2002-10-09 - 1:37 a.m.

Getting things out of the way, getting things done, is the best.

Doing it--getting the bills paid, cleaning the apartment, getting up in the morning, you get the picture, at the moment, is the most dreadful task ever imaginable.

I mean, admit it, and be absolutely honest. How many of us manage to brush our teeth before bed every single night?

Or, if you're a little higher on the hygiene ladder (I actually consider myself eternally dancing precariously on the highest rung when it comes to folks my age), how many times will you wear a pair of pants before you wash them? How late do you sometimes mail your check to the credit card company to help pay for a meal you ate in 1994?

Or, if you're a homeowner, apparently the highest rung on the moral and upright ladder, and this is based solely on number of visible american flags hoisted from front of domicile, when's the last time you cleaned the gutters? Talked to the kids about drugs?

Eh?

It doesn�t take much to do something you�re supposed to do. When you do it, it�s amazing how easily you can summon the energy.

But it�s the moment before doing it, the reluctance, the uncanny ability to find something else to do, even if it�s less productive, the knack for putting it off, that�s the sweetest part.

I think.

�Cause when you actually do whatever it is that�s been looming over your head, that you�ve been pushing to the side, that�s been bothering your spare moments, that you keep forgetting to do, when you defy the odds and actually get it done, you get to cross something off of that goddamn list.

The list of random crap that�s been looming over your head, that you�ve been pushing to the side, that�s come to haunt you on your train rides to work, or while eating dinner, that you keep forgetting to do.

And it�s a long list. The stuff you gotta do. So it feels ever so nice to knock basically anything off the list.

Even if it isn�t a divorce husband, or a change jobs or a sign up for that photography class, or perhaps for some of us, a kill neighbor, getting that drop off winter coat at a dry cleaner, or settle debts, or even buy eggs accomplished can really be a big lift.

Get stuff out of the way. The little things.