Spelling Bee

I was talking to my brother about nothing specific the other day while on my way to work. We like to catch up a few times a week and on this particular morning the topic turned to each other’s blogs. While I have just the one, it seems he starts a new one every other day making it difficult for me to keep up. He suggested I check out his newest effort and when I was having a hard time with the spelling of the address said, “Just do a search for it on Google. I’ve got both the number one and number two spot for my latest post.” When I asked what I should search for he answered, “Bear Grylls’ Sunglasses. Or you can search for Bear Grylls Oakleys, I have top spots for both of those.”

Totally unbelievable I thought, and then asked, “And how do I spell Grylls?”

“Dude, you don’t need to know how to spell anymore these days,” he offered the added, “ Google, man.”

While it’s true my spelling competence sits at about 5th grade level and I rely heavily on spell check; I like to think a basic grasp of spelling is important.

Next our conversation moved to Graham’s work and how the knife selling business was going. A few weeks ago I mentioned a co-worker was admiring my pocketknife and he offered to give her a discount. I asked if he’d seen any order come through in her name and he replied. “Just a minute, let me pull up our system and do a quick search.” After a minute or so of silence I wondered if we’d been disconnected before realizing the problem.

“You spell it P. A. M.”