When my friend Yuvi Zalkow challenged his readers to write about their fears or failures, I knew I would take part. One, he’s a friend. Two, the assignment is a creative challenge. Three, said assignment frightens me. I know I write about my fears on this blog at times, but Yuvi’s challenge seems of an entirely different caliber.
Writing Life
I’ve Got to Run Off to a Termite Inspection
When I told my friend, Kaarina Dillabough, I had to run off to a termite inspection, I meant it. I was running off to a termite inspection. She may have known I was being truthful, but she followed my comment with one of her own: “‘I’ve got to run off to a termite inspection’ would be a great title for a blog post.” I verified that she meant her words and, without further ado, accepted her challenge.
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Follow the Rabbit Trail
I’m not usually one for encouraging the pursuit of rabbit trails. They typically lead nowhere except a swamp or tangled underbrush or quicksand, and the only recourse is to turn back and to return to the beginning. That being said, rabbit trails can serve a purpose. They can lead to the finding of a new path or a new way around the quicksand. Unlike early computer games, one can make choices other than right, left, or back.
Why You Need to Get Lost
I hate getting lost. I don’t like to get lost in Ikea. I definitely don’t like to get lost when I’m headed to a meeting. I start to panic even though I know I can ask a sales clerk for directions, or I can call the person I’m meeting and tell him or her I’m going to be late.
You Have to Have the Right Tools
The other day, I attended a jewelry-making class. I wanted to attend because the jewelry being made will be given as gifts to women who are trying to leave abusive relationships. I also thought it would be fun to learn a new craft.*
Cherish the Basics
I took my first Krav Maga class the other day. It was fun, albeit a little simplistic. I have a background in Japanese jujitsu, and many martial art forms and self-defense classes borrow from Japanese jujitsu in some form or fashion. Krav Maga is no different. The names for stances and defenses may have been altered, but the techniques are similar, if not the same ones that are found in Japanese jujitsu.