Attention to Detail

Growing up, I heard this a lot. The devil's in the details. Pay attention to detail.

In school, I would miss the test questions that were like What color was the dress that the main character wore? or What year....?

At home, when we were "ordered" to field day our rooms, I would miss stuff like spots around the bathroom sink faucet, or dust on the window blinds, or a string on the carpet.

Nothing has changed much. I just don't handle details. I don't remember details. If I do remember a detail, it struck me for some reason. It had that much of an impact on me that I remembered it.

You and I can have a conversation and you can tell me your family history. The way it enters my head is good/bad, pass/fail, different/not different, etc. Unless it is something extremely unusual, or something I can relate to what I already know or have experienced, I most likely won't remember what you told me. I'll remember if it was a good or bad history. I'll remember if it was a happy or sad history. I'll remember how you seem to feel about it and how you told the story. As for the details....I am sorry.

It's irritating sometimes. It really is. I don't tell jokes very well. I don't tell stories very well. I often have to be reminded of names, occupations, locations and, well...the details! However, it will "ring a bell" once I am told again. I don't forget the conversation, I just file it differently.

I will always remember the vibe in a room, the experience, the big picture.

It's funny sometimes. Annoying other times.