The Case of the Instant Proficient

You know, I selected these 4 topics for September, but it doesn't mean that I had my own answers for them at the ready!  In real life, I understand that the journey is part of the gift...happiness is not the destination, it's the journey.....and so on.  I know that part of the satisfaction of being good at anything is the blood, sweat and tears that it takes you to get there.  If we're not moving forward, we're sliding backwards.  OK, enough cliches.  I'm stalling.  The problem is that this topic speaks to a core flaw in Cindy's psyche.  I've always been pretty content to be "incredibly average" (M*A*S*H episode reference).  I had a biology teacher my sophomore year in high school named Mr. Brown (rest in peace).  One grading period, he called us up individually to show us our grades before the report card came out.  He pointed to my 'B' and said, "You know, you'd have an A if you weren't having so much fun." --- and my immediate thought was, "And??!...why would I want to do that?"  I've been blessed to have the ability to be pretty good at many things, but I can't say I've excelled at any one thing.  (Well, I did give birth to, and raise, 6 of the most amazing people on the planet, but other than marrying their father and taking advantage of his gene pool, I can't even take all the credit for them!)  ANYWAY, I'm still so very OK with this particular trait of mine, it should be scary.  But it's not.  I'm kinda crafty, I'm kinda good at singing, I'm kinda good at cooking/baking, I'm pretty good at my job, etc.  And I'm VERY fine with it all!  I am content to admire, and enrich my life with, those who do excel at certain things.  I really don't have a envious bone in my body.  


But, if I could be instantly good at something that I don't have ANY skill for, it would be playing the piano.  Yeah, Jen already said that, but she did something about it.  And, true to my form, I wouldn't want to be Carnegie Hall-proficient, just good-enough-to-play-hymns-at-church proficient.  I know, I know, I'm not too old to start piano lessons.  We'll see.  It's not technically on my 'bucket list', but it could be a high alternate. Case solved.  The wife/mother/grandmother/librarian did it.  But without proficiency.

What Almost Always Gives Me Goosebumps

Lord of the Rings soundtrack - 1. In the first movie, the music swells as the newly formed Fellowship marches over the crest of the hill, on their way to who knows what, Gandalf in the lead and Aragorn bringing up the rear. 2. Second movie - the violins of Rohan. 3. The music as the beacons are lit from Minas Tirith to Edoras.  I do get actual goosebumps when all that music plays.  Thank you, Howard Shore and Peter Jackson!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V75dMMIW2B4

Star Spangled Banner - had it happen over and over as I watched USA Gold-medal ceremonies this summer.
 

Marines in uniform - any Marine commercial will give me the shivers, and usually with accompanying tears.  Semper Fi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzQIDRrhRVk&feature=related

My LEAST favorite thing to do

The answer to this topic has changed over the course of my life, with responses such as "washing pots and pans", "sorting socks", and so on.  However, at this point, I must honestly state that my least favorite thing to do is to get ready in the morning and then to get ready for bed at night.  I dread the daily grind...get up, shower, lotion, deodorant, clothes, hair, blah, blah blah.  Lather, rinse, repeat....repeat....repeat.  I'm ready for the Jetsons---slide down a tube and by the time you come out, it's all done.  Of course, it's also almost 2015 and we aren't anywhere close to hoverboards, so I guess for now I'll keep dragging myself out of bed and into the shower, grateful that I know the way with my eyes mostly shut and my brain in power-saver mode.  Yawn.  I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.

My Superpower and Name

I would like to be able to Apparate.  Then I could use that power to instantly be wherever I needed and/or wanted to be....the store, work, and particularly with my extended family members.  No need to worry about gas or plane fare, and it would provide the opportunity for me to visit with my kids and grandkids for a day or a weekend, if I so chose.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you.....Instantania! (Cue inspirational music!)

NEW Blog Challenge

The Mahan bloggers had so much fun with the 30-Day Blog Challenge this summer that we decided to take on one of our own design!  So here we go.  As the matriarch, I decided to take on the first month.  Basic rules:
*One topic per WEEK, instead of each day--crazy lives dictate this one.
*Each of us will come up with the topics for a month for all to follow
*No pressure on time-lines--you get there when you get there!

Friends and family--feel free to ride along!

WEEK 1: Tell us your superhero name and power
WEEK 2: Your LEAST favorite thing to do
WEEK 3: What almost always gives you goosebumps
WEEK 4: If you could instantly be proficient at anything, what would you choose?