Because your kiss is on my list

I’m forever making lists. I’ve got scraps of paper in my wallet, in my pockets, on the side of my refrigerator, in my head, everywhere. I have a shopping list-which is different from my Costco list, a bill pay list, I must email/call list, things to do TODAY list, gifts to buy people list, things to write about list and on. And now I’ve just created a list of my lists for you. You’d think I was a very organized person. Alas, no.

The problem with my lists is that there is nothing about them that actually compels me to complete the tasks I’ve assigned myself. If I don’t get things done right away, it’s highly probable that they will not get done at all. Or, they will get done when it’s too late and I’m either apologising or paying a ridiculous late fee or just feeling really guilty that I never did whatever it was I should have done.

So when I say, “I’m so glad you called. You were at the top of my list,” I do sincerely mean it. But, you may have been on the top of my list for 3 weeks, and you may have been on the top of one of 20 lists floating around my house. I don’t know how other people keep track of things, but I certainly have not found a method that helps me. This is most likely because I don’t really want to do most of the things on my lists. I say most because obviously it delights me to no end to call/email friends. It’s the other administrative tasks that give me no joy. Perhaps if I invented an Electronic List Gadget that cheered and clapped and praised me every time a crossed off something on my list, I’d be more inclined to complete these tasks. “Well done, Deborah, you clever minx, you! Your productivity is just short of astounding!” “Don’t tell me you’ve managed to cross another task off your list! You are definitely on top of things, and I can’t tell you how hot it is to be on top!” Hmmm. Must add this idea to my Stupid Invention List.

I commend all those who are able to do what they’re supposed to do when they’re supposed to do it! I’m humbled by your efficiency.



The latest list I’ve enjoyed inspecting is not one that I’ve created for myself but lists generated by the traffic reports I can now access. It’s no secret that I’ve added Site Meter to the blog-scroll all the way down. There’s a little Site Meter thingy at the bottom of each page that lets you know that I’m checking out traffic on the site but that I’m also too cheap to actually pay for the Premium Service which would allow me to track traffic without that thingy there. I wanted to know if my audience was made up of the 10 people who share comments with me every now and then, or if I am, in fact, reaching a wider population.

Not to worry. I can’t tell if you personally have been on the site-or at least I won’t admit to you that I can. But, what I have found fascinating is HOW people come to the site. I can see if people have come to the site by way of Facebook or if they have Googled something that leads to an obscure reference on P&C. The results are in. While most of the readers go directly to the P&C site because once you’ve come once, you want to come again and again. . . . . . a good number have Googled The World Unseen and I Can’t Think Straight given all the attention these independent films are receiving of late. These readers are unlikely to return, but I welcome them nonetheless and hope they’ve learned a thing or two about the films and the filmmakers. SHAMELESS PLUG: And I also encourage fans to purchase the novels and soundtrack from my site. Over there-on the right hand side.

Even more interesting – or you may say disturbing – is how many people Google “CAMEL TOE” and end up finding this blog. I had just about forgotten the rhetorical question that I had posed in an entry about the Olympic gymnasts until I noticed the significant amount of traffic coming my way via CAMEL TOE Googles. There are a number of international readers, and I wonder if they’re looking up its meaning. Or perhaps CAMEL TOE is a serious issue in our society, and people are genuinely interested in finding a solution to the problem of the frontal wedgie. I can’t say what the intentions are of those inquiring minds, but they’ve arrived here nonetheless. And to them, I say “Welcome, but I don’t think you’ll find the answers you seek. But, can I interest you in a book? Over there-on the right hand side.”

It really doesn’t matter to me in the end who’s here. Site Meter is a fun distraction that keeps me from crossing important things off my lists. Ultimately, I write for myself. I’m keeping the cobwebs from forming in my brain. Gabriella is expected to read each entry and laughs or cries where appropriate and without fail which makes her my biggest fan and my bestest friend. The rest of the adulation and worship is appreciated but I’d write with or without it. Eventually, I’ll thank each and every one of you for all of your kind remarks. It’s on my list.