6/19/2007

All Thumbs

One of my biggest childhood dreams was to be able to burp the alphabet but I don't think I ever got past 'B'. Since then, I've given up on such lofty goals.

The only stupid human trick I can claim as my own is this weird thumb thing where I can push it flat down with my other fingers. It might not look like much but it's all mine.

Do try this at home. If you can do it, this blog post is free!



Figure 1

Figure 2

42 comments:

chelene said...

I tried. I can't do it and looking at you do it in those pics hurts me. I think you're using a thumb stunt double. The next time I see you I'm requesting a live demo.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

God you must be a huge hit at parties!

I can play the spoons.

Joe said...

Ow.

My joints hurt just looking at it. Good for you, though.

Writeprocrastinator said...

Oh no, you're bringing bad memories of when I dislocated my middle-finger.

No, the pain wasn't worth being able to give everyone the one-fingered salute with my splint.

Cup said...

Damn. I can't do it, either. How much do I owe you, Dale?

I used to be able to touch the back of my shoulder with my toe (double-jointed). Now that such a feat could really come in handy ... I'm too old to twist.

jin said...

*jin tries to do it*

Ouch!
That hurt you jerk!
:-P

Old Lady said...

Well now, if you can do it the opposite way, you have an act!

Can you curl you tongue? If so that is a genetic disposition.

Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

That's hott.

Jenna said...

Ow. Ow. And ow.

Berry said...

Dale! We might be related! ... somewhere in time, our ancestors dipped into the same gene pool. How cool is that?

Oh, and I also have severe hitch-hiker's thumb. You know, when you can bend the unusually long tip of your thumb back at a 90 degree angle? Yeah, that.

X. Dell said...

You have really long thumbs. I can't do it.

Chancelucky said...

Dale,
maybe it's just me, but there are certain angles where that thumb looks like another appendage.

I hope this isn't a Rohrscharch type thing, cause that would say some very weird things about me.
Still, I just thought you'd want to know.

Anonymous said...

You have become even sexier in my eyes.

Jill said...

THanx for the picture, cuz I got in mind the thumb on the wrist trick in head!!
Cannot do it!!

Anonymous said...

Nope. Can't do it either.
Dale, are you, like, a mutant?

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

i, too, have always wanted to be able to burp the alphabet.

i have such classy goals.

mellowlee said...

Ouchie!!!!! :O( That hurtedid

Anonymous said...

How proud your parents must be of you.

Moderator said...

You should get a leveler just to make sure it's perfectly level.

Andi said...

Wow, I don't even think I have anything witty and/or enlightening to add.

It looks weird, and I'm not that talented.

Creepy said...

Showoff.

Anonymous said...

you have a very long















life line

Dale said...

It's the oddest thing Chelene, it doesn't hurt a bit and I'll demo it for you next time for sure and try not to wince. Nobody doubles better, makes me feel sad for the rest.

I'd rather see/hear you play the spoons that have people go ewww at my thumb Barbara!

Aren't joints supposed to be fun Bubs? Only from what I've heard though.

Ouch Write P. And do we get the story of how that happened?

Just knowing you are or were at one time a human pretzel Beth is payment enough.

I didn't feel a thing Jin.

Time for a video demo Old Lady!

Flannery: I know!

I didn't realize I was going to hurt so many people Gizmo! Sorry, sorry and sorry!

Never quite got the hang of the hitchiker thumb Berry but that's excellent news. I may require photographic evidence however.

They don't look that long X. Dell do they?

Oh dear. Chancelucky. When you look into my blog, what do you see? Don't answer that.

Just when you thought I couldn't burn any brighter Winter, I surprise!

Practice Jill, practice!

I am very like a mutant Gifted Typist. But don't tell anyone okay?

668, I fully expected someone to admit that they could if only so I could have a hero. Class all the way.

I should have told you not to push so hard Mel.

Circus people are always proud folk Freelance Cynic.

I'd be afraid of disappointment Grant.

You're much more talented in many other ways Andi!

Another one with many talents I don't possess. Hi Creepy!

BeckEye said...

Hmm.

Yep, that's all you're getting.

Dale said...

Why yes, yes I do Bluez! :-)

From you, I'll take it Beckeye.

Anonymous said...

Wow Dale, all that and a remarkably flexible thumb joint, too.

Reese said...

This is hilarious, but don't hurt yourself, Daley.

Writeprocrastinator said...

"Ouch Write P. And do we get the story of how that happened?"

God was punishing me for something I shouldn't have been doing and I ain't sayin' what. Nevertheless, I ran up an escalator that was off and put my hands before me.

Four of my right fingers stayed down and the top fourth of my middle finger went up and back.

My toes dislocate on a regular basis and I've broken bones in my feet...neither situation has hurt half as bad.

Pezda's Ghost said...

I can very nearly get it flat, and it doesn't hurt either. I've got the hitchhikers thumb going, and if I push on it I can get it past 90 degrees.

I posted some covers for you.

Zed said...

I've read your post and every comment here, and I have now surpassed my skeeve quota for today and well into the weekend. Thanks, y'all. :)

Saviour Onassis said...

Nice.

The greatest Stupid Human Trick around is still: staying alive. And no, I don't mean the BeeGee's song.

Lovely photos of your digits, though.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant.

30 comments about a thumb. Nuckin Futs

Coaster Punchman said...

I am deeply afraid of you for this.

larry h. said...

Um ... I can actually do the Vulcan salute with both hands quite easily. And the worst part is ... I'm not a big Star Trek fan. On occasion, I've taken jabs at Trekkies, especially folks that take the time to learn Klingon (what the ...!!!???). Sorry, if I've offended any Trekkies.

Jill said...

Don't you know that I'm lazy??
And did you die?? It's been a while since you post something!!

Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

All right, already! A week of your thumb?!? I mean it's hott and everything, but COME ON! Didn't someone strange offer you raspberry chocolate chip ice cream? Do you have no co-workers you could mock? Did the opera leave town altogether?

I know you've done something adorable...

Dale said...

I'm living the dream PinkFluffySlippers!

My specialty is making sure I don't get hurt Reese, I'll be A-Ok!

Ouch ouch and holy fuck WP. That sounds horribly painful. And your toes sound pretty.

Your covers were excellent Pezda, is it time for one featuring your hitchiker's thumb?

Zed, each and every one of us says You're Welcome!

Once again, you're right Saviour. Digitally yours,

Dale

Are you thumbing comments at me now Bluez? If you're not part of the solution...

But Coaster Punchman, there are so many other reasons that should be ahead of this one. Wait til I post about my toes.

Larry H, I wondered about your secret powers and somehow I still wonder! The Trekkies/Trekkers will be fine.

Apparently I'm just as lazy as you Jill!

It's been a weak week Flannery but my kingdom for you, I've posted again to remove the offending post from your sightline. The most adorable thing I've done is hold Tanya's beautiful baby, he's a keeper.

wonderturtle said...

I can't either, but I can do the thumb trick where you make little kids think you took the end off!

Anonymous said...

i can dislocate my shoulder. and i have hitchhikers thumb. and i can move the tendons on my middle finger while makin a fist. and i can make a 3 leaf clover with my tongue. i feel special.

Dale said...

You should feel special Anonymous, that's a lot of tricks for a single human. You should take your show on the road!

DD said...

I can wiggle my ears

Dale said...

Prove it DD! :-)