33. Knuckling down.

I found Mara online.

Not like that though. Jesus, keep it tidy.

Mara is a talented designer and tutor in software like Indesign and photoshop. The fact that you’re reading this at all is largely down to her skill and patience. 

I’d like to say I was learning Indesign because I have a curious mind and am always keen to try new things. But I hate trying things that don't really need to be tried. Like Kale.

The reality is I’d been using my clever, but long suffering daughter, as a designer since forever and she’d had enough. I'm an appalling client and she’d wisely put me on stop.

She wants to do other things. I can’t blame her. There were times that I’d had enough of me too.

It’s been ages since a lesson sunk in. Prosecution exhibits are scattered throughout.

The last time I attempted learning something new was when I decided to take flying lessons. Like learning to drive, there is a practical course and a theory component which covers navigation and a fair amount of mathematics and physics. 

Did I mention I got 35% in school certificate maths? Thought so. 

Unlike learning to drive, you can’t just pull over somewhere at five thousand feet to collect your thoughts. 

Having failed all of my theory exams, and with eight hours flying time logged I sensibly pulled the pin before taking my first solo flight.

I’m not sure what prompted the desire to take flight, it wasn’t until years later that I discovered my mother and grandmother were both pilot instructors.

Not everything gets handed down.

Mara and I shared a love of shortcuts, and although mine were more about cutting corners, we were off to a good start.

This didn’t last long. I was three lessons in and still couldn’t tell the difference between the two most basic Indesign tools, something called the selection tool and the direct selection tool.