In the course of a 10 minute car ride, I had did a total 180 on the issue of new years resolutions. In the past I've done well with resolutions. I resolved to read at least 10 pages a night and have read dozens of books that I otherwise wouldn't have in doing so. During my senior year of college I resolved to get in better shape. Not the most original New Years resolution, but I've actually stuck with it. Since then I've kayaked for a month in Alaska, run a half marathon, biked thousands of miles and have worked out at least three times more weeks than not. This year, I don't know, I wasn't feeling it.
Then it dawned on me. My most ambitious New Year resolution to date. I really, really need to improve my outdoor skills in a big way. Those of you that know me know that I spend a fair amount of time outside. I'm heavily involved in running an outdoor club on campus. When it comes to technical skills, however, I've been very guarded. I think it's due to a fear that I will apply myself and still humble in comparison to those who are inately talented (see journal on fear of mediocrity on the 3rd.) This is a shitty excuse, though. Fear of mediocrity leading to mediocrity, are you kidding? My skills have idled, maybe even diminished for too long.
I'm well aware of what happens to most ambitious plans, and maybe this one is doomed from the start too. I think you can increase the chances of success by stating specific goals. I'm going to focus on fly fishing, for reasons that will be explained. Here are my goals:
1) Join an organization which I will not name in the area and work on my casting on a weekly basis.
2) Go fishing at least once a month. Take notes on how/where/when I catch fish. Pay more attention to various techniques.
3) Learn more entymology (study of bugs). Don't just tie on a random fucking fly.
4) Tie some of my own flies.
5) Catch a steelhead (ill give myself an extension for this one, because winter is the season and they require the above skills)
Other, non-fishing goals.
6) Do a little more rock climbing. Also once a month-ish.
7) Learn to hunt. Deer, turkey, feral pig.
8) Spend more time on mountains and in snow. Don't be such a pussy.
I feel like improving my fishing is the perfect life goal because of it's so multidimensional. Fly casting is all about precise movements. A bad habit can make the difference between a cast which should be photographed, framed and mounted and a puddle of fly line lying at the your feet. It's a physical challenge that takes patience. My kind of physical challenge. It's also an intellectual challenge. Great fly fisherman have a deep understanding of trout, they're life-cycles, their habitats, their diets (which in turn requires a knowledge of insects.) I've never been a religious person, but I do consider myself spiritual. If you've ever been by yourself on a stream and don't consider it a spiritual moment, then you're probably not much like me. Finally--the artistic. I can't paint, draw or sing. I can play some guitar, but not well. Maybe I can't tie flies either, but maybe it's my artistic calling. Only one way to find out.
Quote of the day:
"My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things--trout as well as eternal salvation--come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy. " --Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It.
Pictures of the Day:
Question of the day: What is your feeling on self-improvement? Are we bound to our own devices or is there a little, or a lot, of room for wiggle?
Then it dawned on me. My most ambitious New Year resolution to date. I really, really need to improve my outdoor skills in a big way. Those of you that know me know that I spend a fair amount of time outside. I'm heavily involved in running an outdoor club on campus. When it comes to technical skills, however, I've been very guarded. I think it's due to a fear that I will apply myself and still humble in comparison to those who are inately talented (see journal on fear of mediocrity on the 3rd.) This is a shitty excuse, though. Fear of mediocrity leading to mediocrity, are you kidding? My skills have idled, maybe even diminished for too long.
I'm well aware of what happens to most ambitious plans, and maybe this one is doomed from the start too. I think you can increase the chances of success by stating specific goals. I'm going to focus on fly fishing, for reasons that will be explained. Here are my goals:
1) Join an organization which I will not name in the area and work on my casting on a weekly basis.
2) Go fishing at least once a month. Take notes on how/where/when I catch fish. Pay more attention to various techniques.
3) Learn more entymology (study of bugs). Don't just tie on a random fucking fly.
4) Tie some of my own flies.
5) Catch a steelhead (ill give myself an extension for this one, because winter is the season and they require the above skills)
Other, non-fishing goals.
6) Do a little more rock climbing. Also once a month-ish.
7) Learn to hunt. Deer, turkey, feral pig.
8) Spend more time on mountains and in snow. Don't be such a pussy.
I feel like improving my fishing is the perfect life goal because of it's so multidimensional. Fly casting is all about precise movements. A bad habit can make the difference between a cast which should be photographed, framed and mounted and a puddle of fly line lying at the your feet. It's a physical challenge that takes patience. My kind of physical challenge. It's also an intellectual challenge. Great fly fisherman have a deep understanding of trout, they're life-cycles, their habitats, their diets (which in turn requires a knowledge of insects.) I've never been a religious person, but I do consider myself spiritual. If you've ever been by yourself on a stream and don't consider it a spiritual moment, then you're probably not much like me. Finally--the artistic. I can't paint, draw or sing. I can play some guitar, but not well. Maybe I can't tie flies either, but maybe it's my artistic calling. Only one way to find out.
Quote of the day:
"My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things--trout as well as eternal salvation--come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy. " --Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It.
Pictures of the Day:
Question of the day: What is your feeling on self-improvement? Are we bound to our own devices or is there a little, or a lot, of room for wiggle?
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Also, I suppose it makes me a perv that I think that seeing the beauty in your companions in a dark cave has the potential to be kinda hot, but so be it.