Thursday, June 07, 2007

Polishing My Listening Skills

I've been told on more than one occassion, that I don't listen. Oh, pashaw!

I actually think I'm a good listener. I interrupt a lot, which many people think means I'm not listening, but really I'm just gathering more information as the conversation goes along and because I'm a
goldfish, if I don't ask a question as it occurs to me, I will forget to do so at the end of their schpiel.

The last few nights as I drive, I've been listening to a book on CD. Well, I guess I should say, I've been thinking about my life, my job, my newest project, my relationship, my family, the squirrel that just ran in front of the truck, the guy reading the paper while he's driving (yes, that is true) and the beautiful moon that is casting a silvery glow upon the highway while the lady on the CD reads the story. She has a beautiful, lilting voice that provides the perfect background for my thoughts. Too bad I'm not hearing a word she says.

The thing is, my mind wanders; I can't focus on the story. And because of that, I have no fucking idea what it's about. Not only can I not listen to a woman read the story I paid money to hear, but because I wasn't paying attention, I will now have to spend even more money to go out and buy the book the damn book and read it myself anyway.

So much for my great listening skills.

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