Sep 24 2008
Turning Work into Play
A friend of mine just finished her degree, and her approach to each class was interesting, if not downright inspiring. No matter what the class was–whether webpage construction, photography, or children’s literature–she treated it like an adventure, a new, exciting set of skills to learn, a new chance to explore her world in a different way.
I have to remind myself to do the same. I easily do this with writing: a new novel or play gives me the chance to explore an idea I’ve been thinking about or to do research on something I’ve always had an interest in. Each character is another chance to explore what kind of person is being created–how they came to be what they are, and how that affects those around them and their own sense of happiness or purpose. Writing allows me to return to places I’ve been, to explore experiences I have had from a distance, rethinking them to discover their complexity.
But the truth is, the rest of my life is just as ripe with opportunity. Raising my own children gives me the chance to go back to my own childhood–honestly, it’s nice to have a good excuse to see cartoons, since I adore them–but my kids also help me explore what my own parents did, and the effect their words or actions had on me. Each day of parenting is a chance to know myself and my kids a little bit more, and watching them develop is in many ways far more fascinating than watching my characters develop (especially since I have more control over my characters).
Of course, I haven’t found a way to make dishes exciting.
But give me little time…I might discover something.
Wikipedia is my friend. I have travelled the ways to learn about the monarchies/governments of Russia, France, England, China, Japan, parts of Persia, Greece, Mesopotamia, Rome and Indiawhich leads to history and language and culture. I’ve studied diamonds and gemstones and huge tropical cyclones. Even space accidents. That’s why I give ‘em money.
Man, I love learning stuff.
Wikipedia is your friend, too.
Yes, Mountain Woman, my sister has great advice. It’s amazing how someone so different from myself can have so much in common with me! You should see us when we’re together–we do that whole finish-each-other’s-sentences thing. It freaks my husband out.
What a lovely way to do dishes, too! Do your dogs howl, or are they a respectful audience? I should remind myself to sing when I do dishes…it always goes faster that way! Thanks for coming to visit, too! I really enjoy your blog!
What I like about Wikipedia, too, is that, as a scholar, I can locate discrepancies or errors and work on fixing them…and the entries have become more and more detailed over the years. Very cool. And much easier than driving to the library every time I want to know more about something.