Global Wandering

There are two types of people in this world. List makers and pile makers. List makers are organizational perfectionists. They prioritize, compartmentalize and despise disorder. To them, a job is not done well until it has been scratched off a list. In fact, if it’s not worth putting on a list, it’s not worth doing. List makers keep their desks clutter free, polished and smooth like a fresh sheet of ice laid down by a Zamboni machine.

Pile makers organize by stacking. Their motto is everything in a pile and every pile in its place. They might look as if they live on the verge of chaos, but in fact, they pride themselves on their ability to find things if needed. They don’t ignore lists entirely. They just keep them in their heads, or they scatter post-it-notes around their workspaces like rose petals. And when the piles get too high and numerous, and the ridicule from self-righteous list makers becomes too intense, pile makers conduct what is known as the big dump. They roll in huge garbage bins and toss out everything that hasn’t been touched in the last six months. Then they begin to pile anew.

I’m a pile maker, but not hard core. I typically keep only three piles at once, and I no longer use post-it-notes. Instead I schedule reminders for myself on 37 Signals’ Backpack service. So now whenever I need to be reminded of something, I get an automatic email and a cell phone text message.

But just to show you I can make lists, here’s a list of this week’s favorite things (in no particular order):

Favorite new web application I discovered: Teleflip Let’s you send text messages by email.

Favorite thing I read: Brownies, a story by ZZ Packer

Favorite Internet video clip I found: “The Play” 1982 Cal-Stanford Game⎯a fantastic finish but the low point in the trombone players union's historical archives.

Favorite song I had never before heard: Reasons Why by Rachael Yamagata (I live a cloistered life)

Favorite ride: Test drove an Audi A6 Refrained from buying it.

Favorite thing that came in the mail: Black iPod Nano to replace my defunct iPod Mini. This was a free replacement, which was even better.

Favorite conversation: Discussion with kids as to why I was not in favor of getting a pet chicken.

Favorite dead thing: Our Christmas tree, which is still standing in the sunroom. It’s beginning to petrify.

Favorite meal: Oatmeal with fresh berries and Cracklin' Oat Bran. Every morning.

Favorite Phone Call: Cardiologist called to tell me I wasn’t dying.

Favorite Sale: Sold the ink from my defunct printer for $250 on Ebay.

Favorite Bank Deposit: Closing proceeds from the house LaPriel rehabbed. She’s having fun shopping today.