A time to wash, and a time to… not

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I have no way of explaining how it happens, but it does. That strange phenomenon of “timing.” I am not speaking of relationships… although I currently could… but no. Today, I am referring to, literally, the precision and accuracy of timing.

When walking toward a curb, one begins calculating and adjusting her steps at least 10 feet in advance, assuring a seamless arrival at the sidewalk, and allowing an easy, natural gait when confronted with the last step up onto the concrete. She might have to adjust her timing earlier – to skip and chassé in the middle of the crosswalk, perhaps – but in the end, her final step is confident and graceful. Whatever she has to do early on to make her final step successful, she will do.

I apply this principle in my own life, especially when it comes to showering.

I do not enjoy showering. In fact, I get depressed and overwhelmed when I consider the fact that it’s an activity that has to be a part of my life FOR-EV-ER. The endless cycle of wash, shave, scrub, dry, curl, lotion, makeup, spray… perhaps I’m a little high-maintenance, but I, for one, want to minimize the amount of times I have to repeat this sequence of events. And so, to ease my pain, I look at my calendar, and depending on the activities of the week, plot out when I will take my showers. I even pencil them into my red leather planner. Things to consider: workout schedule, whether or not I will have worn sunscreen, dates, weddings, meetings at work, the possibility and likelihood of a ponytail, etc.

Call me crazy – see if I care… or if I change my ways.

Depending on my week of events, sometimes I need to take two showers two days in a row – quick steps on the crosswalk, if you will. Other times, I will stretch it out as far as I can go – long, extended steps. Ultimately, it does not matter the manner of pace that I take – all that I am concerned about is the final step, the ending mark, which is usually a “look cute” event of some sort.

I am operating with 4th-day hair today – as in, I have not showered since Saturday night. Please don’t be grossed out – if you saw me today, there would be no denying the fact that my coif has reached a crescendo of glamour unknown to every-day-showerers. I cannot explain why – it just is. After the initial shower and styling, my hair looks better and better and better with each day that passes.

To a point.

Tonight, I will gather all of my strength and sheer force of will, and reluctantly heave myself under the shower-head. The motivation? My beautiful friend Christina’s arrival from Boston tomorrow. (Know her, read her, love her.)

There is an art to timing. And I am learning to perfect it, even when the in-between times are full of stumbles and grease.

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6 Comments

  1. MJ on August 8, 2007 at 5:26 PM

    I love taking showers. Like to do it every day. And unlike yours, my hair looks best day of. Period.

  2. Dad on August 8, 2007 at 6:58 PM

    Annie, you are gorgeous no matter what day it is. Period.

    And you have the uncanny ability to make just the right number of steps to make the curb.

    And you are so much like your dad when it comes to planning that you scare me and make me so happy!

    As Bono says, “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away.”

    Love, Dad

  3. J.P. Ensor on August 9, 2007 at 5:33 AM

    If I don’t shower every day, my clothes will rot off. I think that’s because I’m a boy though. Boys stink.

  4. Miranda on August 10, 2007 at 12:00 PM

    I’m on day 6. Rock on my friend.

  5. Jeremy Parsons on August 11, 2007 at 3:25 PM

    I like to take a shower when:

    -I can wet my finger and write “Wash me” in the skin on my arm.

    This happens daily. Good times.

    Dad’s right – you’re gorgeous. Own it – even on day 4.

  6. The Gilchrists on August 13, 2007 at 10:56 AM

    There are so many ways that you and I are alike…but this is not one of them…in fact, I think I am the opposite when it comes to showers. I shower as often as possible. Not because I am obsessed with being clean, but because I just love the feeling of standing in the hot water. (Is this too much information?). Seriously, though, I sometimes shower 2 times a day…sometimes even 3. I shower when I am bored, tired, have a headache, want to procrastinate, etc.

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