Reflections on trying new things
Apr. 4th, 2019 04:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitTwo years ago I decided I would try out some new things, and trying something new has been one of my goals for the past two years, so it seems a good time to reflect on what I've done/learnt.
Firstly, I've visited some new places in London: Dennis Severs House in Folgate Street (highly recommended); the Sky Garden (also highly recommended); an exhibition at the Houses of Parliament; the Mail Rail.
I experimented with different writing forms: 99 words for a number of the regular characters who I write; I wrote some poems having offered my flist choice of form and subject; and I wrote an explicit sex scene.
I read some books of a more scientific/sci-fi nature, and I'm currently reading a list of books suggested by members of Fan Flashworks Social.
I tried to learn Polish with Duolingo but failed miserably, but did look at a little BSL. Then I attacked German with Duolingo (not a new thing because I had done some German at school and had tried bits and pieces on holidays) and managed to get through all the sessions at the basic level. I'm currently trying to learn Hungarian - the grammar is defeating me, and I doubt is what I'm after. So I'm now working up the levels of the first few sections to grasp some of the really basic things which could be helpful.
I started taking courses with FutureLearn. Recent courses I've done were: Inside Opera (very good), Jane Austen: Myth, Reality & Global Celebrity (interesting but not gripping), An Introduction to Screenwriting (I thought it might be interesting, but I'm not writing screen plays so it wasn't) and Literature of the English Country House (one of those I didn't think I was getting much from at the time, but a lot of it has stuck with me, and I think it's given me a lot of background information).
I tried sketching, and discovered I quite enjoy doing it. My preferences being for flowers/plants. I've also sketched some of the paintings I've seen in exhibitions, as a way of really observing what I'm seeing.
I started various sewing crafts, the first being a simple box made of material which is now in regular use for when I stitch; I tried cross-stitch, which I really enjoy - the pictures below show how far the Klimt is progressing; I had a go at hardanger, which I didn't particularly like.
I had a go at crochet (see Holmes icon) but realised it's not really my thing. And I did some simple origami. I also did some jigsaws, which I really enjoyed - once again I've done them in the past, but it's been years. I also made a Christmas wreath and decorated Easter eggs.
I spent one day attempting to use my non-dominant hand. I tried to use the Jesus Deck at the local church-organised festival. We went to the opera. And I started a new job.
This started because I wanted to avoid falling into a rut. I'm amazed at how much I've tried. I shall however be changing my goal this year - I don't have enough time to do all the new things I enjoy, without finding any more!
Firstly, I've visited some new places in London: Dennis Severs House in Folgate Street (highly recommended); the Sky Garden (also highly recommended); an exhibition at the Houses of Parliament; the Mail Rail.
I experimented with different writing forms: 99 words for a number of the regular characters who I write; I wrote some poems having offered my flist choice of form and subject; and I wrote an explicit sex scene.
I read some books of a more scientific/sci-fi nature, and I'm currently reading a list of books suggested by members of Fan Flashworks Social.
I tried to learn Polish with Duolingo but failed miserably, but did look at a little BSL. Then I attacked German with Duolingo (not a new thing because I had done some German at school and had tried bits and pieces on holidays) and managed to get through all the sessions at the basic level. I'm currently trying to learn Hungarian - the grammar is defeating me, and I doubt is what I'm after. So I'm now working up the levels of the first few sections to grasp some of the really basic things which could be helpful.
I started taking courses with FutureLearn. Recent courses I've done were: Inside Opera (very good), Jane Austen: Myth, Reality & Global Celebrity (interesting but not gripping), An Introduction to Screenwriting (I thought it might be interesting, but I'm not writing screen plays so it wasn't) and Literature of the English Country House (one of those I didn't think I was getting much from at the time, but a lot of it has stuck with me, and I think it's given me a lot of background information).
I tried sketching, and discovered I quite enjoy doing it. My preferences being for flowers/plants. I've also sketched some of the paintings I've seen in exhibitions, as a way of really observing what I'm seeing.
I started various sewing crafts, the first being a simple box made of material which is now in regular use for when I stitch; I tried cross-stitch, which I really enjoy - the pictures below show how far the Klimt is progressing; I had a go at hardanger, which I didn't particularly like.
I had a go at crochet (see Holmes icon) but realised it's not really my thing. And I did some simple origami. I also did some jigsaws, which I really enjoyed - once again I've done them in the past, but it's been years. I also made a Christmas wreath and decorated Easter eggs.
I spent one day attempting to use my non-dominant hand. I tried to use the Jesus Deck at the local church-organised festival. We went to the opera. And I started a new job.
This started because I wanted to avoid falling into a rut. I'm amazed at how much I've tried. I shall however be changing my goal this year - I don't have enough time to do all the new things I enjoy, without finding any more!
no subject
Date: 2019-04-04 08:43 pm (UTC)Two and a half weeks is a bit short - good luck with that! I look forward to seeing the photos.
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Date: 2019-04-04 09:02 pm (UTC)I could have wrung her neck, honestly - she set the date weeks ago, just didn't bother to pick up the phone and tell me, eve though she'd promised she would, so what she's getting isn't what I WAS going to do because there simply wouldn't have been time. *sigh* And she's the supposedly responsible oldest.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-04 09:58 pm (UTC)Definitely annoying.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-05 10:28 am (UTC)Just trying to find a suitable alphabet so I can fill in names and date, but I might have to create what I need from scratch because what I've found so far are too small on 20 count fabric, only 4 or 5 squares tall, which would be barely readable. I think I need something with letters 8 squares tall.