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the rush
(1) I sorted through a basket of laundry that has been sitting on the ping pong table for two months. All clean stuff. Napkins, mostly, that need to be ironed.
(2) Oddly enough, I could only find ten of my pink damask napkins. Where did the other two go to? I'll need them for Thanksgiving, which isn't very far off.
(3) Oh look, here's the antique handtowel (handwoven in 1802!) which happens to have my daughter's initials on it (in turkey red).
(4) So this is where I put all the good linen.
(5) Except the two missing napkins.
(6) I've been meaning to clean out the drawer with the placemats for months. Maybe the napkins are in there?
(7) Phone ringing. Daughter has forgot to take a check to school for the PSAT fee. Has to be in by noon, or she can't take the test. Can't let that happen.
(8) On a day like this it would be a sin not to drive the longer way along the bay.
(9) The puppy boys love the park on the bay, and I haven't had them out in a while.
(10) Where is the leash? Not that leash, the other one.
(11) Where is my checkbook? Not that one, the other one.
(12) The secretary who is taking care of check registration is out to lunch. That's okay, never mind, I'll sit here and wait. Oh, too bad, I've left my laptop at home or I could work while I wait. Really, it makes no sense to go home and come back.
(13) The puppy boys really did need a run.
(14) Passing the grocery store, it occurs to me I have nothing but leftovers for dinner. Better stop.
(15) There. I've got stuff to cook dinner for the next five days.
(16) Haven't checked the post office box in a few days.
(17) Who is Marilyn Santana, and why is her mail coming to my box? Better discuss with post office ladies.
(18) Really, it's important to talk to other people about their political views, especially at this juncture.
(19) Oh no. I never thanked the reader who sent me the recipe for coca cola cake. Better do that as soon as I get home.
(20) But first I need gas.
(21) Car really does need washing. I could zip over to the carwash...
(22) Nobody at home to help unload the groceries. Figures.
(23) Puppy boys need to be fed. Puppy boys require their hourly dose of adoration.
(24) Better put the linen away again. I wonder if the two missing napkins are in the girl child's room?
(25) Dare I cross that boundry?
(26) oh. my. god.
(27) back out, slowly.
(28) spend a half hour composing a calm, rational, but unflinching email to girl child on what will happen if her room is not (a) organized and (b) clean within twenty four hours. This behavior has repercussions. PS do you have any of my damask napkins in that... room of yours?
(29) Look at all this email. Does the minister of Nigeria ever really talk anybody into sending him money? It might be interesting to write an article about people who develop obsessive attachments to foreign dignitaries they've never met.
(30) The laptop has jumped out of the pile of stuff on my desk to stare at me. Okay. Okay. There's an hour until I have to start cooking, but maybe i can get something done.
Today has gone somewhat better. Except, I still have not found those napkins...
October 14, 2004 03:29 PM
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Comments
The number of times I have done this same sort of procrastination dance is reaching in the ten of thousands. I am very cunning when it comes to this too, I not only come up with a reason why I don�t need to sit down and do some writing/ get up and do house work/ prepare dinner/ ring that relative who is very lonely but very very very likely to want to talk for three hours (without taking a breath) but I also create a dialog in my head why I should not feel bad about my avoidance. "I should probable fold the washing, but I did it last time and hubby really does need to start pulling his weight more. Yes, in fact I think I will just sit down here and have a beer as a reward for all my suffrage." Not till later when I am confronted with said hubby - who had been at work from 6am till 6pm and was baring a bunch of flowers, just cos - that my dialog of reasonable get-out-of-its comes crashing to the floor.
I do find with writing though (I�m just a part timer, doing it as a hobby) that I sometimes only procrastinate when I am at a wall. Right now for example I have sent my characters into a nightmare situation and I don�t know how to get them out. I have decided that they will just have to stay there for a while in hopes that an idea comes, like some sort of miracle, working its self out. Hasn�t happened with the dishes though, so I won�t hold my breath.
Posted by: kaylea at October 14, 2004 05:57 PM
Funny, funny, funny! Thanks!
Posted by: Zelda at October 15, 2004 06:36 AM
It's getting so I start the procrastination dance shortly after I type in "Chapter 1." And the having a beer to reward myself for suffrage..oh, you betcha. That's moi. :)
I think it all comes from the panic that inevitably follows finishing a book -- I always think I'll never come up with another decent or original or book-length idea in my life, so I'd better milk this project for all it's worth.
Posted by: Jena at October 15, 2004 10:00 AM
Very funny. I had to share this with a friend, because it sounded like her - and some of our email conversations.
Here's to finding those damn napkins!
Posted by: Lanna Lee Maheux-Quinn at October 15, 2004 01:09 PM
Now that you have gotten me, and no doubt others, addicted to "Farscape" - when do we get our reward???
Posted by: Deborah at October 15, 2004 05:18 PM
LOL! Thanks for the laugh Sara. I needed that this morning with rushing to get the boys to baseball and having to clean up a doggy mess in our hallway :P
Posted by: Heather B. at October 16, 2004 05:10 AM