Every two hours.
12am. 2am. 4am. 6am.
I woke.
—
I read that the REM cycle lasts just over 90 minutes.
Perhaps mine take a bit longer.
I laid in bed and thought of the various skills and hobbies I’ve attempted to master over the years.
When I was about 10 or 11, I saw a martial arts movie on TV and thought: “I can do that.”
And then proceeded to acquire a long stick to twirl around in a dangerous and potentially awe-inspiring fashion.
At 17, after seeing Labyrinth, I became convinced that contact juggling was about the coolest thing ever. I found a how-to book on-line and began practicing with a clear acrylic ball.
I got…well, not good.
Not even decent.
But I did get comfortable.
Around 24, I tried woodcutting for about ten minutes. I bought about $40 dollars of equipment, and then say out on my patio with a chain mail glove on my left hand and began whittling.
I thought the act would free up my mind to think. Instead, I spent most of my time cursing my lack of fine dexterity. I put the woodcutting equipment in my attic.
Last year I bought a harmonica. My grandfather used to play ‘Oh Clementine’ with vibrato and I wanted to carry on this fine tradition.
So far I’ve managed to get down “Scarborough Fair”, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, and “Popeye”.
Some of my interests have lasted a bit longer. I’m on my second motorcycle. I’m going hang gliding for a second time next week. I learned how to bake a mean cinnamon walnut bread from scratch.
And this writing thing seems to have stuck with me.
—
Two hours is not nearly long enough.
Very thought-provoking. At school I learnt many skills I have since left by the wayside; I’m just not sure how implement basket-weaving, silver casting, copperwork, iron forging, joinery, book-binding, or pottery into my every day life. They are all things I’m glad to have learnt though.
And no. Two hours is not long enough.
You’re really so cute, D. This just made me smile.