Comments on: Things I should have learned in college http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/ seemingly random thoughts on books & ideas Thu, 17 May 2012 14:12:15 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jenny http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Jenny Tue, 24 Aug 2004 22:41:30 +0000 http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/#comment-301 If you can sail...that's all you really need to know. If you can sail…that’s all you really need to know.

]]> By: Lynn S http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Lynn S Thu, 29 Apr 2004 05:41:26 +0000 http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/#comment-300 Hi, I just found you via a link at The Charlock's Shade. I also have a lot of regrets about not getting into high culture sooner. I've always been sort of interested and I really can't explain why I didn't start sooner. Too many distractions and a feeling that there's always tomorrow, I guess, but when you get close to 40 you start to realize that the number of tomorrows is not infinite. The positive side of my story is that a few years ago I finally did start getting into classical music and thanks to some great people I've met online I have learned enough to impress most people even though I don't feel that I know all that much. More importantly, I get more joy and satisfaction from it than anything else I've ever been into. I'm just starting to read more classic literature. That goes very slowly. Reading a great book takes much longer than listening to a symphony. Hi,
I just found you via a link at The Charlock’s Shade.

I also have a lot of regrets about not getting into high culture sooner. I’ve always been sort of interested and I really can’t explain why I didn’t start sooner. Too many distractions and a feeling that there’s always tomorrow, I guess, but when you get close to 40 you start to realize that the number of tomorrows is not infinite.

The positive side of my story is that a few years ago I finally did start getting into classical music and thanks to some great people I’ve met online I have learned enough to impress most people even though I don’t feel that I know all that much. More importantly, I get more joy and satisfaction from it than anything else I’ve ever been into.

I’m just starting to read more classic literature. That goes very slowly. Reading a great book takes much longer than listening to a symphony.

]]> By: Jeff Brokaw http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Jeff Brokaw Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:53:09 +0000 http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/#comment-299 Kevin - I agree with Jon - don't look back and wish you had started playing, just do it now! I started learning guitar a year ago, and am having fun with it. I was 44 when I started, and wish I had started at 15 too, but it's too late to worry about that. I'm still not very good but making progress, and may start real lessons soon. And as a bonus my 15 year old son started playing too, as I hoped he would, and he is already pretty good, much better than I. I believe you have to keep growing even as a parent and that your kids can learn a lot from how you live your life, not just how you tell them to live theirs. Deep, huh? ;-) Also, I was inspired by liner notes on a Michelle Shocked tape from over 10 years ago, Arkansas Traveller, where she credited her dad for starting her on a musical path by teaching himself mandolin in his thirties. I thought it was a great gift to give to one's kids. Kevin – I agree with Jon – don’t look back and wish you had started playing, just do it now! I started learning guitar a year ago, and am having fun with it. I was 44 when I started, and wish I had started at 15 too, but it’s too late to worry about that. I’m still not very good but making progress, and may start real lessons soon. And as a bonus my 15 year old son started playing too, as I hoped he would, and he is already pretty good, much better than I. I believe you have to keep growing even as a parent and that your kids can learn a lot from how you live your life, not just how you tell them to live theirs. Deep, huh? ;-)

Also, I was inspired by liner notes on a Michelle Shocked tape from over 10 years ago, Arkansas Traveller, where she credited her dad for starting her on a musical path by teaching himself mandolin in his thirties. I thought it was a great gift to give to one’s kids.

]]> By: Jon Campbell http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/comment-page-1/#comment-298 Jon Campbell Wed, 28 Apr 2004 01:00:21 +0000 http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/#comment-298 Hey kev, Look! Not only am I visiting your lit blog, I'm not posting assholish remarks! As for your gloom at not doing some of these things in your past - its not too late! I don't think you know this about me, but I picked up a banjo a few years ago and haven't been able to put it down. I figured if I hadn't started in my youth, there's no chance of me taking it up now. Boy was I wrong! I've started playing with other musicians and I'm becoming a bone fide banjo frailer. If you still want to play an instrument, just get up and do it! I know your love of music and your attention to detail will make you an excellent player in NO TIME! You just gotta take that initiative. Picking up the banjo was one of the best things I've ever done. If you have any desire to do this at all, you CAN'T go wrong. As for courses, I'm self taught and I know you could teach yourself. You're that kind of person. If you want any pointers or places to start looking for such material (or just some support) contact me. When I'm home next Xmas I plan to look you up and we'll jam. Rock on, Jon Hey kev,
Look! Not only am I visiting your lit blog, I’m not posting assholish remarks! As for your gloom at not doing some of these things in your past – its not too late! I don’t think you know this about me, but I picked up a banjo a few years ago and haven’t been able to put it down. I figured if I hadn’t started in my youth, there’s no chance of me taking it up now. Boy was I wrong! I’ve started playing with other musicians and I’m becoming a bone fide banjo frailer. If you still want to play an instrument, just get up and do it! I know your love of music and your attention to detail will make you an excellent player in NO TIME! You just gotta take that initiative. Picking up the banjo was one of the best things I’ve ever done. If you have any desire to do this at all, you CAN’T go wrong.

As for courses, I’m self taught and I know you could teach yourself. You’re that kind of person. If you want any pointers or places to start looking for such material (or just some support) contact me. When I’m home next Xmas I plan to look you up and we’ll jam.

Rock on,
Jon

]]> By: mark butterworth http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/comment-page-1/#comment-297 mark butterworth Tue, 27 Apr 2004 02:13:24 +0000 http://collectedmiscellany.com/2004/04/things-i-should-have-learned-in-college/#comment-297 I never found college courses all that useful in teaching high culture. Most of my education came from omnivorous reading and listening. Colleges do, of course, have pretty good libraries and record collections. Same with history and science. Some people want to know a lot, and others don't mind knowing less. I don't know if there's an advantage either way. I never found college courses all that useful in teaching high culture. Most of my education came from omnivorous reading and listening. Colleges do, of course, have pretty good libraries and record collections.

Same with history and science.

Some people want to know a lot, and others don’t mind knowing less. I don’t know if there’s an advantage either way.

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