I have often referred to my brain as a file cabinet; a place where I store all kinds of information. Some of it useful, some is the stuff that ends up in a bathroom reader. For some reason, I have the ability to retrieve what I need at any given moment. This is useful and time saving, both for myself and others as I am often called upon for my opinion or experience. The caveat is that my brain is also a sieve, in that it drains out most fiction. I’m not sure why that is, but it is problematic at times and a blessing at others.
Imagine you are reading a really long book. Near the end of the book, a reference is made about something that happened in the first few chapters, only you don’t get it cause you don’t remember. Joining a book club? Not likely, no one would believe I had actually read anything.
Now, imagine you’re at the movies. Popcorn, candy, the whole works. You’ve been waiting for months to see this movie, cause well you loved the book. The canvas is BLANK. Yep, that’s right, you don’t remember how it ends, who dies or how, or basically a lot of things. You enjoy the expereince like it is the first time you have heard this story.
I asked my doctor about this once, as my daughter feared I was having early signs of dementia. He explained to me that as we get older (wincing at his words, but agreeing), we become less able to absorb information from muplitle sources at once. Makes perfuect sense to me and explains how I could do homework with the stereo blasting in my youth and now I can’t watch TV and carry on a conversation at the same time. I’m satisfied with my doctor’s explanation, gives me a great excuse should I ever need one.
I am quite content with the priority my mind gives information. I may not have a handle on all fictional references, but I do remember some pretty amazing things. And Rosebud; I’ll probably never forget that.
Pink Is an attitude 