comfort zones

For larger version, see DebbieOhi.com.

Hung out with my friend Cathy yesterday; we saw Robots at the Paramount theatre, browsed Chapters, had dinner at the Hothouse Cafe. I found the movie entertaining and even touching in parts, though the humour was often a bit toilet-oriented for my tastes and I didn't like it as much as Shrek or Ice Age. Highlights for me: the little short before the movie featuring the Ice Age squirrel as well as the new Star Wars trailer. Ok, so I know I'm probably going to be let down yet again, but I still can't help but be excited. I'm so lame. :-)

Anyway, it turns out Cathy's employer is closing its Toronto office and has invited selected employees to move out to its Calgary office, offering to pay all moving and legal expenses. Cathy was one of the chosen few and has decided to accept the offer.

I admire her courage. She's lived in the Toronto area all her life, after all, and most of her friends and family are here. Though I'll miss her a great deal (she's known me longer than anyone except for family), I can't tell you how happy I am for her. She admits it was a hard decision but told me she couldn't pass up the opportunity, didn't want to spend the rest of her life wondering about what could have been. I'm going to use my frequent flyer points to go visit her in late October so she won't be celebrating her birthday alone.

Last night over dinner, we talked about comfort zones. Everyone has them, but Cathy and I both agree on the importance of forcing oneself to step outside them from time to time, to do things that challenge and push ourselves. It's tough to overcome the temptation to stay snugly with what's safe and familiar, or at least I find it so.

But I find it worth the effort. My attitude is that even if I fail, at least I know I tried. And if I succeed, then not only do I reap the benefits, but I'm also encouraged to push myself a little further next time. I'm VERY glad that I decided to check out the Irish session at the Tranzac, for example, despite my innate shyness and unfamiliarity with the people and venue. The initial terror was definitely worth it. :-)

Speaking of sessionstuff, here are a few tunes I've memorized recently: Butcher's March (now played after Paidin O'Raifearta's as a set at the Tranzac), Connaughtman's Rambles, Munster Buttermilk. Love these tune names. :-D Here's a list of about 30 tunes I've memorized so far since December, or can at least make a decent effort at joining others playing the tune. My goal is to know over a hundred tunes by the end of the year. Keeping those all polished enough to lead in a circle is another thing entirely, of course.

March 2005 comments: Read Blatherchat | Post in Blatherchat | Livejournal comments