Trying to Stay Motivated

So much to do today and the only motivation I have is fear. I'd rather be motivated by the carrot than the stick. How can I make this more fun so I'll want to do it. Some of them are intrinsically fun things, like making a belly dancing costume or reading fiction. But I think my depression and repressed anger are taking the joy out of doing things that I normally love. That and having projects dumped on me by other people and also by living in a constant state of poverty and clutter. That I can scrape together any motivation at all is somewhat of a miracle. I'm a hypnotist. I should be the queen of motivation, right? I need to be my own role model.  Then again maybe I just need an hour in someone's jacuzzi.

Time Flies Once You Turn the Internet On

I realized my computer addiction was keeping me from getting stuff done, so I made myself turn it off for five hours. In those five hours I took a series of photos for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, put a load of laundry in, made lunch, watered the back yard, trimmed some vines, straightened up my desk, read some fiction,  cut out some pattern tissue pieces for a dress, picked up the living room and took a catnap.

If you want to see the pirate photos they are here: ITLAPD

I should turn off my computer more often.

Another Paleoplanet Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow is our monthly archery meeting. I always look forward to gathering under the old trees and working on crafts related to archery all day.  They vary from making bows out of wood boards or staves or branches, to learning to make arrowheads out of stone (knapping) or making beadwork for quivers, or things like drinking vessels out of gourds. Many skills are required.  Everyone is at different skill levels so we all help each other.
Some of them love to make atlatls and darts (a primitive spear chucker). We all started out knowing very little but some of the guys now make bows and atlatls and arrows for a living. You get out of it what you put into it.
I've picked up some of these skills at the gatherings including spoon carving, bamboo straightening, fire starting, knapping, basketry, and gourd art. The best part is it's free and we all share our materials and supplies.

It's in Pasadena CA by the casting pond.

Fire starting demo

Longbow practice

Darts for the Atlatl by Chris Henry of  Paleoarts.