THINGS I SHOULD DO (BUT PROBABLY WON'T)

I'm not talking about charitable, altruistic kinds of things. Or educational, edifying types of activities. Or even checking off the "to do" list that has been making me feel guilty since I got back from my trip last September. Like getting back to my anal Microsoft Money tracking ways. Or organizing almost 15,000 digital photos. Or making the Drago video of Adam & Ant that has been percolating in my head for months. Or . . . I'd go on, but I'm depressing myself.

I'm talking about two recent, irritating experiences where I thought and ranted about situations that I really should - and could - tackle.

1. Create a real, current, DRIVER-FRIENDLY route map of San Francisco's "49-Mile Scenic Drive." One that goes EITHER direction, not just one. One that tells people EXACTLY where to turn & merge, complete with specific landmarks, so they don't need to have ESP or risk being rear-ended/side-swiped. One that takes into account major detours like the GREAT HIGHWAY being closed for a big chunk of southbound traffic. One that allows both driver and passenger/s to enjoy the journey.

2. Create a real, current, USER-FRIENDLY guide/checklist to setting up a new computer. Not the basically completely unhelpful User Manuals that COME with your new computer where they say "create backup discs immediately" (because they don't just include them anymore because they're cutting costs AND they don't tell you that certain brands don't work, etc.) and "connect to the internet." One that tells you each possible, logical step as well as how long it might take to complete. Perform these updates. Turn off this background program. Install these programs. Check this before you try to "Easy Transfer" your data from old to new computer. Here is what might go wrong and what to do. Don't freak out if "x" happens, do "y."

(And I don't mean a confusing "troubleshooting" problem or contact tech support that isn't available or costs an arm & a leg, I mean "here's how you cancel it.")  Having gone through this process for three computers over the last five months (mine + two others) and beating my head against the wall all three times, I've decided there must be a better way.

Hoo-kay. Maybe I'm just getting cranky(ier) in my old(er) age. Speaking of which, I celebrated the big FOUR-FIVE in bowl-sucking style. Sometimes the steps just come natural.