‘30 somethings in 30 days’
Day 30! -
It is done. I have reached my thirtieth day.
Seeing as I have not been nominated for any kind of award for this feat, I will spare you the speech that I had prepared for such an occasion, but I would like to give some thanks and credits out to those that travelled with me on this bumpy ride. Well, I wouldn’t say ‘bumpy’. It’s been more like an upwards journey that spent it’s time looking down.
Each morning of these thirty mornings, I rose from my slumber and began with an optimistic outlook, which was more often than not followed by a sharp downturn in my perspective as I realised that I had not become a songwriting super heroine overnight. I still had only the hands and the mind of a mere mortal. The guitar was still a lump of wood with strings attached, that sounded only as good as it’s beholder. Some beholder I was, I couldn’t even fool myself! The pen was still just a vessel of ink, with which to relay nothing more than the thoughts in my head. The thoughts in my head resembled one big glob of unmolded clay, that was sorely lacking in colour or form.
A transformation of goddess-like proportions had not overcome my muse. In fact, most of the thirty days, she sat there looking sullen. Her crossed arms and the occasional yawn suggested to me that we might not be getting along as best we could. A few minutes into each fresh and promising morning, I was left wondering how I could be so bereft of talent and ideas.
We all know by now what came next.
To all the people who have followed me and my blog-journal for this ‘30 somethings’ project, I would like to begin by thanking you for being there. Some days, you were the only reason I had to ‘write anyway’. When I couldn’t find a reason to do it for myself, I did it because I promised you that I would. You responded with a rousing round of support, in cheerleader-like proportions. That felt really good (still does).
I’d like to give special mentions to a few ‘30’s that I have made themselves known to me (I know there are more that I am not even aware of). It’s been such a privilege to be the recipient of your private ‘30’ and to those that made theirs public, we have all enjoyed reading about them. You have inspired and motivated. Inspired me for one, and judging from the snowball effect of those first few ‘30’s, I can tell that you’ve reached many others out there with your journey.
Andrew Mah’s 300kms in 30 was spectacular (wingsofadragonsnake.tumblr.com)! Andrew, where to now?
Lily Mae Martin’s ongoing berlindomestic.wordpress.com was a great inspiration over my ‘30’, as she upped the ante on her sketches and blog-journal. So beautifully honest and raw.
Bec Jessep’s ‘Tiny Wonders’, began in the last few days. It’s earnest and true accounts already have me hooked (loveremovals.tumblr.com).
Kristine Balfour is in the middle of her ‘30’. She is doing ‘30 Things To Make My Life Better’. I am the lucky-duck that receives this photo journal-blog directly to my inbox. To say that I am humbled would be an understatement.
My mother, whose blog is over at talewaggercreations.tumblr.com, has been posting every day and then some! She’s already an active blogger, but took up the ‘30’ as a motivator to post more regularly. I love you, Mum!
Renee (who likes her privacy also, therefore she will remain singularly monikered ala Beyonce or Kylie) has been posting on twitter and emailing a short newsletter to a select few (I get lucky again here!) over her ‘30’. Highlighting her two darling children as the objects of her admiration.
Ben Morris ate something he’d never tried before each day for 30 days (all edible food matter, by the accounts he posted on twitter)! What was the most unusual, Ben?
These are just some of the amazing ‘30’ers. I know there are more of you out there. A round of applause! Hip, hip! ‘Ray!
To complete the final post, I will tell you briefly about my last day on ‘30 somethings in 30 days’. My project has been 30 Days Of Music. I ended the month by spending the afternoon with Bill McDonald (myspace.com/fourhourssleepau). He has a bucketload of new song snippets that he played to me in my lounge-room today. It was so refreshing to listen to some new ideas and think about songs in a collaborative way after being in a music vacuum, for the most part. I have lots of ideas that I can add to his ideas! Writing every day for a month has definitely loosened up my writing muscles. It felt good to be able to just jump in. It’s always confronting to bare your creative ideas to someone else. Seeing as I have been making a general bumbling fool of myself for days on end in my own company, the impact of exposing myself was not quite so severe. I played him some of my tunes, too. Unfortunately my hands got shy and forgot how to strum altogether! Once I had gained my composure, the moment was somewhat lost, but he liked what I had to share, regardless. Thanks Bill!
After he left, I spent the afternoon playing my songs on guitar (with no problem at all, as is the law of nature). I even practiced my scales! Now that can be called a transformation. Are you listening, muse? I’m always here when you want me.
So, I guess that’s it.
I’ve got a phone full of voice memos, three books (my poetry/lyric, my morning pages and my lyric book proper) laden with the written word in various forms and some serious progress made with my guitar playing! I am proud of myself.
What’s that?
Excuse me while I have a private word with myself.
Grateful Me - “Thanks me.”
Begrudgingly Grateful Me - “That’s okay, it was nothing really.”
The Me That Learned Something And Is Very Grateful - “Well okay, it wasn’t nothing… it was really hard, but I enjoyed it.”
Congratulations to all of you for your 30! To those that followed, thank you so much.
See you for some regular stuff in here soon!
Ang x
p.s. I promise to keep you posted on my ongoing progress… just not every day!
