50@50

I'm turning 50 this year. On the 32nd anniversary of Elvis' death (if he is, in fact, dead). So when you start seeing all the news reports of pilgrimages to Graceland for Elvis, you'll know I'm gearing up for the big half century mark.

I've decided to learn 50 new things this year, in celebration of having lived for 50 years. OH MY GOD HOW DID THIS HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY? One day I'm in a gondola in Venice eyeballing the natives and the next thing you know I'm fifty.

Here's my list. And in orange, you'll see how I'm doing so far. I'll come back here and update the list every month. Just to keep myself on track.

1. Learn to run (walk/crawl) a half-marathon (the LIAV MaraTeam!) - Done! Training for the next one!

2. Learn to knit Thanks to Maxine, done! Practicing!
3. Learn to carve a rubber stamp Oh, yeah, baby, my friend Edie sent me everything I need for this!
4. Learn to speak Spanish (and re-learn Chinese so I can talk to my friend Ye Gongxian who I've recently reconnected with after 25 years...) Learning Spanish from Tessie. So far I can order a quesadilla with french fries in Spanish. With orchata to drink.
5. Learn to speak Sign Language
6. Learn to trapeze (please, someone find Sam Keen and talk him into teaching me)
7. Learn to eat vegan more imaginatively - In process! Veganomicon cookbook totally rocks!
8. Learn to document my 50th year in art (I'm creating an art project using 3"x3" squares of paper, one of which will be decorated each day this year to document the ebb and flow of this year, the colors of my days, an art journal, of sorts) - In process!
9. Learn to firewalk
10. Learn digital storytelling - Done!
11. Learn to make podcasts and learn how to download tunes onto the iPod that I don't know how to operate, dear god how hard could this be?
12. Learn how to write poetry or at least appreciate it more (starting with Ted Kooser's brilliant book on the same...) Read the book!
13. Learn to make the perfect loaf of bread Got the recipe and now need to try it out!
14. Learn to make a mug on a pottery wheel, glaze it, and fire it Plotting with my friend Kim and her friend Rob to MAKE THIS HAPPEN in September or October!
15. Learn to write a play
16. Learn to say no to things I really don't want to do, that make my stomach ache the moment I say yes, those things. Doing really well!
17. Learn to say yes to things that scare me but thrill me. (This does NOT include skydiving, Emma. Just in case you were wondering. It also does not include bungee jumping or other things having to do with heights).
18. Learn to lose 50@50. There. I've said it. The walking really helps. So does journaling what I eat, and when, and under what circumstances. Stressed? Reach for food. Happy? Reach for food. Bored? Reach for food. Good learning, there.
19. Learn to see food as fuel, not as comfort, celebration, or avoidance. In process. The walking helps.
20. Learn to speak my truth. Working on speaking it in a way that can be heard. This requires not making comparisons between my truth and the truth of others.
21. Learn how to manage money. Learn why I avoid it. Signed up for a "heart of money" course that starts in June.
22. Learn what wellness really is. Not a weight goal, but wellness. Wellness statement written.
23. Learn what I am yearning for, beneath the surface of what I say I want. Working on this, closer.
24. Learn to cook palak paneer like Heritage India in Washington, D.C.
25. Learn how to get organized and stay organized.
26. Learn how to get 8 hours of sleep every night.
27. Learn how to create an e-newsletter. Done!
28. Learn how to set up an artists' co-op store online.
29. Learn how to sew well enough to make little cloth pouches.
30. Learn what Feynman had to say.
31. Learn from Richard Powers about writing by reading everything he has written.
32. Learn where Johnny Depp lives. Okay, I'm just kidding. I already know that.
33. Learn to stop making excuses.
34. Learn to stop deflecting from what is mine to do in the world by doing everything else BUT that. Closer, closer.
35. Learn to make the perfect cup of tea.
36. Learn really basic Photoshop skills like how to paste my head on the bodies of people like Gabrielle Reece or that undeserving twiglike French woman that Mr Depp hangs out with.
37. Learn how to change gears on my bike and how to fix the chain when it slips off.
38. Learn to make roti and how to peel a mango (that has bothered me for years) Just learned the mango trick!
39. Learn to turn off the computer.
40. Learn to listen more fully.
41. Learn to assume positive intent.
42. Learn to drop the barrier between art and work. Breakthrough!
43. (Re)learn how to kayak.
44. Learn to meditate. My friend Sid is going to teach me in September.
45. Learn how to ride horses. They scare me. In process! First lesson on May 18th! (That photo shows the girl I'm doing this one for)
46. Learn to play the guitar.
47. Learn to change the tire on a car, something that would have come in real handy on that 21 degree morning on I-85 South on November 20, 2008.
48. Learn what is mine to do in the world - and, more importantly - what is NOT mine to do.
49.
50.

I'm leaving a few open just in case I find something awesome I need to learn. 

What are you learning this year?

Comments

[Jane LaFazio]

Hey, where are you? I can come over and teach you how to design and carve a rubber stamp (#3) and #29, to sew well enough to make a cloth pouch.

Now that I've found your blog, count me as a regular reader!
The year I turned 50, I created a poster of 50 women born in 1950. I did it through email and got photos of women from all over. I created a poster, with each photo and their 'avocation' and sent each of the 50 women a poster. Unfortunately, it took me a year and a half..but I did it!

[Barbara Israel]

For help with #3 go to: http://vimeo.com/4399495?pg=embed&sec= for a video and visit the artist's blog at http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/. In her May 7 post she lists the carving block and type of cutter that she uses to make her stamps. Hope this is helpful!

[Kim Joris]

#14. Rob the Potter is ready when you are. Then you can create your very own Rob-like mugs for your front porch soirees. With faces, too. All we need is you and Mr. Brilliant, and Emma and Tess, in Brasstown, for a weekend of clay. And I think we can throw in some welding for Mr. Brilliant. Oh, and Jo is really, really good at #13... MOST importantly, however, is #47. For reasons I won't share in a public forum, I had to attend summer school one summer in high school. The good news is that I took Auto Mechanics 101. I so know how to change a tire! (even though the class was 3 decades ago...).
Just 2.5 hours southwest and you,too, can be in Brasstown.

[Dani Webb]

Patti, I love this. Would you be offended if I borrowed your idea for my fortieth? 40@40? I promise to give it back. :)

[Shirley Bartell]

As for the rubber stamp, as a starter you might try using a discarded styrofoam tray (the kind that meats and some veggies are packaged on). Draw on it with a ball point pen or other semi-sharp stylus. When I started, I drew a large daisy-like flower, printed it to discover that I don't much like negative space (or just can't leave anything alone is more like it) and went back and added hash marks and doodles. The Hot Marks set (heated knife and other shapes, similar to a wood burner) works really well on this medium, just be sure to use in a well ventilated area as the cooking foam will give off fumes. There are also dense foam rubber blocks available that you heat with a heat gun, then press objects into it. It will retain the shapes until you reheat the foam (or wash in water that is too hot).

If "carving" isn't your thing, and you like geometrics, you might try cutting shapes from craft foam and mounting them to a block. Some of my favorites are made with this technique. I've even saved the pre-glued scraps that I've trimmed off unmounted rubber stamps and attached them to wooden blocks and use as stamps.

Could art possibly be more FUN???!! sab

[Rene Rodriguez]

Hi Patti. Great list. I'd be happy to teach you some basic Photoshop skills. If you want detailed video instruction, check out Lynda.com. Make sure to see Chris Orwig's training videos there. He's extraordinarily passionate about what he does, and really makes learning a blast.

[kelly]

hey me too on 8/20...so were soul sisters born on a sunday & thursday in the same week (oh my gosh all those years ago)but what a wonderful week it was! since it's already july i'm going to start with 5@50 one lesson for each decade!and if i put more pressure on myself i think i might burst. my gift to myself will start tomorrow by picking up life is a verb! which i don't have & should and i just signed up for the art for the the next one...now that's really putting myself out there! i so need to push my self...thanks for the incentive...watch out 50 here we come!!!! kelly in nr/ny:)

[Bev Jones]

hey I fire walked with Tony Robbins, and I ID IT and did not get burned . . and we made the cover of The Rolling Stone magazine

[Mary]

Patti--I love this list, and you've inspired me to make my own! I have a few ideas, including one of my friends' who has on his list to choose 65 books that he wants to finish before he turns 65!
But as for #13--try this link: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
This is really good, really fast and really easy bread!
Actually on my list, I already have the first 25---"finish creative project 1, finish creative project 2 etc. :-)
Thanks for this wonderful site---you are really an inspiration!!!

[Rick]

Patti, the way you worded # 25 is perfect: you committed to learning about organization and what it takes to stay organized, but you did not commit to doing it. Good idea! It should be a choice, not an obligation. Otherwise, it simply gets added to the shoulda/oughta/gotta list.

I'm dying to see an update on # 30. The single academic in my life who lives on in influence, now nearing 30 years since I sat in his lecture hall on an evening when no one had to be there, is RP Feynman.