Unfinished Business

[Angrboda]

Do you have a project that you started but just can't seem to finish?

Or maybe you bought all the gear for a new hobby you've since neglected?

Tell us about the road not taken.

---

I've got two main ones.

I had a large file storage array start to crap out on my main computer. I had an old file server that had been decommissioned that had held those files, so I pulled that out, and as long as I was going to be using it again, I figured that I'd upgrade it so that it could hold more stuff. That required buying 8 used hard disks, which I figured I'd purchase over the course of 6 months as I didn't have the money to buy them all at once. Three years later, all 8 disks are in it, and it works, but I've yet to start using it, and it sits, running, in disarray in the corner. About 6 months back, I saw some add-in cards that would handle up to 16 disks, so I bought two, and planned to add 4 more disks before I put the machine into service. Six months later, I've only managed to buy 1 more disk. Thanks to the money I saved on my bed, I now have the money, but I'm sure something will come along to sidetrack it yet again.

I also bought two, slide-out, in-cabinet lid holders for pots and pans. And I emptied out the cabinet, and all it takes is driving four screws. Yet the slide-out racks and all my pan lids are just piled in there to this day, yet it's been close to a year since I bought them.

I blame the pandemic. Or something. The phases of the moon?

[arewethereyet]

I have a steamer trunk in an upstairs room with various sewing projects in various states of being completed.  There are even a couple pictures I started embroidering when pregnant with (and for) my oldest child, who will be 44 in two months.  For some reason I can't get rid of these items though we all know they will never be done.

In my defense, that trunk is also where I found what I needed to make the first several masks I made when COVID struck.

It's my "I might use that, do that, complete that one day" trunk."

[Spongebob]

OMG, I always have some project stalled somewhere along the line, mostly because I impulsively start a project and then slowly lose interest, then pow a brand new idea comes into my head. I've been repairing my wooden fence since the beginning of summer, replacing broken boards and repainting. That will last me another year I imagine. I started building a set of wooden patio furniture last summer. Got a bench and two chairs built; just need to build a table to finish it. I took a side track to build my daughter a bench as well. I sometimes start an acrylic painting only to start another one the next day. Have about 4 or 5 unfinished at present.

Now your project is particularly difficult as you have technological change working against you.

[brewer]

Getting my child to be self sustaining. He's finally gone back to college so there's hope, but then I'm not holding my breath either.

[onlinebiker]

I have a donor car to eviscerate- the engine will go into one car - the transmission another. I have another car that needs new brake lines, some body panels painted and swapped and a new windshield. The donor car goes up on the lift this week.

I just finished my last project...

[Fireball]

I started carving our family coat of arms 2 years ago. I've carved a bunch of other stuff in that time, but I'm just nibbling at the thing with a chisel now and then. It's calling to me; I guess I'll get back to it soon.

[Ranjr]

Christmas 2019, I made flashlights for the kids.  Take an ash rod, drill one end big enough for the battery and charger, the other for the LEDs, connect the two cavities, make a notch for the switch and wire it up.  Add reflection, lexan lens, and grips.  Blinding light you can whop someone with.  I call it the Thug Lite.  The cousins and uncles wanted one.  I'm halfway through another 8, and I'm sick of doing it.

[no one]

There might not be enough space on the internet for all my half concocted experiments. However, a daunting, frightful one arises.

[onlinebiker]

Christmas 2019, I made flashlights for the kids.  Take an ash rod, drill one end big enough for the battery and charger, the other for the LEDs, connect the two cavities, make a notch for the switch and wire it up.  Add reflection, lexan lens, and grips.  Blinding light you can whop someone with.  I call it the Thug Lite.  The cousins and uncles wanted one.  I'm halfway through another 8, and I'm sick of doing it.

Like an enviromentally friendly maglight....


I collect those... Got a bunch of LED conversion bulbs... A 5 D cell light will go about 12 days continuous...

[Brian37]

Do you have a project that you started but just can't seem to finish?

Or maybe you bought all the gear for a new hobby you've since neglected?

Tell us about the road not taken.

---

I've got two main ones.  

I had a large file storage array start to crap out on my main computer.  I had an old file server that had been decommissioned that had held those files, so I pulled that out, and as long as I was going to be using it again, I figured that I'd upgrade it so that it could hold more stuff.  That required buying 8 used hard disks, which I figured I'd purchase over the course of 6 months as I didn't have the money to buy them all at once.  Three years later, all 8 disks are in it, and it works, but I've yet to start using it, and it sits, running, in disarray in the corner.  About 6 months back, I saw some add-in cards that would handle up to 16 disks, so I bought two, and planned to add 4 more disks before I put the machine into service.  Six months later, I've only managed to buy 1 more disk.  Thanks to the money I saved on my bed, I now have the money, but I'm sure something will come along to sidetrack it yet again.

I also bought two, slide-out, in-cabinet lid holders for pots and pans.  And I emptied out the cabinet, and all it takes is driving four screws.  Yet the slide-out racks and all my pan lids are just piled in there to this day, yet it's been close to a year since I bought them.

I blame the pandemic.  Or something.  The phases of the moon?

Whatever project someone succeeds in doing, or fails to do, the passenger jet, no matter, first class, business class or coach, the plane called life takes off and ends the same way.

The only thing humans really can do in life is the best they can, even if they fail. There is no shame in failing, or not reaching the top. 

My best friend from Oklahoma always reminds me, and rightfully so, his family would never fault someone for being a gas station attendant or hotel maid if that was all they did their entire life. 

Of course there are always things people do or don't do that they look back on and regret doing or not doing. But I think the key to good mental health isn't to chase after what others think. I did that growing up far too much, and all it did was make me miserable. 

You can't change the past, but more importantly, you should not put yourself down because others don't like the way you did things. There is a huge difference between criticism in order to help someone who is asking for help, and bullying because they don't like you.

I have failed at lots of things. I never moved up the economic ladder either. But at the same time, I have seen plenty  of poor and middle class people and worked with them at work, that have far more morals and empathy than some asshole like the former guy.

In general, be it business or personal, it is quite normal for someone, anyone, to look at a "project" or "task" and have all the good intent in the world to do it, but life gets in the way, or they realize they are in over their heads.

"The Road Not Taken" to me is a myth. It certainly is worth the shot. But the idea that if you try there is a 100% certainty you will succeed, is the myth. The math is not there for all 7 billion humans to be Jeff Bezos all at the same time.