second to none. there are some skills that everyone envies. singing, dancing, muscial ability, artistic talent. i think everyone says, even if it's at just one point in their lives, "i wish i could sing/dance/draw/playthepiano." when you watch someone do something really really well, the first thought is usually amazement, and that's oftentimes quickly followed by feelings of jealousy and wishing that you could do the same thing. some skills, of course, we don't care about. someone can ambidextrously yo-yo? who cares. someone can make their eyeballs bulge? who cares. someone can kazoo with the best of them? who cares.

but there are a few universal things that everyone would like to do, even if they've already admitted defeat in that particular arena. isn't that why we sing in the shower? because everyone sings, regardless of whether or not they're good. everyone dances, regardless of whether or not they're good. and everyone scribbles on a class notebook, even if all their sketches end up looking like stick figures and deformed manimals.

you think, looking at people who have amazing talent, what it would be like to be that person. to have that skill for just one day. or to have that skill permanently. would you show it off at every opportunity? would it change your life if you could dunk? if you could breakdance? if you could play jaw dropping concertos? amaze at the local karaoke bar? would it change your life? i think it would. your identity is partially wrapped up in what you can do, and if what you can do is take a skateboard off a ramp five hundred and forty degrees, or move your limbs in rhythmic coordination, then you become a different person. not necessarily a better person, but definitely a changed one. people will know you as "that guy who can skateboard like crazy."

and it's comforting to know that most skills can be learned, given enough time and effort. so why don't we put in the effort? because we lack the time? or because we lack the motivation and the drive? or are we just afraid to learn new skills that will make us look particularly silly, since we won't be able to do it "right" for a few years? is it fear of failure, lack of time, or fear of looking stupid that presents us from acquiring certain oft-coveted skills?

as i get older, i find myself lamenting the fact that i'm "too old" to pick up new skills. which is kind of ridiculous since i'm hardly old enough to be lamenting anything. i'm thinking if i start now, i can still be an accomplished singing instrument playing breakdancer by the time i'm forty. so, on with the show.