billhamp 
September 21, 2012
Yep, that is me.
It’s Friday and I’m at Panera for lunch. After finishing my Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, Bread, and Apple I get to work.
I put on my headphones (pictured), plug them into my phone and turn on my whitenoise app. It’s at this point and only at this point that I can get anything done.
This was confirmed for me when I first left my job back in January. Without my headphones, I went to Starbucks one day to read when a girl, I’ll say 17, came and sat next to me. Not sure why she was there b/c she had no coffee or banana nut muffin. Just her phone and her hair.
So, I’m reading, she sits down and pulls out her phone. She swipes, she giggles. She swipes and taps and then types furiously and then giggles some more. She then settles into an email or something to read. While she holds the phone with her right hand she takes her left hand and pulls on several strands of hair. She pulls out. . .twirls up. . . .pulls back down. Out, twirls up. back down. Out. Twirls up. Back. . . Down.
She’s next to me and truth is, she has every right to do whatever it is she’s doing. Just mindlessly reading and playing with her hair. I, on the other hand, need a controlled environment. Seriously, I’m trying to read here.
So politely, I think it’s politely, I look at her. I don’t say anything. I just look at her. She finally looks back.
Me: “Seriously?”
Her: “What”?
Me: “The hair. You gotta stop”
Her: “Uh. . ”
I stare at the hair.
I can’t spell her sound. Something like. . . . “hmpphhhh”
Me: “Seriously, the pulling and the twirling. It’s driving me crazy. I’m sorry.”
Mean look followed by her getting up and leaving.
It was at this point that yes, I felt like a jerk. It was at this point that I realized Yes, I may have issues, but also, it was at this point that I realized I can’t do this. I can’t walk into every public place and announce the ground rules for while I’m there. I mean, I’d like to, however, I get the feeling that this just isn’t going to fly with some people.
So that’s my deal. I need distraction free environments when I really need to concentrate. How about you? Do you require any specifics when working?
I used to be all over my kids for listening to music while reading….please HOW can they do that and concentrate. Until once I tried it while in the car listening to the driver (my husband then) bellowing to every song on the radio…..I was pleasantly surprised that I COULD read better listening to music. Now, whenever possible and I’m not on the phones, I have headphones in and I am MUCH more productive. Weird, I know.
I’m enjoying the blogs, Bill. Hope you and the family are all doing well.
Wow, like music with words or just instrumentals? I don’t think I could ever concentrate on the book with words in my head from a song that I know!!!
Either/or…I told you WEIRD, I’m claiming it!
Bill, this is one of Prestons favorite stories of yours. I loved reading it through your words, which is exactly how he tells it.
I think that girl got her hair cut.
Ha! Preston loves a good story. I don’t know of she got her hair cut but I’m certain she’s somewhere talking about this obnoxious guy at Starbucks.
I like it SILENT when I read….then I can fall a sleep real easy….
Exactly! Best way to fall asleep.
This is absolutely hilarious!!! Only you. So funny.
It’s the Larry David in me. What can I say?!