As with most things I think are cool or intriguing, I want to try my hand at them. Curiosity gets the better of me. I'm still too impressionable for my own good. There's the notion that if, say, that person can do it, so can I.

This sentiment doesn't necessarily hold true for activities that I perceive to be high risk, like chainsaw juggling, high-speed chases or relationships. But on the whole, taiko seems safe enough. It involves concentration and discipline with little risk of physical injury to myself or others.

There must also be a competitive side of me that still believes that maybe, with enough time and effort, I can do it just as well as the people I see.