"In My Opinion . . ."
June 24, 2000
Summer vacation officially began for me at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, June 20. As befitted the occasion, traffic was lighter going home, and the sun shone gloriously over Seattle. As I sped across the bridge, I vowed to make the most of my vacation this time. No more late nights and later mornings. No more hours at the computer, no more reading trashy novels, and no more aimless drives. I pledged to DO something with my hard-earned time.
As soon as I got home I created a "to-do" list. I boldly went down the page scribbling such key words as "closets," "moldings," and "bookshelves." I counted how many areas needed total makeovers (12) and decided I could handle one area per day. With time off for good behavior I figured I could accomplish everything in 20 work-filled days.
It is now June 24th. I have already lost my list after using it for a bookmarker in my first trashy novel of the summer. This morning I pulled a flattened packing carton out from under my dresser and began sneezing from the cloud of dust. Most of it settled into the carpet and onto the moldings. I trotted downstairs, anxious to begin my day at noon and get out and see friends after quickly checking for any e-mails. I was sidetracked by my attempts to check on my latest web site statistics and decided to just change a few little things on my home page. I realized that I had enough time to quickly dash off a new essay even though I had no idea for a topic. Still, it is very important to keep your web site current, right?
I realize now that I must leave the house in order to do the one real activity I have planned for today. After four days of summer vacation, I still have not attacked a single item on my misplaced "to-do" list. I have, however, begun my third trashy novel. Do I really care? I suppose so, but after 30 years of lazy summer behavior, I doubt that I'll ever change. Ah, the joys of summer!