My Brother, the Swimmer

Along with the rest of the country, I’ve been watching Michael Phelps on TV for the past couple of weeks.  The guy is amazing, no doubts there.  However, the thought that continues to recur in my mind is how much he looks like my little brother.  Maybe it is just me, but I seriously feel that the two could have been separated at birth.  What do you think?

On Being a Procrastinator

Some have, in the past and at present, called me a procrastinator.  Their accusations often take different forms.  For example:

- “You haven’t done that yet?  I really need you to get on it.” — Previous Employer

- “You know, you and your father are a lot alike.”  — Mom

- “Whenever/if you get around to it.”  — Significant Other

There is no denying it…I am a procrastinator.  By my own admission, I would much rather do the things that I do not have to do rather than do the things I need to do.  Have you ever wondered if you are a procrastinator?  Of course you have!  Here are some examples (from my own life) that point to a propensity for procrastination.

1. My kitchen and bathrooms are exceptionally clean places.  Many who frequent my house chide me for being “overly tidy” or for having too much time on my hands.  The truth is, I actually have far too little time on my hands, but I would rather spend what time I do have cleaning my bathroom to avoid writing papers.
2. My iTunes library is enviably organized.  I have several playlists that coincide with the moods I may or may not find myself in, and some of them I’ve actually set up to change based on what I’ve listened to in the recent past.  Many times, when I sit down to make a new playlist, I think to myself, “What will I want to listen to when I finally sit down to write this paper of mine?”
3. I ride my bike to improve my concentration.  Along with being in the best shape of my life (really, its true), my recently acquired bike provides me with hours upon hours of procrastination opportunities.  Just this morning, I went for a ride so that I would be more “focused” and able to write a better paper.  It is actually pretty effective, but when I get back from a 10 mile ride, I of course have to do some ab work as well as some free weights.  Then comes the inevitable shower and nap.  Before I know it, night has come.
4. I have a blog.  If you truly wish to know whether or not you are a “real” procrastinator, ask yourself, “Do I have a blog.”  Blogs exist for no other reason than to enable procrastination.  Want proof?  I have a paper that I should be working on right now, but instead I’m writing a blog post about how I don’t want to work on it.  Case closed.

The surprising thing about procrastinators like myself is that, in one way or another, the work eventually gets done.  Most of my papers get turned in on time…I rarely incur late fees on my credit cards…my power has never been cut off due to not paying bills.  One of these days however, I hope to experience the joy of finishing something well ahead of schedule, without the panic and haste that often accompanies my penchant for putting things off till the last minute.  Until that day comes, my kitchen will sparkle and my playlists will grow.