[Ally Castillo]

General Discussion Thread 07.10.2025​

Image Credit: Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

Welcome back to another edition of The GrayVine's newsletter, with your favorite writer (Ally) on the scene—or am I? Just kidding! We've got a lot in store for you today, but I just wanted to stop and ask you a question: What’s a totally unnecessary skill you’re oddly proud of? I was with my friends the other day, and I mentioned how I taught myself how to whistle. It's not the most useful skill around, but I like whistling to tunes whenever I'm alone. Anyway, enough about me! Now, I want to hear from you, so send in your entries below! I'm looking forward to reading them.

If you have something else you'd like to share—whether it’s a cool fact you just learned, a funny story, or something that’s been bothering you—feel free to comment them down, too! This General Discussion Thread is created just for you, so feel free to engage with your fellow members!

Now, what's on YOUR mind today?

 

[ghandi44]

I taught myself how to drive a stick shift car.

 

[tyedyed]

I can take dictation using Gregg Shorthand.

 

[1bigbill1]

I taught myself how to cook.

 

[bdebonte]

I can read backwards. Totally unnecessary and odd skill.

 

[TriciaR]

I taught myself how to drive a stick shift car.

Thanks for sharing that @ghandi44 — teaching yourself to drive a stick shift is no small feat! Did you learn out of necessity, or just for the fun of mastering it? Have you had a chance to use that skill lately, or has it become one of those “just in case” talents?

 

[TriciaR]

I can take dictation using Gregg Shorthand.

Thanks for sharing that @tyedyed — I actually had to Google what Gregg Shorthand is, and I found it fascinating! It sounds like such a precise and clever skill. Do you still find yourself using it now and then, or has it become more of a fun thing to look back on?

 

[TriciaR]

I taught myself how to cook.

That’s fantastic — thanks for sharing @1bigbill1 ! I love that you taught yourself how to cook. Was there a particular dish that kicked things off for you, or did you just start experimenting bit by bit?

 

[TriciaR]

I can read backwards. Totally unnecessary and odd skill.

Thanks for sharing that @bdebonte — reading backwards sounds both odd and impressive! I had to pause and think — do you mean reading words from right to left, or actually decoding full sentences backwards? Either way, I’m intrigued! How did you discover you could do that?

 

[Gibb]

I can fill my cheeks with air then put my finger in my mouth and making a popping sound when I flick my finger out of my mouth. Sounds strange when I type it out LOL

 

[TriciaR]

I can fill my cheeks with air then put my finger in my mouth and making a popping sound when I flick my finger out of my mouth. Sounds strange when I type it out LOL

Thanks for sharing @Gibb — that gave me a good chuckle! It might sound a bit odd written out, but I bet it's one of those things that gets a laugh every time you do it. Did you discover you could do that by accident, or was it something you practiced and perfected over time? Any hidden sound effects you're working on next?