Forgot my watch
4 Comments

I'm a geek.  I wear a watch religiously.  I've been known to throw my watch-wearing in people's faces with such witticisms as, "If you really wanted to know the time, you'd get your own damn watch, jerk."  Wearing a watch is probably my longest-running habit, starting when I was about 10.  I wear my watch every day.  In school, at work, to church, on weekends, on vacation, in a tent in the middle of the woods.  Second to breathing, watch-wearing is the most regular thing I do. 

Today, I forgot to put my watch on. 

This is troubling for a number of reasons.  For one, it's a habit.  I've been wearing a watch every day for about 15 years.  Like every friggin day.  Everywhere.  All the time.  Since I'm not a morning person, I robotically follow a very simple yet reliable system in the morning:  Shower, dress, put things in pockets and put watch on, drink warm liquid, go to work.  I don't deviate much from that pattern.  Somehow I managed to put the things in my pockets without putting my watch on.  It's like I got dressed in the shower. 

Second, it's Monday, which inevitably means some stupid meeting will appear out of nowhere and ruin my lunch break, which it did.  And of course it's Monday, so I forgot to bring my lunch, which means I had to go out and get my lunch, which means I had to keep checking my watch to make sure I got back in time, which means I was reminded again and again of the fact that I forgot to wear my watch. 

Third, this is my last week at work before going on vacation.  So of course I need to check my watch to see what day it is.  And of course I can't remember even though I just checked 3 minutes ago. 

The funny thing is that I'm at a computer all day, so I can easily check the time and date there.  There's a clock on my desk phone.  There's a clock on another part of my desk.  There's a clock in my car.  And of course I carry a cell phone.  There's really no shortage of timekeeping devices, yet I still feel like a chicken without a head.  What a ridiculous situation my habits (and breaking them) have gotten me in. 

 Monday
May 12, 2008
3:12 pm
Dana:

So I guess that means you stopped the practice of laying all your clothes out - with the watch over the arm of your shirt - the night before?  Maybe you should go back to that . . . Just a thought.

 Friday
May 16, 2008
11:21 am
Dave:

Thanks for bringing that up.  That's why you're my favorite sister. 

Yes, folks, I used to lay out my clothes the night before school.  But not just lay them out like setting them aside.  I literally layed them out, shirt, pants, socks, and underwear all in the right places.  And I guess I threw my watch in there too.  I don't remember that part.  I've since moved away from this practice and now rely solely on a clothes rotation.  It requires much less work, and really, that's what life is all about. 

So yeah, maybe I should get back to my old habit so I won't forget my watch again.  And Dana, maybe you can boss me around some more like you used to do to Stacy.

 Friday
May 16, 2008
11:30 am
Dana:

I bossed you around too -- who do you think got you to eat chicken food and cat food?  Man, you guys were easy!

 Sunday
May 18, 2008
4:16 pm
Wendy:

Dana, thanks for letting me in on those two gems of information :)

 Wednesday
May 28, 2008
9:03 am
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