> *sigh* I've only just returned, and I'm already going to start with the embarassing stories about my past. ;)
>
> 3rd grade: the school spelling bee. I was one of two lucky and hard working students from my class chosen to represent us in front of the whole school, and lots of parents to boot.
>
> Near the end of the line, I listen to my fellow students correctly spell words like "cave". I think, "No problem". My turn comes around, and the word is "orange". I have no idea how I spelled it, but it sure as heck wasn't o-r-a-n-g-e.
>
> Some 12 years later, I consider myself a decent speller, but that word still makes me shiver. Durn stage fright!

[Ah, it's fun to resurrect old threads now that I've delurked...]

Ouch. Reminds me of my first county spelling bee. I was confident; I felt like I was well enough prepared. And the first word I got was "referee".

Easy enough, I thought. R-E-F-E-R-E-E. Here I go...

"Referee. F-E-R..." Oops. [Start over, even though I know it's against the rules:] "R-E-F-E-R-E-E. Referee."

My brain got just a bit ahead of my mouth there...and thus got me out in the first round. That word still has a tendency to bring back bad memories...

-- codeman"hey, i eventually did make it to nationals"38