Type A. . . You think?

I am a big fan of the to-do list. In fact, I like to think of it as a genre in which I excel -- especially when I successfully check off all of the items on a list. It's an added bonus when I can knock off most of the tasks in a couple of hours. The trick is to start those things that take some time, like laundry and one-hour film development, and then continue down the list while other items take care of themselves. There's no more satisfying feeling than to know that two things on a list are being done at once. Perhaps I take greater pride in this achievement than seems normal, but we've all got our quirks, don't we.

I admit, I haven't perfected the art form just yet. Without intending to, I always make the mistake of adding one bastard item that is near impossible to complete.

Here's yesterday's list:
groceries
Target
post office
develop film
renew passport
pay bills
laundry
thesis work

Seems like a reasonable list. Most of the errands were in a one-mile radius of one another so I could save both time and gas. Two of the tasks could be started while I moved on to other items. Not a bad list indeed.

Until. . . thesis work. Seriously. Why did I write it down? Do I subconsciously enjoy the guilt that comes from leaving one item on the list? It's not like I don't already feel the pressure of not having worked on the thesis in weeks. The worst part is that I really believed myself when I wrote the words. Such disappointment no one should have to feel.

So, here's today's list:
pack
paint toenails
thank you card
blog

I'm sure I'll add something later like "begin novel," but for now, crossing four little letters off the list feels pretty good.