Opinion

Multi-tasking

Saturday, April 12, 2008

When I was growing up and we saw someone who appeared to be uncoordinated or awkward, we often joked and said, "They can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time!"

Now days it appears that we have evolved and one of the buzz words that is frequently heard is that people are "multitasking." I guess this is supposed to mean that we can talk on the phone and drive the car and thus be more productive.

Coming from another generation, this never had much appeal to me, but last week when I knew I was going to be on an hour long conference call doing little more than listening to the dialogue of others, I sat at the living room table and thought there ought to be something I could be doing during this hour. First off, I managed to write three checks and get them properly located in envelopes while still being part of the call.

While at the table, I looked down and could see several spots on the rug so I thought this would be a good time to put on some carpet cleaner and let it be working while I'm listening. This meant a quick trip to the kitchen, grabbing the carpet spot remover, and attempting to apply with the spray. Apparently, the can had lost its fizz and no spray was coming out. Back to the sink once more and right beside the first can was another can of cleaner. I took it into the living room and liberally sprayed it on the spots on the rug. Meanwhile, in the midst of my multitasking, I am still listening in on the cellular phone as I walked back into the kitchen, bent over to put the rug cleaner under the sink, and happened to read, "This instant cleaner is designed to remove tough dirt and stains from athletic shoes. Makes them look new again." About that time I got a sinking feeling, realizing that the carpet could not double for an athletic shoe.

By now the damage was done; the instant cleaner immediately lightened up a series of spots that previously had been dirty. If you looked closely, one could imagine that the carpet could double as a leopard skin with spots. I am trying to figure out what I am going to say to the grandkids the next time they come into the house. Perhaps it is an indoor hopscotch layout so they won't have to go outside. This reminded me why I gave up chewing bubble gum; it is clear that I can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.