Procrastination

"Procrastination is like masturbation; In the end you're just screwing your self."

I am currently in the process of procrastinating. I have a 5 page paper due tomorrow but I can't seem to get myself to do it. I sat down an hour ago in front of my computer and all I have accomplished is opening up the "Word" window for me to potentially type in, eating two pop tarts of the blueberry type, and drinking a wonderful mug of white tea. The main contributor to my procrastination is that I get distracted by the internet too easily. So far my web journeys have taken me to: e-mail, letsrun/fourm (here is a good video that I linked to on the site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kspB8upM8rc), Facebook, Youtube (Lilly Allen "Not Fair", Lilly Allen "The Fear", Lilly Allen "Fuck You"), and then Facebook again. I then opened up a book that I need to consult for my paper and briefly skimmed it (about 5 minutes). At this point I reopened the "Word" document window for my paper but as I did so my mind quickly became overwhelmed with the burden of the paper, which honestly isn't all that tough, and I retreated back to the internet, this time accompanied by me eating miniature Resse's Cups and Rollos. I think the miniature Resse's Cups have the best ratio of peanut butter to chocolate, so I ate a bunch.

It was at this point in my studies that I realized that i was procrastinating, and further, that I was enjoying myself (another parallel between procrastination and and masturbation). "How could I continue my process of procrastination?" I thought. Thats when I decided to write this blog. (I realize that I really need to get started on my paper so I take a small break from this entry in order to get some paper done*).

Oh, Jesus, I just remembered that tonight I went to Trader Joe's and my total cost was a lot more than I thought it was going to be. Frustrated by the lofty toll, I looked at my receipt and realize that I am a dumb ass. The chicken that I thought was $7 was actually $7 a pound and had a total cost of $17. Sometimes I frustrate myself. That chicken was no where near being worth $17, but it was probably the best chicken you could get, and that is why I thought it was such a deal for $7. It was individually packaged by piece, organic, ethically raised, and cleaned very thoroughly. Oh well, I guess I will eat it very slowly. Going to places like Trader Joe's always makes me sad because it reminds me that I will never be rich, unless I marry into money. (If anyone who reads this is rich and has a sister* that they would like to propose to me, send me an e-mail with a/s/l and a picture. All entries sent without a picture will not be considered, unless their last name is Bourke. Let me remind all of you that I am respectful, funny, really good looking, and talented. Who would not want that at their Thanksgiving table?)

Right after that little "I will never be rich" rant, I became motivated enough to get working on my paper, and did so for a good hour. During that time, I completed enough to be confident that I can finish the rest tomorrow. That means that I am no longer procrastinating, only putting off sleep, so forgive me if my entry lacks the vigor and passion that it did during my time of true procrastination.

Looking back on my night and past procrastinations, I have generated a theory that I would like all of my readers to consider. Once started on a paper there is no anxiety due to the work that one is consumed in. The process of writing a paper is fairly straightforward and simple: An intro here, a thesis there, a quote, some support, and the occasional transition sentence. I don't mind writing papers. Sometimes, I even wonder if the procrastinating that I am doing (ex. checking facebook for the fourth time in an hour) is more worthwhile than the work that I could/should be doing, and often times it is not. The problem then must lie in the actual act of beginning the work. As I mentioned earlier, I procrastinate because when I try to begin work, my brain instantly becomes overloaded. Don't ask me with what, because I'm not sure. If I had to guess, I would say that it is with the fear of thinking. I do not understand that though, because I am putting more thought into this blog than I did with my paper. Shoot, I need to go to bed I got a tempo in five and a half hours.

On a side note I would like to wish Steve Vincent, one of my many dedicated readers, a happy birthday. He is turning 20 and so hope he will stop whining like moody teenagers do.


*I actually did not take a break at this point, because I immediately remembered how I got screwed with chicken tonight at Trader Joe's.
*Needless to say this sister needs to be good looking.

March 8, 2009: Running Log

Running up to the C.S.B. my legs were feeling pretty good. I wanted to take it pretty easy today because I was trying to recover this week. The pace, once I started running with the group, was faster than I wanted it to be, though. The first mile was around 6:30. By the time we reached the second mile I was already falling off the back of the group but Hallenbeck kept blasting the pace. He didn't care one bit that I was struggling. If it was Mitch or Burke that fell off the pace he would have slowed down, and he -not to mention the whole team-would have stopped if Steve had a seizure. I get no respect on the team, especially from Hallenbeck. As I was struggling today he was blasting at almost tempo pace with no shirt on and his abs and back rippling. Finally at 7 miles he turned around and I ran back with Steve and Kemmerle.

Or Bust

I'm sure everyone has been on the edge of their seats, waiting for me to update my blog. Sorry to keep all of you (I'm thinking at least 75 dedicated readers) waiting. I guess I should first mention how Fast Track turned out. It was bad. I think I might have still been a little sick because everyone in my house raced poorly and we have all been under the weather for the past week. Although it was severely disappointing that I couldn't manage to secure a spot on the final U.D. top 10 indoor 5k times list, I am still pretty confident that on another night (one in which I wasn't sick, and it wasn't so hot on the track) I could have run 14:45. I am now going to go back to the basics for a few weeks until Outdoor season starts.