I'm doing 14 things
Sometimes, a successful practice means “I practiced”.
Sometimes, it means, “I understand the notes I left for myself last time”.
Sometimes, it means, “Wait! I can play this bit of this tune now!”
Mostly, it means “maybe a tiny bit better”.
rockerdaddy's Life List
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1. clean the garage
87 people -
2. Learn to play a musical instrument
2 entries . 1 cheer731 people -
3. Do 200 situps
38 people -
4. declutter my life
588 people -
5. complete a video game
9 people -
6. learn to sew
4,067 people -
7. Do 200 squats
13 people -
8. do 100 pushups
561 people -
9. climb a mountain
2,125 people -
10. learn archery
601 people -
11. exercise regularly
10,887 people -
12. eat healthier
11,157 people -
13. Hike more
343 people -
14. ride my bike more
1,021 people
How I did it
It made me
ecstatic! 
How I did it: I had a design in my head for a while: a half-sleeve, wrist to elbow, of a pumpkin patch (with an extra added character sitting in the middle just for my wife). For my 47th birthday, she got me a gift certificate to our 'family' tattoo artist: Kevin Hamlin at Sacred Art in Corvallis, OR. So, I had both the desire and ability. Told Kevin about my idea, we made the appointment, and he put it on. At this point, I only have the outline-… Read how I did it…
Recent entries
So I set this goal a long time ago. And…it sat.
In November of 2010, I realized I’ll never accomplish this goal if I don’t actually try. So, I found a teacher, and have officially been taking lessons in Irish fiddle for a few months now.
My current ‘task’, so to speak, is to practice daily. I get a lessons each week, and if I don’t practice, I suck. Realizing that there is no such thing as talent has been an awakening. It’s all about the practice and hard work.
Today’s practice was 30 minutes; I ran through scales, and practiced a few tunes (Boil ‘Em Cabbages, Egan’s Polka, Shortnin’ Bread, and part of Angeline the Baker).
The fears are that I’m too old…I don’t have the talent for it…I’ll never be able to be better than mediocre. Sorry, but that’s all bullshit. Natural talent is a myth. Practice, and you WILL get better. I can see it in myself. My teacher can see it. And my wife can see it.
I’m pushing 50. If I can commit to learning one of the most difficult instruments there is at my age, others can do so, too.
Got the job. :-) I’m still learning…not very good, even at basic scripting. But I’m still trying. I won’t consider this one done until I’m comfortable with the syntax and have written a few thigns without trouble.
