*This post is alternately named: Procrastination Breeds Productivity.
I have had several things in my life break lately. Okay, to be honest, a couple of them brokemonths weeks ago and I have been procrastinating doing anything about them. In fact, am just getting around to figuring out what I am going to do about them. And there is no better way to start getting a lot of things done than a day where you are procrastinating something else.
Case in point. On Sunday, I was going to run. But first, breakfast. Then another cup of coffee. Then laundry, gardening, cleaning the bathroom (you know I am really avoiding something when the bathroom is clean!) and even getting my (2 month late) thank you notes/birthday cards written! And then I really started to tackle the To Do list. This is the list that each week I wipe clean the things I accomplished and add new things onto. Often there are things that I keep avoiding and therefore are on there formonths weeks.
So, I started finally figuring out what to do about some of my broken things. I also recently acquired several new broken things, so July is going to be the month of fixing things.
What broke?
New tent. I JUST used it for the first time and then I glissaded down the mountain with it on my back and I ripped it! Luckily (?) it's on the bottom, so I should be able to fix it with just a patch or a piece of duct tape.
Sleeping bag. There is a tiny tear in it. It is not an expensive or great bag, but it has done the trick for a few years. I will probably just keep it until the tear gets too big to bear while simultaneously searching for a good deal on bags. I have actually been looking for a new one for a while, but the combo of lightweight, compact + low temperature = expensive, and I haven't found one in the right price range just yet. I hope my old one holds up until I do.
Garmin. Yup. The NEW Garmin. The strap broke! This is like losing a leg. I have been carrying it around on runs and I will probably send it back to Garmin since it is within the limited warranty (1 year). However, that will mean doing without it for a couple of weeks and I really don't have time for that! I will of course be running a lot, but I also have race weekends two times in July and two times in August so I definitely want it for these. I am not sure how to make this work exactly.
Phone. I dropped my phone in the toilet a few weeks ago. I snatched it RIGHT out (seriously folks; it was only in there for about 1.6 seconds) and turned it off and took it apart (and cleaned it!!) and put it in a bowl of rice. Later I turned it back on and it worked! However, there have been a few glitches since then. The camera makes a strange noise and the photo gallery keeps freezing up. I did not buy insurance and this phone is only about 8 months old, so I will have to just bear it / keep my fingers crossed for another year or so!
Shoes. Have you ever found the perfect pair of black flats and then tried to replace them and it just doesn't work? I had the perfect pair but they wore out so I tossed them and since then, I have bought probably half a dozen pairs in an attempt to replace them. Two of those pairs have already fallen apart! I have searched high and low and spent anywhere from $15 - $60 dollars each and still no luck! I threw the broken two away; there is no use keeping broken shoes.
Car. Remember this? I put a lot of money into this car and it still doesn't work. Now the question is...do I put more money in or do I give up while I am "ahead"? I am on the fence.
Bike. Remember this? I haven't been riding the bike because the chain falls off the chain-ring every time I shift gears. The only gear that really works is a high (difficult) gear. So on Sunday I took a ride to the bike repair shop! Now I just have to go and pick it back up and I am good to go!
Okay, so maybe the only thing I have actually done on this list is the bike (and the shoes), but at least I have gotten the gears rolling, so to speak. This month I hope to figure out solutions for the rest of the things on this list as well! Wish me luck!
What things do you put off doing? Do you have any broken items in your life that need fixing? Do you have any tips for fixing any of these items?
I have had several things in my life break lately. Okay, to be honest, a couple of them broke
Case in point. On Sunday, I was going to run. But first, breakfast. Then another cup of coffee. Then laundry, gardening, cleaning the bathroom (you know I am really avoiding something when the bathroom is clean!) and even getting my (2 month late) thank you notes/birthday cards written! And then I really started to tackle the To Do list. This is the list that each week I wipe clean the things I accomplished and add new things onto. Often there are things that I keep avoiding and therefore are on there for
So, I started finally figuring out what to do about some of my broken things. I also recently acquired several new broken things, so July is going to be the month of fixing things.
What broke?
New tent. I JUST used it for the first time and then I glissaded down the mountain with it on my back and I ripped it! Luckily (?) it's on the bottom, so I should be able to fix it with just a patch or a piece of duct tape.
Sleeping bag. There is a tiny tear in it. It is not an expensive or great bag, but it has done the trick for a few years. I will probably just keep it until the tear gets too big to bear while simultaneously searching for a good deal on bags. I have actually been looking for a new one for a while, but the combo of lightweight, compact + low temperature = expensive, and I haven't found one in the right price range just yet. I hope my old one holds up until I do.
Garmin. Yup. The NEW Garmin. The strap broke! This is like losing a leg. I have been carrying it around on runs and I will probably send it back to Garmin since it is within the limited warranty (1 year). However, that will mean doing without it for a couple of weeks and I really don't have time for that! I will of course be running a lot, but I also have race weekends two times in July and two times in August so I definitely want it for these. I am not sure how to make this work exactly.
Phone. I dropped my phone in the toilet a few weeks ago. I snatched it RIGHT out (seriously folks; it was only in there for about 1.6 seconds) and turned it off and took it apart (and cleaned it!!) and put it in a bowl of rice. Later I turned it back on and it worked! However, there have been a few glitches since then. The camera makes a strange noise and the photo gallery keeps freezing up. I did not buy insurance and this phone is only about 8 months old, so I will have to just bear it / keep my fingers crossed for another year or so!
Shoes. Have you ever found the perfect pair of black flats and then tried to replace them and it just doesn't work? I had the perfect pair but they wore out so I tossed them and since then, I have bought probably half a dozen pairs in an attempt to replace them. Two of those pairs have already fallen apart! I have searched high and low and spent anywhere from $15 - $60 dollars each and still no luck! I threw the broken two away; there is no use keeping broken shoes.
Car. Remember this? I put a lot of money into this car and it still doesn't work. Now the question is...do I put more money in or do I give up while I am "ahead"? I am on the fence.
Bike. Remember this? I haven't been riding the bike because the chain falls off the chain-ring every time I shift gears. The only gear that really works is a high (difficult) gear. So on Sunday I took a ride to the bike repair shop! Now I just have to go and pick it back up and I am good to go!
Okay, so maybe the only thing I have actually done on this list is the bike (and the shoes), but at least I have gotten the gears rolling, so to speak. This month I hope to figure out solutions for the rest of the things on this list as well! Wish me luck!
What things do you put off doing? Do you have any broken items in your life that need fixing? Do you have any tips for fixing any of these items?
Ufda, that is a long list! I think out of all of them, the one that would bug me the most is the Garmin! How frustrating! I would be lost without it. If we lived closer, I'd lend you mine since I am obviously NOT using it these days.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of lights out on my car that I just noticed this weekend that I will get taken care of this weekend. I am totally helpless when it comes to cars, so i will have to bring it somewhere to have the lights replaced.
Bummer on the Garmin strap! That is a pain to have to carry it.
ReplyDeleteGlad your phone still works, I have insurance on my phone for the first time but I finally have a nice one so I was sure if I didn't get insurance I would be sorry. I do hate paying for the insurance though
Two years ago we broke everything in our kitchen. I am trying to forget the A/C, stove, coffee pot, and blender...
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight. I have always wondered how a loose cannon like Mark Latham was made leader and now it is explained, the old payback.
What small minded people, hate makes of us all.
And as for Latham, here was a man who called George W. the worst president ever ( he was right there) and then knocked people over in the stampede to shake his hand.
Obviously a man of no substance which explains his weathervane approach to policies.
However, as a political commentator I find Mark both refreshing and entertaining. A candid breath of fresh air who, because of his perceived ill-treatment by the ALP, is even-handed in his commentary, unlike the hacks like Kroger, Reith and Costello who just read from the prayer book and spout propoganda, thus dismissing their own credibility of argument.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight. I have always wondered how a loose cannon like Mark Latham was made leader and now it is explained, the old payback.
What small minded people, hate makes of us all.
And as for Latham, here was a man who called George W. the worst president ever ( he was right there) and then knocked people over in the stampede to shake his hand.
Obviously a man of no substance which explains his weathervane approach to policies.
However, as a political commentator I find Mark both refreshing and entertaining. A candid breath of fresh air who, because of his perceived ill-treatment by the ALP, is even-handed in his commentary, unlike the hacks like Kroger, Reith and Costello who just read from the prayer book and spout propoganda, thus dismissing their own credibility of argument.
Blech. Sorry about all the broken stuff. My Garmin strap broke and I was able to buy a replacement.
ReplyDeleteWe are in appliance hell here. Just broke down and got a new washer and dryer. Still holding out on the broken microwave.
I hate when fixing something means an altered quality of life ... and while you don't like dealing with a broken something, it's sometimes better than not having that something at all! We just sunk $600+ on tires; sigh. But, in June, I finally cleaned out my closet and now I'm starting to tackle piles in our room. Taking some time on the closet is serving as great motivation to finish up phase 2 of this project!
ReplyDeleteWell, your Garmin is a bit newer than mine was, but the strap broke about 6 months ago and I super glued it thinking "Oh, this will fall off in a few days" and by some miracle, it is still on there good as new!!
ReplyDeleteI also have a hard time finding the right flats. Last year I finally just gave up looking for the perfect pair and bought a $10! pair at Payless shoes and am still using them. My dream pair of black flats would be Cole Haans.
Good luck with all your repairs!
Hah, this is so timely. I have a couple of pieces of mending I need to do TODAY and here I am reading blog posts!
ReplyDeleteyea you got to get the front derailleur adjusted to keep the bike chain on. It's a small screw on top of the part, that seems tiny but is very intricately used. strange repair.
ReplyDeleteUgh- broken things are frustrating. I definitely procrastinate, unless it's something essential- like a computer or phone... good luck!
ReplyDeleteLook for a person that can help you plan your travel. Make sure that they know what you and your family like to do in a vacation. A vacation that will let you experience the best experience that you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteTravel Places
At least you crossed a couple things off your list:) I am a huge procrastinator and my husband hates it;) My washing machine is about to kick the bucket,but I am waiting until it actually stops working to get a new one;)
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of giggling at you running while holding your Garmin.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your bike fixed. No advice on the car - you seem to do pretty well without it :-)