[Tyr Zalo Hawk]: 712.The Tyr Files.Self Observation

Since the beginning of time*, people named Tyr have been studying their movements and body habits, among other things**. It’s not that they were ever particularly interested in them, they just thought it was fun.
In a world just chock full of people who walk normally, carry their backpacks over both shoulders, and tend to look where they’re going instead of where their feet are taking them, Tyr stands out in more than just one fashion.

We interrupt this message to make on short disclaimer. In the process of observing himself, Tyr oftentimes will do things that, he believes, are not his norm, and so the results of this observation may be skewed slightly from the reality of things. Thank you, and we now return you to your regularly scheduled ramblings.

In the interest of saving time and space, a questionnaire, provided by one Deborah Voss***, will be answered in order. A copy of said questionnaire will be available upon request to Tyr from the instructor, or other readers of this particular document.

Phase 1: Muscles and Tension

I lead with the right side of my body generally, mostly because I have a better sense of balance and coordination with that side. I feel that my right side has quicker reflexes and is stronger, and therefore it will allow me to avoid disasters/missteps/etc more often than if I led with my left.
I tend to carry my backpack over my right shoulder, typically using the right strap as well. This allows for quick removal and access to my backpack, and has increased the strength/resilience of my right shoulder significantly as well. Unfortunately, it has also led to a bit of stiffness in the area as well.
Since I don’t drive a car it’s a bit hard to answer this part of the questionnaire… but as a passenger I generally just relax into my seat. I constantly shift in my seat to get comfortable, slouching or sitting up straighter depending on what I feel is necessary.
If I’m holding my phone in my hand, I tend to keep my head and neck straight, letting my shoulders relax as much as possible while my right hand keeps the phone to my ear. If my hands are full/busy (like right now) I lean my head to the right and pin the phone between my shoulder and ear, which is rather convenient. Again though, convenience comes at the price of a somewhat sore neck.
When sitting down at a desk or table, I tend to feel a bit uncomfortable. I like to cross my legs, right over left, then left over right if I sit for too long. Often I will pull one of my legs up to my chest to rest on or just to have there so I’m sitting prone. If I’m really bored or feeling uncomfortable in all of my usual positions then I will even go as far and to rest my entire leg on the table in front of me. My head, neck, and shoulders will vary depending on the activity at the table. Writing I lean over my work, often resting on my forearm, while eating I tend to relax back if I have ‘clean food’ and forward if my food could spill/make a mess.
I tend to wear clothes specifically so that they won’t constrict me, so I can’t say that mine do much at all. I wear sweats for freedom of movement and a higher level of comfort, and loose, short-sleeved t-shirts so that my arms are free to flail about as necessary.
My shoes are just basic walking sneakers, which do little for anything, as far as I’m concerned. They protect my feet, and allow me to walk straighter without worrying about certain obstacles, but they don’t allow for as great a range of movements because they don’t provide as much grip or flexibility as bare feet do. For example, shoes make it easier to trip when walking sideways because on the large, flat soles that can catch the ground wrong.
Depending on the type of practice, I try to wear exactly what I’d be wearing for the presentation, just so I can feel more comfortable in whatever it is I have to wear, get used to the feeling. The only exception is for things like Impromptu speeches and other such formal speaking events, because I just hate wearing suits, so I don’t bother practicing in them. They’re uncomfortable, after all. And no, I don’t think that wearing them more often would help me get used to them, because I have occasion to wear them at times so few and far between that my body loses that comfort level by the time the next occasion comes around.
I do not clear my throat very often before speaking. I swallow to make sure I’m not spitting at people, but I only clear my throat when it’s dry or there’s something in there, such a large amount of phlegm (“EW!” I know). When I’m listening to people talking my entire manner changes based on the subject of conversation. I’m a dynamic (and possible ADHD) person, so everything from facial tension to what I’m doing with my hands will depend entirely on my level of engagement in the topic of the conversation. For casual conversation though, my variance in listening stance will depend entirely on where I am and what I’m doing at the time. After all, I tend to multitask…
Some of my ‘involuntary mannerisms,’ as far as I’ve noticed, that occur when I’m nervous are the ‘oh’ interjected immediately after jokes I feel haven’t gone over well, and my tendency to overdisclaim things. For example, when asking someone I don’t know well if I could have something from their fridge I tend to say something close to “Hey, umm, I was just wondering if I could have something to eat from the fridge, like a sandwich or something, if it’s not too much to ask.”
Whilst speaking to my comrades I tend to, once again, completely vary with my mannerisms depending on the subject matter, the level of seriousness, and what else I’m doing at the time. But, typically, I don’t thrust out my jaw when speaking.

Phase 2: Speech and Sound Stuff

I don’t do the ‘etch my voice into something cool,’ unless I’m trying to say something a particular way. You know, like when I pretend to be an announcer or something I shape my voice so that I sound that way… acting, or at least part of it. Otherwise, I just don’t bother trying to control my voice in that manner.
Although I really, really should warm up before starting and ending my days, I don’t. Perhaps I’ll get into the habit though… could help.
I definitely do something that could be considered warming up, but it doesn’t involve many vocal exercises, or even physical ones. It’s mostly just a stress relieving ‘make a fool of myself’ before I do things seriously, that way messing up isn’t as stressful.
My breathing patterns change depending on my positioning and what I’m doing, of course. Although I’ve been told that in normal situations I breathe rather shallowly, at least in comparison to what I can do.
As far as big breathes and the like are concerned, I tend to be perfectly alright with all of it. Sometimes I don’t breathe when I’m doing things, but I don’t really notice it since I just end up breathing automatically again anyways, at my normal pace. I don’t take big breathes unless I need to calm myself, yawn, or just feel like doing breathing exercises.
I can only speak when inhaling when I’m being very quiet… like whisper quite, because otherwise just don’t work out with my pushing words out and trying to take air in, you know? And my laughing, well, I definitely have a recognizable laugh, or so I’m told. It’s rather loud, sounds a lot like “hahahahahahHAAhahahHAHA –gasping breath-HAhahaaahhhahahha” and repeat for as long as I find something funny, at least when something’s really funny.
I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Period.
I’ve never been a huge milk drinker in the first place, so the likelihood of me doing so before a performance is slim to none, especially since I always need to clear my throat afterwards. As for chocolate, I guess it just depends on whether or not there’s chocolate available, but typically that’d be a no.
If you don’t know how much I tend to talk, I’ll clue you in: a lot. My parents are smokers so, unfortunately, I’ve been exposed to long yammering sessions in a hazy environment, and as for long talks in noisy environments I suppose that my house would have to count: Three TVs all on at the same time with people half shouting constantly, and me being a talkaholic. You do the math.
The only chemicals I work with are the ones I use to make heroine and bombs… er… I mean no. I don’t. Have you ever tried to buy chemicals telling them you need it for your world domination plot? Well, let me tell you what…

We’re sorry; it seems Tyr has digressed into a rambling state about something his mind has deemed more worthy of conversation than the topic at hand. Luckily, it seems to have happened after all the questions have been answered. What a crazy random happenstance. At any rate, this is Tyr’s better half, signing off for him.

* Also known as 6 years ago.
** Dr. Felanore Von Tyr is the leading expert on Emotology. Among other things****.
*** As opposed to multiple Deborah Voss’s, which we assume would be freaky.
**** Like pie.

© Tyr Hawkaluk (2004-Present)