blocking things out

I have this tendency of putting on headphones with the intention of putting on some soothing music, only to forget to press "play" in iTunes, or to let a playlist run itself out, or just plug into the wrong jack (leaving myself typing industriously to silence and my friends thoroughly amused by my 80s tracks blasting at them). Eventually I'll get absorbed in my thoughts and the empty space behind the headphones will be my refuge.

The question is, from what?