When I was a budding feminist, I researched and wrote a paper about female education in the old old days. I think I read one book and summarized the major tenets; which were that in the 1800's (and possibly 1700's), girls' education needn't go further than the basics of reading and writing and a little math, as long as they also gather a few "accomplishments" to show off to suitors. These seemed to center around music and needlework, and maybe a little riding.
This book must have been instrumental in my formation, because even though I managed to complete a fair number of years of serious education, I have also tried to keep up on a flurry of hobbies and talents to impress the judges. Way after the competition is over, I am still practicing my music, art, and sundry athletic pursuits, as if I might audition at any time in a competition for the best all-round girl.
Thus, I have a strange combination of goal directed behavior, sabotaged by a simultaneous need to cover all bases. The goal fixation was apparent in our recent trip to Kings Canyon National Park. Planning from afar, we mapped a five day backpack trip that would take us into the High Sierras. However, before we even arrived, the weather report was forecasting a serious chance of snow in the middle of the trip's timeline. Despite this chill, I refused to accept that the weather report would turn out correct so we went ahead with our plans. Unfortunately, the predictions came to pass and we were forced to beat a hasty retreat, hiking out sixteen miles in one day to beat the snow. From then on we sheltered in the fancy lodge at Sequoia and contented ourselves with day hikes. But still, I regret we didn't complete our journey as planned. I hate to give up, even as I hedge all my bets.
