055 Do an Advent observance

What's this about?

Every Lent, I [attempt to, at least] take something up, give something up, and read an appropriate book. This goal entails doing the same thing, but for Advent.


Why do I want to do this?

It tends to get a bit overshadowed by chocolate and Christmas shopping, but Advent is a fantastic season, a time of solemn joy, of expectant awe. I want to take it seriously.


How will I know I've done it?

This is one that's not really measurable, the sort of thing for which making a star chart seems to miss the point. I'll know I've done it when I'm satisfied that I've taken Advent as seriously as I take Lent. The only way I can really measure it is to compare it with my own achievement.


I'll track this here and there about the place. There might be Advent music at ancientandmodern. Locked posts at el_staplador. Advent book reviews at stapsreads. I'll update here, pointing to anything of interest.

Goal 55 completed

056 Skip: 500 times forwards, 100 times backwards, 10 cross-skips

What's this about?

Skipping. With a rope, if you were wondering. Nothing so challenging as the picture, but it should train me to be a bit more nimble with my feet.


Why do I want to do this?

When I was a young'un I used to be quite good at skipping (once impressed my trampoline instructor mightily by skipping backwards on the trampoline), but there were a few tricks I never mastered.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have managed an unbroken run of 500 steps, turning the skipping rope forwards. I'll also have managed an unbroken run of 100 steps, turning the rope backwards. I'll also have managed an unbroken run of ten steps, crossing the rope in front of me.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

057 Take a singing lesson

Why do I want to do this?

I could do with sharpening up my vocal technique. I think - hope - it will build my confidence, too.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have spent at least one hour with a self-described singing teacher, concentrating on improving my singing voice.


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

058 Listen to/watch 30 Proms

What's this about?

The Proms. The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC - 'the world's greatest classical music festival'. So much music! Thirty sounds ambitious, but that's only an average of ten per year, and there are about one hundred every year. It's all on the wireless and the TV; besides, I can easily get up to London to see the Real Thing.


Why do I want to do it?

Free music, people! I know shockingly little music, and all I need is a little kick to listen to it.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have heard thirty Prom concerts from beginning to end.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

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