The Next Big Thing

I have a lot of interests. It isn't quite ADD, but my attention span for doing things is extremely short. So much so that if I am going on a trip I have to bring several types of books, crafting projects, word puzzles etc. so that I don't get bored As soon as I start doing one thing I start thinking about the other things that I could or should be doing.

I love music, and I have very eclectic tastes. There isn't much music that I just do not like. I love Celtic, Rock, Blues, Classical, Ragtime...you name it. I took piano lessons for quite a few years when I was younger, but stopped when I was a teenager and hadn't played since then. Five years ago when I was traveling for business, I bought a guitar so that I would have something to do in the hotel. I didn't have time for lessons, so I bought some books to teach myself. I blundered around by myself for a few years teaching myself, and finally took some formal lessons last year. I have bought countless songbooks in different genres for the different songs that I want to play.

And the problem is that all I can think of is the other instruments that I would like to play. I'd love to play a violin, harp, flute, mandolin, maybe even take piano lessons again and get a piano. Since I taught myself guitar, I have a lot of bad habits that I need to break, and basics that I skipped and need to learn. If I started a new instrument, I could start out "uncontaminated" and work my way up, and really learn. Or so I tell myself.

But in many ways, the guitar is a perfect instrument for me. I have a lovely Seagull guitar that has a warm, beautiful sound. The guitar allows complex arrangements that many of the other instruments do not. And it is light and portable. It is also quiet, so I can practice at night when I get home from work without waking everyone up. You can play a wide variety of music on it, and sheet music is readily available for it.

So to start my goal list for next year, my goal is to work and practice at learning my guitar. I will practice every day, and try to apply some discipline to myself. And I will jerk myself back every time I start to daydream about the next big thing I could be doing.