Hidden Talents

I have a habit of sitting and pondering things, things of no real interest, value or relevance to what I’m doing at the time, but ponder I do. One such pondering moment came the other day when I decided to think about what I was actually good at doing. Unfortunately, I came to the conclusion that I’m not very good at anything all - I have no discernible talents!

Whilst it goes without saying that I’m totally crap at chatting up women, I guess I’m merely average at a few things – such as playing football and badminton. Still, whilst participating in these sports, I always do have the determination not to give up on a cause. Drop the shuttle over the net in a cunning “dink” or pass the ball too long and I’ll still try and get to it. Still, it’s hardly a talent, plus it tends to wear me out rather too quick these days!

However, there is one talent that I’d really love to possess – and that’s a musical ability. Whilst music runs in the family, with various nieces and nephews able to play just about every instrument going, when it came to handing out my musical talents it decided to skip a generation. Because of this, I’m about as musical as a tone deaf goose playing a fog horn, in the fog and with a touch of laryngitis. Oh, and I have about as much rhythm and timing as a brick.

It’s a pity really, because if I could ever wish for one talent it would have to be being able to play the piano and have a good old tinkle on the ivories. Not to show off mind, but simply to enjoy the music made with my very own fingers, and if it managed to make other people happy then all the more for it.

I do occasionally check whether my wish has come true – in the faint hope of a Black Books moment where Manny suddenly discovers that he can play the piano – but I simply sound like someone cleaning the keys with a duster.