Can we cut out the countdowns?

Just nine days until 2011.
Leo's second birthday is in 44 days.
Valentine's Day is in 53 days.
One of my stepdaughters drives me nuts with her countdowns. "My birthday is in nine days," she writes on Facebook. Last month, it was "Just 10 days before we all go to New York." That was followed by a minilecture on not letting the cyberworld know when the family would be skipping town.
Am I a curmudgeon about this? The countdowns are driving me up the wall. I'm not talking about a Letterman Top Ten list or a critic's pick for the best movies of the year. I'm talking about constantly looking forward to a date in the future at the expense of today.
"I can't wait" is no way to go through life, but it's a great way to miss out on what's happening around you right now.
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