chore [tʃɔː]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

We do them – day in and day out. It is a part and parcel of our day to day existence. Like it or not, they need to be done. They take time – precious minutes that I can use to finish reading a book or laze in bed or catch my favorite TV show but chores being chores need to be done. You can try postponing them but they come back to you and leave with no other option but to complete them. Ofcourse you can pay someone to handle your chores and escape the humdrum. But still they are there – looming like a giant billboard on the highway of life with flashy colors and jazzy lights.

Sometimes, these chores become so much a part and parcel of my life that chore time is the time I switch-off and head to lands unknown – lands that exist in my mind. I filter, strain, mash, squeeze and do a variety of actions to understand the thoughts that go through my mind in a rather fruitless attempt to understand myself. Random inspirations and gyaan strike me during these mundane chore times.

At times, chore time is the time me and R catch up – we talk as we work – about our wishes, our dreams, the sun, the moon, our hobbies, and a lot more. It is another trip away from our regular existence. It is a vision and a peek into our dream life – a life were we do not have to worry if there is milk in the fridge or if there are enough underwear in our closet. More often than not, it does not happen that way. There are interruptions that bring us crashing to the current day – the postman at the door with an important mail, the shrill ring of the phone announcing a call from a not-so-favorite aunt. We deal with the necessary and then get back to the chores and our dream life. It is quite easy for me to switch back and forth between the real and the imaginary, between the mundane and the excitement and I drift off as I tackle my chores.

And then there are times when I let the idiot box or youtube keep me company as I finish up my job. The constant drone in the background makes me feel less alone and struck at my job. I tend to have a good play list of peppy numbers to get my spirits up as I tackle my chores. Nothing cheers me up better than a unexpected catchy tune and a quick twist and shake. It puts a smile on my face and the chore list seems a little less intimidating.

What brought this on? I started my day at 5am with a big mountain of clothes to be ironed and a headache. Ironing is probably my least favorite chore as it takes so much of time. I am so glad that I do not live in France as I have heard that they wear ironed underwear there. What is your least favorite chore and what do you do to make your chore exciting?