Entry #333152, added on 03-06-05 @ 8:15 pm EST
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| Banjos and Books | Entry #333152 |
When you wish upon a star…
Goals and aspirations are most important components of living. I sit quietly in my 48th year wondering what goals and aspirations I might have? At first I thought, I really don’t have any, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, so to speak, then I got to thinking, well, I do have a few goals, not huge like becoming rich and famous, but minor and hopefully as these goals are attained, they may lead to my ultimate place if life, which is, no doubt, being little ol’ me.
I want to learn to play the banjo at least to where I am comfortable enough to play in front of people if I have too. I’ve played the guitar for 30 years, my fingers know what to do; I don’t have to think about it. I want to get that good on the banjo. (Oh, yeah, the piano comes next!) I am not an entertainer, I play primary for my own pleasure, I am happy with that. This is a small goal, but an important one, my banjo button been pressed, and there is no off switch. I would be in playing now, but my sweetie’s still sleeping on this overcast Sunday morning, and banjo banging may be too rude of an awakening. So, music is a goal and an aspiration, if not an inspiration.
I also want to go to Europe. I want to travel, see things, do things. My ex-husband never wanted to go anywhere. He grew up in this town, and has no intention of leaving. We did go to Hawaii and on two cruises (both times to the same place, which irritated me). He went to Germany in the military after high school, and never had the desire to go back. I, on the other hand, was raised in a military family and we moved around quite a bit. I’ve lived on both sides of the continent, and was born in the middle. I very much like where I’m at now, I am very fortunate, but I need to explore. My kids need to see more too. So, in an effort to improve my chances of going to Europe, I am taking a French class at the nearby college. French 2, in fact. But the best way to improve my speaking abilities is to go to France. Simple enough, right? My now husband has his vision set. France and canal boats; Paris is his goal. He is an adventurer. Being a musician, he’s traveled extensively through the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He not afraid to get up and go. So maybe, cross your fingers, we can go this summer, oh yes, and we’re taking the banjos. But when we get to France, I want to go to Germany to visit our friend Robert, the fellow who bought the sailboat. He is a very nice man; we have had a lot of good times with him while he’s been staying here. Talk about an adventurer, he’s got a lot of guts, and a lot of money to help him out. He lives in Bonn, Germany. That’s not too far from Dosseldorf where I know a fellow (through the internet) who has an unbelievable banjo collection. I really would like to see that.
I do what to get a bachelor’s degree. I have enough units to get a PhD, but I’ve never stuck with the same subject. I did apply to a University last fall, I couldn’t decide on a major (that stinking, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, problem) so I settled for interdisciplinary studies (whatever the heck that is?). I went to the orientation, met with department head, who I had known many years ago, our kids were in the same first grade class. But when it came down to it, interdisciplinary studies was not ringing any bells for me, and I was worried about the expense. So, I opted out and took a French class at the community college instead. In the meantime, my co-worker, the library aide at our school (where we work) is working towards her second Master’s in Library Science (the first is in English Lit). I have been with her since she started this venture last summer, practically every step of the way, editing her papers, making suggestions, answering questions; I’m surprised at how much I do know! Library Science is very interesting, it seems like a dull field, but it has little to do with the mere shelving of books and the Dewey decimal system. It’s about research, and how to research. I love books, and I love helping people find out about whatever. I work with the computers in the library, I am interested in many things, and I always want to know more. So, I’m seriously thinking in terms of Library Science, it’s expensive, but it’s a goal. I’ll probably be 105 by the time I graduate, but I think I can do this. Why didn’t I think of it before? So next fall, I’ll apply to the communications dept. this time, and go from there. That is if we don’t decide to just live in France.
So, I guess I do have some big goals. Ironically, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is playing majestically on the classical radio station right now. This is a good sign. Banjos and books, how can I go wrong?
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