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in reply to When I count, I think of numbers as...

I have to go with "basic building blocks of thought" because I am almost always counting. I do it without even noticing it most of the time, and sometimes I count in cycles, like to 5 or 10 over and over. Usually I don't remember the total of whatever I count (steps I take, for instance) but I have had periods of time when it's been really important that things work out to multiples of 5 and the incessant counting has really gotten in the way of my life (OCD much?) but by and large it's just something I have going on in my head and I don't notice it much. It can actually be sort of calming and meditative.

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Re^2: When I count, I think of numbers as...
by KPeter0314 (Deacon) on May 31, 2005 at 17:42 UTC
    When doing menial and repetitve tasks I do that too. Like counting steps while hiking or carrying items back and forth. I just break it up into fours... ONE.2.3.4.TWO.2.3.4.THREE.... untill one hudred and then I just start over at one. I could go back and figure out the total steps but that isn't the point. It becomes almost zen-like after just a couple of minutes and allows you to focus on the task and enjoy it.

    Probably one of my many minor OCD things that drive my wife crazy.

    -Kurt