Not really funny, but basically true.
No-one who really knows me would ever accuse me of being decisive or dynamic or even ever-eager to help.
This is not because I don't want to help or even intend to help, it's just that getting started takes me a while.
At school I was described as lazy. Reports said things like, she is capable of so much more, she never puts in enough effort, she needs constant reminding of deadlines. She can turn in good work when she feels like it which is not often!
Friends would say "don't forget, let me know if you can come to ......." and I would duly promise, then think oh well, I don't need to do that yet, there's plenty of time. Then days, or weeks later I would be apologising for having forgotten to let them know, turn up, do whatever they had (wrongly) assumed I had said I would do. What I had actually said was "I'll think about it".
A three-year stint in the WRAC cured me of not meeting deadlines and I am never late for an appointment, that after all, is a question of good manners, but I just prefer time to be elastic.
Once started on a task I will give it my best shot and all the energy i can summon, but once completed, expect to be allowed recovery time.
My walking pace is practically Olympic, but once I've got where I need to be ordinary time takes over again.
Several of my neighbours find dropping in for a chat restfull and relaxing, while I find the pace of their lives horrifying. They work full time, run their homes, act as parents, chauffeurs, sports-coaches and mentors to their children and still have time to socialise with friends.
I currently have a pile of ironing awaiting my attention but until it reaches Eiffel Tower height or the weather cooles down, whichever comes first, it will continue to grow.
Procrastination is indeed the thief of time but i can only assume that I come from a long line of cat burglars.
Friends? They just don't understand that life is tooooo short to stuff some particular mushrooms, do they?
ReplyDeleteAnd ironing - did anyone ever get into the Kingdom of Heaven by ironing? I think not.
Kindred spirit!
ReplyDeleteRay, life is too short to iron almost anything until you absolutely need it. What was it someone once wrote - I'd be a procrastinator if I ever got round to it?
ReplyDeleteIt is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don't mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.— Oscar Wilde
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the picture of the procrastinating cat! As for taking the time to do what you want, I am definitely in favour. Ironing and Wimbledon don't go together. The ironing will wait, the tennis will pass!
ReplyDeleteNo Doorkeeper, they just do not. It is good at this stage in life to have the freedom to choose not to do something unpalatable, even if the alternative is simply putting one's feet up.
ReplyDeleteI assume that in heaven all garments are drip-dry!
Margaret and Perpetua, there is comfort in knowing that one's 'sins of ommision' are not uniquely practised.
ReplyDeleteJane
ReplyDeleteI think Oscar, as usual, had it about right.
Freda
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the cat burglar.
The only problem i can envisage with your Wimbledon v ironing argument is that you might need something to wear to Wimbledon.
No I know it was only a TV visit, but still better than ironing.
whilst reading this I am reminded of the washing up that needs to be done in the kitchen - oh well it can wait until tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Judy. Why exhaust yourself today when you might have a ton of extra energy tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I gave in and did the ironing yesterday (10 skirts!).
when I was first married and enthusiastic about 'doing' everything!!! (didn't last long) I used to do my ironing to 'Gone with the wind' as it took me that long to catch up with the ironing :))
ReplyDeleteJudy
ReplyDeleteI trust you're not referring to the book. About 700 pages as I remember.