So I recently came to the conclusion that I never listen to music. I always hear music- several times a day. While I clean my room, while I prepare food, while I shower, while I walk, while I drive, while I study, while I read, while I chat, while I chill, while I work, while I party, while some people dance. I hear it- but I'm not really paying attention. When is the last time you listened to music just to listen to it- the way it was intended? Not just in the background- or getting in the way of conversation at a bar.
Introducing: Music Mondays.
I don't think I'll do it every Monday, or limit it to Mondays- but it's the only day that made alliteration work. When ever I have one of these listening sessions I'm going to listen to the music- the way it was intended to be listened to. Some musicians make albums with the entire album in mind- it's not always just a bunch of potential singles surrounded by filler tracks. A lot of modern music is designed with the chart topping single in mind and nothing else- but other classic albums should be appreciated and respected.
During these sessions there's no phones, no internets, no conversation or anything else that could serve as a distraction. Start to finish with my complete attention. Listening to music for the sake of listening to music.
___________________
Over the years I've acquired several textbooks from various sources in the hopes of someday getting around to reading them or at least using them for reference. When ever I move in and out of apartments I lug them with me- reminding myself of the fact that I never accomplished that goal. Books are meant to be read- not collect dust.
Introducing: Textbook Tuesdays
Yeah- alliteration again. So my goal is to grab one of my random textbooks on subjects that I have no knowledge of and to learn something. Read for an hour and summarize what I learned. 5-10 facts or ideas that I can take away from it. Then I won't feel so bad about carrying those things around all this time.
___________________
Tentative schedule:
2010-01-11 - MM - Tchaikovsky
2010-01-12 - TT - Abnormal Psychology
2010-01-13 - How temperature control on your faucet works
2010-01-14 - How to polish shoes
2010-01-15 - How to say 'get fucked' in 5 different languages (volunteers?)
2010-01-16 - How to make lasagna
2010-01-17 - How to tell time using the sun
Stay tuned.
Consider keeping a notebook also. I've started keeping notes on everything technical that I read so that I can go back and look at them more easily. Also, it wouldn't be that bad of an idea to go back and look at your textbooks from different classes. I started doing it last year and it is interesting to relearn something.
ReplyDelete