There is a great Texas (ok Southern) thing called, “Fixin’ to”.

Now, the actual duration of “Fixin’ to” can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few years, to possibly never.

Texas women have held “Fixin’ to” over Texas men’s heads since the state formed I imagine. I can frustrate and confound the devil out of my wife while I am “Fixin’ to” do anything. She, on the other hand, frustrates and confounds the devil out of me with “I’m almost ready” or “I’ll be right there”.

Men have died and dried to bones waiting on this.

At least “Fixin’ to” holds the hope of action, where the other does not … necessarily.

Now, it is easy in psychological terms to pass “Fixin’to” off as simple procrastination. However, this is not true. Procrastination is simply an avoidance technique. Thus, it likens simple crayon 1st grade art to a Rembrandt. Yes, “Fixin’ to”, in Texas, is an art form.

Therefore, it can be combined by the true masters of the art into something profound to behold. Allow me to illustrate;

“Babe (what my wife and I call each other), when are you going to finish putting that motorcycle back together so it isn’t cluttering up the garage?”

“I have been fixin’ to getting around to thinking about finding the time to get’er done.”

(Note: That bike has been sitting in the garage torn apart since December 2017…I am not proud of this, it is just a Fixin’ to fact.)

It is also “area of life dependent.” I am not like this in my business life. In fact I am the polar opposite. I tend to be the consummate planner who believes that no task or plan without a relevant completion date (ETC – Estimated Time to Complete) will ever get accomplished. I drive hard to complete task on time and make sure that dates are met.

So one may believe that “Fixin’ to” is something that we Texas men use to get out of doing something our wives want done. Well, yes. Yes that is a fair and true point. However, I want to get that motorcycle put back together and back on the road. But this falls into another tried and true Texas habit;

“The Project”

You see, I have always enjoyed toying around with things. Bikes, cars, guns, you name it. Thus, if it is something I use regularly I typically need at least two of said item because one will inevitably be a “The Project” while I am using the other.

“The Project” is something that gives me joy because of the journey not the destination. “The Project” is always more about the process and less about the outcome. Yes, I will enjoy the outcome (that I am “Fixin to” accomplish), but the process of having something in parts for a period of time just gives me joy.

Thus, “Fixin’ to” get around to thinkin’ about getting’ to a part to complete part of “The Project” fills me with an abject joy and allows me to consider all of the possibilities, extending the joy, that much longer.

See, it’s as simple and as complicated as that. Maybe it is painting Rembrandt’s with Crayons.