I think I finally got the gumption to look up the article because I'm doing a 365 project. You see, the article is called "Trust That You'll Find Exactly What You Need." Beck talks about the contrast between people who operate on a Just In Case philosophy or a Just In Time one. The major example she uses is a Japanese car company that found out that if, instead of approximating the number of cars they'd need and stockpiling them, they waited for orders to come in and built them in time for delivery they saved money, waste and effort. I'd actually be really interested to see how that played out in light of the terrible earthquake and tsunami recently. It could have been quite good because there wasn't inventory to lose or it could be bad since rebuilding will take so long and there won't be any chance of salvaging pre-made items that might have survived.
I cook for a few hours on the weekend to have lunches and dinners for the week. I have two long, hard core winter coats because what if one ripped or the zipper broke or something spilled on it and I got cold? I worry about having enough money in case I lose my job even though I'd like to think that I'm actually saving that money in order to leave the job and finance a career.
In my defense I come from a long line of Just In Casers. They don't throw out the teaspoon of green beans left over from dinner because what if they run out of (all the stockpiled) food before the week is out and go hungry but for a spoon of beans? They taught me to darn socks (which I actually enjoy). I recently used a cake mix that I salvaged from my grandmother's basement after she died. My grandmother died in December of 2000. But I was right, that cake mix did come in handy (and it was still perfectly good).
My landlady when I lived in London owned three pairs of underwear - one on, one clean and one in the wash. I knew someone once who owned one fork, one knife, one spoon, one serving spoon and one mixing bowl so he wouldn't be tempted to leave the dishes until later. A friend once moved to Seattle without finding a place to live there first. She just got on a plane with her suitcases and got into a cab when she arrived and said, "I need some place to stay, can you recommend something, please?"
If we're defending me, though, I am doing this 365 project
This morning I woke up and unhooked my camera from the computer and turned it on to check if I'd deleted the photos I'd uploaded last night. Blank screen. Got out the charger, plugged it in, inserted the battery. No light. Reset the plug. Nothing. Tried a different plug. NO JOY! NO JOY! I DO NOT HAVE THE SHOT!
Ok, you say, problem solved! Yet, I couldn't let it go. I couldn't feel all right until I had my camera back up and working. I plunged out into the rain before lunch, went to 4 stores, walked approximately a mile and finally bought (and was over charged for) two batteries JUST IN CASE this ever happened again and I bought them at two separate stores JUST IN CASE one store sold me a bum model.
Still didn't take my photo until after 8 at night. You see, I had to do one of my other least favorite Just In Time activities - cooking fresh food. I did both, though. I've got lunches and dinners for the week, I took my photo, my camera works and I've got a back up battery. I even squeezed in some singing practice while I cut up vegetables to keep me from wanting to stab myself with the paring knife.
I'm fucking exhausted.
I don't know how people live like this. It'd probably be a good idea to find out, though, and I think that this 365 project is going to teach me.
If it doesn't kill me first.
ouch, but well done! perfect shot too ... and I LOVE the first one. I'm a just-in-timer by nature I think, and it drives some of my family mad but so be it. of course it backfires sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I think the frustrating parts of a 365 project are often the most educational, but many people give up when they hit even the smallest roadblock, so good for you for pushing through! Also I have to say, I love the first shot as well. Maybe you should give yourself some more flexibility in what constitutes an acceptable photo...
ReplyDeleteI've always loved your photos! And I look at Cindy's all the time and get such joy. Hands... such a lovely idea. So creative. I can't wait to see all of them. Cake mix good since 2000....alarming! Did you ever get the cake balls right? I'd be glad to send my recipes along. My lemon are perfect.
ReplyDeleteFuck that battery! :)
ReplyDeleteI have similar camera anxiety - isn't it funny how we give ourselves these obligations? (although I like having a camera with me).
ReplyDeleteI have a back-up battery and I also have a back-up CAMERA in my purse, how neurotic is that?
Not to mention the cell phone.
My husband works for the just-in-time Japanese car company, and they are hurting bad. They have cut production down to 4 hours a day...not so good for the workers.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos, and I am definitely a just-in-caser.
Bethany, you will have to teach me your foreign ways.
ReplyDeleteNoah, I think, if it hadn't worked out I would have been fine with the phone pic but on a tough day it was a final straw. Also, if I had a phone that took less grainy photos I would have gone with it. But it sure did get me thinking.
Chef, The balls are always right if I don't mess with the dipping chocolate. Every time I've tried to flavor that it's ended in tears. The end result has always been delicious.
Kathleen, Amen.
Oh, Aunt Snow, I think I just fell in love with you. What kind of cameras do you have?
garciagirl82, I'm sorry to hear about your husband's job. These are tough times. Just In Casers Unite!