Publicizing my goals

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I woke up late again. Therefore, it is a “lick my palms and smooth my hair in my reflection in the microwave door” kind of morning. I suspect that whenever I think back and remember working an 8-5 desk job in Nashville, the words “not” and “cute” will be associated with my appearance. It’s just too early.

I’m taking a wee break from playing writer’s nights in order to work on my guitar skills. Being self-taught up to this point, I decided that lessons would be a worthy investment, so I had my first guitar lesson last night. I had visions of walking in, telling my teacher exactly what I wanted to learn, and walking out Slash – but of course, it doesn’t work that way. I have been doing music long enough to know that you have to start with the basics in order to have the capacity to improvise or extemporize or appear effortlessly versatile – and never having gotten the basics in the beginning, I have a lot of back-tracking to do.

But mixed in with the C-scales and proper posture and music theory, there is a bright and shining light. At some point in the hopefully not-too-distant future, I will be flawlessly playing the opening lick to “Pretty Woman.”

Can you say party trick?

I spent two hours practicing last night, reminded of the hopeful, burgeoning feeling that used to occur for me at the beginning of each school year. A fresh start! A new resolve! The possibilities! I’m going to master this! Nothing can stop me! I am disciplined! I am capable! “This is my nooooooow…!”

I wish that I could bottle that feeling. Eventually, it always fades, and I fall back into the darkness of passivity and lethargy. It’s why I have never yet run a half-marathon – a long-time goal of mine – it just seems too hard. Too far. Too much. I honestly do not believe that I can do it.

Which is why I have to do it.

Consider this my formal announcement that on April 25, 2009, I will be running the Country Music Half-Marathon. If I say it on the blog, then I have to do it, right? And this gives me plenty of time to, you know, become a runner.

And hopefully before that, a “Pretty Woman” guitar player.

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10 Comments

  1. Allie, Dearest on August 22, 2008 at 10:48 AM

    I will be running with you.

    I’m so EXCITED!!!!

    You are going to love this. And you can totally do it. You were made to do this kind of nutty stuff.

  2. Grant on August 22, 2008 at 12:06 PM

    time, a running schedule, afoot analysis/shoes that are made for your foot type (Fleet Feet). Thats all I have to say

  3. Christina on August 22, 2008 at 12:46 PM

    You CAN do it! Running a marathon was a goal of mine for 3 years… I finally did it and oh, the sense of accomplishment. Don’t give up!

  4. Tad on August 22, 2008 at 1:25 PM

    You’re darn right, you have to do it now. This is like saying your in a relationship on facebook.

    You can totally do it. As you know, Miranda’s doing a full marathon. So if she can do a full marathon, you can do a half marathon.
    Way to go!

  5. Rebecca on August 22, 2008 at 2:26 PM

    CMHM!! Woohoo!! CMHM 2004 was my first trip to Nashville. My brother, Keith, ran so we drove down for a long weekend and stayed at one of the hotels that right at the starting line. You can doooo eeeeeet!!!! I wish I could run it with you….maybe you should come to London next?? ;) And seriously, you’re going to have all sorts of fabulous people to run with, like Allie!!

  6. Annibelle on August 22, 2008 at 2:52 PM

    Boo… I would run with you, but my left ankle and knee have been bothering me (Am I finally feeling what real runners feel?!?). It’s grand really. If I have to put any more brace/supports on my left leg, I swear I’ll look like the Terminator. (THIS is why I’ve been swimming lately)

  7. bec on August 22, 2008 at 7:27 PM

    if you think working as a receptionist provides for glamorous appearance, try starting work before you even wake up and following it up with wrangling dogs in the sun for 4 hours.

    too bad i’m not a musical act.

  8. Emily on August 23, 2008 at 9:16 AM

    You’re going to be a runner! I’m so excited for you! I’ve just started dipping my toe into the running pond and I think I love it.

    If you ever make your way back to Seattle let’s race together!

  9. Philip Letizia on August 24, 2008 at 6:33 AM

    I was cruising along through this post at a nice pace, and then you threw the “This is my Now” reference in there, and I fell out of my chair laughing. I had to watch the video then!

    Just picking myself up now. Thanks for that.

  10. Sarah Markley on August 25, 2008 at 10:56 PM

    you seriously don’t know how bad i want to come out to Nashville and run that thing with you.

    seriously.

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