Thursday 13 ~ Some things I’m glad I can do, some things I haven’t bothered to learn, a few I wish I could do.

June 25, 2009 /

Thursday 13

    (Things I can do)

  1. Ride a horse.   Maybe not well (yet), but I’m not afraid of them, and I’m glad that I feel confident enough when I ride that I don’t need someone there guiding me.
  2. Swim.  I love swimming.  I know people who are afraid of the water, never learned to swim, and it makes me sad.  Such a free feeling, and a way to feel your body in a totally alien environment.
  3. Cook a nice meal.  I truly enjoy cooking, and I’m thankful to my mom for making Richard and me start chipping in with that chore when we were in High School.  That gave me some time to get comfortable with it before moving out on my own.
  4. Ride a bike.  I know a couple of people who can’t ride a bike without falling down, and I’m so glad I can ride!  I love to ride my bike, and maybe next year, after I’ve recovered from the financial burden of being unemployed for about 6 months this year, after Ted was unemployed for half of last year, I’ll upgrade to the bike I want again.
  5. Read and write.  I know, basic, right?  But there are so many people in this world who have not been able to acquire these skills.  I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t read especially, or what kind of job I could get without writing.
  6. Basic math. I can balance my checkbook to the penny, and any math that has ever been required for me for a job, I can handle. Calculus? Not so much.
    (Things I cannot do, and it’s OK)
  7. Knit. Maya was part of a knitting group in 3rd grade, and I tried to learn in order to help her with that. She put up a bit of a protest, complaining that I was trying to take over ‘her thing’. Which made me thankful that she is so open and able to communicate, because I didn’t really want to learn in the first place.
  8. Be super crafty.  There are people out there, some of whom I am friends with, who will see a game or a picture or a greeting card, and they say, “I’ll bet I could do that”, and they do.  Really, not interested.  I’ll buy your stuff, though, and I truly admire your efforts and skills.
  9. Bake.  OK, I sort of lie, because I can make a basic lopsided birthday cake from a box, or a yummy crisp, but when it comes to the finer points of baking?  Not interested in the least.
  10. Write stories. I’ve tried my hand at this, and I suck. And it doesn’t bother me in the least. All you writers out there need someone to buy your books and read them, right? I’m your gal.
  11. Do a cartwheel.  I’ve tried, it’s scary, and I don’t care anymore.
    (Things I would like to be able to do, but don’t know if I lack the skill or the patience to learn)
  12. Paint. I think it would be awesome to be able to paint a beautiful picture like the impressionist painters. I’ve thought of taking a class, but I’m afraid my skills and the expense are a deadly combination.
  13. Play a musical instrument.  I’m sure I could learn something, but what I want is instant skill.  Sit down at the piano and PLAY, not have to work on strengthening my fingers, figuring things out, all of that.  Well, it’s not going to happen.  The only way to play piano, or any other instrument, is to work on it.  Oh well.

How about you?  Any things you’re glad you know how to do?  Don’t care about missing out on?  Wish you could learn?

15 Comments

  • jehara

    June 25, 2009 at 12:49 am

    i wish i could play the piano too. i am glad that i finally learned french as it has been a lifelong aspiration since i was a young grade schooler to learn a second language. i’m ok with not knowing the finer points of computer technology. i know how to use my computer, navigate the internet, but html code and the like? eh, not so much and that’s fine by me. 🙂

  • Nance

    June 25, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    I always wanted to play piano, too. AND do cartwheels. I also wish I was more computer-savvy, as in XML and HTML stuff so that I could goof around more with my blog layout and not be so harnessed by Blogger (which is really, really frosting my cupcakes lately!). I am not patient enough to learn to sew things, and I wish I were because NO ONE has simple little boho skirts that I know would be easy to make. Sigh.

  • Susan Helene Gottfried

    June 25, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Well, I’d be flattered if you read MY book, that’s for sure. Being a reader is a precious thing. As you say, many people can’t do it. I wish I had the money and clout to help change that. *sigh*

  • Nicholas

    June 25, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    I wish I could play the piano too, but I don’t think I could inflict the sound of me practicing every day on my neighbours.

    Brilliant idea for a TT. I am definitely going to steal it.

  • Patty Reiser

    June 25, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Get list you have here today on Thursday Thirteen. In regards to painting, look into some low cost community classes. I know where I live we have some that are only $5/class.

    Wishing you a scent-sational day!
    Patty

  • C

    June 25, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    What a wonderful post, J!

    Funny enough, I’m with you on most of those things!

    I was actually just thinking how I wish I knew how to knit too. Oh, one more thing: I would like to learn how to drive stick shift, but don’t think I have the patience to.

  • J

    June 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    C, learning to drive a stick shift is easy! About 1/2 hour in an empty parking lot, and you’ll have it. Then, learn parallel parking in this stick shift while on a hill with a bus coming straight at you, and you’ll be learning the way I did!

  • CuriosityKiller

    June 29, 2009 at 7:14 am

    Sounds like you’re just a very careful person. All the things you wanna do, sounds alot to do with being fearless. Swimming, climbing a mountain, riding a bike, doing a cartwheel. It’s just being unafraid and just do it. On the down side of being fearless means getting hurt alot too. So you’re healthier because of your cautiousness. I have too many scars and injuries. Enough to scare me into being a little more cautious. To each their own, I suppose.

  • ML

    June 30, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    The do a cartwheel thing? I could do that when I was 13. Do it now? No way! I would probably break my neck.