The Art of Observation

I have been honing my observation skills lately. I might have actually been honing a little too intently as it has become a problem at work. I find myself studying my co-workers so intently that I miss giant chunks of information in meetings. I hear things like, "The discretionary budget has come under some strain lately...the harsher alcohol sanctions don't seem to be making a difference." It would seem as though our staff are using our budget to support their drinking habits. This is not the case, but if I don't stop 'observing' so intently, I could pass on some really bad information in my reports.

I am trying to focus most on personality quirks I can use with my characters. One of my characters wears glasses, so I am seeing people in glasses everywhere- kind of like when you buy a new car and see that make and model all over the place. I observed someone on Thursday who wears the reading glasses that connect at the bridge with magnets. (As though it is so difficult to just pull them off your face.) The reading glasses were very stiff and didn't quite sit on his face. They seemed to be suspended in midair above his nose. They didn't look new, but they still had the cling sticker in the corner of one lens that said what strength they are. I don't know how the individual doesn't go crazy seeing this in his peripheral vision all the time.

I like these little details and am excited to look for more. I just have to try not to concentrate too hard on it during meetings.