What to do with hands?

[Kozmos]

I watch a fair number of shows on my laptop (because as a poor student I has no TV), some educational, some drama, some comedy etc. However I find it extremely difficult to simply sit and watch at a laptop so I start surfing, reading wikipedia, checking FB and forums and so on. The only thing I noticed that helped me actually watch the show was rolling tobacco for my friends. I can keep an eye on the screen and still do something useful on the side. Thing is of course I can't keep rolling all the time, they have more than enough after one or two shows. So what can I do with my hands that is useful besides eating while watching stuff on laptop? Am I the only one with this problem?

 

[Godwynn]

Rub one out.

 

[Narz]

Somehow I'm not surprised that that took only one additional post...

Anyway, I massage my hands. Alot of times I get up & do stretches & whatnot while watching something that's mostly talking (lectures & slow scenes in movies/tv shows).

When I first joined this forum & played alot of Civ II MP I did push-ups while waiting for my opponents to move.

 

[Godwynn]

Anyway, I massage my hands.

I just massage with my hands.

We're not that different, you and I.

 

[Zelig]

Watch less stuff?

I spend more time eating per day than I do watching stuff.

 

[Kozmos]

Watch less stuff?

I spend more time eating per day than I do watching stuff.

I don't watch a lot of stuff, I just want to cut down on my intake of information, because I'm studying most of the day or reading a book and things like that. I want to simply chill/waste time for an hour or two without straining my brain overmuch. (and yes, I already exercise and meditate occasionally)

 

[El_Machinae]

I watch with half a screen, and do regular surfing with the other half of a screen.

 

[Joecoolyo]

I have this problem somewhat too. I'll just pick up something on my desk and fiddle with it, usually a pen, or my cell phone. Anything works.

 

[Mise]

Pretend I'm controlling the characters on screen with my xbox controller.

 

[Defiant47]

I don't have that problem with shows that I'm genuinely interested in. For the other shows, I simply don't watch. That being said, I don't watch a lot of TV.

 

[Lillefix]

The obvious answer is of course knitting.

Also braiding. You can make your own rope.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

You could try and translate your fixation onto something else. For instance, maybe chewing gum or sunflower seeds.

 

[emzie]

I rarely watch in full screen, so I'm able to do other things.

 

[Zelig]

I watch with half a screen, and do regular surfing with the other half of a screen.

I rarely watch in full screen, so I'm able to do other things.

Multiple monitors is really a better solution.

I've got dual monitors on my computer and a phone and tablet on my desk, which generally is enough.

 

[El_Machinae]

99% of what I watch is 'talking heads', so I don't need a full screen. Often I cut off most of the video (by moving the window partially off the screen) because I can tell what's going on anyway.

 

[Narz]

I found a comb on the table & have taken to thoughtfully combing my beard in honor of this thread.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

So what can I do with my hands that is useful besides eating while watching stuff on laptop? Am I the only one with this problem?

I actually have a functional TV now. I hooked it up to watch the Remembrance Day ceremony from Parliament Hill, and immediately realized that I had nothing to do with my hands. What I used to do was needlework. Or writing. Or doodling. Or working a jigsaw puzzle.

So until I get my needlework unpacked, I won't be watching a whole lot of TV, since it drives me nuts to only sit there and watch.

Oh, that and the fact that I have no light in the living room.

 

[Zelig]

Oh, that and the fact that I have no light in the living room.

That's good.

For optimal tv viewing experience the lights in the room should be behind the tv:

 

[Narz]

Why watch grass grow when you can watch flowers grow!

 

[classical_hero]

What I often do is just fiddle with something. It drives most people nuts, but it is something to do.