I propose a new facial expression one can adopt, that says "I'm counting in my head and I don't want to lose my place" (as might often occur in a workplace). The recognition of someone wearing this expression should deter someone from coming up and interrupting, thinking you're interruptable.
Not sure what actual form the expression should take - I'll leave that to the marketing phase of the idea. Perhaps it should be only just strenuous enough to discourage abuse and 'cry-wolf' mis-use.-- Ian Tindale, Aug 23 2005 OT Dr Bob Moog http://www.caringbr...ch&siteName=bobmoogIan, as requested. Those interested in Dr. Bob Moog's Book of Remembrance / condolences [Dub, Aug 23 2005] Binary Finger Counting http://www.thinkgee.../generic/6a20/zoom/Just do binary finger counting and wave at them when you get to 00100. [baconbrain, Aug 31 2005] crossed eyes should form part of this, I feel.-- po, Aug 23 2005 Brows furrowed, lips drawn back, low growl.-- calum, Aug 23 2005 Silently flicking fingers up and down, one after the other.-- elhigh, Aug 23 2005 using one hand to count in 5s? up and down finger movement- with the obvious expression of being in some unknown abyss where numbers and sheep are the sole inhabitors.-- chocolateraindrops, Aug 23 2005 marked-for-deletion. (Calls for a) list.-- Susan, Aug 23 2005 Counting, as in doing inventory or cashiering is very difficult for someone w./ A.D.D. ,so I hear.
deleted OT to Ian: reference to Robert Moogs death-- dentworth, Aug 23 2005 Count aloud when you see someone coming.-- Shz, Aug 23 2005 Sailboat-- ato_de, Aug 23 2005 [po]Similar sentiment, whenever I'm doing this sort of thing (counting, that is), I seem to focus my gaze to somewhere about an inch above and in front of my left eye-brow... [calum]...furrowed to reflect the ratio of where I'm up to:where (numerically) I'm heading:How many times I've been disturbed so far.
[dentwort/Ian] sorry to butt-in, but Dr Moog's death was very sad...He was a great inspiration. - You can sign the book of condolences (also linked off the Moog website) [see link] BTW.-- Dub, Aug 23 2005 Twiddling thumbs down.-- reensure, Aug 23 2005 Dub, it was sad (although not wholly out of the blue). By all means pop the link to it here, too, for a while.-- Ian Tindale, Aug 23 2005 [Ian Tindale] Say when and I'll take it away.-- Dub, Aug 23 2005 I was going to annotate this idea but was scared I'd lose count of the beans.-- jonthegeologist, Aug 23 2005 //should deter someone from coming up and interrupting, thinking you're interruptable// If someone comes and it seems like they are willing to wait it out, just sneeze. Then look about in a a combination of fear and surprise, start swearing furiously, and storm away (giggling).-- sleeka, Aug 23 2005 Apperently, when Socrates was in the army, one day, when he was strolling along the camp, he stopped in mid stride and stood perfectly still for the rest of the day. When asked what that was all about he replied: A thought occured to me and I wanted to think it through.
So I guess he would have worn the expression you are looking for, since he did not get disturbed in the middle of busy military camp.-- zeno, Aug 23 2005 Oddly enough, the thought that had occured to Socrates was: "Hmmm. Am I a total douchbag or what?"-- doctorremulac3, Aug 31 2005 How about a little "Shhhh! I'm counting!" sign that pops up from your hat when you pull a string?-- wagster, Aug 31 2005 Children often stick their tongue out the side of their mouth when concentrating on a math problem, etc. This is seen in many Peanuts cartoons. I've read a theory that this gesture is meant to repel other people during times of concentration.
No reason adults can't do this, too.-- phundug, Aug 31 2005 Maybe standard "hi", "can", "you leavin' ", "to self" "counting" words that substitute for the numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
Thus you can count like this: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Hi, Can, YouLeavin', T'self, Counteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, etc...-- phundug, Aug 31 2005 halfbakery