and it drives me insane. They can individually raise each eyebrow, I can't do even one. I'm convinced they have some kind of mutant facial muscles that I didn't inherit.

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  5. Diet SchmietJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I'm kinda stuck at the 'Symbolic Logic' bit. WTF?! Though I can't talk as I did a subject called 'Rational Decision Making' in my Arts Degree. (Oh and that double major is Psychology.... VERY useful! Not!)

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  6. Nikki | Styling YouJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    No I cannot pen swirl - such a skill would have been better to have taken from my Arts degree than the major in German I apparently have.

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  7. whiningattheworldJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I went to high school with a pen twirler. Unfortunately I never mastered it. I also can't lift one eyebrow or wiggle my ears either in tandem or singly. Obviously I'm an under achiever.

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  8. MumabulousJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Stephen Colbert does a particularly magnificent single eye brow raise. Its a skill I'd love to master as I actually find it quite sexy. (I'm a strange, strange person). Alas I dont have the muscle control. The same goes for toe wiggling. Love Mumabulous@mum-abulous.com

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  9. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    THAT is stupendous. Seriously. That is AWESOME. I am deeply in awe.

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  10. Helen DewdneyJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I'm going to have to practice that one!

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  11. JacquiJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I had a pen twirling guy in my "European Architecture" lectures. Needless to say I almost failed the class due to the fierce concentration it took to try and learn the pen twirling.
    My classmates quickly learned that sitting in front of me often resulted in a wayward pen to the back of the head, and the ONE TIME I managed to do it no one saw.
    On the topic of the eyebrow raise, I am afraid I am unsuccessful. I can however manage a 'left eyebrow frown' which according to others makes me look a little bit 'touched'. Although I can flare my nostrils, wiggle my right ear and roll my tongue; which in my opinion is enough independent control of random body parts for any one person.

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  12. clawfishJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I can sort of wiggle an eyebrow but not mastered the art yet

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  13. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Still time...

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  14. YettaJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Darling Kerri,
    Was this post REALLY from the girl who does not have enough hours in her day to keep abreast of all her often seld-imposed tasks...You are in in dire need of alone time (with coffee and newspaper) AFTER you have stopped to smell the roses...a non-buying trip to a good florist can refuel senses...Your eyebrows are beautiful just the way they are! Your daughters' ability is most likely a genetic ability that has skipped your generation...thanks for making me laugh out loud! Much love, Yetta

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  15. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    LOL. Thanks Yetta!

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  16. amandakendleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Had the same pen twirling guy in my lectures. Have unfortunately never mastered it, one of life's sadnesses. Maybe it's never too late?

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  17. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I was 30 when I learned! (Was my second degree. Mature aged student....)

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  18. KelwoodfordJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I've always been able to raise my right eyebrow on it's own. No training........It just happened.

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  19. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Humph.

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  20. Kelly HTandTJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    When I try and raise one eyebrow, I look like I'm about to have a fit. I've practiced to no end, but it is not to be! No tricks up my sleeve, sadly.

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  21. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    LOL

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  22. Michaela CJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Yes to the eyebrow, but I can't roll my tongue.
    Not that you asked me to.
    Ahem.

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  23. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Oh but I was going to....

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  24. DebJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I can twirl the pen, but not body parts. Although I do a pretty good eyebrow raise when looking at one of my students and/or children just before/after they do something dumb. I haven't actually seen it myself, but it has a withering effect, so I am assuming its awesome.

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  25. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Sounds AMAZING

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  26. Cate PJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Apparently I can do the magnificent trick of not only raising one eyebrow, but making the other eyebrow frown downwards, effectively sending them in opposite directions. I am generally unaware when I do this and have no idea HOW I do it but it cracks my family up. My daughter tells me it is the kind of look that has probably evolved from "spending years questioning the sanity of all around you".
    Start questioning with your eyebrows and I'm sure you too will be performing facial gymnastics in no time. You're welcome. x
    I now realise that since your daughters can do it, they have grown up questioning your sanity, clearly. You're welcome again. x

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  27. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    The most brilliant piece of logic I have ever seen on this blog.

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  28. Tamsin HowseJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Can't twirl a pen or raise an eyebrow, but I can write backwards and forwards simultaneously (backwards with left hand while writing forwards with right). So that's my claim to fame. :P

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  29. JulieJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I cannot twirl a pen, nor can I raise one eyebrow at a time. However, I thought get an arts degree was so useful I got not one, but two separate Bachelor of Arts degrees... with different majors. Oh, yes i am so over qualified to not get a 'real job'.


    http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/

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  30. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    You are my hero...

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  31. fender4evaJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    The things I can wiggle, should not be discussed here.....

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  32. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Oh but they MUST...

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  33. TwitchyJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I can only lower my right eyebrow while raising my left. It cannot be done the other way around. I can make annoying popping sounds with my lips. I'm fairly ambidextrous and can write backwards without great difficulty. I'm getting better and wiggling my nose.(Disappointingly, the dirty dishes are still there afterward). also, this light sleeper can sleep so hard when my kids are out of the house, that I put my neck out. Yay!

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  34. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    You can WRITE BACKWARDS?
    Freak.

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  35. MeganJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I can raise my right eyebrow but not my left. And I can flare my nostrils on command. I cannot however roll my tongue or roll my r's, no matter how much I practice I look and sound like I have special needs.

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  36. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I cannot get a vision of you flailing your tongue around out of my head

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  37. Mum of Adult KidsJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    My ex-husband was a drummer. He could do the pen-twirl thing with drumsticks. My eldest son is a drummer too and guess what? He can twirl like his dad. I can't, try as I might.
    My youngest son can raise one eyebrow. I lucked out on that one too. But I did push two babies out through my vagina. I win.

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  38. Kerri SackvilleJanuary 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I pushed two babies out through my vagina AND one through my stomach! I WIN!!!

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