I think about stuff. A lot. Don’t know if you’ve noticed that…
But if you have, what you probably don’t know is what it looks like–or sounds like–when I think intently about stuff. That’s because on this blog, you’re only reading the outcome of what I’ve been thinking about. You don’t get to see what actually goes on when the wheels are turning.
If I were looking at myself from the outside, I think it would be pretty funny to watch…because I have this tendency to completely forget where I am or who I am with when I’m thinking about stuff. Let me give an indication of some of the things that can happen/HAVE happened when I get lost in my thoughts. Here are the signs that I’m thinking intently about something:
- Suddenly staring off into space while someone is talking, and missing the last half of what they said.
- Staring into space in someone’s general direction, so it looks like I’m staring AT them (when actually it’s more like I’m staring THROUGH them–but it still freaks people out).
- Furrowed eyebrows, wrinkled forehead, and a look that mildly resmbles being pissed off (even though I’m probably not).
- Muttering to myself as I walk down the street.
- Not hearing when someone says hello to me.
- Any of several other embarrasing scenarios that either no one has told me about, or haven’t happened yet. (If you know of one I haven’t mentioned, kindly keep it to yourself for now.)
You especially want to be around me when I’m writing a song in my head. I do a lot of composing while I drive, or while walking from point A to point B. Once I forget I’m in public (which doesn’t take long), “songwriting mode” is typically accompanied by strange, rythmic, whispery, saliva-ey sounds emanating from my mouth. (In my head and inner ear, it sounds very much like drums; but I imagine it sounds way different to the outside world.)
Believe it or not, “songwriting mode” used to be a lot worse. I’ve written songs in my head for as long as I can remember, and as a kid, forgetting where I was usually involved singing whatever I was trying to write.
Out loud.
In public.
While walking.
I suppose when those kids started pointing at me and laughing, that should have given me a clue that I should have reserved “songwriting mode” for pacing in my bedroom, or the shower, or isolated fields miles from other members of the human race. Oh, well. Whatever.
So am I alone in my freak-ness? Or is anyone out there like me?
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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I write in my head while delivering pizzas, making pizzas and cutting pizzas. The down side to this is that I miss streets, deliver pizzas to wrong houses, put jalapenos on lots of pizzas and really create some interesting cut designs.
Thank God I have a sense of humor and so do my bosses…so far.
I haven't really thought about what I look like…but my husband talks with his hands. Which can get rather interesting as he doesn't SAY anything…his hands just move about seemingly randomly.
Larry,
I had some of the same problems when delivering flowers part time…except for maybe the cut designs part. 🙂
Kari,
It's hard to find someone who tops talking or singing to themselves on the street…but talking with one's hands? Pretty stinkin' awesome. 🙂
Yeah… that's pretty much it. I try and stop when I catch myself singing under my breath or muttering to myself, or adding the drums while I'm looking over the coffee menu at starbucks… sometimes when I catch myself in the car (alone right?) and someone stopped at a red light next to me is staring, I'll put my hand up to my ear like I'm turning off the phone… lol.
It seems to get worse the older I get. 🙂
I must say I'm glad I don't talk with my hands much. 🙂