Procrastination works - Dealing with days like today

I had plans to do so much today. Write another chapter of my book, clean one of the cupboards in the kitchen, do some washing and generally tidy up. So what happened? Well other stuff got in the way of my self-imposed to do list.
 
I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. We know what we want to do, but something or someone conspires to nudge us off our course so we end up doing nothing. Do you get as frustrated with yourself as I do with me?
 
I had technology problems. I'd forgotten how bad my main computer keyboard was - I normally use a laptop for my writing in a quieter part of the house. But today I chose to use the main office desk so that I could use a bigger screen for the formatting and editing of my current writing project.
 
The problem was - both the mouse and they keyboard were at least third - hand. Hand me down's - from people who have upgraded. In fact that is how I have received all my computer upgrades. Recycling from someone who has more money than I have, and can afford the latest and greatest whizz bang software and hardware. Believe me, I am very grateful, and would sooner recycle than let things go to waste, filling holes in the earth with technological cast offs. But there has to be said for buying some things brand new. For instance - the keyboard and mouse were a hindrance rather than a help these days. So instead of writing I packed the kids and myself off to Fremantle.
 
Today is Sunday, a day of rest normally and living in Perth, Western Australia we do not have the benefits of 24/7 shopping. The two exceptions to this rule are Perth City and Fremantle, the Port City where I work during the week. Why Fre-o and not Perth I hear you ask - well Fremantle has an added advantage of being right next to the Indian Ocean and boats...well in this case - War ships. American - no less. The Kitty Hawk and her associated support vessels were in Port. I saw them arrive on Thursday morning, and they will be with us for a few more days at least. So Fre-o it was. It's not everyday you get to see an aircraft carrier with the reputation of the Kitty Hawk. We counted at least 2 dozen planes of various size and battle scars, but we weren't allowed too close to the docks - for very obvious reasons.
 
During our visits to the ports over the years we have seen more than our fair share of war ships of every naval demomination you can think of. We've also seen the QEII and the Rainbow Warrior. Fremantle really is a working port.

So why am I telling you all this...well it could be an excuse as to why I wasn't working today. But as I said technology needs must - OK I could have gotten these particular items tomorrow and not had to stand in a queue of American sailors buying clean socks and pencil crayons. But where is the fun in that.

But after a walk around Fremantle, getting wet I have to say - lunch and a quick foray into Target - it was back to the car and time to get started on the writing. But - and here is where it gets to be one of those days. In order to fit the new keyboard and mouse I had to unhook the other one...computer spaghetti. So whilst I was there I also unhooked the old printer and threw that in the bin - yes my technological woes continue. And then had to clean the desk - talk about dust - everywhere. So what should have taken a few minutes has turned into several hours of cleaning and tidying.
 
Procrastination? Not entirely. At least I can end my day technologically happy, rather than frustrated and grumpy because the darn thing didn't work - and believe me it was definitely getting like that.
 
So perhaps if I hadn't delayed buying the new keyboard in the first place, then I wouldn't have gotten to the stage I found myself in today, and we wouldn't have had to go to Fremantle. But then we wouldn't have seen the kitty hawk would we.
 
So don't put off doing the important things - because sooner or later they will become urgent. The problem with urgent and important is that we end up being tired and stressed. If you have a day like i've had today - see what you could have done better next time and move on. It's no good beating yourself up over a decision that you should have made and didn't, just try and make a better decision next time.
 
Until tomorrow
Elle