We always talk about multi-tasking as if it was a binary issue. In reality, all of us are doing multiple things at the same time – at least if you want to include all those autonomic functions which are keeping you alive. But I don’t think that those are included when most people discuss their alleged abilities.
But it is the belief in their invulnerability that leads them to text while driving, read their phone while crossing the street, wear headphones while jogging or riding a bike…. Doesn’t it seem like a lot of the problems result from the interaction of the average person with their phone taking priority over other people, the task at hand, or even potentially staying alive?
Ok, leaving that soap box aside, most of us firmly believe that we can do multiple things at the same time and do them well. Not reality for most of us, but admitting that one is mortal? Well… the reason I am on this tangent started out this morning simply enough. I have an audio book (well, I have a lot of audio books) which is almost finished and I really wanted to hear the last hour. I have some stitching. And finally, I have some machine embroidery that I have been avoiding for a while. No good reason except that it requires at least some attention causing other tasks to be stopped and started.
If I was smart, I would combine it with cleaning and organizing – tasks which I am more than willing to put down at no notice. Because reality says that no one really can fully pay attention to several things at once. Please queue picking out stitches and restarting embroidery. Enough said I would think.
After finishing the Fox, I started the Swan – second pattern in the Year in the Woods series. I managed three trees, four white snowflake kind of things and a start on a swan’s wing. This is to the tune of 763 stitches, meaning I am a whopping 12% done. No, I don’t count stitches, my software does that for me.
Ah, tomorrow is another day and I have t-shirts to embroider and fabric to cut.