Since this week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is "Two Cents," and the prevailing minimum wage (I rounded it off) is about $6.00 an hour, using my not-so-great math skills, I figure two cents ought to work out to 2 minutes, or thereabouts, which isn't much so I threw in a few extra minutes of overtime for inflation, and set the timer for 6 minutes, and I 've already used up one of them, just trying to explain what the heck I'm doing!
Like most people, I have opinions on more things than I have actual facts or knowledge to back up those opinions...some of it's factually-based, but so much of my opinions are, I now realize, second-or even third-hand information from everything from books to newspapers to TV to magazines to peeking in the tabloids in the supermarket line. Some of my opinions are based purely on my intuition - which sometimes works really well - like when it stops me from going on through a green light , because somehow my intuition knows a car coming the other way is running their redlight....sometimes my intuition doesn't work too well, like when I was sure that it was that tattle-tail Cindy who told everybody I liked Brett in the 5th grade, only to find out years later that it was my own best friend (who liked him herself)...so what does my intuition know? Still I have my opinions, right or wrong - not always sure when or if there's is a when - that it's best to air them or share them and DING-DING-DING
There goes the timer - so I'm done! Here's my two cents worth - which isn't worth much nowadays!
(I'll come back later and post you a picture - got run/drive through the canyon now!)
Ok - I'm back now - here's two cents worth of a picture for you (boy, you really get what you pay for, huh? ) 
Now it's your turn - give me your two cents! What do you want to hear about from me? Sometimes, I wander off the path, make abrupt turns, go in circles - slam on the brakes! Where the heck should I be headed? Any ideas? I'm lost! Let me hear your two cents worth!
As you reminded us with your story, there's a big difference between opinion and intuition. What worries me is when people who never even read a newspaper voice opinions as though they know everything "for a fact." But in fact, they're only repeating what other people have told them to think. If only more people would think for themselves!
As for you, I like the wandering road you've been traveling, with all sorts of twists and turns and diversions. But you must choose your own direction, even if that changes on a regular basis. The rest of us will be sitting back, enjoying the ride! xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | August 01, 2006 at 01:39 AM
My sister and I were talking about this on the phone. I have no interaction with people who talk about polictics or the state of the world. Everyone I know (mostly) talks about FLUFF. But I like to talk about real deep stuff.
My ister said though that they (her and her husband) have some intellectual friends and that it is difficult to be part of the conversation at times.
My husband does talk with me about the real issues. But there are so many. I get my news too much from the Oprah Winfrey Show! There is a governor race this year in my state I want to be informed and make a good decision, but I am lazy when it comes to researching and reading about the candidates. i would rather blog and create art.
Rhonda's starting another 21 day challenge. Maybe I will start a new habit of being informed.
Posted by: melba | August 01, 2006 at 05:33 AM
Tinker...Always enjoy your writing. You are so entertaining.Love it.
Posted by: Gemma | August 01, 2006 at 09:24 AM
2 cents...There is no key for the cent sign! hmmmmm...what does that say? I give my 2 all the time whether anyone wants it or not! And I know I am right whether or not I have any facts!(ummm, get the picture?)must be the Aries "cusp" Taurus in me! I love reading your "column"! ooo..there are a lot of quote marks..hee hee. The bottom line is... we, in this cyber sisterhood, are all on the same page! I do agree with Paris Parfait that too many times people do not have all the facts about World problems and go on heresay!
Posted by: Pam ARIES | August 01, 2006 at 03:33 PM
" Where the heck should I be headed? Any ideas? I'm lost! "
You should go... whereever you want to go! It's your blog, so you choose! :)
I identify with you though... I feel like my blogs settled into a rut, and needs to go somewhere new. I'm just not sure what direction to take it in.
Posted by: Jana | August 02, 2006 at 08:01 AM
tattle tale cindy and hunky brett-- were we in the same elementary school?!!
your story reminded me of my under-informed father-in-law who always says, "it's a known fact." you of course, understand the limits of what and how you know things, but many people don't. and that's how we all get into such conflicts. imho.
[i guess this is my two cents, isn't it?]
Posted by: ally bean | August 03, 2006 at 04:53 AM