Tell me; what do you see in the clouds?

For absolutely no apparent reason I tried the Rorschach (inkblot) test today -- and failed horribly. hahaha I almost want to go take it for real now just to see what an interpreter would tell me. Of all of them, I had exactly one that was even close to what the expected response was. The one that made me laugh the hardest -- I came up with "fireworks in Paris" and the expected answer was "crab, lobster or spider" ummmm oops :) Mine's a whole lot more fun though :) Fireworks in Paris

So on a completely different note -- I have a fairly entertaining adult lesson at one school where I teach. I quite enjoy it both because I really like the riders (have to admit that always helps :) and because I enjoy the challenge of teaching multiple lessons in one. Most nights *g*. In this class I have one rider who loves to jump (and is quite good at it). The days when I put the fences up a little higher she's usually thrilled. She has absolutely no flat work and no interest in learning it (although it is slowly getting better despite her efforts ;). Then I have two who jump reasonably well (in the 2'9 range) but are not nearly as confident or fluid over fences but who both have significantly better flat work and are interested in improving both flat and jumping (ie there's no sulking when I deem it a dressage lesson -- sometimes I think they even enjoy it :) I have one who has a reasonably good basic hunter position but has never done anything else. So big fences, technical courses, and anything on the flat is all new to her. She's all for it though :) And rounding out the group is a rerider returning after 15 years. She's still in the w/t/individual canter range - not yet jumping at all. So from the rider who doesn't like flatwork to the one who's not ready to jump, creating lessons that will keep all busy and interested is proving to be an entertaining challenge *g* Fortunately all are very patient and get that there will be moments they have to work on their own while I help somebody else.

What I have found very interesting though is watching who "makes it" in this class. Because clearly joining in is not based on skill or experience level. Yet I can usually tell within about 10 minutes (or less :) whether a new rider will last. Seems to be based entirely on attitude; if they really want to learn and are willing to work at it, they'll fit in and enjoy the class. If they expect it to be easy or if riding is more of a social activity than anything else they usually last two-three lessons. The first they're all impressed at what they're being told and the depth of the class, the second they realize the flip side to that is that they're expected to apply it *g* And usually by the end of the third (if they make it that far) they've decided that I'm way too mean/scary/intense/insert whatever you like here and I never see them again. hahaha so apparently my reputation at this particular farm has spread and I think now it's being used by both the BO and by the students themselves as a test. "Feel like you're not being challenged? Go ride with Lauren. See if you actually *want* a challenge." What really amuses me is that everywhere else I teach or have taught with only one exception, I was the friendly coach *g* hahaha (albeit those students who've been with me through several barns may have something to say about that! :) And I don't *think* I've changed all that much, so it's clearly a comparison thing with who the other options are and where the expectation bar is set. I'm having fun with it though cause it means I end up with all the fun students who *really* want to improve :) Works for me :) On a less fun, but fairly interesting note -- stumbled upon this video about "The Lost Generation" -- very simplistic but worth a read/listen. And from the serious to the frivolous -- for when you have a few minutes you never care to see again: Click on the ball to change the colour (I proved it can be done... But then I also failed the inkblot test... :)