About a year ago, I wrote a blog entry on the importance of learning things, even after school. A year later, let’s see how I did.
I tried to learn two major things over the last year: to speak some Italian and to play the dobro.
On the Italian front, I did great in December and January. When I had time, I would do 5-7 lessons/week, and I plowed through three sections. It was great. Then I got back from vacation, and work came back. Suddenly I had a LOT less time, and my studies petered off to nothing. I’m still basically where I was in late January – about 25% done. A 25% is an F.
On the dobro front, I did very well with practicing it until the end-of-school crunch/France vacation/moving fun all happened. I have not touched the dobro (except to move it) in months. Since the busy time makes sense, I’m going to be lenient on myself and pass myself with a D.
I am hoping that my wonderful new proximity to school will allow me to correct this disappointing track record. Once the start-of-school crunch gets done (mid to late September), I’m hoping to dedicate one hour/day to learning new stuff. We’ll see how that goes – I’ll let you know next year.
You’re going to let us know next year? Mu, we want quarterly report cards from now on.
And no more bocci ball for you until you raise those grades, young man.
Sonot and I were supposed to be studying for 1 hour three times a week. Uh, so far this summer I’ve spent about 48 hours studying Harry Potter, books 1-6 and 100 hours studying the Art of Blogging – does that count?
what’s a dobro?
A dobro is a small dog-like creature found only in Belize and Upper Volta. It’s known for its eccentric stripes and unusual facial features. Upon gazing on a dobro the first time, most people break out in laughter. “Playing the dobro” is a term used by improv folk, therefore, to describe entirely physical features or actions which bring about laughter. Words spoils dobro-play, so only very skillful improvvers can manage this technique successfully and regularly.
Wikipedia has a more detailed article on the dobro with plenty of pictures: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobro
Rev Transit needs to be in an improv group! The wikipedia article is legit. A dobro is a resonator guitar: they sound metalic when played. It’s pretty cool (in my humble opinion).
“Words spoils dobro-play, so only very skillful improvvers can manage this technique successfully and regularly.”
No wonder Mu stopped playing dobro then…
“About a year ago, I wrote a blog entry”
Ah, good times! Back when you actually posted new stuff occasionally…