h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am *not* a very observant person, so I while away waiting times by taking in everything about my surroundings - the buildings, the clothes people wear, the state of the roads. I then try to think about it, and why it got to be that way. It helps to while away the time, particularly when there is little else happening around me. Mostly happens in train stations, for some reason.

Also, making lists are an excellent way of passing the time, á la Nick Hornby : 10 things you remember about 1991, Fish beginning with letters of the alphabet, the 10 worst pop songs you have ever heard, different types of catastrophes that can happen, etc, etc.

Final remark - don't ever, ever, think about what it is you are waiting for, as Murphy's Law applies in all cases. The more you think about it, the longer the time goes.

would totally agree w/ the list thing! good way to get to sleep, too. also you might try doing a description: of an ideal place, of the perfect laptop, of somewhere you've been, etc. of course that's very similar. i usually do words beginning with "q", no names or different forms of the same word(quirk, quirky, quirks, quirkiness) allowed.

Hey, woodpigeon, don't most fish begin with letters of the alphabet?

How about listing fish that DO NOT start with letters of the alphabet?
(Blonde moment?)

2na, maybe?

I think what Abstracted Woodpigeon meant to say was either to name fish that all begin with the same letter of the alphabet or name one fish for each letter (Angel fish, Bass, Carp, etc.).

i find a good way to pass the time is to look at people! i can't really explain it too well, but just look at a person, what they look like, what they're wearing, how they walk etc and just think that this person has a whole history and past life and thoughts etc and you just get so amazed about how many people there are that are all totally different. you sink into deep philosophical thought and time passes really quickly!
works for me anyway!

This looking closely at people thing sounds like a great way to K-T. But isn't it also a good way to get arrested? Now looking that way at FISH, that's OK. Legitimate prey. Doesn't matter what letter they start with, they all spell YUM!
(If you try it on fish, don't get too hung up on their past life and thoughts stuff. It kinda spoils the taste...)

People watching .... thats how to while away the time but not in a doctors surgery ..
Whilst in there you just pic up a mag usually out of date find which pages have been taken and then pick up another mag.....then hear a conversation like " Oh Mrs B how's your hubby?" only to hear all the history of his hospital treatment..
Next you dash for your tissues ......(someone sneezed..) cover your nose quick thinking oh nooooo now I go out with more than I came in with .... could always take a walk outside but then you miss the call for your turn ...
Always feel sorry for the Mother with children ... keeping them occupied is quite a problem so you sit back and think.. how lucky you are to have your self to amuse... so carry on reading your mag and enjoy the time to sit and read for a change
Viv

you could watch them out of the corner of your eye so they don't know. i heard somewhere that you can strengthen your peripheral vision by wearing a hat with something dangling a little ways in front of your eyes. focus on the object, and don't look away.

How about making up book or song titles? For example: English Usage by George W. Bush, The Compleat Diplomat by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh,"I Did It My Way" by Geoffrey Archer, The Norwegian Guide to Overcoming Taciturnity, etc.

I definitely go for the people watching thing. Is it strange to give them imaginary names and work out why you think they're there (apart from waiting for the bus) and what they do for a living? Some of my favourite moments have been spent wondering what "Ronan Keating bloke" does that necessitates getting the number 76 every morning except Thursdays, why "Solicitor man" needs to do his paperwork on the bus & take up as many spaces as possible with his bag, paperwork & big feet, and what "Stupid women" are doing on the bus at 7.30 in the morning getting on & off at stops that aren't actually near anything.

definately fun! though you do have to try and do it discreetly! when i'm looking at people, then i always look for people who look like a Phil! i've only ever found 3, and 2 of them were! i never found out about the 3rd though.........

*theme from "x-files"*

i was going to shout 'phil'! to see if he's turn round, but i was in Denamrk and i would be at a total loss if he turned round!

yes, that could be a bit tough explaining away..... "well, you looked like your name was phil and i just wondered if it was".... then he would back away like you were a loony.

....... and i don't speak Danish!

oooooh.....

but maybe i should've done it anyway! it would have been amazing if he had turned round! after all, it's happened twice before!

maybe.... *dramatic voice* and now you'll never know...