Shiny Objects: The Downfall of a Crow

Have you ever noticed what grabs the attention of a crow, besides
carrion? Shiny things. They're a lot like racoons, noticing lots of
interesting things in the world to play with, but nothing so interesting
it holds their attention for too long. It's a fickle characteristic.

I had identified this characteristic within my own personality long ago,
probably when I was in high school. During that time period, you're
encouraged to explore new things, to try on new hats. There is a
downside to this that shows itself over time. If you're interested in
everything, what one thing can you ever be really good at?

So I find myself with all of these do-it-yourself (DIY) hobbies: Linux,
bowmaking, playing guitar, sketching, cooking, wood working,
programming, etc. Perhaps I'm arrogant in thinking that I can do it
all. Perhaps I simply hate to pay good money for something I could
reasonably pull off myself. Perhaps I simply want to be able to be
great at everything. Who knows.

Whatever the reason, my life has been plagued with half-finished
projects. I purchased dwarven role-playing miniatures to paint last
Fall; they are half-started and forgotten. I was given a snake last
year, which I remember to feed once every two weeks and change it's cage
once a month. Not exactly what's you would call a responsible pet
owner. I have been trying to teach myself guitar for two years now.
It's slow going, but I'm starting to pick up a little steam in that
direction.

We have a handful of projects to do around the house for which I've only
speculated on or drawn up cursory plans. There's a half-finished longbow
clamped to a coffee table in our basement. An old 486 laptop lays dissected on
my computer desk downstairs next to the IBM PowerPC thin client I haven't even
fired up yet. There's a bolt of linen in our spare bedroom that needs to be
sewn into tunics, and recently purchased leather for a quiver that hasn't even
been traced out. There are seeds for an herb and flower garden that never got
planted lying in a plastic bag on a shelf somewhere. I have malt and honey for
a homebrew beer lying in a kitchen cupboard. We've speculated about puchasing a
shed kit, and planned on putting in a new driveway before winter. There are
framed pictures lying about unhung, and loose photos lying in boxes instead of
being placed in photo albumns. We STILL have to finish sending out "Thank You"
cards for our wedding!

I promise myself that I'll exercise, go running, or ride bike, but
instead I find myself reading a book, watching television, or sitting on
the computer. I don't know the key to getting things done, but I
suspect it has something to do with discipline. ;-/ An ugly word for
the procrastinator and the easily distracted; the racoon; the crow.

We'll see how it all works out. In the past, I've been a list-maker to
combat my easily distracted personality. It's probably time to be a
list-maker again.

Listfully yours,
^chewie