Night One: Basic Skills Lesson 1, Version 1, Level 1

Sounds that were immediately obvious: my computer fans, my chair squeaking, clock ticking on foyer, phone buzzing, dog moving around.

Sounds that became perceptible with focus: fish tank filter in kitchen, my own breathing, faint ringing sound in ears, car driving down road (became an obvious sound as it drew closer), the sound made when I scratched an itch on my face, a crow cawing outside, house sparrows chirping, and a honking horn on another street.

I know from experience that my brain likes to tune out the sound of the ticking clock, even though it was at the forefront when I began tonight. The fish tank filter is difficult to hear even when I'm paying attention, and blends with the sounds of birds outside.

After doing this exercise for five minutes or so, I found myself continuing to pay attention to sounds and trying to identify them without really intending to.