Thought for the Day (Oct 28)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 11:00 AM

Neil-- Yeah, that's really the pits. In the middle of a project, I dash to the hardware store for something I need, and then I'm reduced to wandering around the store, hoping that I shall remember what I came for when I see it. After fifteen years or so of this, the clerks have learned to stand aside and let me wander.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:51 AM

For example, I'm on the couch and a thought occurs to me that I need something from another room. In the time it takes to get there, I have forgotten what I came there for. Or I'm preparing supper and I need an ingredient from the fridge. Four steps across the floor and I'm staring stupidly into the refrigerator, the door open, letting all the cold air out as I wonder what it was that I needed. This happens more and more often. I am probably a prime candidate for Old Timer's disease....someday I will look in the mirror and wonder who's staring back at me, looking so dumbfounded. On the other hand, I think it was Lao Tsu who said, "A good traveller never knows where he is going. A perfect traveller never knows where he's been." Now, where was I...

Regards, Neil

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Melbert
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:38 AM

Oh yeh - I just remembered.

I had to give someone my address this morning, and gave them an address which we moved away from twelve years ago!

Now, what was I doing before I broke off to write this?.........

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Melbert
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:36 AM

I find I can still remember faces - trouble is I can't match names to them. It's a bad trait for a salesman! I've been in my industry for twenty years, during which time I've had contact with (I guess) thousands of people. What I hate now is exhibitions and trade shows 'cos you can guarantee someone will come onto our stand (or booth for you people across the pond). It's obvious they know me and I know I know them, but I haven't the foggiest idea who they are! I have to resort to dropping my pen in order to try and get a closer look at their ID badge, and you can guarantee it's hidden under their jacket lapel.....

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Bert
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:30 AM

THAT'S it Allan C, of course!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:18 AM

I once answered the phone at work and forgot the name of the company....?? I put my hand over the phone and frantically asked the secretary "who are we"... I now have a label on my desk with the name of the company written out in full. Mind you it is a bit of a mouthful - "The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Technology Network Ltd" There are so many bits of info floating round in my head that some of them are bound to sink.

kindest regards

Patrish

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Allan C.
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:15 AM

The real problem is not senility. It is that we are all just so damned brilliant! Our minds are unable to concentrate upon some things - especially the mundane things like, where we left our glasses - because of all the amazingly clever things our minds are contemplating at the time.

It is said that we should, and usually do, learn from our experiences - both good and bad. So in order for our wonderfully smart thoughts to form, we must be able to draw upon those memories at any given time. Thus the good memories and the unpleasant ones are forever with us.

I had more to say about all of this but I just can't remember what it was...

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 10:13 AM

Pete-- Even as I write this, I am stealing time from creating the Summer and Fall term schedules, and I have a set of graduate papers which demand my attention before I get the final touch on tomorrow's class. At the same time, the guitar and banjo leaning against one corner of my desk remind me that I have two solo shows coming up in a week or so, and I have yet to give any attention to what I'm going to do. I can remember a time when I could handle all this, but now I'm beginning to feel like the mythological hoopo bird. If you think your in trouble now, picture yourself in ten years: that's where I am!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:57 AM

Pete, I may have mentioned it before on a thread (see it's happening to me as well!) but I have a notice above my desk which says:Each day I learn one new thing, the trouble is I forget two others".
I'm the "oldest inhabitant" in my office and expected to remember what happened 10-20 years ago! I find it impossible to remember names, and Pete, don't you find professors are getting younger?

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: MMario
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:50 AM

I would have replied to this in much the same words, but I forgot! PeterT; it seems to be hitting a lot of people. I am actually in the middle of phone conversations and will forget what school district I am talking with.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Blackcat2
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:48 AM

greetings Peter

You ca always do what some of my proffessors did - sit in from of the class and chat about your memories. Maybe I'm weird, but I'v always enjoyed learning the knowledge that people gained throughout their lives - that book stuff and looking at pictures can get boring.

By the way, what do you teach?

pax

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:45 AM

And I got the day wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(sorry)
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Bert
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:45 AM

Just don't let Catspaw know and you'll survive just fine.

Subject: Thought for the Day (Oct 28)
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 09:44 AM

Though I have yet to hit 50, I am losing my memory. Oh, my long term memory is fine -- I have a head full of junk -- but I am rapidly losing grip on 20 minutes from now. I am now forced to leave important papers, books, objects that I must have soon deliberately in my way, so that I have to stumble over them to get out of my house, office, and for all I know, toilet stall. It doesn't help that I have 200 students, all buzzing around, and 3 research projects, and an encyclopaedia to edit. Shortly, I will have to start tying long pieces of string to my mittens again. I thought of turning this to advantage, and putting dismal memories I would like to forget by the door for tomorrow, and forget them that way. But no dice. They hang on like burrs. Meanwhile, where are my damn slides for my 10 o'clock class?????????
yours, Peter T.