Each one of us will at some point be found in the waiting room. What do you do while you await the call to pass beyond the door to the inner sanctum?
If there is a TV, I’ll choose a spot that puts my back toward the infernal contraption. I prefer to enjoy the company of my own thoughts. Those thoughts may go to the scene of the hawk diving upon the young rabbit in the field beside the road that I saw as I drove to the doctor’s office that morning. Then there were the five young deer I met on the road. We examined one another carefully before they moved on to complete their rounds. Sometimes, I think of rich dark earth and green growing things or dark blue skies on a sunny summer day.
On occasion, I remove the notepad and pen from my pocket and write a note or start a poem. I find that far more enjoyable than watching daytime TV. Or TV at anytime for that matter. Here is what may come from a moment like that.
In the Waiting Room
While I sit and wait
I kill time by taking notes
Might write a haiku
I can’t stand the TV, either. I am sometimes bold enough to turn it down or turn it off. Why must they have the offensive stuff on, anyway? If I have to hear it, can’t it be set to the cooking channel or cartoons? I have young sons so it’s often very uncomfortable for them in the waiting rooms.
I like my iPhone. I can read books, read blogs, emails, etc. It’s small enough to be portable. I don’t like audio books much and can’t wear earbuds.
Redeem time, Dad said,
each sweet moment utilize;
time lost won‘t return.
Maxim you follow, I see.
Is there any hell worse than that blaring TV in the waiting room? Ugh. Nothing like Maury or Oprah shouting to a captive audience. Maybe it is to make us think that we are better off than those on their shows??? I dunno. I prefer silence than daytime TV any day.
Solution = Kindle. LOVE it for doctor’s visits or anytime I find myself waiting. I have some word games loaded on there, along with some good books. It really helps pass the time.
I was in Staples a few weeks ago and had a look at the Kindle Fire. They seemed to have disabled some functions on the demo model. I was less than impressed. B&N had leaped ahead with Nook technology. I’ll stick with audio books. Load up the files in my MP3 player, which cost me 10% of what the fruity kind costs and works very well. Ear buds give me privacy and I’m a happy camper. 🙂
I have the plain old Kindle–no internet access, no fancy gizmos. I can download books and a few games and be on my way. I don’t need to do FB or anything else on it. I like how quickly I finish books on the Kindle and how quickly I can upload new ones. I was really ready to not like e-books and my Kindle and I have to admit to being wrong. Really wrong.