Columnist Ruthe Deskin: No longer put off by putting off

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, July 25, 2002 | 8:14 a.m.

Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.

Webster's dictionary probably says it better: "procrastinate: to put off doing something unpleasant or burdensome until a future time; to postpone such actions habitually."

I have been a big-time procrastinator all my life, and now I have reached that point where it is important to get things done before wandering off into whatever is planned for me.

I've decided to make a list of things to do today that shouldn't be put off until tomorrow.

My resolution was brought on by a call from a pleasant young man from Wells Fargo who wanted to, "sit down and help with some financial planning."

I have a problem. When it comes to anything mathematical my mind shuts down like the lid of an old-style root cellar.

I did go through the living trust thing with an attorney, but became so confused and frustrated signing papers and asking questions, that I never really followed through to completion.

As we get older it becomes urgent that we make preparations for our future, and organizing finances is a giant step in that direction.

I really should have a dermatologist look at some of the strange growths and odd-shaped moles that come with old age. My generation literally baked in the sun. Tans were supposed to be both healthy and handsome. Who knows what damage those doses of steady sunlight might have done?

Then there are friends I mean to call, but keep putting it off till tomorrow. My house needs routine repairs; my cat needs grooming; my closets should be emptied of clothes I no longer wear; the garage needs cleaning. It's all there waiting for me.

Meanwhile I am reading a good book, so all the above can wait till tomorrow.

That's procrastination.

It's scary when a lusty liberal begins to agree with Fox News' feisty Bill O'Reilly.

"The O'Reilly Factor" has become a must in my home. He is brash, sometimes rude and arrogant, but the man gets to the heart of things.

Although he claims to be in the "no spin zone," O'Reilly has little hesitation spinning for his pet projects.

O'Reillly does something many talk show hosts have forgotten. He interviews with a scalpel. He doesn't allow guests to get by with rhetorical statements.

When a guest claims hundreds of examples to prove a point, O'Reilly asks how many hundreds and to give one instance of proof. He keeps prodding until the guest answers with facts or gives up.

O'Reilly asks pertinent, incisive questions and doesn't put up with rambling answers. It's like Jack Webb's old show "Dragnet" -- "Just the facts ma'am."

Humorist Herm Albright reminds us the grass may be greener on the other side, but the water bill is higher.

Another local resident has taken to the road.

Writer and radio personality Ira David Sternberg is hosting a travel series sponsored by the Nevada Commission on Tourism. He will be visiting rural Nevada towns and interviewing colorful personalities.

The report airs on Saturday afternoons at 1:30 on KDWN 720-AM.