Honestly, you don't really sound like anything is 'wrong' with you, it just sounds like your attention goes to where your interest lies. For example, if you were to be working on something musically or trying to figure out some abstract theoretical principle, you sound like the type who could lose yourself for hours in that. Maybe when you're at work, you're more interested in what you're not doing than what you actually are, which happens to a lot of us.

You also sound like you have a very different style of thinking, which probably lends itself to brilliance in other ways. The key isn't trying to tame it into being like everyone else, but to learn how to work with it within a framework that's catered to your thinking style. Do you get a lot of physical exercise, yoga, or dance in your spare time? Not necessarily for the sake of exercise, but for the sake of grounding yourself and getting out a lot of excess energy. Have you ever tried meditating to clear your mind? This works for some people and has the effect of sending others off into space, so it's just a possibility for something you might try.

You sound a lot like people I've known, and I wish I could give you more concrete advice. The only thing I can say is not to be too down on yourself and label yourself as "lacking common sense." In order to build common sense, you have to actually be interested in it. For example, I am also the type of person who loves the theory behind everything, so I inhale books like a mad woman. I also used to be incredibly "space cadet" but now find myself incredibly grounded while still maintaining an interest in whatever ignites an intellectual and creative spark. The key was finding myself in a new living situation (I moved to New York) where I had to put all my focus into becoming aware of the environment around me, learning how to figure out North and South so I wouldn't get lost walking everywhere, learning a lot about taking care of myself by necessity. In other words, I learned how not to be a space cadet at the age of 24-26, and it's an ongoing process.

I also did it through reading books about personal finance, because in my space cadet years I found money running through my hands like water. Since I was actually interested in acquiring and saving money, the books appealed to my love of analyzing and theorizing, while the subject matter grounded me. So find an aspect of your personal life that truly interests you and which would be enriched by a more pragmatic approach, become like a student again, and learn.

LW sounds a lot like me. I'm also a 31 year old software engineer and a serious hobbyist musician (jazz and classical). I also have the attention span of a gnat and tend to lose things regularly - I lose my keys at least once a week. I have always noticed my thoughts flittering about from one thing to the next, with almost no noticeable pattern. For example, if I start to tidy up the house I may start in the kitchen, remember something in the bedroom, get halfway through with that, then decide to take out the trash....and then eventually, two or three hours later, work my way back into the kitchen. Much to his credit, my husband doesn't let it drive him crazy. He just does his thing in a nice linear fashion while I spaz from one thing to the next.

One difference between myself and the LW is that I feel as if I have plenty of common sense because I'm very logical and practical. However, what I do have have is a big, whopping case of Attention Defecit Disorder (ADD). It was diagnosed when I was in graduate school (applied math). As an undergrad, it wasn't a problem. I was able to do extremely well without having to focus intently for hours at a time. Grad school was a different story, though. I had to study for 10 - 12 hours a day, and be able to concentrate through exams that lasted anywhere from 4 - 6 hours. After an hour and a half of an exam, my concentration was over. I was done - completely unable to focus anymore. I would find myself daydreaming, conducting a symphony in my head, silently playing an invisible piano on my desk...anything besides focusing on the exam. One of my professors asked me what was up - he said that he knew that I was capable of doing far better work than my exams showed. We discussed my study habits and I also told him that I was having a tremendously hard time keeping up my concentration past about an hour and a half. He suggested that I be tested for ADD, and mentioned that he had a very bright daughter with ADD and that just after chatting with me for a few minutes he could see lots of the signs. Well...I went to see an academic counselor, who referred me to a psychologist, who diagnosed me with ADD. I opted not to take medication, but I learned several effective ways to deal with the ADD: breaking up tasks into smaller parts, being allowed either fewer questions or else breaks while taking exams, and most importantly, accepting the fact that my thinking is very non-linear and being comfortable with that.

The reason I share my story is that the LW sounds a lot like me. I'm obviously not a medical expert (I'm a computer nerd), but I think that LW should at least investigate whether he/she may also have ADD.

Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on memory and concentration.

Adderall. And a job that isn't soul-killing.

I'm not even absent-minded and I couldn't get through the response! I was interested, too, because my husband is quite similar to this engineer. His solution? Get a wife, a PDA and a navigation system to keep him on task.

Cary, I know you are a writer and revel in words, but jeez, how about cutting the fat?