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Thursday, August 04, 2005 · posted at 10:49 PM

Ida Know. When I was in high school, there was this guy who said (I heard this story secondhand so I'm paraphrasing):

Every day I go home and find ways to put off my homework. I watch tv, I eat, I basically do everything but my homework. It's this big looming cloud of dread, the idea of doing homework... And then it gets to be 10 or 11 o'clock at night and I have to do it. So I finally start and it only takes me about an hour and I think to myself, "That wasn't so bad, why didn't I just do it before?" And then I repeat the whole process again the next day.

At first I laughed. Then I realized it was true. Then I thought, "Why are we so stupid?"

Years later and I'm still operating on the same principles. I moan and groan and complain and procrastinate. And upon completion always kick myself for not getting it over with quicker. Sometimes I think the anticipation, that cloud of dread is worse than the actual task itself. Other times I am sure of it.

Question: How many days does it take to change a lightbulb?

Day 1: Notice the light in the bathroom is flickering. Huh.

Day 2: Notice the light in the bathroom is no longer working. Take shower in the dark.

Day 3: Think about replacing the light.

Day 4: Tell myself I like showering in the dark.

Days 5-13: Leave the house. Hope that the light will work when I come back.

Day 14: Shower in the dark. Nick my leg shaving. Decide to change the lightbulb. Almost fall off the side of the tub trying to take the cover off the light. Think about bringing my chair in. Feel overwhelmed by the prospect. Go watch tv.

Day 15: Get shampoo in my eye. Decide to change the lightbulb. Look for spare lightbulb in closet. Pry cover off. Find special circular fluorescent bulb inside. Decide to change lightbulb tomorrow.

Day 16: Go to Target to buy lightbulb. Go home when Target doesn't have lightbulb because "So you think you can dance" is starting soon.

Day 17: Drive to Home Depot to get circular bulb. Get distracted by the Barnes and Noble across the street. Buy lightbulb. Go home. Find it's the wrong circular bulb. Hit the lightbulb out of frustration. The lightbulb turns on.

So after 17 days, I can now see and distinguish my shampoo, conditioner, body wash and face cleanser. It's amazing that one can go so long without more mishaps, more specifically, that I, a person who just rubbed zit cream on an abrasion thinking it was Neosporin, went that long without mishaps. And to think this could have been resolved in the span of ONE day.

So what have I learned from the whole experience?

Avoidance is a perfectly acceptable solution so long as it's infallible and permanent.



	Thursday, August 04, 2005 · posted at 10:49 PM Ida Know. When I was in high school, there was this guy who said (I heard this story secondhand so I'm paraphrasing): Every day I go home and find ways to put off my homework. I watch tv, I eat, I basically do everything but my homework. It's this big looming cloud of dread, the idea of doing homework... And then it gets to be 10 or 11 o'clock at night and I have to do it. So I finally start and it only takes me about an hour and I think to myself, "That wasn't so bad, why didn't I just do it before?" And then I repeat the whole process again the next day. At first I laughed. Then I realized it was true. Then I thought, "Why are we so stupid?" Years later and I'm still operating on the same principles. I moan and groan and complain and procrastinate. And upon completion always kick myself for not getting it over with quicker. Sometimes I think the anticipation, that cloud of dread is worse than the actual task itself. Other times I am sure of it. Question: How many days does it take to change a lightbulb? Day 1: Notice the light in the bathroom is flickering. Huh. Day 2: Notice the light in the bathroom is no longer working. Take shower in the dark. Day 3: Think about replacing the light. Day 4: Tell myself I like showering in the dark. Days 5-13: Leave the house. Hope that the light will work when I come back. Day 14: Shower in the dark. Nick my leg shaving. Decide to change the lightbulb. Almost fall off the side of the tub trying to take the cover off the light. Think about bringing my chair in. Feel overwhelmed by the prospect. Go watch tv. Day 15: Get shampoo in my eye. Decide to change the lightbulb. Look for spare lightbulb in closet. Pry cover off. Find special circular fluorescent bulb inside. Decide to change lightbulb tomorrow. Day 16: Go to Target to buy lightbulb. Go home when Target doesn't have lightbulb because "So you think you can dance" is starting soon. Day 17: Drive to Home Depot to get circular bulb. Get distracted by the Barnes and Noble across the street. Buy lightbulb. Go home. Find it's the wrong circular bulb. Hit the lightbulb out of frustration. The lightbulb turns on. So after 17 days, I can now see and distinguish my shampoo, conditioner, body wash and face cleanser. It's amazing that one can go so long without more mishaps, more specifically, that I, a person who just rubbed zit cream on an abrasion thinking it was Neosporin, went that long without mishaps. And to think this could have been resolved in the span of ONE day. So what have I learned from the whole experience? Avoidance is a perfectly acceptable solution so long as it's infallible and permanent.	Recent Posts Kodak moment. Karen's dad can always tell when som... Overheard at the bookstore:Girl: I'm looking for a... diatribe to Tom, part 1It's a shame that Tom Cruis... diatribe, part 2Cruise: There is no such thing as ... diatribe, part 3Cruise: You just communicate about... "If you've seen a spoon, you know how to spoon." ... Quotes from American Psycho:Jean: What's that? Pat... Top Ten Memorable Moments in Europe. The bird's e... Mmm. Reprocessed pig fat.The county fair is back -... But Cousin Larry...Why is it that all the calls du... Morning news babie goose ryan bluemouse daves son dawntaught desiree diorama emily escadawg galveric high entropy invisible cube jepgato kyellow lilly mhuang mogbert nudream starfish + coffee verbivore Archives March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 November 2008

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