Progress: #5. Go greener

In an effort to reduce my plastic waste, I'm trying out some bar shampoo and face wash (cruelty-free / vegan, too, as per usual):

Original goal list posted here.

Completed: #6. French Braid my own hair

Not the greatest, but my first ever attempt -- and I always leave myself room to grow.

Thanks to this video.

Original goal list posted here.

Goals, 2018-2021

1. Propose a written text for publication
2. Create and play a song on the native flute
3. Make a quilt
4. Make a vest of map-patterned fabric
5. Go greener
6. French braid my own hair
7. Make my own 3D print design
8. Use my 3Doodler
9. Clean up / transfer files from my old Mac to my new one
10. Donate my hair
11. Make my own mustard
12.  Make Polish barszcz
13. Do more advocacy for autism
14. Define 50 new words I learned from the Scrabble app
15. Read and write more poetry
16. Own property
17. Try calligraphy
18.  Apply to secondment or a teacher-funded leave, further my education, or teach something new
19. Get married
20. Make 5 recipes with the dehydrator
21. Bake a vegan tourtiere
22. Carve my own rubber stamps
23.  Practice anatomical drawing
24. Use a telescope
25. Learn to label all the countries in Africa on a map
26. Play a 400,000+ Tetris game
27. Do yoga for 30 days straight
28. Sleep in the backyard in a tent cot
29. Try stained glass
30. Build a train set
31. Do a geology-based trip
32. Meditate for 15 minutes daily for one week straight
33. Hang something on the wall
34. Try 10 different beading projects
35.  Learn more about bird watching
36. Join a Toronto-based field study group
37. Plant berries or fruit trees
38. Make a skating rink
39. Go on an international history-based trip
40. Make my own tofu
41. Learn to label all the states in America on a map
42. Do more public speaking
43. Go on a Nordic tour

Goals Recap, 2015-2018

I completed 38/43 goals.
I discarded 1/43 goals.
I carried over 4/43 goals.

Completed: #43. make my own regalia

Original goal list posted here

Completed: #42. canoe out to Toronto island

Original goal list posted here

Progress: #7. take guitar lessons

I'm realizing that I am running short timelines for what is left of this list (and, as per usual, I'm more so itching to get the next set of 3 year goals started), so I've been considering what can reasonably be accomplished.

I am quite terrified of interacting with strangers -- though, yes, I am aware that everyone I now know was once one. I am not sure if my apprehension intensifies with age, or it just gets easier to opt out: (a) I socialize enough AT WORK to not want to have to otherwise, and (b) I gots my people already.

I got to thinking I was sure, therefore, that I'd retire this goal, or carry it over indefinitely (and perhaps purposelessly). It seemed a shame, though. This guitar (on the left, that looks like a giant violin,) is both beautiful and one of my only heirlooms from my dear grandpa. He also made the leather holding strap, with the pony buckle, by hand. Also, I love music, so much. 

Therefore, I asked my friend and work colleague - whom I obviously already know - Andy (of the band Wooden Bridge) if he could give me lessons. He agreed. We are starting tomorrow, continuing weekly until the school year ends.

(The right-hand guitar is my mother's heirloom, with a smaller neck. In typical MY MOM fashion she said, learning of these lessons: "Take it too! Maybe it will be easier to use!" I know nothing.)

Andy asked for a list of songs I'd like to learn. I ran through my music library, jotting possibilities into a word file. I realized that I don't think I've paid much attention to guitar much before, except to think that I like it best in folk and old country songs.

He said this one, of my choices, probably has the easiest chords. It's one of my favourite childhood country songs, soundtrack to a dark highway Gaspé road trip drive:

Original goal list posted here