Time for a new task from Rod. After a sidebar consultation with the Rabbit of Destiny, we agreed to make a slight modification to our Rules of Engagement. So that these tasks (and the subsequent blog posts) do not become a Rod for My Own Back (sorry, couldn’t resist), instead of pulling one each and every week, instead a New Task will issue forth from his paws once the previous task has been completed (or abandoned (Theremin – I’m looking at you). The whole point of this endeavor is to help me find things I want to spend precious retirement time on – so it might take longer than a week to figure that out sometimes. No point trying to rush through something and it become a pain in the arse when taken a little slower, it might actually be enjoyable.
So then – with those modifications in mind – lets see the hand that Rod dealt me this week.
Well…. its actually a double-header! Lets look at the first task he pulled out for me….
This one is going to be a hoot!!! Yes – I will be going back in time to 1985 and live like its the 80’s for a week!! To make it as realistic as possible, I will get some time to prepare for this one and do all the research I need to do ahead of time because – yep – using the internet will Not Be Allowed! So I’m going to have to look up what was going on in 1985, remind myself of the terrible fashions of the day as well as music, films, food etc etc! I was 13 in 1985 and I do remember that 1) I had a terrible hairstyle and 2) my fashion sense was also atrocious, so its going to be a blizzard of neons, pastel colors, legwarmers, puffball skirts and big blousey-sleeved shirts. God, I think I remember also owning (and wearing) a bolo tie at some point (or maybe that was early 90’s – shudder!). Honestly, I think one of the things I’m actually most looking forward to is to use it as an excuse for some well-needed digital detoxing – I don’t know how many times in a day I mindlessly scroll through my phone – but I’m sure its more than is probably healthy. I’m looking forward to not having a screen in my hand 24/7 and instead getting back to simpler pleasures of – gasp – maybe reading a newspaper or a book. Also, no music streaming or TV streaming – if I want to listen to music, then it’ll be vinyl or CDs (or tapes, if I can find them!) – and if I want to watch the telly, then basic cable or DVDs only. So its going to be a fascinating experiment – one exception is that I’ll be allowed to use my phone to take pictures during the week. But that’s it – no cheating.
So because this task is gonna take some prep time, I also pulled a second task from Rod for this week – and this is one I have to thank cousin Cate for! The task for this week (or until it’s complete) is…..
Yep – I will be learning how to crochet a bunny!! I have never crocheted before in my life (I don’t consider myself to be particularly craftsy!) so I may need to work my way up to a bunny – and it is likely going to take me longer than a week. BUT it does seem like the perfect accompaniment to my 80s challenge – if I’m not mindlessly scrolling on my phone, I can be learning how to do a double-cross stitch instead!! I have a bunny pattern from Cate (thank you!) AND I also ordered a Miffy bunny crochet kit too which I was thrilled to find on the web! (and happy to have ordered it before the self-imposed Amazon Embargo starts!). I’m hopefully optimistic that this creative endeavor will have a much more positive outcome than my Theremin ordeal – so let’s go!
