I saw her on 20/20 on Friday. It was unreal. I can remember certain events, but to tell you the date and the DAY of the week! I can remember when Princess Di died so horribly. I was pregnant with my first child, and I was at the grocery store when I heard about it. I remember my first day of school as a Senior in high school. I had died my hair for the first time and thought I was sooo cool. I remember breaking my arms rollerskating. I remember also breaking my leg while riding my bike. But the dates? Pfffft! And now, well....let's not talk about my memory now.

I don't often remember things. Or rather, I block most things out and move on. I'm glad I don't remember.

I can't remember most dates, but since I've been mapping I could tell you what happened on every day that I was in the field. I can tell you where I traversed that day, the weather and what kind of rocks (if any *shakes fist at both till sampling and eskers!!*). I don't have this kind of memory recall skills when I try and apply it to the rest of the year.

I have a strange association recall. I can remember what a person was wearing during which particular conversation or meeting.

I used to use it as a tool in a way. If someone said 'no, you never told me' or 'I don't remember' I could say "well, I was standing here, you were sitting there, you were in a red hoodie and jeans with your checkerd vans and you had the paintball game up on your screen...and that's when I said _____ and you replied _____"

and then someone pointed out it kind of made me sound like a crazy stalker. doh.

You know I ... don't remember what I was going to say.

Anyway, many days that I remember are duplicates. I joined the Coast Guard on Jan 26th. That is the same day that my Grandmother passed away (5 years later). Coast Guard Day is on Aug 4th, my other Grandmother was born on the same day (obviously, not in 1790, though)

I don't remember most names (even from people I've known for a while), and I don't remember the things I need when I'm grocery shopping, but when it comes to my work, I remember everything in detail...the exact words I read (including the numbers of the pages), the exact words of the people who say something (including their location and facial expressions).
I call it selective memory, and I guess I only remember things that matter.
I'd hate to remember everything.

NOOO! I have it too! TraumaPappa is like...."I never said that!"

and I say, "well we were in the kitchen you were drinking out of my Spongebob coffee mug and leaning on the counter by the dishwasher when I told you!"

I remember alot of places where I have discussions but have a HORRIBLE time with names.

"I had never read of or even heard about a person who has a comparable ability to remember," McGaugh said"
He should take a look at this clip then, starting after the first 58 seconds
or what about Kim Peak ( the real rainman)

I think this is especially true for women. Women tend to not forget anything, especially when a conversation is involved.

I rarely ever forget a conversation, yet I forget things at the grocery store also, and am horrible with names.

Luckily she has a condition that can be treated with our good friend alcohol.