I read an article recently that said multi-tasking is an inefficient way of doing things. Hello? Try making supper without multi-tasking! “Here you go, Charlie. Once we’ve eaten our fill of this meatloaf, I’ll start peeling the potatoes.”
I think us gals are good at multi-tasking because we don’t have a choice. But it comes at a cost, right?
Like the other day, Celeste and me were chatting on the phone, catching up on things and, per usual,
talking about our husbands. “Ida,” she says to me, “sometimes I just snap at Bud for no good reason. I feel so bad after. Heck, I feel bad while I’m doing it, but I just can’t help myself!”
“I know what you mean, Celeste. There are some days when every time I open my mouth to say something to Charlie, only frogs and toads come out. Nothing but frogs and toads.”
“Why is that, Ida? They’re both such sweet guys.”
“I’ve pondered that one, Celeste, and I’ve come to the conclusion that while you and me may be good at it, multi-tasking can make us cranky. We’re going in a million different directions, getting pulled
this way and that. Why, we have so many balls in the air, all it takes is one more thing added to the mix and we snap.”
Celeste agreed. Then she had to go because she was babysitting her grandson Robbie, had a pie in the oven, and needed to get the clothes outta the dryer before they got all wrinkled.
Now Charlie and multitasking do not mix. It kind of short-circuits something in his brain. “Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!” I’d find that a hardship. In fact, just the thought of not keeping my eye on the big picture, makes me kinda nervous. But you know what? Charlie’s fine with doing one thing at a time.
Here’s Charlie’s latest.
Multitasking
My wife, just trying to get a rise,
Says multitasking’s not for guys
She says that’s where gals excel
And where us guys don’t do as well
I don’t doubt that she is right
But it don’t keep me up at night
‘Cause here’s the thing: I’m really fine
Just doin’ one thing at a time
When I’m out fishing
That’s what I’m doin’
Waiting for a fish
That’s all I’m doin’
Not calling up to check
On my manifold
Not tappin’ my fingers
While they put me on hold
Not listening to ad’s
Gettin’ dejected
Or cussin’ at the phone
When we’re disconnected
Sure, I could do it,
But am I gonna?
Naah, don’t really wanna
And when I’m mowing
That’s what I’m doin’
Mowin’ the lawn
That’s all I’m doin’
Not thinking ’bout much
It seems to me
Maybe how I’m gonna
Go around that tree
I could look at all the yard work,
House work, too
And sixty other things
I know I gotta do
I could look at all that
But am I gonna?
Naah, don’t really wanna
When I’m watching the game
That’s what I’m doin’
Watchin’ the game
That’s all I’m doin’
Oh, and workin’ on
A Pabst Blue Ribbon
(If I told you I wasn’t
Well, I’d be fibbin’)
There’s an example,
Though you weren’t asking,
Of how I’m marvelous
At multitasking
I could think of others
But am I gonna?
Naah, don’t really wanna
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Multitasking
Three Live Shows
December 10-12, A Very Ida Christmas! at The Public Theatre in Lewiston, ME
Friday at 7:00, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00
Video-On-Demand December 16-26, 2021