Learning to Learn

From my experience, what seems to be the main difference of gaining skills both creative and practical, is motivation and effort. The saying I may even at times, loathe, is 'practice, practice, practice'. Even if there is no 'raw' talent from my genes, or lack of any foundations formed in my younger years, I can at least be satisified that there is still a lot of achievements available to me. I just need to work at it.

And it's hard, concentrating on making some kind of success for my efforts. But, if it comes to the crunch, it is worth the effort.

Right?

Boat in the Swamp

Sometimes it's hard to keep rowing when the lantern begins to wane it's warmth through the glass. Sometimes...

Alas.

At least I've done a little bit of writing today.

Somloi Galuska

So yesterday I gained exp on my cooking level, attempting to make some delicious Somloi. It was good fun, but I did rely on a very patient friend a little too much, especially with the whisking. I seriously need to build muscles ._.;

But what exactly is Somloi you ask?

Well! I can gladly inform you I have more of an idea now before I started trying to make it. (Otherwise, I'd be a little worried to be honest.) It is a Hungarian cake that takes hours to make. (Honestly, no kidding!) It is made of three layers if sponge, each requires consistant, crazy amounts of whisking the whites of eggs to a such a thick mixture that it no longer moves in the bowl. It is then combined with the yolk, which itself may be mixed with cocoa powder or grounded walnuts (or a cheaper alternative). Then, after baking each layer individually, you make the filling that goes on top of each layer. This uses even more egg whites so, after your arm is about to full off, you have a much bigger challenge in getting this mixture to go into a desire mix.

There is also the wine with sugar gently heated that is generiously soaked on each layer, double cream also heated (don't overb over boil it and spill it over a gas oven, seriously.) to combine with the filling. And then, don't forget the chocolate sauce!

I have no photo, but it was seriously nice. I am thankful for my friend in making it with me, and can't wait to try again someday! First I might try and pull some weights or something to build my arm muscles... Or invest in an electric whisk...

Strength

So today I read the e-mail in time, which is good!
But I did spend the morning trying to write and making little progress once more.
I think I'll start writing on paper for a while.
Other things, other things... I need to read more books, so perhaps I'll try again at writing reviews?
Later, I may even learn about cooking and more BSL, who knows?

Strange Tide

This will be a rather mellow, and drifting entry.

So I feel I should update my blog more often, to motivate myself to progress more in certain things.

So.

I need to send an e-mail tomorrow.

And.

Writing has been difficult to create,

But instead I have been drawing recently. Silly, immature pencil drawings, but perhaps I'll progress. I have been listening to a variety of music as usual, from One Ok Rock, to Velvet Eden to Phaeleh, to Thomas Bergersen, various folk songs to acoustic guitars.

Mainly acoustic versions of BigBang.

Other than that, I guess I've not really learnt much today. But I did have interesting discussions with a friend about politics, in particularlly it's degrading nature due to cunning use of political ultimatums. Politics is an armchair sport I'd rather not dine with, but I can't help but float back and think about it. I tried to describe the benefits of socialism with a friend recently, but part of me could not help but realise how hopeless having any kind of views or interest in society. He was sympathetic though, and told me more about Mexico.

I could go on further about sociology but all I can think about is how I am simply failing to put emotion to paper. Emotion itself is a very strange topic to me. Sometimes, this emotion thing... It becomes removed. Heartless describes a cruel emotion so would not suit the emptiness but a void is too complete. It's like viewing the world as a painting, a spectator, being unattached to certain things.

I think a slight dullness is still there.

I remember confessing to a friend about it before I returned home from university. But, I don't think I am so afraid about it now. I've always taken life as it comes and not understood some certain 'social rituals' are so significant, or, that certain changes should be given more than a moment of thought. Perhaps this emptiness has always been floating around, but it does nothing for my confidence in writing.

Sometimes I dare to face 'reality'. Lets be honest here, my vocabulary is limited, I am unmotivated, lazy. I will never be a wonder of words, and my ideas are too complicated. But as l still stand, I still have time to get better. I will get better and try harder. Who knows, maybe in ten years time I'll make semi decent art, music and literature. I will be updating my progress here.

Drifting through a different wind

Another morning, another day of tiredness.
In my official Half Asleep Mode I switch on the laptop, get a bite to eat and surf the web for a moment. I find a petition needing signatures, http://www.allout.org/en/actions/russianriot, I open an empty word document.

I listen to the atmospheric music my cousin recommended me yesterday.

Then the gentle music my friend Tom sent me.

Thinking for a little while, I've realised that there has been some kind of change. I can't quite put my finger on it, but within me, there has been a couple of switches flicked, a new patch of thought in the mind, something a little new stirring in the cauldron.

It might be called motivation, but I wouldn't want to go that far.
Perhaps it might just be fear of growing old and learning nothing.
I start today.