Writing Amidst the Noise
Do you find yourself writing amidst the noise?
I normally work in the midst of family goings-on. I'm actually pretty good at it. Usually, I am.
This week is a little noisier than normal. Our new roof is being installed (thankfully, ahead of hurricane season!) and so from 7am to 3pm, we hear the hammering, footsteps, materials dropping, and all those other noises associated with steel roofing.
And of course, dogs and birds. Charlie, one of my Golden Boys (a delightful furkid!) spend about 3 hours barking his warnings to the workers to stay away yesterday. Today, thankfully, he settled down a little sooner. I can't blame him. He doesn't understand why there are several men walking around on the roof.
Add to that the other dogs all being a bit unsettled. And of course, they can't just run outside like they normally do.
Then there is the Macaw, Ra. He usually enjoys the tropical paradise by our pool but for the sake of his sanity, is is just a couple of feet away from my work desk--in our foyer. Ra is a happy bird, but does like to talk...a lot! And macaws are not known for melodiac voices.
Of course, Ra also knows how to get attention. He calls out. People answer him. He laughs.
My writing desk is rarely completely quiet. But this week it is even less so, as you can imagine. As I write this, the workmen have gone for the day. But that just means more activity to manage what needs to be done to catch up with the animals' needs. And the girls are getting ready for karate class.
PHEW!
I suppose I could try to sneak off to a quiet corner in my room with my laptop and work. But then I would still hear some of the noise and I wouldn't have all the accessories of my desktop.
And so I've resolved to the fact that I'm getting less done this week. It can't be helped. We need the roof and my desk set up (double monitors, etc) is in the middle of the home. I hear everything. I planned it that way to manage the house while also writing. But...sometimes that's a bit much.
And so it is this week. I'll play catch up next week, I hope.
Do you prefer to work where life happens or do you find a quiet place or time to work in peaceful bliss? I'd like to hear about your working area.
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55 years ago I got Tinnitus on a firing range in Alaska in the service. And it progressively got worse thru the years that it also made my hearing worse. The VA outfitted me with hearing aids around in the late 1980's. Lately the Tinnitus has gotten quite loud. It makes it very difficult to understand high frequencies in particular women's voices. I've devise a technique that in a restaurant if somebody's talking I just smile and shake my head like I understand. Every time I get new hearing aids they increase the volume in the high frequencies areas. Of course the negative of that is when a motorcycle with its bragging excessively loud muffler goes by it sounds like a 747 that I am standing next to as it rumbles down the runway. I appreciate what you are going through more than you know. Wish you the best.
Wow, Ed. I cannot imagine what you go through with each experience. You have my utmost sympathy.
And thank you for your service!
I have become accustomed to it in one respect. I just keep myself so busy that I can't think about it. When I go to bed I have my Kindle with me until I fall asleep and it hits the floor or somewhere on the bed. The reason I like My Kindle is that it always knows where I left off. When I was using books I lost my place more than not. So I really don't do to bad.
I really like my kindle, too. For me, the ability to enlarge the print is a big benefit when my not-so-young eyes get tired!
I used to be able to block out almost any distraction. But now I find that there are those that intrude, particularly voices, and then the content becomes distracting. I find birdsong in the distance soothing. I am quite sure though that a macaw in the room would be a bit too much.
We do what we can
Best regards
Andy
Yes, I think some of our abilities change over time.
The macaw, although loud at times, is actually pretty funny. He barks like the dogs, then laughs at himself. I'm not sure there is much grey matter activity happening, but he is quite happy with himself, either way.
Hi Diane
I much prefer quiet but rarely get it because I’m (still) 24/7 helping (living) at my wife’s nursing home. I hope to move from here very soon to our own place; my commitments will decrease dramatically and I’ll have much more control over my environment.
:-)
Richard
I'm sure you are looking forward to having a little more control over things. I wish you well.
Diane, my house is ALWAYS noisy
Kids playing, debating and challenging each other.
I will never get use to it. Sometimes I used to be annoyed when I am in the middle of writing and I'm in my zone and I get interrupted by trivial things
What I am now doing is using music as a match for the noise outside my office
I just play music that drowns out their noise and weirdly it works by noise cancellation.
I am free at last ...for now
hahaha...Yes, I understand. I do miss the days when my kids were younger, though. My youngest will turn 21 in July--time does indeed fly!
But you are right about turning up the music. I do that to help balance the sounds and help the dogs relax, too!
July 10. Rebekah (who is also on WA) and her twin Abigail turn 21. My, how they have grown overnight!
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Hi Diane,
I can deal with some degree of noise but I prefer the peace and quiet. If you can work with so much noise and distractions, then you can work anywhere. My hats off to you! I hope that things settle down and get back to normal.
Have a fantastic day! wishing you the very best!
Kind regards,
Nichola
I guess working amidst noise was a skill I necessarily picked up over the years. It does help most of the time.
You seem to use it well!