How to Write a "To Do" List

I do not pretend to be the world’s greatest list-maker, but I do claim to be on the short-list of the world’s greatest list-makers. I come from a long line of list makers. I make “To Do” lists and “To Don’t” lists. Since I was a little girl I have made lists. 

This would be a prototypical list from a six-year old me:

1. Wake up
2. Grow new teeth
3. Don't brush the teeth I've got (they're going to fall out anyways)
4. Travel Extensively
5. Learn how to read

As I got older, I wrote more lists.

This would be a prototypical list from a sixteen-year old me:

1. Wake up
2. Grow boobs
3. Climb a mountain
4. Become a more authentic human being who has boobs and can climb a mountain
5. Make a mixed cd with the theme “mountains”

You get the picture. Yes, I usually start my lists with “wake up,” because I figure that everyday this is one goal (barring any unforeseen comas) that I can achieve. So, the other day, when I was sitting at McDonald’s enjoying my daily ice cream cone-meditation-time, I wrote a list. I think that it might very well be my favorite list of all time (right next to the Bill of Rights).

Here it goes...

(This was not written on March 7-13...I just like to relive the past by recycling)

TO DO

WRITE

PERFORM

BE A PERSON

DON'T BUY IN or SELL OUT

DRINK MORE WATER

GET A TRAMPOLINE

I write lists because I love the idea that my days can be filled with possibility. We are our lists. We are our goals. Don’t get me wrong. Lists can also be for chores, grocery trips, and the day-to-day mechanics of life. But, we can and should insert ourselves between the items. “Pick up the dry cleaning,” and “Pay bills,” but don’t forget to add in a little space for “Dance,” or “Perfect your imitation of Daniel Day Lewis.” Our lists, like our lives, should be filled with the ordinary wonderfulness of losing teeth, growing boobs, and waking up.

Lean into Art

I frequently museum. I museum most frequently. I have been to the Children in War exhibit in London, the Italian Torture Museum, and even the Louvre (best 15 minutes of my life). Often, my friends ask me, “How do you do it? How do you museum with so much class and efficiency?” To museum successfully is quite simple. Just follow these suggested guidelines.

1. Walk casually through the space allowing the art to speak to you or even hit on you (those saucy Reubens). For example: this Goelet Schooner Prize designed by Tiffany & Co. (1884) screams tartar sauce and traumatized fish sticks. You can practically smell the terror.

These bottles look like hot air balloons and they evoke a hydrogen sunrise.

March to your own drummer, ballerina.

2. Dress like a museum guard or like a person who likes museums (taupe and pearls). Blend.

 3. Get background info by frequently asking museum workers questions like..."If I licked this painting what would you do?” “What would it taste like?” or “What color is this wall?” “Do you have any paint swatches?” ...Benjamin Moore Ecru is very popular.

4. Never be afraid to express how the art has moved you: with words, with gestures, with unfortunate songs you wrote about your breasts ("My Busby Berkeleys are Timeless") but shouldn't have sung in public because there was a tour group right behind you...Never be afraid to be expressive. 

5. Finally, always remember to lean into art, physically, lean into culture.