help my terrible memory

[jdmetzger]

OK, I'm turning to you guys for help. How desperate must I be? :)

I have a TERRIBLE memory. This is not good for someone my age. Just about every morning I get the bike out of the garage, close the garage door, then get on the bike and ride away. I will be just barely out of the driveway before wondering if I closed the garage door or not. This isn't sometimes; it's ALL the time. I can be walking up the stairs to my house to look for something online and totally forget what I was going upstairs for. It sucks. This happens a lot; not just sometimes. It's starting to drive me crazy. I write everything down at work to keep me from forgetting things and that's working fine, but I can't be doing that for everything else in my life. I'm wondering what things I'm forgetting to do day to day. This has been going on for a while, but I've finally ready that point where I'm overly annoyed. Could it be stress? I don't seem to have these problems when I'm on vacation but I also have less to remember on vacation.

I still remember things that I learn or read - it's just the day-to-day stuff.

I'm thinking it's time to try some ginkgo or something; maybe some of those advertised "mind games" that are supposed to help you stay sharp? Ideas? Anyone? Respond before I forget that I posted this. :)

[tommcgee]

I'm thinking it's time to try some ginkgo or something;

I kept forgetting to take it -- there's a product testament, yes? :whistle

[Braddog]

Wait 'til you get older! :violin

From a young age, I've found that daily routines work for me, and help me NOT to forget things as well as give me the confidence I need.

For example, ever lock your keys in your car? I used to, every once in awhile. My routine now includes having my keys in my hand, in my pocket, when I shut the door...every time.

How about keeping a garage door opener remote on your bike or in your pocket? Roll the bike out of the garage, hit the button, watch it close, take off.

Or, from a routine standpoint, as a reminder, don't put your gloves on until the door is closed.

Lots of little things you can do, some bordering on obsessive/compulsive, that will help you get through the day.

[SNC1923]

Josh,

I could have written your post. How old are you? I'm 46. . . .

For me, I think part of it is age and general health, but I think a major component is how busy I allow myself to be. I feel like a plate spinner sometimes. No one to blame but myself. It keeps life interesting and exciting. On the plus side, I'm never bored.

I haven't forgotten to go to work. Yet.

[Belquar]

More than once I have turned around in the morning to go back and make sure I locked up the office. My bike keys are separate from all my other keys. I have left the keys to the office at home more than once. I forgot to take my cell phone charger to work last night which screwed up my routine of setting the alarm on my phone and putting it on the charger before going to bed (yep...I get paid to sleep). So I almost overslept this morning. Luckily a client called at 0727 and woke me up.

I know when my entire day is going to be off when I start my shower off out of order. Normally after getting wet I will shampoo my hair and then start with the left arm, torso, right arm and so on. I get real confused if I get that out of order and wash my right arm first. I also usually wash my right arm twice. Cause I stand in the shower with my right shoulder to the shower head so it rinses the soap off as I finish the rest of my body. Then I look down and can't remember doing the right arm so I wash it again.

And I am only a few years older than you. It doesn't get any better. Let me know when you start forgetting to flush the toilet. :stick On second thought....don't.

[Bob_M]

Getting old is hard. While just last night I woke up in the middle of the night with amorous intentions toward my wife. I woke her up and she replied, “We did it twice already, so go back to sleep and leave me be”. It is a terrible thing when a man can’t remember a thing like that.:whistle

[Rapid_Roy]

Duct tape. Duct tape yer .....oh wait, that won't help.

How about a web cam pointing at your garage.
How is that for high tech solution for a low tech problem?

[screwtop]

I feel you pain. Just this morning, I closed the garage door and hopped in the cage to drop my son off at daycare. I think I even watched the garage door as it made it's decent, safely securing my precious bikes. I get 1/4 mile down the road and ask myself "Did you shut the garage door"? I actually was not sure, so I do a K-turn and go back to verify. I'm not sure if it's a short term memory lapse or just how "OCD" I am about securing the house.

The other thing I'm terrible with is NAMES!! It seems when I'm introduced to someone new, their name goes in one ear and out the other. I'm getting better at it though. I repeat their name to myself over and over in my head until it sticks, or make up some kind of goofy word association or jingle so I'll remember the name.

[Rod Sheridan]

Consider it a bonus, the more you forget, the less stuff you have to worry about.

Regards, Rod.

[Boingo]

>I'm thinking it's time to try some ginkgo or something; maybe some of those >advertised "mind games" that are supposed to help you stay sharp? Ideas? >Anyone? Respond before I forget that I posted this.

Have you thought about getting a check up with your Doctor? May be a bit of overkill, but then you won’t worry that it might be worse then just old age brain fade.

[rocketman]

I'm sorry, what was this post about???

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Hal-9000.jpg

"I think my mind is going,.......Gang,, My mind is going......"


Welcome to the club

whatever club this is........????

RM??? (I think???)

[AKBeemer]

Hey Josh, can I borrow your bike and a couple hundred bucks?

[rmarkr]

Seletive memory, and hearing, have definite advantages - dont let it get you down.
My favourite trick these days is to leave the credit card behind after paying.

My simple format:
Stress is the root of all evil - dont sweat the small stuff, or the big stuff.
Get some physical exercise - whatever, a few hours a week.
Get some mental exercise - suduko (I'm addicted), crosswords, a new language - said to keep Alzheimer's disease at bay.
Find an escape - riding fast, a smoke, a drink, a joint, a book, polish every fastener on the bike- whatever, keeps the stress level down.
Money - stop to smell the roses - there are sure to be many people poorer than you.
People - all have frailties - enjoy the good in them, distance yourself from mean people.

:dance

[Visian]

I'm wondering what things I'm forgetting to do day to day.

you need to quit smoking so much pot, dude. :ha

[Visian]

seriously, though... i have the same problem. (no... not the pot!)

the reason is, for me anyway, that i am almost always processing several lines of thought at once.... constantly thinking about too may things.

if i had a dollar for every minute i've spent looking for my damned car keys... :eek

the way i deal with it is to be very consistent in what i do with things like that. my keys are only one of three places: on the hook (fourth one from the right), in the ignition or in the right-sleeve pocket of the 'stitch.

wallet? on my dresser, in my briefcase or in my hand.

but for everything else, if it weren't for my wife, i could not find my butt with both hands.

ian

[OfficerImpersonator]

OK, I'm turning to you guys for help. How desperate must I be? :)

I have a TERRIBLE memory. This is not good for someone my age. Just about every morning I get the bike out of the garage, close the garage door, then get on the bike and ride away. I will be just barely out of the driveway before wondering if I closed the garage door or not. This isn't sometimes; it's ALL the time. I can be walking up the stairs to my house to look for something online and totally forget what I was going upstairs for. It sucks. This happens a lot; not just sometimes. It's starting to drive me crazy. I write everything down at work to keep me from forgetting things and that's working fine, but I can't be doing that for everything else in my life. I'm wondering what things I'm forgetting to do day to day. This has been going on for a while, but I've finally ready that point where I'm overly annoyed. Could it be stress? I don't seem to have these problems when I'm on vacation but I also have less to remember on vacation.

I still remember things that I learn or read - it's just the day-to-day stuff.

I'm thinking it's time to try some ginkgo or something; maybe some of those advertised "mind games" that are supposed to help you stay sharp? Ideas? Anyone? Respond before I forget that I posted this. :)

Classic symptoms of ingesting far too much marijuana over far too many years. :stick

[bikerfish1100]

ask your dad how he spent his time in college. i think its his fault.

[jdmetzger]

Wow! Some great stuff; and some funny stuff, as well. :)

Stat is right; with the job change, new commute, flight out of town (another approaching meaning leaving the dog, again), attempted burglar, and so on... it's been a bit more stressful as of late. I could go on and on about stressful stuff, really. I have always had issues with shutting my mind down. It's always running a million miles an hour. Actually, that's one really, REALLY nice thing about taking long rides. I get so focused on the ride. My thoughts are traffic, road surface, destination, fuel, weather, controlling the bike (of course), and that's about it. I'm so focused on the ride I don't think about other stuff. I need to go on a long trip. :(

In the meantime, I need to try to slow down, I guess. Even this weekend I walked up the stairs to get a camera before going riding with a friend, and I totally forgot to grab the camera. Dumb. I was in a hurry. "Plate spinner" is a good was of describing how I feel, at times. I really do need to work on some routines. I almost left for lunch today without my house key, which would have not been a good thing. I need to make sure that's always in a pocket in my riding jacket and not in my backpack or anywhere else. I try to run out the door really fast sometimes, and I throw things wherever they best fit. I'm also horrible with names; so if I ever forget yours after we meet, it's nothing personal. :)

Roy's suggestion of a camera is interesting. I've thought about installing a wireless video camera for a while now (multiple reasons), but it would help my "did I close the garage?" issues. Plus, I'm geeky enough to want something like that.

Also regarding Stat's ideas, I don't believe my house was built on any Indian burial ground. Much of Toledo was once the black swamp. Based on the sandiness of my soil, I doubt it would have been a good place to bury people. Easy to dig, but probably pretty wet. :)

Also, sorry; no bikes or money for me to lend to anyone AND, no drugs for me. That smoke + asthma is not a good mix. Possibly I should cut down on the beer, though. I'll leave the doctor out of it unless everything else fails.

Thanks!!! :wave

[Newstar]

OK, I'm turning to you guys for help. How desperate must I be? :)

I have a TERRIBLE memory. This is not good for someone my age. Just about every morning I get the bike out of the garage, close the garage door, then get on the bike and ride away. I will be just barely out of the driveway before wondering if I closed the garage door or not. This isn't sometimes; it's ALL the time.
:)


This is qhat happens when you second guess what has become second nature. I automatically close the garage door as I walk out. I usually get a half mile down the road and start wondering if I closed it. There have been times that I've called my neighbor to ask if it was closed. Heck, I've even called my neighbor to check to make sure I let the dog in! Now THAT's really bad!

[DADODIRT]

I like to refer to it as

"Long-term Short-term Memmory Loss"

[darcym]

This is what happens when you second guess what has become second nature. I automatically close the garage door as I walk out. I usually get a half mile down the road and start wondering if I closed it. There have been times that I've called my neighbor to ask if it was closed. Heck, I've even called my neighbor to check to make sure I let the dog in! Now THAT's really bad!


+1

It's something you do automatically without thinking, so you do it but are thinking about something else (what you have to do that day, don't forget to pick up some milk at the store on your way home, have to call that guy ...) and so 1/2 mile later when you stop to think about the garage door ... damn! :scratch

Distractions. Some external, some internal. Nothing more than that.

[flgoff]

Gringo Balboa will definitely help . . .

Floyd

[jdmetzger]

Gringo Balboa will definitely help . . .

Floyd

Is he related to Rocky? What's his number; I'll give him a call...

:D

[OfficerImpersonator]

Gringo Balboa will definitely help . . .

Floyd

Ginko Biloba might work, too.

[RandallIsland]

Just drink more.
It'll get better.
:whistle

[jdmetzger]

Just drink more.
It'll get better.
:whistle

Oh, you mean drink so much that I don't remember that I'm forgetting things? Does that work, or would it be some type of paradox that would lead to the destruction of the space-time continuum?

http://www.christopherlloyd.net/christopherlloyd/bttfdoc.jpg

[RandallIsland]

Oh, you mean drink so much that I don't remember that I'm forgetting things? Does that work, or would it be some type of paradox that would lead to the destruction of the space-time continuum?

Just drink so much you don't really give a damn anymore!
It does alter the time-space continuum.
It does! :thumb

[Voni]

rmarkr wrote:

My simple format:
Stress is the root of all evil - dont sweat the small stuff, or the big stuff.
Get some physical exercise - whatever, a few hours a week.
Get some mental exercise - suduko (I'm addicted), crosswords, a new language - said to keep Alzheimer's disease at bay.
Find an escape - riding fast, a smoke, a drink, a joint, a book, polish every fastener on the bike- whatever, keeps the stress level down.
Money - stop to smell the roses - there are sure to be many people poorer than you.
People - all have frailties - enjoy the good in them, distance yourself from mean people.

:dance

Beautiful!

Especially the last.
Voni
sMiling

[130253]

Adhd

[2BikeMike]

Well, I guess that explains why you haven't repaid the 50 bucks you borrowed last month.:laugh

[KGT1200]

Spacin out. Yep, I'm just a few months from 51, and I know that spacin stuff well er, uh I think, anyway!

What has worked for me is busting my balls every other night at the gym for 1 hour and 15 minutes. No stinkin palates, not wishy swishy exercise bikes, just weights, machines and I come out red faced, feeling better than I have in years, and best of all? My spacin out has decreasaed, stamina (ahem) and overall ability to deal with all the CRAP on the table from my job has greatly improved.
But, thats just me!

jus sayin!

red
\
ps now if they only could find a way to fix my spelin!:whistle :brad ;) :ear

[The_Veg]

It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something.

[tessler]

Just came back from a short hop with Bubba down to Coney Island for some Nathan's Famous (will post obligatory hot dog pix in another thread)...

On the way back home we stopped in Park Slope for some coffee. I laid my glasses down on top of my system case (in the handle-nook) and promptly forgot them. Made it just shy of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (about a mile from where we'd stopped) when I realized that they weren't on my face. Pulled over and fortunately, there they were safe and sound right where I'd left them. Glad I didn't go above 30 before I made the realization. :whistle

[OHScot]

I always call my neighbor when this happens. Got him on speed dial on the cell phone. Automatic routine just goes away after awhile. So far 100% the door has been closed.

[SNC1923]

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.

How are you sleeping? Are you crazy tired all the time? If so, consider a sleep study.

Just a thought. If sleeping fine and well rested, please disregard.

I was also going to suggest taking up pipe smoking (my new vice), but it may not mix well with asthma.

Sounds like you're going to be fine. . . .

[RoboRider]

Two things:

First, you might try lists. A good pilot uses a checklist You can make one for riding that includes closing the garage door!

Second, I try to go to sleep and remember something first thing in the morning. For example, when you go to bed, try and remember anything (like apples, the color blue, hat, deer, anything). Then, when you wake up, see if you can remember what it was (if you are really bad, write it down before sleep).

You might find at first you forget to even try and remember! I put a note on the bedroom door to remind me to not to forget to try and remember!

Now, it's habit. I can say "remember to call the accountant" and sure enough, the next morining, I remember to call the accountant.

Try it, it's fun.

[AKBeemer]

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.

How are you sleeping? Are you crazy tired all the time? If so, consider a sleep study.

Just a thought. If sleeping fine and well rested, please disregard.

I was also going to suggest taking up pipe smoking (my new vice), but it may not mix well with asthma.

Sounds like you're going to be fine. . . .

Wow! Can we PM you for private internet doctor advice?:type

[Vandy2]

what you need is a pill half ginkgo and half viagra. There is a punch line here.
Think about it.

[bobh41]

... it's UNIX. It's a disease that has not found it's way into the medical literature. It affects 9 out of 10 UNIX ADMINS. It is irreversible and cumulative, meaning by the time you retire you will have to write down everything you need to remember - your full name, SSN, birthday, phone number, your Mother's maiden name. You might as well start now; get yourself a good diary book and begin writing.

The cause, of course, is being totally involved in forty-leben different activities ALL THE TIME, each being a priority ONE.

Otherwise, seriously - Vipassana meditation is probably the best thing you can do to recover your sound mind. Some people call it simply "mindfulness" meditation.

[Bob_M]

what you need is a pill half ginkgo and half viagra. There is a punch line here.
Think about it.

It's hard to remember

[Klay]

Just about every morning I get the bike out of the garage, close the garage door, then get on the bike and ride away. I will be just barely out of the driveway before wondering if I closed the garage door or not. This isn't sometimes; it's ALL the time.

Tell me about it, I do this constantly.

Sometimes when I'm going somewhere to run an errand, I'll forget where I am going and pass the turn-off. Then I'll remember and do a U-turn and drive by the turn-off again. It's even happened a third time.

I don't think it's old age, because I've always been susceptible to this. No answers here.:dunno

[beemerred]

I`m thinkin`Jack Nickelson in "as Good as it gets" ! Compulsive Obsessive. :dance or you should head to the office and just keep going cause you need some R&R.

[Burnszilla]

I have the same problem with locking the car in parking lots. To help I always sing a stupid little song out loud when pushing the key fob button to lock the doors. "We're locking the doors, we're locking the doors, gonna eat some smores!" Then when you are inside the mall or on your hike you remember that you sang that stupid rhyme so you must have locked the doors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic

Here's one for ya..."Garage door down, garage door down, now I'm gonna ride into town."

I also heard there's no cases of Alzheimer's in India because they have so much curcumin in their diets. You can get it in the spice isle or in a pill at the health food store here. It increases circulation. Ginkgo Biloba and DMAE (Di-Methyl-Amino-Ethanol) are also very helpful.

[jdmetzger]

I wonder if riding at Centralia had anything to do with current abscent mindedness ? :whistle

hmm... hydrogen sulfide is bad for you? Uh-oh. It's possible we shouldn't have been hanging out there?

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/forum/centralia-bench.jpg

Adhd

Quite possible.

... it's UNIX. It's a disease that has not found it's way into the medical literature. It affects 9 out of 10 UNIX ADMINS. It is irreversible and cumulative, meaning by the time you retire you will have to write down everything you need to remember - your full name, SSN, birthday, phone number, your Mother's maiden name. You might as well start now; get yourself a good diary book and begin writing.

The cause, of course, is being totally involved in forty-leben different activities ALL THE TIME, each being a priority ONE.

Otherwise, seriously - Vipassana meditation is probably the best thing you can do to recover your sound mind. Some people call it simply "mindfulness" meditation.

Hmm... I'm in a lot of trouble, then. Of course, had I stuck with being a Windows guy, I probably would have killed myself by now. :) I always knew my job was the root cause of many of my problems. I need enough money that I can retire in the next few years and enjoy the rest of my life. It would be better for everyone. I'd be happier, people around me wouldn't hear the complaints, my dog would get more exercise, and I could even do some volunteer work. Maybe I should take up a collection? :)

[The_Veg]

I have the same problem with locking the car in parking lots. To help I always sing a stupid little song out loud when pushing the key fob button to lock the doors. "We're locking the doors, we're locking the doors, gonna eat some smores!" Then when you are inside the mall or on your hike you remember that you sang that stupid rhyme so you must have locked the doors.
Here's one for ya..."Garage door down, garage door down, now I'm gonna ride into town."

I eagerly await the YouTube links for your music-videos. :rocker :rocker :rocker

[jdmetzger]

I have the same problem with locking the car in parking lots. To help I always sing a stupid little song out loud when pushing the key fob button to lock the doors. "We're locking the doors, we're locking the doors, gonna eat some smores!" Then when you are inside the mall or on your hike you remember that you sang that stupid rhyme so you must have locked the doors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic

Here's one for ya..."Garage door down, garage door down, now I'm gonna ride into town."

I also heard there's no cases of Alzheimer's in India because they have so much curcumin in their diets. You can get it in the spice isle or in a pill at the health food store here. It increases circulation. Ginkgo Biloba and DMAE (Di-Methyl-Amino-Ethanol) are also very helpful.

It's funny how well those word games can work.

Back in 8th grade, I was taking Spanish. The teacher would have us come up with ways of remembering what we were learning. Some of them I considered kind of stupid, but those are the ones I remember; I can even remember sitting in class and hear the student present his example. Crazy. So, now I always know "corbata" is "tie"; and that is linked to "cobra" which I guess a tie is somewhat shaped that way. Thanks, Jason. :)

[The_Veg]

So, now I always know "corbata" is "tie"; and that is linked to "cobra" which I guess a tie is somewhat shaped that way. Thanks, Jason. :)

Another good reason to never wear the things.

[bobs98]

You're not getting older, Josh. You're getting better.

I frequently go back to check the garage door. It's always closed.

They say that the second thing to go bad on a man is his memory. I forget the first.

Whatever you do, just remember the beer(s) you owe me.

[wezul]

I could thrash you about the head and shoulders quite smartly with this stick.
Do you think that might help?
Always willing to accommodate.

[Montana]

Watch the movie "Memento." You'll realize how bad it could get.