Resolution #103: Build A Complex 3D Puzzle To Be Destroyed With A Mini Canon And Trebuchet...
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Date: 4-13-2014
Due date: 4-13-2015
Resolution: When I was a kid my sister and grandparents were big puzzle people. I helped from time to time but I've never put together an entire puzzle by myself. I wanted to change this as part of my resolutions and also wanted to work it into this April Fools theme. Then I started to think, what's more foolish than putting the time and effort into creating something like this only to have it destroyed by a bunch of drunk adults with mini explosives?
Result #103: I Successfully Built The Castle… But… I Failed To Blow It Up... After Burning Bridges…
Update #1: It Begins!!!
Date: 5-2-2014
Today I started to build my castle that'll soon be destroyed.
The Base
The Box
The Rest
As I went through the sorting process I couldn't help but think if this were a job I'd want to shoot myself in the head.
I know that's extreme but I've worked these monotonous jobs in the past. I feel the reason I had this response is that in an actual work environment this time of mundane repetitive activity would be treated as the most important thing in the world.
As a hobby however the leisurely sorting of puzzle pieces almost put me in a meditative state of mind. I had a podcast playing in the background to keep me entertained. The sorting, though frivolous, allowed me to focus on the task at hand, while still feeling productive because I was accomplishing a goal.
I can totally see why working on puzzles is a great way to kill time. It has the perfect blend of creativity that requires just enough focus to block out any negative thinking, while also being a task that is open to supplementary entertainment such as listening to your favorite podcast.
Update #2: Two More Days Worth Of Progress…
Date: 5-5-2014
My only problem is that I don't have that much space to spread out so I have to do a lot of sorting and resorting, which I've pointed out would kill me if I was doing this for a living. However, I find it very peaceful sorting through these puzzle pieces at my own pace to create something for fun.
Update #3: Another Day Of Putting The Pieces Together…
Date: 5-6-2014
I don't know if it's the actual puzzle that seems addicting, relaxing or if my crazy need for accomplishment that wants to hurry up and get this done so I can have a clutter-free desk.
Update #4: The 2D Assembling Is Complete!!!
Date: 5-12-2014
Alright, I got the grounds, walls, and roofs all put together.
Tomorrow the erecting begins!!!
Update #5: The Puzzle Is Complete!!!
Date: 5-26-2014
Update #6: The Conclusion…
Date: 4-13-2015
Depression really sucks.
Up until about a year and a half ago I always had a solid group of friends. At any time, as long as I put in the effort, there was a place to go. Every weekend was filled with fun and laughter. Who hung out, where we hung out and when was pretty constant but there was always a mystery as to what we would do.
Whether we had white trash sushi contest, cereal salad bar brunches, or backyard biathlons there was always something to do. Then I was struck by the darkest episode of depression that I've ever had in my life.
It felt like all my friends were settling down and I was on the verge of giving up on my dreams. It was getting harder and harder to hide my emotions so I opted to hide myself away. I gave up on the one job I cared enough about to consider a career and was on the verge of giving up on writing which I've been working at for almost two decades now.
Nothing seemed to be going my way.
I created the 365 Days of Resolution to force myself to keep writing on a daily basis and hopefully revive my passion for life in the process.
I wish I could say that it's working but it really isn't.
Though I'm happy with my progress as a writer, writing every day, branching out into forms other than screenwriting, having a mysterious audience of strangers that seem to check in on what I'm up to from time to time...
Though I still think I'm only mediocre as a nonfiction writer, I feel like I'm making progress.
The only problem is that I feel I burnt many bridges in the process.
I was hoping that the blowing up of this castle would bring my closest friend back together, at least for a night, and use it as a fun send-,off to say goodbye.
Unfortunately, my efforts may have been too little, too late because it never ended up happening.
Rather than an eventful send-off with explosions and all, the castle ended up getting thrown in a bag and sent off to a thrift store where it will probably remain intact with no significance at all.
Though I'd like to consider the building of this castle to be a success, without the follow-through of friendship, it's just another failure.
