Day Twenty-Two through Twenty-Four

There hasn't been a terrible amount of excitement since the spider-slaying incident. Mostly, it's been a lot of writing and sleeping and working. Not necessarily in that order, mind you.

I am the kind of person who usually needs background noise going—I get this from my mother. It doesn't have to be anything particular, but if I'm wanting to actually get something done, it can't be anything distracting enough that will make me want to stop what I'm trying to do to give it my full attention. Usually I turn on the TV to something either I have no real interest in watching or that I've seen a hundred times. Disney movies tend to work well for this, or the the show Friends. 

Being on my no TV kick, however, sort of takes away these as an option. So, option #2: music. Sometimes it is KLOVE Radio, other times I flip on Pandora and rock out to "Adele radio" (which includes way more than just Adele, by the way). Lately, however, I've been stretching my musical ear to other types to which I may not normally listen.

I'm trying to do this with all areas of my life, actually. I spent twenty minutes in the non-fiction section at the library (which is a big deal, if you know me at all). I try on new styles of clothes at the store or, if I'm feeling broke, pair up the clothes I already own in new ways. I try to cook new things every so often, or go to a restaurant I haven't been to in a while or I've always wanted to try. It's not a constant thing, but I do try to pepper in these experiences every so often. I mean, it was kind of the whole purpose of this challenge, right? Getting me to expand my horizons?

But, I thought, what if I don't want to go anywhere, but I still need a change from my routine? Because, let's face it, it has become a routine.

They say it takes 21 days or so to make a new habit, and, as I'm on day twenty-four, I would say I've made new habits. I come home, I check the mail, I greet Melvin. I turn on some music. I open my laptop. I work on some writing. Or I open a book and read for several hours. Sometimes both, although not, of course, at the same time. That has become my routine.

There is nothing wrong with this routine. I like it. I like that I can sit down and write and not feel obligated to make it perfect or spectacular or even good. I can just write—get out my creative energy. This is a good thing. Reading goes along the same lines. I become a better writer the more I read—and the more I stretch myself with both of these things the better I become at both.

But sometimes, I need a small change. The same show with a different theme song. It's refreshing, gets me to focus more, see things from a different perspective. That's kind of a deep way of saying I wanted to listen to something else.

It started with my Sunday Night Movie. It was the day after my birthday (woo-hoo!) and I was cruising Netflix... I shouldn't have been, but I let my curiosity get the better of me.

It's just for a movie, I told myself. It doesn't really count as watching TV if I'm just looking. Like window shopping. It's okay as long as I'm not spending money. Right?

I was SO close to pressing play on the first episode of Doctor Who Season 8. So. Very. Close. I had my finger on the button, staring at the little square preview of the episode, trying to simultaneously talk myself in and out of watching it.

It's like an hour, twenty minutes. It'd be like watching a movie. I'm allowed a movie a week. I could use it as my movie...

But then you'll want to watch the next episode too, which would be breaking the rules. Watching episode one is bending the rules as it is... you really shouldn't do it.

But it'd just be once. Really. I can control myself! Just one little episode.... It'll be okay. No one will know!!

I will know. It's cheating. You're not a cheater. Get your finger off that button and watch something else. Control yourself, woman! It's just a show! It'll still be there on November 1st for you to watch then!

Yeah, I know...you're right...

This was the conversation I had with myself. In the end, I did not give in and I pressed "back" instead of "play" and watched an actual movie instead. Bride and Prejudice to be exact.

This got me going on the "expanding my musical horizons" kick. If you don't know, Bride and Prejudice is a bollywood-esque version of the Jane Austen novel of similar title (Pride, not Bride, obviously). I've seen it before, years ago, and genuinely enjoyed it. It was recently added to Netflix, and so I compromised for a night of romance and bollywood musical talent. I'm so glad I did. The movie is truly a wonderful one, if you ask me, and when it was over, I didn't want it to end!

So I flipped to Pandora and searched "Bollywood". I spent the next several hours listening to the station I found while working on a new story. No, it has nothing to do with Bollywood or Pride and Prejudice or anything. It actually is a high school story. In case you wanted to know...

But the point is, I enjoyed it. I loved listening to something new. It was refreshing; it gave me new inspiration and pushed me to try new things in other parts of my life. The new story is actually told from multiple points of view, a writing style I haven't actively tried before. It will be interesting to see how it comes along... I also don't usually write about high school-age, but focus more on young adult/college age.

Anyway. My point—I'm trying new things in small ways. A step in the right direction. I am currently rocking out to "traditional folk music" which includes a lot of old songs like "You are my Sunshine" and some awesome guitar-only songs I love.

My favorite so far has been "Train in the Rain" by some guy whose last name is Cockburn (an unfortunate name, I grant you). It was amazing how he captured the sound of a train with his music. I was sitting on the couch with my eyes closed, picturing a train click-clacking down the tracks, a hobo sitting in one of the open cars, legs hanging off the edge while strumming a guitar, singing about life and pain and the rain. It was a wonderful moment for me. Inspiring even.

I want to keep up my streak. I want to keep trying new things in small ways, like music choice or what I eat for dinner. Or where I eat dinner. Maybe one of these days I'll have a little picnic in the park for one. Bring along a book or journal. Maybe I'll go for a walk, or try to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in a while. I don't know yet. But I think that's going to be my focus this next week. Small ways to try new things.

I'd love your input with this. I know ya'll are reading—at least a few of you! Comment either here on blogger or Facebook or wherever with your ideas—be they about music or anything else you think I should try! Maybe you want to take me up on the offer of meeting with an old friend. Maybe you just think I'd really love a certain musician. Share with me what you love, and what you think I should try and might love as well! And...GO!

(But seriously. I want your input.)