I was introduced to the concept of the "Shovel list" while reading Marian Keye's latest novel Mercy Close (it's great - read our review of it here).
Basically the Shovel List is a place where you mentally file the people or things that bug the crap out of you and then you can just forget about them. It's a way of clearing your mind of irritating things or people that drive you mad.
I realised that I already have a shovel list, but I hadn't articulated it as such. But now that I have, I mentally file people or annoying things away and hey presto! Instant relief.
So here's SOME (just some mind I can't tell you them all for fear of being sued) of the things on my shovel list.
GEEBAGS
People who are nasty. You know who you are. While pretending to smile and laugh I'm mentally classifying you as a geebag so nothing you say has any effect on me whatsoever.
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BEING OVERCHARGED
And not realising til I get home. Or realising AT THE TIME and saying nothing like a fool. At this point I put myself on my own Shovel List.
LIGHTS ON IN THE DAY
Look I can't explain this one. It does something irrational to me.
WHITE VAN MAN
Sorry, I'm sure there's maybe one of you that's ok - but the rest of you... Cutting everyone up; non use of indicators ever; changing lanes in a dangerous swerving fashion; tail gating - white van man you're a danger on the roads and a bleedin bully.
REACHING OUT
"Reaching out"! This expression has come from America and now Irish people are starting to use it in a business capacity. STOP! Just stop!
MENS FEET
Shudder. Yellow, cheesy and often stinky. I don't allow them to roam naked in my house and have to suppress a scream of horror if I accidently see them sockless.
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CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Can't bear any kind of animal cruelty. It's horrible and I just can't understand it.
So come on - what are yours! Films, TV programs, foods, people: tell us what's on your shovel list?
