I don’t know if it’s because I was taught to do it this way or because it just feels right, but I always put on both of my socks before I put on my shoes. I’m not crazy enough to care which sock goes first or which shoe is first, (if you are, I promise to keep your little secret) but it just feels completely wrong to finish one foot while the naked one hangs out patiently waiting for some simple sock action. It’s like playing favorites or something and I’m not falling for it.
I once had a debate with my friends Robyn and Jon about our evening washing up routines. I always floss before I brush and Jon was the polar opposite. My position was that flossing gets the hard-to-reach places and that brushing finishes the job. Jon thought that brushing would get most of the work done and flossing was the final step. We googled it and the experts weighed in at a 50/50 split on which order was more beneficial, so the debate continues.
Before I go to sleep, I only check three websites. First I check Facebook both to see what hilarious content or meme my friend Kara posted, and then I laugh at Andy Borowitz’s humorous contribution to humanity. And lastly I check for birthdays and important events or milestones. I scan quickly, send my congratulations, and close it out. Next I jump to E!Online for scintillating celeb gossip– my attention span is about two minutes. And I finish off with New York Magazine for local restaurant openings, closings and reviews, top stories, NYC real estate info, and shopping deals and steals. The funny thing is that I always check all three sites and I always check them in exactly that order. No clue why, but I’d never consider changing that habit. I just like the pattern.
My friend Phyllis and I have been running partners since early 2005. And for all the miles we have ever done together, she’s to my left and I’m to her right. It just feels funny if either of us is on the wrong side!
Growing up we each had our specific seat at the dinner table. I can’t even imagine sitting in my Mom’s seat! Same thing in my house. Even when I’m alone, I always take the seat closest to the kitchen. In a restaurant, I usually opt for the seat that faces out and has its back to the wall. I know it’s sort of Tony Soprano of me, but it just feels more comfortable.
Patterns sometimes give us comfort and allow us to accomplish tasks by rote without us really having to think about the mechanics of getting them done. Some patterns are meant to be broken. Like paisley! But some are just so easy, like mindlessly doodling figure eights. Or realizing you’re just driven for the past ten miles and you have no idea how you got where you were going because your mind was somewhere else completely.
jenslittleblackbook.com 