# I wanted to do useful things today, but... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 4, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740 "2012-03-04T19:18:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/21 "2012-03-05T21:39:43Z")
…then I took an arrow to the knee. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/22 "2012-03-05T22:26:43Z")
I wanted to be useful at work today, but I went to meetings instead. My desk would be much more attractive if I had cats sleeping on the piles of paper. Sure hope I can get that laundry done tonight before the cats demand quality couch time or the day has been a total waste. Also, cats! [http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/NijelTheDestroyer/?action=view¤t=catbomb.jpg](http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/NijelTheDestroyer/?action=view¤t=catbomb.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/23 "2012-03-05T22:43:29Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > Damn, and I really wanted to get stuff done. Next time remember to turn your premonition on and then your useful attempts wont be thwarted. I was far too useful on Sunday. I spent way too many hours doing homework and an hour at the gym. Ergo, today is my useless day. At least it was supposed to be until you people started mentioning laundry, which reminded me I had to wash my boyfriend’s gym clothes before he gets home from work. Damn you all!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/24 "2012-03-05T22:53:05Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > Also, cats! > [Photo Storage](http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/NijelTheDestroyer/?action=view¤t=catbomb.jpg) Hehe, I love the kitty on the left who’s laying on his back. They’re all so photogenic! ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/25 "2012-03-05T23:06:54Z")
Today is Monday, the first day of my “weekend.” I had every intention of getting several things done: laundry, housecleaning, paying bills, visiting an old friend. What did I do? Ate apple pie while catching up on emails and surfing the SDMB. Oh, well. I guess that’s why they call it a “day off.” ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/26 "2012-03-07T20:19:45Z")
I live with a cat and the official story is that I’m her legal guardian. It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement until my friend could get settled. Does it really take 5 years to get settled? Am I being overly suspicious? IDK. The point is that I had all sorts of things on my to-do list for today (really). But some involved leaving home and I was told in no uncertain terms that was not acceptable. {sigh} I don’t want to try to sneak out on her since I’ll only end up paying for it later, but what other choice do I have? Sincerely, Not a bad person. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/27 "2012-03-08T23:11:27Z")
I think the problem may be the lists we draw up. so hypothetically instead of: fold laundry, wash car, take #2 son to work, eat 1/2 a pizza, watch bad made for tv movie you’ve seen before, try; Determine, with steel in your back and ice water in your veins, that you will do one useful thing followed by at least two fun things as reward. So Son goes to work and I get to eat 1/2 of yesterday’s pizza and watch horrendous movie. win-win. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740/28 "2012-03-08T23:44:53Z")
I’ve discovered if I _don’t_ make a list, I don’t feel as guilty not doing things. Nor can I tell TheKid what I really hope to get done, as she will prod me to do said things. If I preface my plans with “I hope to” or “I should do”, then she doesn’t nag. Of course if I remind her what she says she wanted to do, I’m being a pain. Go figure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanted-to-do-useful-things-today-but/614740.md?page=1)