Monday, March 29, 2010

Musing Monday... It's the Book or my Nose

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about multitasking.

Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything?

I do multi-task..but not when when reading. I have been known to eat breakfast while driving. Talk on the cell while driving...before it was illegal in NJ and before I got the new car with the bluetooth thingie. I do draw the line at texting or applying makeup while driving. That is just wrong.

And I do multi-task while blogging. I would say about 99.9% of the time I have the TV on while I type on my laptop. I only subtract the .01 because I do not have it on now. Mostly because I am late leaving for work and want to concentrate.

OK, yes, at work I watch the news on TV while working, but that, rather than hurting my efforts, helps them. Especially in my Lenten, non-tea state. Otherwise I might fall asleep. I do not need full concentration and I can give a few percent to the TV, just to keep my eye on world happenings and such.

Awwww...see that is the word to keep in mind...CONCENTRATE. My issues with distractions has been noted before. I admit things like driving and blogging and working I do with less that my full attention.
But reading..reading takes it all. Especially if I really like the book. Otherwise I will not get fully into the book.
Now on occasion I play music, at a low volume while reading. OK, sometimes I even have the TV on, again, just in the background. But it is just white noise.
But really, reading must be done in a fairly low stimulus environment.
Which is why, as much as it annoys me, I can not listen to audio books and do something else at the same time. And if you are not doing something else while listening, what is the point?

I could 'read' so much more if I could figure out how to listen to audio books without crashing the car or tripping and breaking my nose. Again.



As always, hosted by Rebecca at Just one more page...

9 comments:

  1. I, too, cannot read a book while anything else is going on. However, I do listen to audio books, especially while I clean house (not one of my fave things to do). That seems to work well... Happy Reading!! :) Silke

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  2. I read when I get ready in the morning (it is a practiced skill!) and read while I am eating. I also have that audio book thing going on, which if I may be so bold to say, I'm pretty good at. I listen while exercising, cleaning, driving, cooking and doing yard work. One thing I can't do is blog and listen. I must have full concentration to leave you all inane comments!

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  3. I read and walk around the house, change clothes, cook and eat (when I'm by myself). If I am really into a book, I can block the rest of the world out with no problem.

    Is your header new, or am I slow? Either way, I love it!

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  4. I did do a little blog remodeling this weekend....thanks for noticing!

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  5. Like the new look too!

    It is now strange for me to be in a car without a book going. I can even walk and listen!

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  6. I can't read a book and listen to anything else either. I, also, have no problem watching TV while I'm blogging. That's different :)

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  7. me and mom listen to audio books when we drive back from fl. but sometimes it makes her sleepy and she has to turn it off!

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