Thursday 14 January 2016

The Challenge and Self Inflicted Isolation

I'm definitely feeling like an outsider in my own community... and it's entirely my own fault! To what am I referring I hear you ask? The Analogue Painting Challenge of course! I'm an utter fool for not having entered this years challenge and now I'm kicking myself on an almost daily basis for chickening out for the second year in a row. The irony is my painting output has been quite respectable recently (at least by my slovenly standards) and if I had entered I would easily have racked up my first 100 points by now. I'd never be in the top ten, but then, for most entrants, that isn't the real goal of the Challenge. 

I have followed every twist and turn of the challenge so far with great enthusiasm. I use the Feedly App to help me follow all the blogs I read and the Analogue Challenge has a folder set aside all to itself - it has to, with dozens of posts on a daily basis! I usually log-in over my morning coffee and again at lunchtime, with an hour set aside for a longer peruse and read of the days postings in the evening. I use the G+ button a lot to highlight the stuff I like (which is most of it) but if I'm honest I probably ought to leave more comments as well.

As well as using Feedly on my Tablet I also have it on my phone so I'm often scan the latest posts on that too. In fact my wife commented the other day "your always playing with your phone", occasionally smiling to myself, chuckling over some witty remark or exclaiming "Oooo" when I see something that is particularly inspiring. When my she asks me what I'm doing I just say "nothing dear" and put the phone away before I get in any more trouble. My poor wife probably thinks I'm having an affair!!

The quality of the entries this year has been excellent and I'm loving the side duels and the bonus rounds. I think everyone taking part should be giving themselves a big pat on the back for making this years event such a huge success...its just a pity I'm not among you this time. Given that some participants have not yet racked up any points, and that the point of the challenge isn't the points (if you get my point), I really ought to have taken part this year, even though I knew I would end up in bottom half of the table.

So let me be the first to sign-up for next years Challenge (assuming Curt has the energy for a 7th event!). No matter what my situation next year in terms of time commitments, I simply can't miss out on being part of that growing federation of participants old and new. 

22 comments:

  1. Ah sorry you're missing out Lee - your work would have been a well liked addition I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I took part two years ago I had a lot more spare time, so I doubt I'd ever equal the output of that event. But that shouldn't deter me for future events.

      Delete
  2. See you in the scrum next year Lee.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't know why you didn't?? Why don't you Challenge yourself. Stick to the challenge rules, add up your points and post everything like you would IF you were in the challenge??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shame your not involved your Romans really should get the added views from it.

    Sometimes we do get sidetracked by the points and places but it is supposed to be to encourage more painting. It's done that for me this year as I have been very slow of late but have got my act together since the start of the challenge

    Ian

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was wondering where you had gone to. Next year will be around before you know it mate.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Replies
    1. I was thinking the same when I saw your post XD

      Delete
  7. My first year is this one and I'm really having a lot of fun.
    I don't care if I don't reach my targets (I'm a very slow painter), enough reward is to be participating in it.
    Also, very timely that it takes placearound Christmas, son I can plan my painting project in advance and buy the models without remorse.
    Hope to see you there next year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I already have a few ideas for next year...plenty of time for nefarious plots to be worked out in full!

      Delete
  8. You are missed in the challenge, but you will be back next year all keen and hungry and ready to commit along with us who should be committed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll pre book my padded cell.

      Delete
    2. Yep. Being a crybaby has its benefit's! Really excited to be in the race (even if I am a middle aged and overweight hare). Already working on my first entries.

      Delete
  9. "I usually log-in over my morning coffee and again at lunchtime, with an hour set aside for a longer peruse and read of the days postings in the evening." I spend about as much time on Feedly myself and often wonder how much I would get painted if I spent that time with a brush in my hand instead!! :o))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree. Once upon a time (in my old job, before the brown stuff hit the fan) I could get some painting done during my lunch break. That was the year I took part in the Challenge. But now I'm lucky to get a lunch break at all, so snatching time to review blogs on my phone is about all I can manage. Having said that I do enjoy the blogs I read enormously so I don't consider it wasted time, even if I do have to sacrifice a bit of painting time to fit it in.

      Delete
  10. Ooo Ooo News! Lets just say, my Winter just got A LOT more interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There goes the neighbourhood...

      No, Welcome back aboard! This is my first challenge, I've been watching enviously in previous years, and it is all about the experience and not the points. I'm having a great time and making serious inroads into my lead mountain!

      Delete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I always try to reply as soon as I can, so why not pop back later and continue the conversation. In the meantime, keep rolling high!