Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
Originally posted on December 22, 2015, I think some things in here are good to pay attention to today. I hope you enjoy them.
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This list was inspired by being habitually late for most of life’s events. Hope you enjoy it.
Top Ten Things Not to Wait Until the Last Minute to Do
10 Do not wait until the last minute to get a reservation at the best restaurant. If you do, at best you might want to eat at home. At worst, you could find yourself waiting in the bar until there is no longer a point in eating. (Now you have the problem of getting home)
9 Do not wait until the last minute to see if that formal outfit still fits. If you do, at best, you might be going to the event a little less formal than you planned. At worst, you could find the split rear seam about two minutes after everyone else in the room. (At least, it’s not toilet tissue caught in your underwear.)
8 Do not wait until the last minute to pull the ripcord during that parachute jump. If you do, at best, you may subject yourself to some heart-stopping moments. At worst, you will learn a hard lesson of physics where the acceleration of a falling mass reaches the speed of fifty feet per second per second. (gotta hope you have enough seconds before the ground welcomes you to become one with it.)
7. Do not wait until the last minute to put together a Top Ten list. If you do, at best, you will get to bed way too late. At worst, you will come up with something like that parachute item. ( Have to promise better)
6 Do not wait until the last minute to put the holiday turkey in the oven. If you do, at best dinner will be delayed. At worst, your holiday dinner guests will have unscheduled stops at the ER on their way home. (Next time, you’ll believe that thermometer)
5. Do not wait until the last minute to pay your holiday bills. If you do, at best, you will get the money in before the extra charges. At worst, you realize there are more bills than money, and the finance charges are like an additional car payment. (Maybe you’ll have these paid up by next December)
4. Do not wait until the last minute to give your Christmas list to Santa. If you do, at best, a few of the items on your list will not be available. At worst, Santa may just have to pass by your house since his elves could not make that yellow convertible fast enough. (You could have made it simpler given the lateness of the request)
3. Do not wait until the last minute to make airline reservations to that resort for the holidays. If you do, at best, your room will cost five times that of your neighbor. At worst, your selection will be limited to the Howard Johnson’s on exit 361 of the Long Island Expressway. (There is also an ice storm forecasted.)
2 Do not wait until the last minute to pack for that holiday trip. If you do, at best you will only have to wear everything twice. At worst, you will raise all kinds of questions when you ask the front desk where to buy underwear. ( Just forget the look and get a pair)
1. Do not wait until the last minute to fuel your car for the trip to the airport. If you do, at best, the power failure did not include the gas station at the next exit. At worst, the only gas station open at this hour has a cash-only policy, and the local ATM has just been hauled away by vandals. (Notice how soon the low fuel warning light comes on)
Fiction Favorites 
Great tips, John! I’m definitely not a last minute person. I always do things way ahead of time since you never know what might pop up. Happy Monday!
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I am the same. I hate to be behind.
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I try not to wait until the last minute but there are times… Great list, John! Chuckling about #10.
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Thank you, Joan. Glad you liked it. 😁
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Great list, John. It would be even funnier if I hadn’t violated Rule #2. Fortunately, the Hyatt in Cambridge, MA stocks underwear in their gift shop. Registered guests even get a 5% discount. The worst part, it wasn’t even a holiday, it was a training class for iPhone App developers.
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I wrote that from experience as well. 🤣
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Sage advice, John.
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That’s another thing not to put off when making the turkey. (Okay that was not my best work.) Thanks, Craig.
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I’m a good one for #1. Just ask my husband. (No, don’t.)
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Hahahah. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Great list, John. I’m a planner by nature and rarely do things “last minute” but I know many who do. I’ve often envied their carefree spirit – from afar. 😁
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I’m not a last minute person either. I tend to plan so that I look carefree. Thanks, Gwen. 😁
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Too, too funny! 🤣
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😁
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Great list, John. You definitely hit on a couple I habitually do, too!!
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Yeah someone said once, “Write what you know.” I have a few in here as well. Thanks, GP.
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😬🤣
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😊
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Love how all are normal, common situations. Then you have skydiving, which holds a much higher risk. Hilarious. 😁
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I did apologize for that one. Thanks, Charles. 😁
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No apology necessary in my mind. Thought it was a great addition.
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Thanks, Charles. 😁
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This is a great cautionary list, especially since I could/should/might add don’t wait until the last minute to: mail packages, write Christmas cards, etc. I will mention that a lesson was learned about that turkey on Thanksgiving. If you have a ‘smart’ oven and set the timer, be sure and check to be sure your oven hasn’t clicked off when the timer goes off. Otherwise, that extra thirty minutes isn’t going to do a bit of good.
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I have heard a lot of timed cooking stories. Most not good. Thanks, Linda
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Thanks, John. I’ll keep these tips in mind. If I remember. 🙂
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Hahaha. Thanks, Tim.
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Lol, John. A great list. For sure, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to pull the rip cord! Thanks for sharing!
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You may not like the sound of a close encounter with mother Earth. 😁
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A great list, John. I was giggling thru the whole read! Thank you for the entertainment. 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mar. Thanks for letting me know.
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Great list, John! Good thing I’ve never been a last-minute person, but more of a planner. 🙂
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Good for you. 😁
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Great list, John 🙂 I have been a late person over the years, but prefer now to have that extra time of being early. Gives me people watching time.
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I think when one gets older that last minute rush is a little too intense,
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Goodness, I don’t want to say how many of these apply to me 😉 Great list, John!
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I’m guilty too. Thanks, Marie.
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These are all great. I should print out this list and give it to hubby. I was not happy about no place to eat on my birthday one year.
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I’ll bet. I can tell yo haven’t forgotten it either. 😁
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Oh, dear. Pity the procrastinators. I’m one of those who try to plan ahead for everything. Of course, things do pop up to cause consternation, but trying to waylay the unexpected seems to work for me … most of the time!
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I’m the same way, Debbie. Thanks
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Great tips, John! Number 2. got me rolling… 🤣😍
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Good to roll for sure.
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Without saying which ones I can attest to having done a number of these on this list…
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Me too. 🤣
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hahahaha!!!
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These are pretty scary do not waits! Especially the gas one, which has happened to us!
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I remember the gas shortage out East. I was on the wrong license day and out of gas. A plice office finally helped me get some.
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Number 9 reminded me of Steve Martin in Father of the Bride, when he puts on his tuxedo, singing…What’s New Pussycat, and the seams split.
Thanks. Made me chuckle, when really I needed one.
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He had a navy blue Tux which he got on a discount. I loved that movie. We still use the term, “release.” when we are uptight. (The two dobermans key word to stop guarding)
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I loved that film too. 🙂
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“Because some big-shot over at the wiener company got together with some big-shot over at the bun company and decided to rip off the American public.” https://youtu.be/oYIHLUxzRr8
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A very wise list, John!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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No problemo on the ripcord. . since I’ll probably never jump out of an airplane. As for packing at the last minute? I’m notorious for being the opposite, packing a week early . . .
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Good for you. I do last minute and sometimes it doesn’t work well.
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Just so long as I keep the list handy . . .
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Yes. That is key.
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I don’t know which ones you experienced first hand, but I’ll lay even money that #4 actually happened.
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I did ask for a Porsche once. It didn’t come until February.
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Good list, John! My wife and I can really identify with the travel ones, but as we know you’d better be flexible when it comes to travel.
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Yes being flexible is a must. Thanks, Pete.
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You’ve just reminded me I need to try on my clothes for this weekend’s company dinner! 🙂
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Yup
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You always have such sound advice, John! Have you learned all of this from personal experience?
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Yes. I have made every mistake a person can make and still be alive. (Sometimes the alive part was iffy too) 😁
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing this one too. 😊
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😊 Thank you as well for the great entertainment, John! Enjoy your day! xx Michael
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Thanks for the great tips, John! xx Michael
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Hahaha. 🤣
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😊😊
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[…] Top Ten Things Not to Wait Until the Last Minute to Do […]
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I laughed my head off, John! Think of the crazed shoppers who have waited till this weekend to find sleet and 5″ of snow all day Saturday. 😳
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Oh that must cause heart palpitations.
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Yup!
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This was unexpectedly funny! I was expecting a post filled with wisdom, which it was, but by number 8, I was surprised by the humor, that one being the funniest. Thanks for the laughs, John. 🙂
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So we are clear. There is a paucity of wisdom here. This is the Sahara of wisdom places. I’m all about humor. Thanks, Betsey.
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John, since I’m new here, I had no idea! But here’s some irony to your “paucity of wisdom”–I had to look up the definition of paucity. Consequently, you made me learn something.
I feel cheated.
😉
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Yeah I forgot about the vocabulary part. Got to watch that. 😁
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For real, man. You’re only embarrassing yourself now.
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🥸
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Ha!
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😊
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[…] Top Ten Things Not to Wait Until the Last Minute to Do […]
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Thank you for sharing my post.
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Great list! And the ninth one, I really shouldn’t wait till the last minute to find my formal outfit lol
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