"To Do" or "Not To Do"?

Ever notice how the "To Do" list grows faster than items are removed from it?

I know mine does. There are a lot of things on my "To Do" list and they seem to languish there for a while as the list grows ever longer.

I ran across a truism about "to do" lists the other day while talking to a co-worker.

It appears, that in my case anyway, the things that go on the "to do" list are the things I don't really want to do--like paint the ceiling or replace the gas tank in the Jaguar. The items I want to do, or that need to be done whether I want to or not, are actually done.

My "to do" list is a parking lot for those things which need to be done, but which aren't critical. I sometimes use lists to map out my daily tasks if I have a bunch of critical things to do--but all of the things on that "to do" list are things which must be accomplished before I either go home from work or before I go to bed at night, else significant consequences will occur.

So in addition to the two items I've already mentioned here are my current "to do's" and a rough length of time the item has been languishing:

1. Clean the garage (waiting 2 years)
2. Build adequate storage in the garage for the junk (waiting two years)
3. Reduce the amount of stuff in the attic (waiting three years)
4. Order a new door handle for my truck (three months so far)
5. Replace/fix the passenger door lock on my truck (two years)
6. Put the winter mats in the Lexus (two months)
7. Stain the deck (one year)
8. Replace the basement door (two years)
9. Fix the family room French door so it closes smoothly (seems like forever)
10. Get the Jaguar a tune up so it starts easier in the cold (three months)
11. Buy Chris a new rim for the Lexus (too long)
12. You get the idea . . .

Now I admit--a few things have made it off the list recently:

1. Paint the kitchen and Family Room ceilings - took two months
2. Fix Nicole's laptop - took two months
3. Fix my laptop - took one month
4. Take down the Snow Village - got done on time on Jan 2

So, it seems, "to do" lists don't work for me. They become parking lots (or possibly auto junk yards) for projects I don't want to tackle.

So in answer to the question--not to do!

Sleepless in Elkridge

I had one of those nights--the kind that I hate where I wake up and then cannot get back to sleep.

Last night!

The mind was on once the body was awake.

Why did I wake up? Well the new exercise program that Chris and I are trying really kicked my butt and I have a lot of sore muscles and some cramping. Yeah--it is a killer. Macho me, I thought with all the racquetball I play this would be a breeze--NOT! It hurt and we worked hard--which despite my moaning is exactly what I needed to supplement my racquetball. I could tell that I have not been working all of my muscles from some of my more disappointing racquetball results, and last night's exercise regimen proved it.

If I survive, I'll be better for it. (keep telling myself that)

So I woke up in a bit of pain and then--instant on with the mind. Ugh! I hate that. So I saw 1245 through about 3 AM. I did get to watch the hockey results on the NHL channel and was pleased to find that the Penguins broke out of their losing streak and that the US defeated Canada for the gold medal in the Junior World Hockey Championship. I started watching some of that game earlier in he evening, but turned away from it for the Orange Bowl for some stupid reason.

So now I'll be sedate and exhausted all day! Lucky for my coworkers.

And what do I have to look forward to tonight? Another brutal 20 minute workout!

And it is out of the gate

And so, the New Year is off and running out of the starting gate.

Having the New Year start on a Friday allows for a three-day weekend meaning the business New Year doesn't really kick in until the 4th--yesterday.

And what a 4th it was.

Coming back after the being off for a week (I worked on December 28th) meant wading through mountains of email and associated nonsense searching for the gems.

It is amazing how many things get put off until later during the "tween" period. The days between Christmas and New Year.

Let's recap the first business day of the year:

the Dow closed up,
the temperature was below normal,
my truck started
I opened a good bottle of wine with dinner
work was crazy as always

all-in-all-- a pretty good start to the year. Hopefully we can keep it going.

Monday Musings - January 4, 2010

1. A personal fan customized for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), $10;
a straw cowboy hat, $25;
one 4-year old grandson watching the riders and the bulls at the PBR--priceless.

2. Sunday football at the house can be very nerve wracking when some teams are going to make the playoffs and some aren't. Go Ravens! (and cow-pokes, too)

3. During the past week Patrick and I completed repairs on two laptops--Nicole's and mine. Mine needed a new cable for the monitor--which we successfully troubleshot and subsequently procured for $35 and installed . Nicole's hard drive crashed--and we were able to recover all of her essential data and put a new drive in for $54. Total savings--well over $1400 to replace the two laptops! Now that's what I call a Merry Christmas.

4. Returning to work after the Christmas and New Year's holidays is an incredibly difficult thing to do. I am reminded that I "work to live" and not the other way around!

5. In the "closing the barn door after the livestock have escaped" department--TSA and the closer checks of travelers, interesting it takes a near disaster to get people moving forward. I admit I had become comfortable flying again and thought I knew how to expeditiously get through security. Now I have to start all over again.

6. Our New Year's Eve party with close friends was awesome--we began eating and drinking wine at 8PM and finished at 11:30 PM. Why is it that it will take more than 3 and a half hours to lose the weight I gained from that one night?

7. When I see my dog sleeping on the bed in the morning when I get up and she is unwilling to crawl out and join me for breakfast at 5AM, I wish I could live my dog's life.

Sherlock Holmes - Movie Review

This movie is worth seeing!

The classic story of Sherlock Holmes takes on new life and excitement as Robert Downey Jr (as Sherlock) and Jude Law (as Dr Watson) display an interaction between actors on the screen similar to that seen between Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The movie was fun, creative and a joy to watch. The scenes are full of action and depth which draws the viewer more into the movie and the story. Set in London of the 19th century, this is not your tourist view of London. It is the hard working, seeder side of the city and its environs. The action scenes are at the same time thrilling and fun to watch. The movie moves along nicely with few spots where the story drags--although the sotry is a bit complex--as one might suspect of Sherlock Holmes.

Robert Downey Jr is witty and cunning as Holmes. He displays the creative genius of Holmes without being boring or condescending. Jude Law is the perfect straight guy-the supporting cast behind the genius whether it fighting the bad guys or providing support in cleaning up the messes that Holmes gets into.

Visually, the movie is full of life and depth. There is always something deeper in the scenes which is worth seeing and enjoying.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. There is action, a bit of violence, but mostly a solid and entertaining story line.

Saturday Night in Baltimore? Whatcha gonna do?

Let's do something different! PBR!


Nope--not the beer, but Professional Bull Riding! the Baltimore Invitational. On a whim, I asked Chris if we should go and take Ethan to the PBR--she said yes and we did.

So our little cowboy experienced bull riding as a sport. And yes--the cowboy hat was added at the arena so he would fit in better with all the other cowboys. Although--he needed assurance that this did not mean he liked the Dallas Cowboys in any way, shape or form.

It was a fun evening watching the bulls and riders compete. It was nationally televised, so we also experienced many, many TV time outs for commercials.

I was surprised at how many other residents of the area--not normally known for its western arts appeal, ventured out on a real cold night to see the riders compete.

It was quite a show--complete with fireworks, and opening prayer and of course the National Anthem. The introduction of the riders was especially loud and accompanied by fireworks.

I was touched by the opening prayer--which asked God to protect the riders and the animals--really a nice touch.

I came away with renewed respect for how long 8 seconds can be--the amount of time a rider needs to stay atop a bull which is doing everything in its power to dismount him!

So our New Year truly has gotten off to a different start--and although only two days old--there still are a lot of new and different things to do.

Although--I was warmed by a sign we passed on the way home.

Spring is only 79 days away! Yee-Haw!

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Gourmet Shopping?

Sometimes we run across those funny juxtaposed items in life which just cause you to stop and really try to figure out what did they really mean?

On December 30, 2009 Chris and I were in our local Safeway store looking for items to complete our meal which was planned for New Year's Eve and as we were looking for items, I saw the sign for the gourmet market--right above the Tuna Helper!

Really?

Tuna Helper has made the realm of gourmet?

I had Chris take a picture of it with her camera just to record it for posterity!

And so, the next decade of the 21st Century dawns with a redefinition of gourmet!

Bon appetite!

Happy 2010

Sailing into the New Year on Smooth Seas

Happy New Year

I hope and pray that this year is better for you and your family than last year.
That you will receive and recognize blessings beyond your imagination.
That you will find love, companionship, and fulfillment in all you do.
That you will be true to yourself, and to God in your life and your profession and in the decisions that you make every day.
Do not sell or lose your integrity.

May the seas of life be calm for you,
But when the seas are rough, may you be on a big ship firmly in the hand of God
And may you sail on into the future
with hope, and excitement ready for the challenges of the hour, day, week and month as they come knowing that in the end--you are never alone, no matter how lonely you feel and that we have all been there in some form before--so do not isolate yourself from friends and make it a task find a person who used to be a friend--and reconcile with them this year.

Makayla and Me

Well--it is New Year's Eve (for New Year's Day 2010) and as I am reflecting upon 2009, I keep returning to the one thing that probably had the biggest impact on me during the year--Makayla. I reread my first blog about her--love on four feet and the pictures that I put in that item. Wow--she was small.

She has gone from a rambunctious little puppy to an exciting dog in the space of the year.

She has become my best companion--especially when the house is quiet and I am without other human companionship. she is usually there, except when Chris takes her out with her to Nicole's for a play date with Jeff and Gibbs.

I was looking back through pictures of her first year and i was just amazed at how she has grown from the small puppy--just weeks old into my best friend. It was, love at first sight.

It is her eyes that melt my heart. They are full of life and playfulness. She always seems to search my face to decide if we are going to play or not. I know it drives Chris crazy.

And then there are the rules which have been broken this year--like no table food--well except for toast, and Pringles, and who knows what else.

I guess that with the passing of the great dog Meghan three years ago, I had forgotten just how much of a dog person I really am.

So I guess 2009 is really the year of Makayla. Who knows what 2010 will bring.

2009 Movies of the Year

Movies 2009--the good and the not so good

Best Movies of 2009

1. Star Trek - the best movie of the year by far
2. Transformers 2 - almost the best movie (Megan Fox is hot!)
3. Avatar - Strong movie, creative--not as good as the other two
4. Defiance - difficult material to see on screen
5. Taken - best thriller of the year
6. Up - best animated movie of the year
7. Angels and Demons - much better ending than the book
8. Race to Witch Mountain - I like corny movies, OK?
9. The Proposal - the best chick flick of the year and funny
10. Knowing - even though the ending was terrible

Worst Movie of 2009

Mall Cop

Movies intentionally not on the list:

Twilight 2 New Moon (I'm neither a tween nor a cougar!)
Night at the Museum 2 (been done)
Ice Age 3 - yeah, yawn
Fired Up (cute and a funny rental)

Movies I still want to see:

Year One
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Inglorious Bastards
It's Complicated
The Blind Side
Invictus
Sherlock Holmes