Lists, Or How I Suck At Following Them

Every year, about this time, I get this itch to make lists. Part of me thinks that it has something to do with being a teacher and that never ending quest to learn. But truly, it stems from the fact that summer is about 18 short work days away, and I am a person who craves structure. Seriously . . . who makes "to do" lists for the summer? Umm, me. Summer should be a time of relaxing on the beach, basking in the sunlight, and recharging for the autumn. One problem . . . I burn quite easily. So I make lists instead.

Three-quarters of the time, my lists look like this:

1. Read insert 25 titles of books here.
2. Finish knitting insert all of my knitting projects here.
3. Make a quilt, bag, dress, whatever-strikes-my-fancy.
4. Learn how to take photographs like my sister (because I am a shitty, shitty photographer).
5. Exercise (seriously, this makes it on the list every single year).
6. Read some books for school.
7. Be a better cook

The list could go on and on and on. Rarely, if ever, do I cross off a single thing because while I crave structure, I also fall into routines too easily, routines like this:

1. Make two cups of coffee.
2. Watch Morning Joe.
3. Watch People's Court.
4. Watch Judge Judy.
5. Watch some other horrible reality television program with a judge.
6. Watch more television.
7. Attempt to make dinner.

So, the only list I plan on making this summer is limited to one thing: don't watch television during the day . . . except for Morning Joe (I kind of have a crush on Joe Scarborough . . . if anyone knows him, please pass the word).

Jill