Memories

What is the most important thing about … well, it felt important at the time … but now, I can’t remember what it was, much less why it was important. I’ve already forgotten it, kind of like last year’s income tax return (after it’s been filed and forgotten in the dustbin of history).

My memory used to have a half-life of thirty seconds. After thirty seconds I’d forget half of my thought, and then the other half no longer seemed to matter. Eventually, I’d forget the second half too. Oh well.  Now the half-life is … well … fewer than thirty seconds.

When he was my age, my father had already mastered the fine art of … ah, yes … remembering. He simply carried around a small notepad, and he wrote reminders to himself. His system worked well for him. Maybe I’ll give it a try, although I would use the notes app on my phone instead of a notepad, because I’d probably set that down somewhere and forget where.

But memory is a strange and fleeting ability. I can forget what happened ten minutes ago, but a memory from 40 years earlier will reappear uninvited. For example, just now I’m remembering a statement attributed to a famous classical pianist:

“If I don’t practice for one day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, my students know it, and if I don’t practice for three days, everyone knows it.”

So, what was my point?   Ah, yes. If I’d written it down immediately, I’d remember it. Provided that I can remember exactly where I wrote it down. These days, things can even get lost in the labyrinth of files in my computer. That’s why I’ve learned to use the word “Blog” in the title of the file for every blog entry. Type that word into the search field and like magic – every blog related file appears.

It’s been a nice weekend — I enjoyed watching several excellent playoff games in the National Football League.  But after the Super Bowl (that happens on February 8, if you care to write it down) woe is me. I’ll have to reestablish my relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA Basketball. (Is the “Dancing With the Stars” show still on TV – maybe in its 200th or so season?).

All right. I’ve avoided work long enough. I’m off to my office to … well, I’m sure I’ll remember by the time I get there.

Alan