The There There Letter: Procrastination, Positivity, and Petite Sirah
Three things from DAH.
DAH is me, David Anthony Hance. I pen, promote, and make change (not the coin kind).
First up this week, Procrastination …
I worked with a fellow who excelled at procrastination. It drove his business partner crazy. A problem appeared, decisions were demanded, time passed, and new problems appeared. The previous problem was either replaced in urgency, had solved itself (perhaps it wasn't that important to begin with), or was solved by others. And, more often than not, this procrastinating fellow came through feeling relaxed, happy, and successful. All because he put something off. I've not been good at emulating this procrastinator. I catastrophize. Even when I do procrastinate (when I just don't want to do something) my anxiety almost always forces action. The year 2020 seems for me one long procrastination event. I defer taking action even in little ways, waiting to see what tomorrow might bring. Perhaps what tomorrow brings will make the matter moot. I wait for tomorrow (and 2021), with eyes clenched closed and fingers crossed.
The Five Hidden Benefits of Procrastination
Second up this week, Positivity …
If procrastination is a sin (sloth and slackness), have I now acknowledged the positivity of that sin? Perhaps, but I'll proceed pretending that I'm unconcerned. I strive to keep a slather of optimism in my outlook even when I think I'm toast. You may recall an exchange in the movie "Shakespeare in Love" (Tom Stoppard worked on the script, and I do like Stoppard's work).
DAH is me, David Anthony Hance. I pen, promote, and make change (not the coin kind).
First up this week, Procrastination …
I worked with a fellow who excelled at procrastination. It drove his business partner crazy. A problem appeared, decisions were demanded, time passed, and new problems appeared. The previous problem was either replaced in urgency, had solved itself (perhaps it wasn't that important to begin with), or was solved by others. And, more often than not, this procrastinating fellow came through feeling relaxed, happy, and successful. All because he put something off. I've not been good at emulating this procrastinator. I catastrophize. Even when I do procrastinate (when I just don't want to do something) my anxiety almost always forces action. The year 2020 seems for me one long procrastination event. I defer taking action even in little ways, waiting to see what tomorrow might bring. Perhaps what tomorrow brings will make the matter moot. I wait for tomorrow (and 2021), with eyes clenched closed and fingers crossed.
The Five Hidden Benefits of Procrastination
Second up this week, Positivity …
If procrastination is a sin (sloth and slackness), have I now acknowledged the positivity of that sin? Perhaps, but I'll proceed pretending that I'm unconcerned. I strive to keep a slather of optimism in my outlook even when I think I'm toast. You may recall an exchange in the movie "Shakespeare in Love" (Tom Stoppard worked on the script, and I do like Stoppard's work).
Philip Henslowe (played by Geoffrey Rush): Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman (played by Tom Wilkinson): So what do we do?
Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Fennyman: How?
Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.
I mean to ape Henslowe's outlook until it comes naturally. Method acting.
Yes, 'Positivity' Is a Word
Third up this week, Petite Sirah …
Positivity must play a role with winemakers producing Petite Sirah. I appreciate Petite Sirah (PS) wines, when well-made. And PS is present in so many fine California blends, including old vine field blends. But it's not a particularly popular grape, worldwide. Consider:
Yes, 'Positivity' Is a Word
Third up this week, Petite Sirah …
Positivity must play a role with winemakers producing Petite Sirah. I appreciate Petite Sirah (PS) wines, when well-made. And PS is present in so many fine California blends, including old vine field blends. But it's not a particularly popular grape, worldwide. Consider:
Cabernet Sauvignon = 840,000 acres
Pinot Noir = 285,000 acres
Petite Sirah = 10,000 acres
In the 1860s two grape varieties, Peloursin and Syrah, cross-pollinated in the nursery vineyard of French botanist François Durif. Petite Sirah (also called Durif) was the offspring. Somehow this new grape variety found its way into California's 19th Century red wine plantings (varietals weren't as important then … dark red and light red field blends predominated). It's a funny name because there's nothing small about Petite Sirah wines: They're usually dark purple and densely tannic. And I like them. I feel like I'm rooting for an underdog varietal that is an essential element in California's heritage vineyards.
Petite Sirah: the beautiful, brazen monster grape of California
And a bit more (I'm not done with Emily Dickinson):
Petite Sirah: the beautiful, brazen monster grape of California
And a bit more (I'm not done with Emily Dickinson):
I sing to use the waiting,
My bonnet but to tie,
And shut the door unto my house;
No more to do have I,
Till, his best step approaching,
We journey to the day,
And tell each other how we sang
To keep the dark away.
And that's all for this week.
From Mary Oliver's poem "Sometimes" …
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
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