# Quirky and possibly quaint things you do so you don't forget stuff **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630 "2022-01-29T14:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/21 "2022-01-30T05:13:20Z")
Without the testicles it’s just a triangle. Haven’t forgotten them yet, but it’s nice to know they’re still there. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/22 "2022-01-30T17:33:19Z")
any little thing that makes you feel better seems worthwhile, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/23 "2022-01-30T17:40:46Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > So now I use the Japanese technique of [Pointing & Calling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointing_and_calling). When I leave the house I lock the door, point at it and say aloud, “I have locked the door.” I do a version of this, but I had no idea it had a name. When I put something down I look sternly at it, point at it and say “Stay!”. The Japanese thing has a wider applicability, though. I like it. The problem isn’t that I forget to lock the front door (I don’t); it’s that I can never remember doing it. > [@JohnGalt](#): > > Spectacles > Testicles > Wallet > Watch Yeah, mantras. Not _exactly_ the same - Keys; Wallet; Phone; Mask; Eyes\*. - whenever I leave the house. j \* - that’s the _spectacles_, bit, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/24 "2022-01-30T19:26:59Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Keys; Wallet; Phone; Mask; Eyes\*. Phone keys gum [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv-bKrqarLw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv-bKrqarLw) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/25 "2022-01-30T19:37:50Z")
The guy has better eyesight _and_ better teeth? Damn! j 😉 ETA: hey, cake! - it’s my anniversary, four years today! ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/26 "2022-01-30T19:40:32Z")
Pre COVID, when I was going into the office every day, I kept a spare pill dispenser in my desk drawer for those occasional days that I would forget to take my medicine before I left the house. Lanyard with my work badge now goes in the front pocket of the backpack that I carry my laptop in. Because while I may have forgotten to take my badge to work with me a few times, I have never forgotten to take my laptop. Nowadays I go into the office a couple times a week. I’m the only one in my area, so I had to put a sticky note next to the light switch reminding me to turn the lights off when I go home. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/27 "2022-01-30T19:47:33Z")
On the subject of forgetting medication, I found I had to calendarize the packs. In Europe pretty much all medicines come in blister packs. Some medicines come in calendarized packs, with a weekday printed over each blister. Most do not; so I would get a sharpie and write the first letter of sequential weekdays on every blister in the pack. Doesn’t stop you missing day, but you’re not going to accidentally dose yourself twice. j ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/28 "2022-01-30T20:33:02Z")
Pre COVID when I drove to work and needed to do some thinking after work like get gas, I would put a baseball cap on my shifter in the car. At least that would remind me that there was something I needed to do. I do use calendar reminders at work and on my cell phone, and sticky notes on the bottom of my computer screen. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/29 "2022-01-31T03:47:38Z")
I often write with a pen and paper. I often forget to bring it. I got lots of folks to remind me of things. Too many, really. I can’t compete with y’all at all ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/30 "2022-01-31T14:38:54Z")
I frequently teach continuing education classes for technical personnel at a local equipment wholesaler. They have a very nice classroom and they always set the tables with spiral notebooks, candy, and product catalogs/flyers. I scarf up a notebook or two each time I go. At home, I keep a notebook open on my coffee table and I’m usually parked right in front of it when talking on the phone, watching TV, or working with my laptop. I use up about a notebook each month just jotting things in it for future reference and to remind myself of this and that. I may make notes from a professional or personal call, write down the name of a book or movie somebody recommends, keep a grocery list, do math calculations, write big reminders (“PAY AMEX ON TUESDAY”), and so forth. The sheets are perforated, so I tear sheets out if they become irrelevant. I end up with thinner notebooks that are dated and finally go on a bookshelf in my office. Before I go out, and even before I go to bed each night, I check my current notebook. My wife mocks me, of course. ---
**Author:** ![PozhanPop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pozhanpop/32/8022_2.png) [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/31 "2022-01-31T14:58:42Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Before I go out, and even before I go to bed each night, I check my current notebook. That’s a nifty idea. 🙂 I have a sheet of paper at my work desk on which I make notes. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/32 "2022-01-31T15:11:32Z")
I find it a big help to keep something that is bound and not loose like Post-Its. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/33 "2022-01-31T15:22:55Z")
_Duuude… why not keep a bound notebook with Post-its inside the front cover!_ [head asplode] Leave yourself a big yellow note where you’ll see it, then it can get slapped in the notebook (to take with you, or maybe for tomorrow if you didn’t get to it). ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/34 "2022-02-01T03:06:58Z")
The notebooks are free. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/35 "2022-02-01T14:32:43Z")
Like others here, I frequently use “barriers” to force me to remember something. I set it up where I must move something to access/actuate things. Yesterday while securing the boat for a freeze, I closed the petcocks below the waterline. I taped a note across the ignition keyhole to insure I would remember to open them. I frequently have my truck in some not-quite-road-ready condition (block heater plugged in, boarding ladder extended) and I warn myself by placing a magnetic tennis ball in front of the driver’s window. Our driveway gate is occasionally locked to protect from wind – the switch to actuate can be turned in such a way it’s difficult to operate. This signals the next person they must unlock it first. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/36 "2022-02-01T19:06:22Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > magnetic tennis ball Magnetic tennis ball??? ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/37 "2022-02-01T19:47:31Z")
I googled and came up with [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yy-inlSth9s/maxresdefault.jpg "MRI Safety - Tennis Ball") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy-inlSth9s) It did not make things any clearer to me. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/38 "2022-02-01T21:27:56Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Magnetic tennis ball??? Sorry, [here’s an example](https://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-7012900-Alignment-System/dp/B0016C5YF2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=36ZKFSH41WFJX&keywords=hitch+guide&qid=1643750759&sprefix=hitch+guide%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-3) on Amazon. They have a base magnet and telescope like an antenna. I use these for everything except as hitch guides. We also place one atop the metal gate to warn other family members the dogs are out (and don’t actuate the gate until texting someone inside to collect the dogs first). ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/39 "2022-02-01T21:32:17Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > magnetic tennis ball > [@Ruin sports by changing the regulations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruin-sports-by-changing-the-regulations/949691): > > Baseball: Double the size of the playing field. Basketball: Lower the hoops to 6 feet high. Soccer: Allow use of hands. ? ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630/40 "2022-02-03T20:49:57Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > Spectacles > Testicles > Wallet > Watch OK, I don’t know what clever scheme you are pulling here, but I first heard this combination from the same person who first told me about John Galt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-and-possibly-quaint-things-you-do-so-you-dont-forget-stuff/958630.md?page=3)