Jess McCloskey

I am a skipper. I have no good excuse, other than that I always enjoy my time more if I know that I’m stealing it away. I skipped a billion classes in college and I still skip out of meetings and conferences for work if I can. But the problem is that I skip even things that I wanted to do. It’s like a horrible itch to leave early or not go at all.

I’ve just signed up for a ceramics course and I’m really excited about it. I threw clay for the first time last night and I know that I want to go back and make things and have a great time. I would regret skipping out on any of these great weeks and I would kick myself for wasting money. But. I know I will itch to skip.

I don’t want to skip class—so this is my challenge.

Knitting is one of those things that I’ve always meant to do, but never got around to. I tried once, but got only quick instructions from someone who wasn’t very good herself, so I quickly got bored with the pitiful results.

Last summer, I finally bought a “Learn to Knit” kit and was terribly excited—I would have started it right away, but it was dreadfully hot where I was and I thought touching wool at that time would be maschocistic. Unfortunately, I never found time once autumn came around.

But now. Now! I will set aside time-by mid-February at the latest-to start learning. There will be scarves for gifts next Christmas whether people want them or not!