1084 More Fakery

1084 More Fakery

So, while we’re on the topic of fake stuff, here’s a little something you can do to build up your sense of accomplishment.

This is not as much fun than painting lines for fake bike zones, posting fake street signs and placing fake fire hydrants and parking meters.  But it will make you feel good.

These days everyone has a to-do list.  Well, almost everyone.  Some are kept on phone or tablet “apps,” but most of us stick to the old and original little scraps of paper.

At day’s end you look at the scrap and realize you haven’t done half of what you set out to do, right?  You look at that, you say to yourself, “boy, I’m a mental slob and lazy.”  That’s no good for your already damaged self esteem. So here’s how to make things more satisfying.

When you first prepare your list, leave spaces between the items.  Then, as you go through your day, use those spaces to insert items that you’ve already done.  You know something always comes up, something unplanned.  So put it on the list and immediately cross it out.

At day’s end, you can look with approval and maybe even end with more crossouts than still-undones.

Sense of accomplishment.  Satisfaction.  You have spent your day productively and you’re proud of yourself.  And you should be.  A little self deception never hurt anyone.  Life’s big guys do it all the time.  Why should the 99% be deprived of the same luxury?

If you want to take this to an extreme, get yourself a scrap book.  Each night, Scotch Tape the day’s list in the book.  Scratch the “fake” items out in red.  Soon, you’ll have a scrapbook full of little scraps with lots of red lines.  And then, you’ll feel even prouder of yourself and more accomplished.

But don’t go overboard.  Do not put things on your list like:

✪ Win the Presidential election.
✪ Sign Afghanistan peace treaty.
✪ Win Powerball.
✪ Co-star in a movie with Jennifer LoClass.
✪ Untie the Gordian Knot without a knife.

You can fool some of yourself all of the time, but you can’t fool all of yourself all of the time.

Shrapnel:

--Attention, Kitchen Cabinet!  Production has begun on WestraDamus 2013, scheduled for posting here and on the website in December.  Suggestions for material are welcome at westradamus@gmail.com and this is your chance to be your own nonprophet.

--RIP Arlen Specter (R-PA) who died this week at the age of 82.  Sen. Specter was afflicted with a dread disease, but those in the know are wise to his underlying illness. He had a severe case of The Javits.

--Did you watch the debate?  Both candidates were back on their game.  Obama played the part of President.  And the method-acting Romney played a cross between 14 year old girl with PMS and the president of a used car lot.

I’m Wes Richards.  My opinions are my own but you’re welcome to them. ®
Please address comments to wesrichards@gmail.com
© WJR 2012