Work

My editing desk, Garrison NY, May 2020

 

A further thought on What to do when there is nothing to do.
 
For those still wondering what to do these days, to my mind, there has never been a better
opportunity for work. I don’t mean for the poor souls who spend their lives in law or accounting or finance but for those who make films and take photographs, paint pictures, write books, compose music and poetry and perform. Now, we may not be able to perform or create, but we can work.

Think, plan, make notes, file, research. What better chance has there ever been when you cannot now be distracted from your thinking and planning, by meeting Myrtle for a coffee––Myrtle was the girl you met last night at a party, but there was no party; or, you just must go to the gym to clear your mind––no gyms open; or a quick game of backgammon or ping-pong with Felix across the street because you feel like it––both activities banned as players will be closer than the recommended social distance. And now it is 12:30 p.m. so let's call Dorothy and suggest a drink or lunch at the local––no locals open. So there’s nothing stopping you from working.

By the way if you were thinking about doing something other than work, forget it. Shall we say you have thought of learning to play the piano, or reading Chaucer, or attending a Zoom class in diversity and inclusion; you will either have done these things years ago, if you were ever going to do them, or, they are, anyway, a complete waste of time and of no benefit or enjoyment to anybody.

A final thought: in 1938, the English critic, essayist and journalist, Cyril Connelly, wrote a book called Enemies of Promise. When you have worked, sit down with this, it is a wonderful book. Part 2 deals with distraction.