Absent-mindedness

As a person I am very dreamy and it results in absent-mindedness. Ofcourse, I have not gone to the extent of wearing only my shirt and nothing below and go to office as Super Star Rajnikanth has done in 'Tharmathin Thalaivan' movie. In my school days I used to be so absent-minded my mother used to express her concern as 'don't get run over by lorry while crossing the road'. Many a times during my exams I used to leave behind my hall-ticket and my father used to bring and give me in the nick of time. When twin children were born, I myself became nervous about my absent-mindedness and I used to write the name of the baby on the milk bottle so that I don't feed the same baby twice while starving the other.

It is while working at CECRI, Karikudi, one of my colleague taught me how to overcome absent-mindedness. I was visiting my parents in Madurai during the second and fourth Saturdays as holidays (we did not have 5-day working at that time). My colleague was having a nice garden in his house at Karaikudi and he wanted me to get some seeds from the nursery which was in the Regal talkies compound at Madurai. I agreed and when I went to Madurai and crossed the Regal talkies I did not remember since I was absent-minded. When I returned to Karaikudi I had to apologise to my colleague. This repeated a few times and my exasperated colleague gave me the solution- to put a knot at the end of handkerchief. He also told me,'this time if you don't get, I am going to beat you'. I went to Madurai and was passing through Regal Talkies and again I forgot. But, just as i was passing the nursery, a moffisil bus let out a big exhaust which hit my eyes and I had to take out the handkerchief to wipe. Then, I noticed the knot and remembered the threat. I went to the nursery and bought the seeds he wanted. Since that day, it was a habit with me to put knots at the end of handkerchief to remember things.

If it is one thing at atime then one can use the knot technique. But, when I used to go to market to buy things I will forget few things invariably. My wife used to insist that I make a list and keep checking the list which worked well with me. But, still many a times after coming home I used to realise 'Oh, I did visit the shop, but still forgot to buy'.

In the '70s there was a Hollywood comedy movie by the famous comedian Jerry Lewis titled, 'Absent-minded professor'. My colleagues had nick-named me with that title. Are you also absent-minded? Please share your experiences here.

Regards,

TDU

TDU
nicely written articel about absent mindedness and its consequence. yes i was also blessed with it. To the extent that my mother used to warn me remember to take the baby home from any visit to others houses. But over the years I have realised its because I have not been organised or focussed. So now I make a shopping list and keep handy , jot down points to get things done, even put a time table so many ways which have helped to focus better and get things done in a more efficent way. No excuses accepted so focus keeps improving each time.

Hi,

It is nice to see that there are people in this list also... I invariably forget some of the things... So, I start early and try to take everything and check twice, before leaving... The main reason is, when I start from house, if I get tensed, finished.... evan packed and kept ready... I would have left behind... The most frequent items I leave behind is my mobile/purse/files....

I normally dont carry umbrella, tiffin box etc... basically because of the fear of leaving them behind... Once I lost my Umbrella in Chennai local train, while travelling from office to home and I realised it after reaching home... But I think, I had purchased it out of hard earned money... One of my friends who saw that I have left behind the umbrella in the train itself, took it and gave me back after 3 days...

Even when I go for shopping I used to forget 2 out of the 5 things which I should purchase and get my earful from my wife... So, the best solution.... I take my wife for shopping....

Veda

TNU,

Nice one, really enjoyed yr style.I am in the habit of forgetting my mobile inmy car.When I sit down in the car, I have to take out the handkerchief,mobile , ciggies and matches, and keep on the seat besides me,as I cant attend to the mobile if it rings in my pocket.

And most of the times I forget these in the car, and later I realize at the printer’s or tailor;s place that it is in the car.

Also I don’t remember anything, unless I write it down in my diary.Even Wedding crds, I have to write in the diary on that date that I have to attend.I write down the venue address also,as the cards gets misplaced, so everyday when I open my diary, I know what I have to do.

Problem is on Sundays, when I don’t open my diary.If a wedding is on Sunday, I will invariably forget it.

So u are not theonly one, I am also like that.Great write.Regards.kamal

hello raman

just as i finished posting
a similar one
i find yours popping..
on the list
on the same lines...
thats great
ninaikka ninaikka
maranthu ponathe
amam naan enna solla vanthen
ahn onnum gyapagam vara
maattenguthe..

no absent mindedness here...!!!!!!!!

sathya

Originally Posted by anandchitra

TDU
nicely written articel about absent mindedness and its consequence. yes i was also blessed with it. To the extent that my mother used to warn me remember to take the baby home from any visit to others houses. But over the years I have realised its because I have not been organised or focussed. So now I make a shopping list and keep handy , jot down points to get things done, even put a time table so many ways which have helped to focus better and get things done in a more efficent way. No excuses accepted so focus keeps improving each time.

Dear anandchitra,

Thanks for your appreciation. I posted this after reading your fine post 'I too made a list'. My absent-mindedness is associated with thought waves keep coming and making me forget the present. Even while eating, I eat mechanically with my mind lapsing into some thoughts. Nowadays, I am saved of this since I go in a group to eat lunch and I am kept engaged by my American colleagues who keep referring to me anything about India.

Regards,

TDU

Originally Posted by Vysan

Hi,

It is nice to see that there are people in this list also... I invariably forget some of the things... So, I start early and try to take everything and check twice, before leaving... The main reason is, when I start from house, if I get tensed, finished.... evan packed and kept ready... I would have left behind... The most frequent items I leave behind is my mobile/purse/files....

I normally dont carry umbrella, tiffin box etc... basically because of the fear of leaving them behind... Once I lost my Umbrella in Chennai local train, while travelling from office to home and I realised it after reaching home... But I think, I had purchased it out of hard earned money... One of my friends who saw that I have left behind the umbrella in the train itself, took it and gave me back after 3 days...

Even when I go for shopping I used to forget 2 out of the 5 things which I should purchase and get my earful from my wife... So, the best solution.... I take my wife for shopping....

Veda

Dear Veda,

It is heartening to know that I am not alone in forgetting. I have also lost several umbrellas and this has reminded me of the time when after coming out of our library in BARC I absent-mindedly picked up an umbrella and walked off. The owner of the umbrella came running after me and I had embarassing moments.

Regards,

TDU

Originally Posted by Kamalji

TNU,

Nice one, really enjoyed yr style.I am in the habit of forgetting my mobile inmy car.When I sit down in the car, I have to take out the handkerchief,mobile , ciggies and matches, and keep on the seat besides me,as I cant attend to the mobile if it rings in my pocket.

And most of the times I forget these in the car, and later I realize at the printer’s or tailor;s place that it is in the car.

Also I don’t remember anything, unless I write it down in my diary.Even Wedding crds, I have to write in the diary on that date that I have to attend.I write down the venue address also,as the cards gets misplaced, so everyday when I open my diary, I know what I have to do.

Problem is on Sundays, when I don’t open my diary.If a wedding is on Sunday, I will invariably forget it.

So u are not theonly one, I am also like that.Great write.Regards.kamal

Dear Kamalji,

Thanks for your appreciation of my post. I am glad to know that I am not alone in forgetting things. I think this is a trait in great thinkers like us.

Regards,

TDU

Originally Posted by sathya

hello raman

just as i finished posting
a similar one
i find yours popping..
on the list
on the same lines...
thats great
ninaikka ninaikka
maranthu ponathe
amam naan enna solla vanthen
ahn onnum gyapagam vara
maattenguthe..

no absent mindedness here...!!!!!!!!

sathya

Dear sathya,

You have made me feel guilty of having robbed your chance to post on the same topic in your inimicable poetic style. I would welcome you to post it ( you can slightly change the title) even now and give us an enjoyable post.

Regards,

TDU

hi Tamizha,

Of course! In this stressful life, who remembers little things like "Soak Rice and paripu for idli"? Each finds their own way of dealing with the situation..

My secret is... I use the MS Outlook to remind me. I set up new appointments or schedules to remind me. All birthdays, all festivals, all things to be done. Even car insurance. One day before the birhtday my reminder pops up with a dwaiing sound, as says " Call So&So, Happy birthday". Or 1 week before Lakshmi Vratam , it says "Go to Indian stores for Puja Saamaan". Every Tuesday morning when i open my laptop, my outlook goes... " Hanuman Chalisa " . My laptop is 'On' 24/7 and I don't dismiss the reminder, until I'm done with it.

Regards,
Sharada