Teaching An Average Jane New Tricks

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There are three skills I’ve always wanted to learn: juggling, making balloon animals and playing the harmonica. Save your jokes – this is not leading to anything that involves scary white face paint or big shoes. However, any of these things would probably score me some major Aunt Points with my niece and nephews.

Anyway, I’ve decided that it’s time to start working my way through the list, beginning with juggling. Apparently it’s easiest to begin with scarves and work your way up to more challenging items. I won’t have time to practice in earnest until this weekend, but I have confidence that I’ll be able to grasp the basics fairly quickly if I’m willing to put in enough time.

I can’t predict when I’ll attempt the other skills, but it seems reasonable to move on to the balloon animals next. There are plenty of websites with basic instructions, so all I’ll need is a bag of balloons, a cheap balloon pump and the ability to keep from flinching every time a balloon pops unexpectedly (which I understand will happen a lot).

After that, I suppose it’ll be time to try to learn some basic harmonica. If I get even halfway good at it, it could expand our band’s repertoire. If I get less than halfway good at it, maybe I can get my bandmates to bribe me not to play. There’s always an angle…

I don’t think I’ve learned a new manual skill since my great-aunt taught me to crochet when I was twelve. I predict that it’ll be good for me to develop a collection of new avocations. It’ll keep the old brain active, the creaky limbs moving, etc.

What have you always wanted to learn? Do you think this might be a good time to start? Average Jane readers want to know!

Comments

11 responses to “Teaching An Average Jane New Tricks”

February 23, 2005

Stacie

I always wanted to learn how to Tat, but the picture instructions of shuttle tatting intimidated me. About ten years ago, I found a instruction book on needle tatting that didn’t look impossible.
I bought it, and ten years later, I’m still the only person that I know that can tat. I make mostly snowflakes and other christmasy type ornaments with the occasional doily thrown in. I’m pretty sure that everyone I’ve ever know has received a handful of snowflakes for Christmas at some point in our relationship.

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February 23, 2005

Huts

Juggling isn’t too hard to learn, the tricks make it tougher. It is amazing that people forget to try new things as they get older. It definitely keeps you active. I didn’t start Martial Arts (Kuk Sool Won) until my 20’s. I want to learn a few more programming languages. Then to be a better carpenter to build us a decent bed. We’ll see.

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February 23, 2005

kevboy

Yoga, woodcarving, various musical instruments and foreign languages.

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February 23, 2005

Krusty

Weld. Speak Spanish. How to shop without wanting to kill myself.

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February 23, 2005

Cagey

I always wanted to learn how to knit. I taught myself, but struggled to get beyond scarves. I finally took classes last year and I haven’t looked back – now, I am working on sweaters. That would be my advice, don’t struggle on your own – take a class! The added benefit is then you meet others who have the same passion.
Other things I’d like to learn? I would like to perfect my Hindi, learn my husband’s language (Malayalem), paint with acrylics and learn how to make a pumpkin roll cake. Gee, I wonder which one is the most attainable?

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February 23, 2005

Jane

kevboy – I forgot about yoga. I learned the basics several years ago and I really enjoy it. In fact, I need to look into taking classes again.

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February 23, 2005

Sarah

Good luck with that – I can’t even juggle 2 balls! LOL!

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February 23, 2005

Fi

Speak French, learn Photoshop properly (instead of trial and error), drive a rally car, do a proper cartwheel.

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February 23, 2005

Keith of R.Electrons

Wow – interesting question!
Hmm – I’d say trying the rock-climbing walls – but I’ve done that twice in the last few weeks!
Maybe full-on rock-climbing!
Hang-gliding, small plane piloting, bungee jumping, parachuting – hmm sounds like a mid-life-crises. I doubt I’ll do half of those.
What else? Better at electonic circuit design. C# programming. Java programming.
Well drilling. Backhoe operating. Cruise-ship piloting.
LOL
And maybe really able to juggle a bit.

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February 24, 2005

Jane

Keith –
I’ve always wanted to try a rock-climbing wall, too! I’m just afraid I don’t have the upper body strength for it. I suppose that would develop sooner or later if I were persistent.

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February 25, 2005

Joolie

I’d like to learn to speak another language, make cheese, and target shoot.
You should pick up The Inflatable Crown Balloon Hat Kit. It’s not animals, but the principles are the same. It comes with plenty of supplies and an instructional book with pictures of people around the world wearing the author’s creations.
I got mine at a discount bookstore for $3 and had my entire household outfitted with elaborate balloon sculptures within an hour. (I linked to an example in the URL field if you want to see.)

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