I've discovered a new and wonderful method of procrastination: making futile efforts to simplify and streamline my life. Today, for instance, I subscribed to notify lists for all the journals that I read, with the thought that I'd cease my twice-or-thrice daily bookmark run-through, and only read journals when I've been notified of an update. "What a brilliant plan," I thought, "and the perfect way to kill 20 or 30 minutes, too!" Unfortunately, there are a few rather glaring logical errors there:

First of all, who am I kidding? I don't really have 20 or 30 minutes to spare. I should be working on papers for class, articles to publish, email to catch up on (no, I'm not forgetting you, Nic) and books to read, or at least catching a few extra winks. Having email conversations with majordomos is not exactly high up on my "must-do" list.

Then, of course, there is the matter of intent versus reality: As much as I may intend to read other journals only when they are updated, the reality, undoubtedly, doesn't work out that way. Whether or not I subscribe to a journal's notify list, I tend to work through my bookmarks once or twice a day purely out of routine- when I'm not sure what to do with myself, the easiest thing to do is just open up my browser and start surfing. I start at the top of my bookmarks and work my way down, or vice versa, mindlessly clicking until I find an entry I haven't read yet.

So, this brilliant plan of mine just isn't so brilliant- I wasted 20 minutes, I'll now get even more email than I already do (albeit likely more interesting than Diary-L), and I'll still spend the same amount of time clicking through journals each day. Man, I've got this procrastination thing down.

My tentative travel plans for spring break dissolved long ago, but next week's vacation should still be fairly relaxing. The best part, by far, is that I'll get to cook: You see, I absolutely love to cook, but cooking for myself during the semester generally inspires much guilt. Not only must I spend money on ingredients, but I consequently skip meals in the dining hall that have already been paid for. During spring break, though, the dining hall will be closed, and I will blissfully be left to my own culinary devices.

I won't be able to do anything too elaborate- my kitchen supplies are too primitive- but at least I can cook some simple tasty stuff: I'm planning on burritos, California rolls (sushi with no fish), pilafs, pasta dishes, and one heavenly meal at the Mud Pie vegetarian restaurant in Minneapolis. I may even make chocolate chip cookies- no small endeavor to make without dairy, eggs, or refined sugar.

I'm not planning on spending my entire week in the kitchen; in fact, I'd really like to get off campus several times, too. I'm desperately in need of new clothing, and I'd like to go to Uptown a couple times. I haven't been to the Walker (Art Museum) since August, and I'd like to visit the Amazon bookstore (not at ALL related to Amazon.com), as well.

It goes without saying that a week without classes will be wonderful, but I think next week will be especially good. I just have to make it till then- I still have 3 days of classes to get through!

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