Jar No 214 | 365 Jars

Kirsty Hall: Jar No 214, August 2011

Kirsty Hall: Jar No 214 in situ, August 2011

Contents: Ink drawing on envelope
Released into wild: 3/8/11 at 00.01
General Location: Clifton, Bristol
Status: Found by Theo’s Dad on 06/8/11

Comments:

Alas, this is the jar where I failed.

Yep, I missed my deadline by a single minute. And frankly, it serves me right!

Kirsty Hall: Jar No 214 close up, August 2011

I actually would have released the jar on time if two security guards hadn’t come out of a nearby school just as I was about to cross a road to place the jar. I had to wait until they’d gone past, by which time I was late. But it was entirely my own fault because I hadn’t allowed time for something to go wrong: I should have left the house sooner or placed the jar nearer.

I’m surprised that I don’t feel worse about missing the deadline. I am slightly vexed with myself but I think it’s the kick I needed because I’ve been skirting the edge of failure and complacency for weeks.

As I watched the security guards walk past me, I had a moment of acceptance. I knew I was going to be late and there was not a damn thing I could do about it. I couldn’t place the jar very obviously right in front of two security guards because I didn’t want a confrontation. As it was, they turned and watched me when they saw the flash of the camera – I ended up taking lots of photos of street lights to try and distract them and they walked on in the end.

Being a minute late brought home what I already secretly knew: that it wasn’t the end of the world if a jar went out late. If it becomes a bad habit, then it will be a problem but for now, it’s a good lesson in the dangers of procrastination, over-extending myself and not allowing enough time.