030 Walk Offa's Dyke or across England

What's this about?

Offa's Dyke is an 8th century earthwork that runs most of the length of the Welsh-English border; these days there's a long-distance footpath that follows it. Alternatively, I could walk from one side of England to the other.


Why do I want to do this?

I'd like to do a long-distance walk that's not a pilgrimage. I want to be able to say that I've walked from one side of a country to another. (I didn't do this on the Camino de Santiago, as I stopped in Santiago de Compostela and didn't continue to Finisterre.)


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll have traversed, on foot, either the length of Offa's Dyke from the Severn to Prestatyn (or vice versa), or from one coast of England to the opposite.


I'll record this in this journal, though you probably won't hear much from me while it's actually in progress.

031 Swim in the sea at least once a year

Why do I want to do this?

I use 'swim' in its loosest sense here. Flapping around a bit and floating is also perfectly acceptable, as this isn't about physical fitness, it's about what sea-bathing does to my mind. The first sharp chill of the water having receded, I love the feeling of buoyancy, of calm, of not having to be in control. (Up to a point, obviously. I have no intention of drowning.)


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll have immersed myself in the sea at least once in 2011, at least once in 2012, and at least once in 2013. (I swam in the sea in July 2010, and I'm not going in again in December.)


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

032 Go to a jazz event

Why do I want to do this?

I love jazz, but I hardly ever get up and go to a jazz night off my own bat. This goal is meant to be a little kick in the right direction.


How will I know when I've done it?

I will have gone to a jazz night, gig, concert, whatever, not because that's what a friend's birthday party happened to involve, nor because someone I knew was in it, but because I wanted to.


I'll record this in a post here.

033 Be able to pass Grade V [Music] Theory

What's this about?

Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques, across or within genres, styles, or historical periods. In a grand sense, music theory distills and analyzes the fundamental parameters or elements of music – rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, texture, etc. (Wikipedia.

Developing literacy with the tonal language forms a key part of a rounded education for performers, composers and listeners of all kinds. An understanding of how written symbols relate to the elements of music, and having the skills to interpret and translate them into sounds, empowers us to communicate and experience music in a meaningful way. Without knowledge of notation it is impossible for classical musicians to access their repertoire with ease or to rehearse together; and this repertoire could not be heard at all had composers not been able to write it down. So, music theory is a very practical subject that is completely entwined with performance and composition. (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - .pdf)


Why do I want to do this?

I love music, but I'm very conscious that I don't really know much about how it works. Oh, I can read it, I can play it, I can sing it, but I don't really understand chords, intervals, majors and minors. I think that knowing this sort of stuff will make me a better musician.

I'm going for Grade V because... it's kind of traditional. In the words of the ABRSM, again, A longstanding ABRSM benchmark is that a pass at Grade 5 or above in Theory of Music must be obtained before candidates can enter for Grades 6, 7 or 8 Practical exams. We believe that a thorough understanding of the elements of music is essential for a full and satisfying performance at these higher grades.


How will I know I've done this?

I will be able to sit and pass a Grade V Theory of Music paper. (I may or may not take this examination officially, but I ought to be able to get hold of a paper and a marking scheme, and my husband will be able to mark my efforts.)


I'll record this in posts on this journal.


This goal may be modified or replaced if I find Grade V stupidly easy - in which case I'll probably move up a few grades.

034 Have one of my photographs framed and on display

Why do I want to do this?

My photography has been getting better and better, but I'm still underconfident about it. I'm also not very organised when it comes to getting prints made. The combination makes this goal more of a challenge than you'd think. I believe that even now I could take a photograph that I'd be happy to display in its own right as a work of art, and this goal is meant to give me a little kick into doing so.


How will I know I've done it?

Somewhere around my house I will have, framed, and in plain sight of any visitors, a photograph that I have taken myself. It will be on display not because of the subject per se, but because I believe that it's a decent picture.


I'll record this by taking a photo of the photo, and posting it here.

035 Take five good portraits. If appropriate, give prints to the subjects.

Why do I want to do this?

I don't get much practice at taking photos of people, usually because I'm too shy to ask them to sit down for me. I'm hoping that this will improve both the photography and the shyness.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have taken five posed or deliberate photographs of other people, with which I'm reasonably happy. I will have proved that I'm happy with them by having prints made and giving copies to the subject, unless it would for some reason be inappropriate for me to do this. (I can't think of any reason, but I feel I need a get-out clause on this one.)


I'll record this on this journal and at Flickr.


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036 Make a perpetual birthday/anniversary book

Why do I want to do this?

I'm terrible at remembering people's birthdays. I've sent texts apologising for having missed someone's birthday two months before the actual date - and then forgotten it when it did come around. I'm hoping this will go some way towards organising me.


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll have a book full of names and dates. Even better: they'll match up with each other.


I'll record this in a post in this journal.