The Art of Observation

I'm writing on the run these last couple and next couple of days. My whiny writing tracking software consoles me by saying "you only need to write an additional 121 words each day to catch up." Shuuut uup!

On the flip side, being with new people has given me great material for including in the book. Wonderful people, fascinating and unique situations. Writing constantly, with a focus this year on reality, instead of the life fantastic, leads to wondering about the real mysteries in life:

Me: So, do you put your toilet paper rolls in any particular way?
Him: I dunno, why?
Me: It's for a scene with a character. He realizes someone new is in the household because of the toilet paper roll.
Him: Huh?
Me: So, tell me about toilet paper rolls.
Him: Well, I find it's easier to control the paper if the paper comes up. But I find it goes faster if the roll unwinds facing down.
Me: Hmmm.... [I hadn't given it that much thought, although I'm apparently in the latter tribe.]
Him: Yeah, that's all the thought I've put into toilet paper rolls. We put them in any which way in our house.

Stuff like that is what makes my NaNo heart sing.