Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Secondhand Rants will return on Thursday, July 07.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Not a single violent backswing last Thursday and, what’s more, there were even four shots that felt great, though the denominator by which I’d divide those four is far too large to mention with a straight face. But rather than talk about golf tonight, I’d like to turn the spotlight on my skill acquisition framework instead, specifically those rare moments when everything comes together and really sings.
That’s because for every instance where I’m reminded of why I picked up a skill, there are an equal number of times when I question why I’m even bothering. Isn’t strategizing about ping-pong a waste of time? I dislike golf, so why even subject myself to it? I hate the taste of vodka, and yet I continue to simulate the enjoyment of drinking, even though a tall glass of lemonade would be infinitely more appealing.
Fair questions all, and on the face of it, the respective answers should be “yes,” “don’t,” and “stop.” But then there’s that one ping-pong game where your new aggressive moves make for better rallies, elevating the level of play for both you and your opponent. Or on a chilly spring morning, somewhere on the fifth, you swing your club effortlessly and believe, incredulously, that maybe you could chase that stupid little ball over miles of grass while deftly conducting business. And there you are, right in the thick of happy hour, all conversational pistons firing, Vodka Red Bull near empty, sights set on the next bar to hit.
I realized I’m not learning these things solely for myself. Certainly there is a sense of gratification, this notion of having delivered your promises unto yourself, when you become proficient at something. The real benefit, though, lies in how these skills enhance your relationships. While I’m still not sold on the idea of communities, the people within them are intriguing. Next up on the list? I’ve got to find two backup drinks.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Someone once explained to me that blogging frequency is directly tied to dorkitude, and although I question whether such a corollary is scientifically sound–units of dork, for instance, can’t possibly be an accepted measure–I can appreciate the idea. A slowdown in posting activity, for instance, might suggest that you’ve got, like, a shitload of parties to hit. Conversely, a flood of posts may mean the only party on your calendar is a celebration of online diary-keeping.
Our coverage has been spotty lately, but don’t take that to mean I’ve been raving or anything of the sort. Even if that were the case, this blog would persist because it is founded on more than mere vanity. It’s built on vanity and the tenuous belief that writing regularly enables me to feel smarter than I actually am, and nuanced self-interest like that is the key to our longevity. I’ve certainly been busy lately, genuinely so, and that’s a large part of why I’ve been incommunicado.
But even then, I’ve been keenly aware of the thoughts I’d like to commit here, so much so that complete sentences, with full and correct punctuation, will flash across my mind when I’m out and about. At the top of the list is my tendency to collect skills, specifically the payoff and one of the key reasons for why it’s important, which we’ll discuss on Thursday. It’s exhilarating and relieving, frankly, when you realize that what could’ve been a fool’s errand is, in fact, worthwhile. And there, not far in the distance: exoneration, free and clear.