Thursday, August 23, 2007
We never pay attention to our surroundings. Maybe we do because we have to see, look and observe to navigate our way around. But that is not paying attention, at very least we don't bother to listen to them. Even as we try our best to pay attention, there is always this tiny little voice in our head which creeps and blocks out all the other sounds. It is the child when you are day-dreaming during a lecture, the planner when you stop to think of your future, the navigator to tell you how to get to where you want to go, the critic when you are shopping or the parent when you are in need of advice.
I never knew that it was so difficult to listen in on our surroundings until I caught Singapore Gaga and came across the part on 4"33. It was a brief explanation of the act and I vaguely remember (I was trying to multi-task as I watched the show) a description of how we never really do listen in on our surroundings and how the sounds changes. With this thought in mind and my plain forgetfulness in not bringing my mp3 player out, I tried on one morning to listen. It took some effort to block out that tiny little voice in the mind and even more effort to keep it out. I guess it is just talking all the time, only that its voice gets blocked out by the mp3 players or things that are naturally interesting to us.
After having blocked it out, I heard the pattering of the rain drops on the ground, the roaring of the car engines, the rolling of car tires on wet road.. Maybe it was the rain, I didn't hear the birds. I didn't hear the people either. It is like we are all cold and alone, boarding the bus to our destinations. Isn't it scary to not know anybody around your house any more? I don't because I came to this new estate some 6 -7 years ago and neighbours I grew up with moved somewhere else. It is as though there is no familiarity around your house anymore. the familiar grounds are at the destinations and in your own home. (I have no idea where I am getting at.. Ha.. Just Typing whatever that comes to the mind)
The Origin. 8/23/2007 02:04:00 pm