The Morgan
Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 at 11:59 pmI had an unbelievably productive day. I know, days like these don’t often occur, but I guess I got lucky.
When I got up this morning I did a workout, showered, packed a lunch, and made it to work with no problem. At work, I finished up all of my day’s tasks before noon. At noon, I ate my packed lunch (salad with oil and vinegar; grilled tofu sandwich on rye). By 12:30pm, I was outside in the 90-degree heat (with high humidity) walking uptown to the newly reopened Morgan Library & Museum.
The Morgan Library was built adjacent to the home of financier Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913) initially to house his private collection of literary and historical manuscripts and drawings. In 1924, several years after Morgan’s death, his son opened the library for public viewing.
I didn’t get to see the entire museum, especially since some areas were blocked off in preparation for two new exhibits that open in a few days (Celebrating Rembrandt: Etchings from the Morgan and From Rembrandt to van Gogh: Dutch Drawings from the Morgan — on view July 15 through October 1, 2006). But, I was sure to check out Morgan’s study and library rooms, which were filled with rare manuscripts and artwork.
I also went into the gallery with the Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts as well as the Printed Books & Bindings collections. There were rare editions of Hemingway and Shakespeare; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with the author’s editing marks in them; and a hand-colored proof of The Mad Tea Party for The Nursery “Alice” by Sir John Tenniel (for Lewis Carroll) among the many treasures.
After a trip through the gift shop for some postcards, it was back on the pavement for a sun-laced stroll back to work, where I had nothing to do since I’d finished it all before I left. So, I cleaned up my office a little and edited a friend’s college admissions letter, then left early.
On the way home, I stopped for a Metrocard, then on to three stores in the Union Square area to pick up some birthday gifts. At this point, I was quite warm, yet feeling very ambitious so I stopped at Whole Foods. There, I filled my basket with non-hydrogenated shortening, silken tofu, colored decorating sugar sprinkles, soy powder, tumeric, xanthum gum, and one vegan cupcake. Luckily, as I exited the store (after waiting on the lengthy “Express” line) my bus was pulled up, so I was able to get right on!
An hour later, after an uneventful bus ride, I was home, wearing my pajamas, at the stove cooking up some spaghetti with tomato artichoke sauce, asparagus, and grilled tofu. Eat food, wash dishes, clean kitchen, then back into exercise clothes because for some reason at this point not only am I not dead, but I’m feeling seriously awake.
Half hour exercise, quick phone call, kiss the husband goodnight, and here I am … still up. And you know why I’m still up right now? Because I found this son-of-a-bitchin’ HOW FAST CAN YOU TYPE? Web site and now I’m completely wired by my task of trying to type 90 words per minutes with 3 or less mistakes.
HA!
So far my best was 86.44 wpm with only 1 mistake!!! I’m a fast mofukin’ typist, ain’t I? This is why when people are on Instant Message with me, I type an entire conversation to them in one minute, then I’m left waiting five minutes for their 10-word reply. I can see their “bubble”; I know they’re typing!
Ok, so who can beat me? Ready, set, type!
Listen to this podcast
I think I average in the high 60s/low 70s with fewest mistakes. I have topped out in the 80s, but I’m ashamed to admit the number of mistakes I had.
Must practice.
Holy crap. I just did this one that you linked. I must’ve improved in the couple years since the last time I took an online typing test.
I went to it and accidentally clicked on the text box not realizing it started the test. So I started rushing through it.
No mistakes! And my rate was 97.49 WPM and 416.13 CPM (I’m assuming Characters Per Minute). Yikes!
Born to be a secretary, I suppose.
Then again, this doesn’t always happen to me. Typically I’m much slower and make more mistakes. Pressure can have a positive effect on me, though.
Just got 93.96 with 3 mistakes. I’m making myself quit before I do that obsessively to see just exactly how well I can do. I am impressed with your day - I certainly have never been so productive in a day. Nor do I have such a library at my disposal. *is huffy and green with envy*
Kevin: I’m assuming with those scores that you know how to type (with all fingers, that is). Your scores aren’t bad though.
Second Kevin: Sometimes the comments section “remembers” the info for the last commentor, which is what I assume happened here. WHO ARE YOU? Who’s typing so damn fast, I need to know.
Julia: That is some fast typing! Yeah, don’t get sucked in. After a while it feels like you’re playing a video game, then you can’t stop. And thanks, but my days normally aren’t that productive. Though, I am lucky to have museums like this so close by.
I made a lot of mistakes, but I type fast. I just didn’t catch one of my typos so my time was dragged down. Ah, well.
My best was 82.04 wpm w/ 4 mistakes. Maybe after I eat some lunch I’ll be faster!
Hmmm… 94 point something on my laptop. I’d probably be faster on a real keyboard?
I noticed the text changes. Some are probably easier to type than others, so it would probably be best to average?
First attempt: 85 wpm, 1 mistake
Second attempt: 93 wpm, 3 mistakes
Third attempt: 117 wpm, 0 mistakes.
I’ve been professionally measured, having worked several temp jobs. I know Microsoft Office and I can accurately type at 85 words per minute for five minutes at a stretch, so I never had to wait long for work from Kelly’s Services.