The other day someone at work asked if I could remember anything about some TV scripts that were presented a couple of years ago. I could and with exacting detail, which caused my colleague to note what a great memory I have. In truth, it’s a bit patchy. There are some things I remember with absolute clarity – my partner reckons I can remember everything I’ve ever eaten at every lovely restaurant – but that’s not actually true.
It’s also been said that I know a heap of useless information – not the kind of useless information that’s useful at a trivia night – just useless stuff, like what a caboose or a mitochondria is.
But there are times when my memory is shot. Like when someone said they’d been to a Thermo-Mix party in the street next to mine – do you think I could remember what the hell that street is called??
Mum calls it CRAFT ‘s disease – Can’t Remember A F-ing Thing.
So when I read the book – Still Alice by Lisa Genova, about a woman coming to grips with early on-set dementia, it was a little bit scary. It’s a truly great book so I lent it to a friend. I thought it was my friend Sophie, so after a few months I sent her an email:
Me: Hi Sophie, did I lend you the book Still Alice?
Sophie: Not that I recall. What was it about?
Me: A woman with early on set dementia.
Sophie: Are you getting the irony of this?? And no, I don’t remember you lending it to me or reading it. Should I be worried?
My friend Kate used to say our minds were so filled up that it was inevitable stuff would start to drop out. But if it’s stuff I’m interested in, like creative ideas, food and useless stuff, I’m pretty good at keeping that in!
How’s your memory?
