I like to switch up my environments when I study. I study in segmented periods of time so that I can easily compartmentalize both the environment and the knowledge together.  This way, when I’m asked to recall information I can recreate the environment under which the information was stored in my head, and for some reason this facilitates my recall.  For instance, If my chemistry teacher asks me about how to do a problem with the Law of Multiple Proportions, I’ll envision myself sitting at the table by the window in the Studio City Starbucks. I’ll remember the lady across from me with the skinny jeans with buttons around her ankle and that will of course trigger memories about  ratios with small whole numbers.

The important part is to never study in the same place too many times, otherwise the memories get confused.  I can’t study Chapter 1 AND 2 in the same location. That’s too much information for my brain packets.  My brain packets are medium-sized and they like to be filed away nicely without getting too crowded. This doesn't mean I have to go constantly to different study places, but it DOES mean I have to switch tables for every study trip.

While I’m off at my coffee and study trips I overhear some of the strangest conversations and have some of my own.  I’ve heard a man sobbing to his therapist as he hates himself if he has money, so that’s why he’s avoided getting promotions and finding employment. I’ve heard MBA students going through case studies. And I hear the regular loud arguing of entertainment industry people at Aroma Cafe on weekday nights, yelling about stuff that doesn’t matter. “Beauty and the Beast was WAAAAY better than Princess and the Frog. The voiceovers alone…” They interrupt their furious script writing/reviewing/memorizing to geekily banter back and forth with each other.

The other day I was in Aroma, enjoying the man yelling across the room at an older lady that he just needed that $600,000 for the indie film he was trying to get produced. Another complete stranger piped in that he hadn’t known you could even MAKE a movie for 600 grand these days.  Discussion ensues.  Then a younger lady joins the conversation and inquires of one of the older gentleman how he got into the industry. He responded that he moved to LA when he was 30 and started writing scripts for cartoons. And the younger lady says, “And what are you now, 35?” And she smiles. And she was Clearly doing that thing where she was fake exaggerated “flirting” with the older guy. And the next line in the normal screenplay of life is where he should go , “hahahaha, awe, thanks hun.” while gently rolling his eyes in humor. But NOOO. This 65 year old guy accepts the comment at face value and goes into a monologue about how he maintains his youthfulness.  “No carbs, Protein, Protein, Protein, As little sugar as you can stand, and two packs of beef jerky every day.” Which is clearly the recipe to how to lose your mind enough to think that you look 35 when you actually look exactly the age you told us you were.

And speaking of age. I was at the studio city Starbucks and ordered my hot decaf two-pump carmel latte with whip for Ginger. And the barista in surprise goes, “Oh!, I’ve never met a Ginger.”

And I say my rote, “Yea, everybody’s heard the name, but no one ever HAS that name.”

And she says, “Yeah, it’s from that cartoon.”

And I’ m like , “What cartoon?” And she goes “that one on Nickelodeon.”

And I say, “Oh, never heard of it, most people think of Gilligan’s Island.”

To which she giggly replies, “Oh, never heard of it, but I’m only 22, so I haven't seen many

older shows.”

And I said in kind of a taken aback tone, “Well, I  just barely turned 26. They used to play it on Nick at Nite”

And then she smiles and says, “I guessed we missed each other by 30 seconds in the generational gap.”

And my face went… O.o

And I’m thinking, “GENERATIONAL GAP!!!!! Bitch, we went to high school at the same time.”  It’s not like I had difficulty learning the iPhone, or that I ‘d want to put a personal ad in the local paper to get a date (WDF n/s 5’4” 120 ISO M 5/8”+ for LTR),  or that I’d wear my Sunday best to fly an airplane. GENERATIONAL GAP!!!!

I wanted to hurl my coffee in her face, but I had to wait for it to be made first.