dylan grewenSenior Regulatory Coordinator -Duke Office of Clinical Research at Duke University School of Medicine

Dylan Grewen 5 Things at a Time

30 Jul 2017 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

3:12

The video presents a lyrical vignette that follows a woman’s fragmented daily life, interweaving modern distractions—TV, cyberspace, magazines, teen dreams—with intimate moments shared with a partner. The recurring refrain “5 things at a time” punctuates each stanza, emphasizing the multitasking rhythm of her existence. The narrative touches on routine actions (waking, making calls, climbing walls), emotional ties (a tired old man who loves her, shared meals, Valentine ale), and reflective glimpses at time’s passage (looking back at a paper trail, moments changing). The piece blends observational description with affectionate nostalgia, using repetition to create a cohesive, meditative chorus.

Chapters

She wakes the day with her usual 3-ring circus of attraction. Makes her calls, then she climbs the walls. Good TV is a good distraction. 5 things at a time. 5 things at a time. Cyberspace and magazines and sweet teen dreams. Time awakes her, she takes a picture, and everything changes 5 things at a time. 5 things at a time. Things are the way that they used to be. A tired old man is driving her crazy. He loves her more than he loves himself. He's the luckiest guy alive. Luckiest guy alive. 5 things at a time. 5 things at a time. She looks back at last month's paper trail and she cracks a smile, drinks her Valentine ale. Favorite meal is on the stove and she feeds her man. 5 things at a time. 5 things at a time. 5 things, 5 things at a time. 5 things, 5 things at a time. 5 things, 5 things at a time.