In the episode where T.J. went on the Knowledge College show, the commercial for the show came on and T.J. went over to his desk for his pencil. He says, "A pencil, a pencil, where's my pencil?" He looks all over for it, but it is plain to see that it is right there on his book right in his face.
Was this after he was all hyped up and nervous? If it was, he was probably just so nervous or anxious to find it that he couldn't find it....I know...that happens to me a lot.....I put something down and 10 seconds later forget where it is....