Memory

Is it normal not to remember anything? I find myself unable to remember details of movies,shows, books indeed of almost anything more than a few weeks old. It's so bad that after a few months I often can't even remember whether or not I've seen a particular movie let alone the contents of it. Sometimes I'll watch a movie the second time around and realise half way through that I've seen it before. Take for example The Italian Job, I believe I've seen this move at least twice before, but save from the opening sequence of stealing a safe with something in it(gold, money??) I am unable to recall any specific details of the movie.

There is a plus side to this affliction though, I am able to enjoy movies and TV shows I like more than once, and it's almost as if I'm watching it again for the 1st time. I've been on maiden voyages through Middle Earth, done battles with Predator in Vietnam and discovered (and forgot) I'm living in The Matrix countless times.

People details are the worst. I can't remember names - thats a given, but I struggle to remember any of the following crucial details:
- Place of work
- Place of study
- Hobbies
- Plans for the future, travel etc
- Any other detail
The worst is by far not even remembering having met someone before which happens all the time, as recently as twice last weekend at a wedding reception. A lady came up and was talking to me about Vipassana knowing quite a bit about me, shamefully I could not recall any previous time we'd met. This makes small talk on the 2nd time I meet someone incredibly difficult. The 1st time meeting someone is fine, topics can arise naturally and details about each other are eventually exchanged. On the 2nd meeting however, assuming I am able to recall meeting that person at all, I am unable to make any small talk as I am not sure what I've already asked about. It's incredibly embarrasing asking someone where they're going on holiday when you spent 15 minutes discussing it yesterday.

It doesn't affect everything though, I am able to remember specifics relating to my work very well. Technical details such as bugs in code, discussions and resolutions to problems are all at the tip of my tounge days or even weeks afterwards. Indeed when prompted I can recall specific issues and their solutions from years ago.

This inability to remember everyday things is baffling. Indeed one of the reasons I began this blog was so I could look back in the future and see that I really did exist, with complex thoughts and feelings, several years ago. I can imagine though that reading this in 10 years would be like reading about and looking into someone else's life. Hello future me.