This past Friday, I reviewed the first two songs I learned on my first session and was introduced to three new chords (A, D and E7) and two new songs (Jambalaya and He Aloha Mele). The new chords are harder to switch between than the first four, but hopefully I’ll be able get the hang of it through my daily practice. As for the practicing itself, the calluses are starting to show and fretting is getting a bit easier to do for longer periods. However, my forearm is beginning to hurt a little bit. I suppose I’m building up the muscle there.
Besides handling the frets, strumming is also a little challenge. I sometimes miss the strings on the upstroke but at least my instructor says I have good rhythm. I just need to keep my wrist loose and continue practicing the twisting motion.
I gave a wishlist containing some of my favorite songs to my instructor so hopefully, once I get better I can start learning some of them.
On the week of February 14th, I decided that now was the time to learn how to play the guitar. That Saturday (the 20th), I went to Island Guitars and, amidst information overload, picked up my first guitar. An Epiphone DR-90. It was part of a player pack, meaning it came with the guitar, a bag, guitar strap, tuner, picks, extra strings and a DVD. The folks at Island Guitars were even nice enough to toss in a cleaning cloth too.
David Chang was the person who was primarily helping me, showing me their selections of acoustic guitars and introducing me to the complexities of choosing one. He then gave me breathing room to look through the selections and see if there were any that “called out” to me. Being a complete newbie, however, hampered whatever siren call any guitar may have cooed my way. Instead, I went back to David and asked if he could recommend something to start with. Informing me of the player pack and all it came with, I was sold on it. The guitar is good quality but not an immense investment. Likewise, the bag isn’t the best but good enough for my first guitar. It was such a joy to have the guitar in my hands even if I had no knowledge of any chords, much less know how to hold it properly, and I couldn’t wait to get started learning.
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This is a post of endearment and not of resentment, mind. Also, the term “classic-style” means to me that the RPG follows the format of older RPG video games, like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior).
- You do not have a quest tracker or ingame journal. The gods help you should you take a break without writing down your current objective.
- You can’t see the enemy’s hp level. Shouldn’t the goblin be dead by now?
- You must grind to level up before reaching the next area. You better save before venturing forth two screens up, lest you be bested by a slime!
- You can’t save just anywhere. So, I really need to go to an inn or church to record my progress? Can’t I just scribble a note on the back of my map?
- You must traipse through dungeons basically having only one thing you need. You: “Hello?” Echo: “Hello! Come find good loot guarded by mean monsters!” Echo 2: “Well, you might not find any loot worth writing home about, but there are mean monsters!”
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The mornings have been crisp lately. Very welcomed generally, but it has caused me to linger in bed far longer than I should. A fine mist rests on my car and as I drive to work, the mist rolls off like a sheet being pulled away. Town living hasn’t been the adventure I thought it would be. Of course, I do not leave the confines of my condo much at all and that’s a huge deterrent to the experience I seek. Yet, the simple pleasures of calming solitude and waking up to a visually beautiful morning have been their own rich experiences. I do not have an ocean view, but I do have an eclectic mix of mountain, town and country life and the combination is not altogether jarring. Rather, it is quite serene.
When I am adequately supplied, I like to take on the routine of eating breakfast while looking at the view. In time, I will acquire the furniture that will allow me to do so on the lanai of my condo instead of within the unit itself. The apartment is quaint and not at all large. However, it is enough for me and my things. At the moment, the interior displays the spartan side of my personality. Not a whole lot of clutter, just enough items to say a direct and succinct message. I live here. Live may not be completely accurate; maybe something to the effect of existing in the apartment. I feel I have yet to start living in the place. To enrich the emotional and metaphysical state of the condo. To create memories.
It is time to do things memorable. Waiting for the future is wasting time I have now. Yet, that’s easier said than done for an introvert. I would rather huddle with my computer or my PS3 than seek the company of strangers. I’ve started thinking of all the colors in the world I’m missing out on and of all places in the world and Hawaii really is a great place to get a sneak peek of all life has to offer. Live in the present, reminisce the past and plan and hope for the future. I think that’s what my apartment means to me.
I just wish it also gave me some self-help books on freeing myself from the shackles of the Introvert.
Like a roller coaster ride, things have been pretty loopy lately. I got to close on my condo and move in. The essential furniture have been obtained but I’m still short on a TV stand, computer desk, area rug, coffee table and bar stools. The lanai is also bare. Then, in a downward slope, I got a tooth abscess. It was my own fault really. Vicodin really helped and in the end, I have a dead tooth (root canal) and have scheduled a thorough exam of my teeth. Painful lesson learned.
Emotionally, I was on a high until the insane pain from the tooth put me in a down. I think the vicodin leaving my system may have also contributed to some emotional quirkiness. With my getting back on track though, my spirits are rising and I’m looking forward to spending some shopping time to get the rest of the furniture I want for my place.
Video games have helped a bit, though in hindsight writing may have been more productive. I now have four level 80 characters in the World of Warcraft. Good fun.
Once again, I’ve shied away from NaNoWriMo. It’s an experience I’d like to go through, but I don’t think I’m ready for such a commitment. I know the goal to finish is just a nice thing to do and the meat of the project is to just write, but I still feel that I do not have the dedication yet to make a worthy attempt. Maybe I’ll have the gumption next year.
