Anybody Seen My Mojo?
Practice Bottle
Last week was “D-Day” for me, as in “get your damn a** into the Colorado Potters Guild’s studio day” and make use of your monthly dues already. Otherwise I should just write the treasurer a hefty annual check and consider it a charitable donation – though I don’t think the IRS will allow me to write that one off….
I don’t want to dwell, but humor me for just a tad…school really took a toll on my life over the last 10 months. I have high expectations of myself and when I decide to do something I give 200% effort and not just 100%. Here’s another confession – I’m really competitive and I was trying to keep up with my peers who are a good 10-20 years younger than me and who have few obligation outside of school. This attitude is not really a healthy way to approach some activities when doing so extracts more than it gives. My health suffered in a way that makes me feel run down with little energy to spare and I felt much like I imagine a hamster feels some days – just running full speed ahead on my little wheel that goes no where really fast – pass the NoDoz please.
Luckily, my family was really understanding and were very supportive of my education endeavors the past year. AND fortunately my husband and I didn’t really get into any major arguments last year – but this could be attributed to the fact that I was more like a roommate than a spouse. After all, I did provide him with ample ammunition to add to his argument arsenal that he didn’t use or hint at even once. He is so wise (sometimes) ;D Thank you! On the flip side, my daughter is morphing into a temperamental creature also referred to as a teenager and is now demanding more space (and doing so with mucho attitude I might add) while she figures out who she is. So our relationship is still very much intact despite my school obligations, only now I possess an uncanny ability to embarrass her without even trying. That’s fun!
But, back to clay & blogging…somewhere during the spring semester around 2/3 of the way through, I made the decision that I can’t take a full load of classes, be an active member of my family & find time for activities that I enjoy doing that round out my humble little life such as working with clay, exercising, gardening, hanging with friends, and recreational reading. I have to qualify the last activity because I’m doing plenty of reading in school – just not necessarily the fun kind.
Before you think that I’m going to announce that I’m dropping out of school, let me put that to rest right now. “Oh non, non cocodrie“ (said with my best Cajun accent – that bit is a phrase left over from a kid’s song that my daughter used to listen to that won’t leave my brain no matter what I do even on a Sunday morning not yet fully caffeinated ) - I’m just taking it at a slower pace by letting some of my ego go. So what if it takes me an extra year to finish, right? I’m already over 40 years old – that’s something that’s not going to change no matter what I do. Conversely, by not taking it a little easier, I lose out on many other opportunities, activities and interactions with people. Hopefully, my schedule adjustment will restore a little balance in my life and I can be a better partner to my husband & mother to my daughter, be a better friend, student, potter & blogger.
Speaking of blogging, I really missed my blog, reading your blogs and the interaction that joins clay people all over the world. When I received my annual hosting renewal notice in March, I almost didn’t fork over my credit card. But there was something troubling me in the back on my mind that convinced me to pony up the $$ to renew hosting and I’m glad that I did. It feels so right to jump back in and hopefully, I can reconnect with the clay community again – I’ve missed you!
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Have young children? Like Cajun music? Then Cajun for Kids: Papillon is for you. Music is guaranteed to entertain and lyrics will remain stuck in your brain for life.
Yes – I’m tweaking my blog template. I found Suffusion WordPress theme by Sayontan Sinha and love the options & layout. I just need to alter the colors ever so slightly.
andrea
June 13, 2010 at 10:34 am //
In the past your energy and drive always amazed me so it’s good to hear you’re making adjustments for the sake of balance. Also good to see you blogging again!
Cynthia
June 13, 2010 at 12:55 pm //
;D Thanks Andrea – 100 mph is not a safe driving speed. So much to do, so little time…
Angela Rockett
June 13, 2010 at 3:34 pm //
Sounds like a very SANE way to approach life, and it’s good to have you back! Both at the clay and at the blog.
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 8:41 am //
Thanks Angela! I’m not such a good journaler old school style, so this is a good exercise for me too. A record, if you will of work, ideas, and progress.
Chris
June 13, 2010 at 6:04 pm //
Thanks for the reminder that, while it is possible to do it all, it’s not always the best course! Not a creatrix with clay myself, but an ardent admirer; can’t wait to see your new stuff!
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 8:42 am //
You’re kind, Chris and absolutely!
ang
June 13, 2010 at 6:42 pm //
oh well done C, its been a big year …yes….my last visit back to college was 2 days a week with work in between…its the only way to do it!!
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 8:45 am //
It’s tough going back – If I could, I’d take 1 class a semester, but then it would truly take me 10 years to finish! I’m taking a summer class right now – what a luxury to concentrate on one subject at a time.
Michael
June 13, 2010 at 8:45 pm //
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all that is going on. Seems like we’re all trying to balance work and play and family! The balance thing is really tricky. I’ve been weighing all of my various options lately and my tendency is to try to do it all, but it just make me anxious when I try. I wish I could say that time spent blogging is balanced in the checkbook, but it’s not. It is a wonderful reference and a good record of what I am doing, but I question the time spent.
Keep On!
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 8:54 am //
I hate that anxious feeling! I’ve come to know it well over the past 10 months and it’s almost become a normal state of being, and then heightened on jury days when I have to present & defend my projects. Somehow that can’t be good for the adrenals… I think that like anything, I will have to set a time budget for blogging and figure out sort of a loose schedule of posts – every other day – twice a week? Not sure yet how much I’ll have to share. You have more at stake though and way more contacts to tend. I agree, I like looking back as a reference for both my writing and clay work.
cindy shake
June 13, 2010 at 8:46 pm //
Glad you’re back
) I went to school for the first time in 2006 and got my 4-year degree in 3… and don’t mind bragging I graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE! Yeah, it was FULL-ON, a bit manic being wifey, mommy, art girl and “non-trad” college student as my college age daughter called me -but so worth it. The funniest story was sitting in one of my liberal studies classes and this “kid” next to me says “hey are you related to Will Shake?” and I said “yeah, he’s my son.” “NO WAY!” shouts the kid, “man I gotta text my buddy, this is so weird! -D-u-d-e I’m s-i-t-t-i-n-g n-x-t 2 W-i-l-l-s M-O-M n c-l-s!” He finishes his text and tells me “my best friend is Will’s dorm roommate!”
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 9:05 am //
We have a lot in common, Cindy! I always refer to myself as a late bloomer…. I received my BFA in 2004, and then onto grad school in my 40′s
I remember sitting in an art history class as an undergrad and the young man next to me was telling me how his parents were so disappointed that he was on the “5 year plan” and I told him – “Next time your parents start moaning, tell them you know someone on the ’19 year plan’ and that’ll shut them up.” teehee. I’m still not hip to texting lingo – can’t read a darn thing my daughter sends me.
LInda Starr
June 14, 2010 at 5:04 am //
A wise decision to cut back slightly in school; I went back to school for my landscape degree and worked full time at the same time, did it all back then, know I couldn’t do that now, nor would I want to. time doesn’t return so take advantage of it now while you can for everything that is important to you; I’m trying to follow that motto.
Cynthia
June 14, 2010 at 9:08 am //
I can’t imagine working full time and going to school – yikes! Although, I did just renew my retail sales tax license so that I can sell a few things here and there legally. I definitely want to do it all, and am trying to listen to my body a bit more so that I can continue to participate in life too.
Undaunted
June 14, 2010 at 9:37 am //
I’m so glad that you’ve returned to clay and blogging! I’ve missed you! And I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your touch with the clay
Your bottle looks lovely. I’m looking forward to seeing what other lovely things you create.
It must have been a hard decision to cut back on the classes, but a needed one by the sounds of it. You’re right – so what if it takes an extra year? I need to tell myself that too. I have so many creative goals and I want to do them all yesterday! But it occured to me the other day – what will I do once I have reached them all?? Better to slow down and just enjoy the process.
Cynthia
June 15, 2010 at 8:43 pm //
I’m still working on finding the right touch, Linda! Still slightly off center…. ;D
Robin
June 14, 2010 at 3:42 pm //
So nice to see that you’re back to your blog. Good for you for recognizing your limitations and taking time to take care of yourself by slowing down just a tad without giving up on your dreams. And the teenager thing…it gets better….really.
Cynthia
June 15, 2010 at 8:44 pm //
Natalie
June 14, 2010 at 7:57 pm //
Cynthia,
I’ve missed your blog. I’m glad you’re blogging again. I know you will finish school at a pace that works for you. Have fun!
Cynthia
June 15, 2010 at 8:45 pm //
Thanks Natalie – In some ways…I am having more fun than when I was younger. It’s liberating if I really think about it.
LB
June 17, 2010 at 6:11 am //
Your dues to the Guild may not be a charitable donation, but they are a business expense!