tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post5884070578521622005..comments2024-03-18T05:20:50.047-07:00Comments on I Live with Cats: 2014: Out with the old, in with the newDavid Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06229259148925201182noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-717416740792630082014-01-06T15:54:43.151-08:002014-01-06T15:54:43.151-08:00David,
Its all about discipline, discipline, disc...David,<br /><br />Its all about discipline, discipline, discipline. <br /><br />I have made many such resolutions in the past (first one in 1976 or so) and undoubtedly I will make more in the future. I’m hoping persistence pays off in the end but so far, no luck.<br /><br />I do paint for about one hour per day, very early morning. It is easier to stay focused when the house is silent and even the dog is asleep. A little Beethoven, Brahms or Dvořák and away I go. Just have to remember to stop in time to get to work.<br />William Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03047911499131518952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99962604511527341.post-34482871985462602042014-01-06T03:58:14.143-08:002014-01-06T03:58:14.143-08:00That's a really super post, David. I read it ...That's a really super post, David. I read it twice. I feel so much comradeship in what you've written! Take heart, Sir, that I am sure a lot of us go through very much the same journeys. I know I do. <br /><br />You've made a great point on the connection with painting and regularity. I am exactly the same. As long as I do a little every day - even just 15 minutes - I get things done. My schedule doesn't allow me to get back early most weekday nights, and the weekends are filled with us doing family stuff. It can be depressing to get back after 9pm and then have to concentrate and force myself to paint wargames figures. All to frequently I don't bother , and I end up watching TV with Mrs Roundwood, or simply just messing about getting nowhere. But when I force myself to spend at least 15 minutes sitting and painting, it almost invariably ends up being longer (I mean, you have to use the paint up while its on the palette, right?), usually abut 40 minutes to an hour.<br /><br />And once you keep that consistency, it's like anything. It grows, you feel you're getting somewhere, and it has its own momentum. When I leave the brushes alone, it feels harder each day to get back to them, because I'm telling myself to "make up for lost time". (It's nonsense, I know, but it happens). Painting turns from pleasure to something which almost feels like guilt.<br /><br />Streaming movies and TV programmes (I use Amazon/ Love Film) have really helped me focus through this odd concoction of hobby emotions! I still prefer podcasts, as sometimes it can be hard to watch and paint. But I have found that a happy medium is a pretty low-brow (and I mean that in a respectful and complimentary way, not negatively), but fun, TV series. I've gone through both series of "The Walking Dead", "V", "Caprica" and "Hell on Wheels" last year. I'm about to start out on Battlestar Gallactica, which seems to have a lot of episodes. Again, it’s a routine - streamed TV shows and painting. I've also watched a lot of streamed films - most of which I'd never watch again. Oddly, a lot of them were romantic comedies - absolute popcorn movies.<br /><br />I could go on and comment on so many of your points in your great post - I'm with you on the decluttering, spending, exercise regimes! - but I'll sign off my saying (again), very best of luck with your resolutions and best wishes to you and your family for the New Year! It's a really honest and achievable set of goals which you have set out, and I wish you the very best of luck with them. I shall certainly be watching and following and wishing you very well!<br />Sidney Roundwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14795563060856586670noreply@blogger.com