simple things that keep your mind entertained

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As I was sitting here I was wondering, how many/often do you get entertained by something very simple? My example is this, I once decided to spin a gallon milk jug on it's top, and watch it fall. This kept my entertained for at least 20 mins.

Right now I'm sitting here making a farting noise by putting my hand up to my chest, right in between my pectoral muscles lol

I've done other things too, like make up my own beat as I'm tapping on my leg or a table...

I often make up beats (as you described) and tapping them on my thighs, etc. I also often make up tunes and hum or whistle them, imagining others accompanying me. Would you say that your tapping is a stim?

Not really, as I only do it when I'm bored and I need something to occupy my mind. I've noticed this while watching tv, and I've told my girlfriend that if for whatever reason I just keep gently rubbing her arm (like in a caressing fashion) its because I'm keeping my mind occupied

I've been caught playing with drops of water on flat surfaces.

Spelling random words (usualy those that protain to my special intrests) with the letters on Billboards and store signs and stuff.

Watching water spread across pavement.

Reading WP.

Logging in on WP forums and seeing what people have quoted and putting my contribution on the subject.
Rolling a pen/pencil on both of your palms back and forth.

oscillating plates on their edges [i've heard that was called "caterwauling"]
seeing the various patterns that raindrops make in a mudpuddle
whistling pleasant tunes [i am a fair whistler]
making faux flatulant noises by pressing the palm of my hand against the corner of my mouth, with either hand, and experimenting with pressure, aperture, placement and air pressure.
tapping my fingers [using both hands] making complex rhythms. i wonder why i am not coordinated sufficient to play drums then?

I have this thing where my right hand taps a triple division of a beat while my left hand taps a double division of a beat. And vice versa.

I love Steve Reich's "Clapping" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcFyl8amoEE), some works by Richard Feynman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKTSaezB4p8) using similar ideas, and Narayana's Cows by Tom Johnson (http://music.ensembleklang.com/track/narayanas-cows).

I just recently read an article, that I can't locate right now, about change-ringing (church bells, campanology) and the mathematics of permutations that underlie the changes (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_ringing for a brief explanation).

I use short sequences with prime lengths to create long and evolving music without any repetition, either rhythmically or melodically. Restriction to a pentatonic scale makes for quite harmonic compositions.

that is multitasking, mon frere, and indicates an aptitude for playing a multitasking instrument such as the "traps" drumset.

Haven't done it for a long time, but...

Painting glue (Elmer's) or rubber cement on the palm of my hand, letting it dry, then slooowly peeling it off while trying to get the biggest sheet possible.

Slather, flense, repeat.

Yeah. I also love playing (well, trying to play) piano pieces where you have three parts to play, so one hand gets two separate parts. It's so damn difficult and exhausting (I actually get headaches doing it too long), but I'm so stubborn that I can sit at the piano for hours trying to get several lines right. Feels like running a mental marathon.

Thinking about the many posts, that I post and read, here on WP, keeps my mind occupied, for hours, after I get off the Internet. They even show up, in my dreams.

Pens can keep me entertained for quite a while. I can take them apart, and chew on them and twirl them.. and even draw/write with them every once in a while.

Saying words backwards over and over again. Sometimes I wish my mind could stay still for a while. Does anyone know what that is like?