Why does everything go wrong on December 22??

Do you consider yourself superstitious?

I think on deadlines, all of us are a little bit superstitious. Every graphic designer I know has prayed to the Postscript gods once or twice, sometimes sacrificing a kneadable eraser. Every video producer does a little invocation to the great spaghetti monster when they hit "render."

When you're trying to print reports for an important meeting you're late for, doesn't the copier seem to become a sullen obstinate child? You coax, threaten, wheedle, make extravagant and useless threats and promises.... to a large, heavy inanimate object. (It probably knows you can't actually lift it to throw it out the window).

When you are trying to whip together a blog post on a schedule, doesn't a part of your mind accept that a grammar error will appear to punish you for hurrying?

Planning to get things done before the new year? Think again. Pre-holiday haste pretty much ensures that everything on your to-do list will have six (plus) extra steps you have not factored into your planning. So look at that list and scratch off all but the top two.

Meanwhile, I don't think sacrificing a full tray of Toffifee to the great pumpkin will help, but it might not HURT....