The absent minded traveler

Hello Everyone, 

There's a popular story in my family about the time my parents went on vacation and I moved back home from university for a week to look after Katrina. I'd drive to school in the morning, but without fail, would forget the grapefruit I had placed in a small table by the door. Five days in a row.

Now, this isn't the first time I've travelled solo, and I travel relatively often, but my propensity for forgetfulness will always present challenges.

As mentioned previously, I've already forgotten to unhook a latch when raising the top of my camper, and I forgot to move a box down out of the way when lowering it. Yesterday I forgot that I hadn't raised it at all before attaching the steps at the back and walking in. I realized my mistake when I hit my head on the ceiling. 

Today though, I forgot to latch the top down before driving off. I wasn't in a hurry or anything, I just forgot. I only realized it when I was pumping gas and noticed the canvas sticking out from the top. 

I don't think there's any damage. Fortunately, the drive was a slow one, mostly uphill to Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino forest. But I'll find out tonight when I get set up.  

I try to keep routines, checklists and mnemonic tricks to help me remember stuff. But they are only good if you remember to use them. Can't say I'd trade my good long term memory for a better short term one, it's cool being good at jeopardy after all, but it does cause some concern from time to time. But that fades. I forget to worry about it.

Wes