I am right now rethinking walking as a form of exercise.
I was thinking the other day, as we were glazing, that so many potters work in different time frames. We are those people that get up early, go to work early and then quit early. There were times that we tried working the mid-night shift but I found with two kids who needed to get up and go to school on time this was not going to work for me.
Plus, I am a morning person. ( not necessarily bright and cheerful but I am awake)
Anyone who has glazed many pots at a time will tell you that there is a point where you need to set a stopping goal.
I am going to finish this and clean up and walk right out the door.
You have to ignore the voice that says, "Oh, just one more".
Why?
Because, next thing you know another hour has gone by, or you have developed the stupids.
The stupids mean you will drop a pot, put the wrong glaze on, splash wax in the wrong place, judge the depth of a glaze wrong.
You know the stupids.
Then instead of making progress you are making seconds.
What we try very hard to do is; after a full day of glazing set a time to finish what we doing, clean up for the next day, and walk away.
Just do it.
Our plan yesterday was to do just that.
This means we work on Saturday, but we work on Saturday anyway.
Most of the glazing is finished and we are now watching the weather to spot a good day to fire.
Loading starts tomorrow.
And, while I am getting out the long underwear to walk, I think wearing some while loading the kiln might be a good thing.
Speaking of walking... I need to check to see if we went up a degree while I was here.
M
10 comments:
You certainly did not have the stupids when you glazed the pots in these pictures. I'm with you, If I am doing a construction or remodeling project, I tend to just keep at it 'til I start getting clumsy. Not the best way to work but at least I have learned to stop before I get hurt.
"Plus, I am a morning person. ( not necessarily bright and cheerful but I am awake."
LOL.. me too :)
thanks Dennis. it takes years to listen to that voice that says stop now.
Dirtkicker -- we could be friends who had coffee with no talk!
I hope your walking kept you toasty! I was cold when I started my walk with the pups today, but warm before we went far. Hope to get by there before long. I miss ya!
I am trying so hard not to do "stupid" this time of the year!
Seems the older I get the more moring I am :) also finally figured out I am a light person, when the sun comes up, I'm up. Don't need an alarm clock, not sure how it works either.
Those pots are incredibly beautiful.
I'm not as good about stopping the creative process (or work, for that matter) which would explain the mistakes I made tonight. (Earrings will have to be re-worked later.)
hey Laurie! I miss you too!
Walking does help warm me up.
Sandy- I need light too!! Lot's of it.
Thanks Karen- I know the do over process well.
Sage advice, thanks again.
I'm a morning person, just not too early in the morning. I think I'll have my coffee in silence with you and Dirtkicker.
Lori- you are in!
I know, me too, you always feel better if you simply get things DONE early and you feel a snese of accomplishment!
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