Breakfast in Schatz

I think its interesting that you chose to do this activity while doing something else, which alters your perception and attention to what is happening around you. It makes sense that you were paying the most attention to your primary activity--eating--and not to other sounds around you, but you heard them all later when not engrossed in another task. Interesting analysis!

I absolutely agree with the way the recorder makes you focus on different sounds. In your case, however, it seems you had sort of the opposite experience that I did - the sounds in the foreground were your own and the background sounds were stronger in the recording. In my case, I could hear the tabling really well, bu the background noises were sort of lost. It's interesting that your situation should be different from mine - but then, the way in which you recorded was different because you were engaged in another activity!

I agree with Amanda. I had a similar situation where I was focused on my work, rather than on listening and so was surprised when I heard the results of the recording and noticed sounds that I hadn't picked up when I was doing my work!