What is it about lists? Until recently, I have never been one to make lists. I had complete faith in my ability to remember everything I had to do during the day and the near future- a mental list if you will. But that was before life became a little more complicated and I had to start keeping track of rent, utility bills, grocery shopping, applications, and above all assignment deadlines. Insert other social activities and by junior year I realized that lists were essential. There’s just something about writing it down that makes you commit to whatever is on the list. When I feel overwhelmed with errands or necessary logistical planning, I can dump it on the list and know that I will do it.
Of course, it probably helps that I not only have a rather anal personality, but I also become easily obsessed with certain things. It’s a cycle of phases. Right now I believe I’m in an Anthony Bourdain/ David Chang & co. (AKA badass chefs), crossword puzzle doing, House watching phase. I can’t get enough of any of these things at the moment. I’m also obsessed with lists themselves (add that one to the list! Mwahaha). With the help of the “stickies” application on my MAC, I now make a list most mornings for what I must complete during the day. And my mind becomes preoccupied with checking each consecutive item off.
Imagine my delight when a couple of months ago my good friend Iris sent me the list to end all lists: 7 x 7 Magazine’s annual list of 100 things to eat in San Francisco before you die. It is also known as Big Eat SF 2010. I know it simply as The List. Ever since school has been over, all I can think about is checking off more items on The List. Every time any one mentions a trip to San Francisco, I start pinpointing possible pit stops that would allow me to cross certain food items off The List. The List has even gotten my competitive juices flowing. I installed a Facebook application that announces when one has eaten something on The List to all one’s friends and tracks the percentage completed. Darn you Iris and your 7% completion! I may be at 4% now, but just you wait. Finally, before I go to bed at night, I often give The List an once-over. Quiz me, I can tell you anything on there.
So far, I’ve only had grapes and meatballs from Aziza, rotisserie chicken from Limon Rotisserie, chasu ramen from Katana-ya and the chocolate spiced donut + Four Barrel coffee from Dynamo Donuts. There is a trip to the Ferry Building in my distant future, however, and I think I know what I’ll be doing there. I’ve counted and there are around six things to eat in and near the Ferry Building. Perhaps this will be followed by a power walk (burn off those calories to make room for more!) all the way to the mission district in order to check off salted caramel ice cream from Bi-Rite.
Is this obsession sad? Maybe. Is it fun? Definitely. Am I glad my obsessive and easily addictive self has never tried hard drugs? Um, yes.
Chocolate Spiced Donut (back) and Chocolate Dipped Orange Saffron Donut (front)
Hey, I’m Zach’s friend from high school and I’m out here for the summer working at Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry Building. Say hi when you go through, or let me know, I’d love to cross things off the list also!
Hey Ashlo, I’m glad you realized you shouldn’t try hard drugs! Wouldn’t want to see you around the “streets of character” in Baltimore.. wish I had your dedicated personality, though! My hobby is to make a bajillion lists and then proceed to ignore them all.