To Do Lists

I’m so sick of To Do Lists…

Well… That’s not really true. I actually like To Do Lists made up of things along the lines of: “Laundry,” “Groceries,” “Mom’s birthday card,” “Shower,” “New Blog Entry.” Manageable tasks that can be readily achieved and triumphantly stricken help me to feel that I am a productive member of society. But I'm really not partial to lists full of things like: “Chose a mover,” “Pack all your worldly possessions,” “Tell your boss you are leaving,” “Say good bye to your friends.”

From the very moment I decided there was a possibility I might move I have been living off of a series of ever growing and expanding To Do Lists. I put all sorts of nasty things on them and I aggressively tackled each and every uncomfortable task. I figured the more quickly I was able to cross things off my list the better as there would be much more to do coming up. Unfortunately… I am always right. (Staunchly ignore derisive snort of laughter from Dan.)

After months of these taxing chores, and less than a week away from the arrival of the movers, my parents and I were painting my lovely colorful apartment back to its original sad antique white state. I was commenting on how even with the move finally behind me I would still have to unpack and find a job and get a driver’s license and register the cars and get insurance… “It just never ends!” I exclaimed to my Dad in frustration. “Yeah.” Was all he said… But there was a definite hint of “duh!” in there and just a tang of “What do you expect?!” Sigh. He too is always right. The work never ends.

But blaming the To Do List for the work is sort of like blaming the messenger for the bad news. It is actually Thanks to those nerve-wracking lists that I made it through the move at all. Nothing motivates one like panic and nothing panics one like seeing in one fell swoop all the unpleasant things you have to do in the next few months.

So, rather than be resentful, if I am dissatisfied with Still having To Do Lists I should consider the nature of the lists that I myself am making. They are full of difficult things to do. If I just left those things Off the lists, life would be so much better. Right? To Do Lists don’t hurt people, people with to do lists hurt people… or something like that. For instance, the list currently on my desk includes the following:

Clean Gutters
Wash and wax Samwise and Glorfindel (Yes, we name our cars after Tolkien characters in my family…)
Wills etc.
Take pictures for insurance
Study for Drivers License Test
Get Drivers License
Register Samwise and Glorfindel

Is it any wonder that I am not excited about battling the North Carolina Department of Transportation not once but Three times, or musing upon the possibility of Dan’s untimely death, or documenting all of my worldly goods in case of their theft or destruction by fire? Was there ever a more morbid list? (Not to mention the unspoken but omnipresent To Do’s of “GET A JOB!” and the equally distasteful “Lose Weight!”)

Perhaps I just need to reclaim the power of the To Do List for the forces of good. I believe I shall write a new one:

Play your computer game (Currently enjoying Dreamfall, sequel to The Longest Journey)
Read a book
Eat some ice cream
Go for a nice evening walk
Get a Haircut
Get a Massage!
Buy Yourself New Clothes!
Go to Hawaii!!
Buy a New Car!!!

Oooo these are Good. I feel better already! Now let's see, what do I have to do before I... Oh rats… we are right back to Get a Job, Lose Weight and Battle with the DOT again. Sigh.