making lists

I love post-it-notes. It's got to be one of the best inventions (after plumbing and peanut butter). I have always loved buying post-it-notes and writing all kinds of things on them. I have my car mileage written down so I know when to change my oil. (I'm overdue...) I write down grocery lists, things I need to do or want to do that day, songs or things I remember while I'm anywhere- I write them all down. I enjoy making lists- it's the crossing things off when they've been accomplished which feels good. But also it's the things that don't get done that maybe I dwell on- or just move it to tomorrow's to do list.

I have a dear friend of mine visiting this week. Rose and I met while I was doing my work/study at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY. I had 2 jobs- no, 3 jobs. I cleaned bathrooms (didn't do that long), worked in the theater doing stage building, lights, and sound (really fun job), and I worked as a dishwasher, pots and pans washer, then breakfast and lunch prep cook in the cafeteria. Sweating over pots and pans is where I met Rose. She was one of the chefs. She did (at the time) baked goods- cakes, cookies, desserts, as well as lunch and dinner preparing. Her daughter, Becky, also went to Roberts and worked in the cafeteria. Becky and I had classes together and became friends, but Rose was my friend first. She welcomed me like another daughter into her family. She is a dear friend.

Anyhoo, she asked me a question this evening which took me aback. She asked me if teaching is what I really wanted to do with my life. I gasped a little, but then said that yes, I think so- I was good at it and yes, I think I really did want to be a teacher. Then she asked, "Well, if you couldn't be a teacher, what would you do?" I said that I really liked working outdoors, in the gardens and on the farm and such. I also have thought of working in a sandwich and coffee shop- that that would be fun, but I'd miss being outside. We talked a bit more and she said, "You should make a list of 6 (her number, not mine) things you don't want to do." I thought, huh, now there's something different. I've done many jobs (too many), but I've never thought of making a list of things that I don't want to do. So I thought I'd try it. Here it goes:

1. politician
2. telemarketer
3. professional athlete (I was never great at sports anyways)
4. artist (I can't draw and photography doesn't count)
5. singer/musician
6. make up artist/person who sells make up

ok- that's six and that's all I could come up with right now. I'm sure I'll think of more and have my post-it-notes handy.

What are your six things that you would never do for work?