So, it was guitar lesson night and it was...well, I think bad would be an understatement. I still can't play along with Richie Sambora. That in and of itself is frustrating. But, on top of that, I struggled through the easy note exercises. Where I basically play thee notes in this book for beginners. Which, granted, I am a beginner...but this is like...first grade stuff.

( The book )

So, we're not talking rocket science here. And I'd have the fingering right...but I'd hit the wrong string. And even Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was a mess. Yes...we're talking that basic. GRR!

I was disappoitned with myself. My instructor was disappointed. I really need to practice...even when I'm not at home. Just take 30 minutes of my time and sit down and do what needs to be done. Because another lesson like that...and yeah...

In other news...the two large trees that lined the walkway of our apartment building were both hit by lightning. There was even some burning and charring going on. Pretty wild. Thankfully my car was sitting at the university because ladystarblade came out trying to beat the storm. Had a tree landed on my car, I would not have been happy. But check out her LJ entry on it and see the pictures. Insane. It sure made getting inside a lot of fun. And I have to wonder how long those will sit there. Trees are down all over the complex. It's a mess. But OY!!

I'm pretty much picturing ladystarblade calling me to tell me a tree fell on my car. That would not have been a fun phone call either way!

And that, my friends...is life as of tonight.

The guitar lesson was last night. And while I'm still a bit slow on playing the beginning of "Wanted Dead or Alive," my teacher was quite impressed that I could do it, since it's such an advanced song. The speed will come the more I do it. And I even purchased the book he wanted me to that teaches me the different notes on the strings...which will come in handy. I know how to read music...just not exactly where to play such things on the guitar. So, I'll work on that in addition to the song.

Whew. Lots of homework on guitar this week. Still loving it though!

Had one of the funniest and wildest conversations on the phone last night with marcgunn. But we got a some stuff worked out before that regarding the Celtic Music Magazine. Now we're just working on implementing it. :) I need to work up a few things for him and will try to do that tonight. But...thank you, marcgunn for all the laughs last night. You rock!

Didn't get my evening walk or my yoga in last night. Mostly because lessons keep us out until about 9:00 p.m. And then showers had to be taken. So...it was a moot point then. But we'll work it in tonight.

InCon is this weekend. It should be a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing people again! And, ladystarblade and I are going to be working on a project while there. I'm pretty excited about it. She came up with a kick ass idea!

Alright...apparently there is an Alumni Board meeting tomorrow and my boss needs reminders sent out and phone calls made immediately following to find out if we'll have a quarum...otherwise...no meeting. It's iffy with the holiday. So we'll see!

I leave you with this...

Swiped from ladystarblade:

You Are Ballroom Dancing

You are sophisticated and classy. Definitely not the type to be seen dancing on a bar. You are a bit old fashioned. You prefer dance to be subtly sexy, not in your face sexy. You are sentimental and nostalgic. You appreciate the beauty of old things. You are even tempered and cooperative. You work well with a partner.

And the weekly update on how I'm fairing on the guitar...

The lesson last night was a bit disjointed. My instructor tried to get me to play the opening part of "Wanted Dead or Alive" with the CD and Richie Sambora kicked my ass. I got the first chord and the last chord. The rest got lost in translation! *sigh* So...I've set a lofty goal for myself this week. And that is to be able to play the part along with Richie Sambora by next week. This is no easy task as those opening notes come fast.

I also need to purchase a book at some point that my teacher recommends because it will let me sight read and he really wants to get me started on that. Of course...that means $$$ that I currently don't have. My $1.79 in my checking account won't cover any of that.

Got a doctors appointment this morning. I'll be leaving in about 10 minutes to go to that. Gotta update the insurance and fill out a form. The appointment never takes long though. Then it's back to the grind for the rest of the day.

ladystarblade is setting up a schedule for how we can work everything we need to into the day. I'm going to be changing that around for me come August as I'll be back in class (*insert sigh here*), but this will be good to at least get going on. Once you do it and keep doing it...it becomes habit. Sort of like our yoga in the morning.

Aside from that...I'm just trying to make it through these days without going headfirst into the desk. I don't know why I've been so tired, but geeze!! I have been.

Well...after work today, I headed out to Hobby Lobby where I bought quite a few different charms for the different custom-made hemp jewelry I hope to make. Some of them are just AWESOME!!

I also picked up a bunch of very pretty beads.

Got through sorting most of my beads by size and color. Hope to finish it tomorrow.

Also learned this evening that I totally can't play the guitar as fast as Richie Sambora. And here I thought I was at least close. Not at all. Ah well!!

Lesson moved to tomorrow night. We'll see how it goes.

Well, I sucked at practicing last week only because I had that final exam coming up. So...now that it is out of the way, I'm making a point to be better about it. While still working on "Rockstar," I'm now starting a brand new song.

And Tim, my instructor, said that this isn't one that he normally teaches his beginning students. But I wanted to learn. So this may take a few frustrating weeks, but I'm excited to be learning it.

The song is "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. We started working on the opening part up until just before Jon comes in to sing. And for any of you who don't realize how difficult this song gets on guitar...take a listen:



I can do this right? Right.

So...it's that time again. Time to blog about my guitar lesson. And I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I'm going to whine about how horrible I did and how it was because I didn't practice and blah blah blah. But you're wrong. HA!

Granted, it could have gone better had I more practice time. But immediately, my instructor and I put on "Rockstar" and began to play with it. He had to correct me quite a few times, especially when Chad Kroeger changes up the chords, but...I did better than I thought. By next week, I think I'll have "Rockstar" down and then it's on to "Wanted Dead or Alive." Actually, he started to teach me the opening to that...but it was really confusing so he promised to write down the TABS for me. WOOT!!

Feeling good. For only 8 minutes of practice time...I only screwed up a few times when he told me to "play it alone with the CD." YIKES. No pressure. Really. HAHA!!

My lesson is tonight. Tonight. At 6:30 p.m.

This week, I have had time to work in a total of 8 minutes of practice time! 8 MINUTES!!!!

This is beyond bad. And I know I complain about this week after week, but I really am not good at the guitar and it's because I lack practice time. 8 minutes isn't going to make me improve on my skills. At all! It's ridiculous. It's shameful. 8 minutes!!

Granted, I was out of town this weekend. But I did bring my guitar with me. Did I pick it up? Nope. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...I have classes until 7:45 p.m. I'm home by 8:00 p.m. I shower. On Tuesdays, I don't get home until closer to 9:00 p.m. Fridays I go do my grocery shopping, and this often takes all night because...well, we go where the deals are and that means going to three different grocery stores at times. Wednesdays are my lesson days.

I try to make time for my guitar. Because the truth of the matter is...I really, really want to learn. I just haven't been able to put the effort I need to into it. I'm never home. When I am...it's late. And you try playing an electric guitar on the third floor apartment without disturbing anyone...because that doesn't work. Neither does the fact that I really need to be playing along with Nickelback's CD, but can't do that either...because of the hours in which I'm home.

8 minutes is unacceptable. And I'm ashamed of my lack of dedication to the instrument. I am.

And I keep telling myself...only one more week of classes...only one more week...

Until August...and it happens all over again.

*sigh*

My guitar lessons went VERY well tonight. My instructor says I almost have "Rockstar" down. Probably within the next two weeks. And then we're moving on to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." HEEE!! He played some of that for me today and it looks difficult...but I'll work at it.

So, that was the highlight of my day. It just goes to show that...I am getting it. Kinda. I know what I need to work on, so that's important.

Hopefully I'll make some progress this week.

Well, today was actually a day where I got a lot of stuff done. In fact, the first thing I did in the morning when I got here was make up a list of the stuff I needed to get done. Throughout the day, I crossed things off as they were done and then added to it as other stuff came up. And...everything on the list is done for today.

I already started a list for tomorrow. Oy!

I'm leaving in 10 minutes to get to class. I get to watch High Noon today, which runs 85 minutes...which means if that's all we do...then we get out of class early. WOOT! So, here's hoping.

Tomorrow is my guitar lesson. I don't know where I'm going to work in time to practice between getting out of class, going to ladystarblade's bass lesson, coming home, showering, finding something to eat, and the multitude of things that need to be done at the apartment...well, this is why I'm so unprepared for the lessons week after week. I am never home when I have classes 3 nights a week and Friday I grocery shop and Wednesday is my lesson. It will be better in about two weeks when the class is over, but OY! I feel behind.

Well...off to class.

I went to my lesson early last night because I had to be at the theater. Thankfully, my instructor still had an open slot he could fit me into. Whew. I would have been mad if I missed my lesson, because 1) it's paid for 2) I had to pay for the following month 3) I am frustrated but still loving the learning process.

Walked in yesterday and the first thing he asked was how my practicing was coming along. I started to laugh. Literally. And then told him that will be possible after my summer class ends in mid-June. Ugh.

But the lesson went well. I started to play along with the Nickelback CD on "Rockstar." Still have a long way to go, but he told me the way around the elusive F (which I'm to still practice...but for these purposes...), which requires playing a power chord. Very awesome. Much easier. YAY!

So...that's now coming along better. I need to work on it some tonight. Once I get everything else I need to accomplish done. Oy!

So, not bad at all. I still want an electric guitar. I hate tuition and my car for this reason.

I'm not having a good day.

Nothing bad has happened...yet. It's just been rather blah. It wasn't BLAH when I was home. It wasn't BLAH when I was riding into work.

It was BLAH when I got here. And I've been sitting at my desk, not just hating being here but hating myself for being here. And I just can't shake this mood. I feel trapped. And I've been on the frickin' verge of tears all morning for no other reason except the fact that I am NOT happy at all with being here and I can't fix that.

My guitar has been frustrating me. I just can't get it. And I get aggrevated when I don't get it. No matter how long I sit there trying to get my fingers just so...and trying to strum just right...I feel like I'm failing.

My lesson is tonight...I'm not prepared...again. Because I HAVE NO FREAKIN' TIME TO FREAKIN' PRACTICE!

Midterm was yesterday. Feeling rather apathetic on it. Some of it I feel I did okay. Other parts of it I'm just...eh...I studied as much as I possibly could for that thing. So, we'll see if it paid off. I never know what to expect when it's a first exam like that. Unfortunately, it's worth 25% of my grade. Yeah. I hate trial-by-fire exams with teachers.

Wow...this entry is just...ugh. I'll stop now.

Well...I'm going to my third guitar lesson tonight and I am beyond frustrated with it. It's a rather difficult instrument to learn. And I'm aggrevated because I still can't play "Wild Thing" very well and my version of "Rockstar" basically stops when Chad Kroger sings "It's like the bottom of the ninth and I'm never going to win..."

The F chord just isn't working for me. My hands are too small. They don't want to press against the strings as they need to.

I just feel like I'm failing.

Okay...so my "Wild Thing" is still a bit disjointed. But it takes practice and unfortunately, I've had very little time this week to do that. I want to make a point to do at least 30 minutes a day. That was what I did for my piano and flute when I was learning those. It's just hard when I'm in class 3 days a week and expected to be places on the weekend and...yeah...

BUT...

In addition to working more on "Wild Thing," Tim decided to teach me another song. And this is why I love my teacher...

I'm learning "Rockstar" by Nickelback! Oh yeah. I LOVE it. It's an easy strum pattern.

Down, down, down, up, up, down, down.

Four chords.

G, Cadd9, F, Bь

The last one is the hard one for me because my fingers are so small so the reach is a bit tough. But he's showing me ways around that. AWESOME!

So...still loving it!!

I've been pretty "meh" this weekend. I really don't feel as though I should complain...but I didn't get to really accomplish anything.

--I practiced my guitar for maybe 10 minutes all weekend. Will I know "Wild Thing" by Wednesday? Not when I have class on Monday and Tuesday. *sigh*

--I didn't read any of the 300 pages that I had in my book for class. This...is not good. Class is at 5:45 tomorrow night...and I bet Miss K will be in my office tomorrow.

--I didn't get to do my photo shoot. And this was something I've been looking forward to. Yesterday was shot. I mean, the entire day was shot. And today was cold and rainy outside which meant...no photo shoot. And this just puts me in a blah mood. As does the weather.

--I wanted to clean my room. I accomplished cleaning off the coffee table (but only because Maureen was over and she fixed the loose leg) and I did some culling of my greeting cards and letters that I've saved since, oh, 1994. Yeah, that took all day.

--I wanted to clean the apartment. I wasn't home long enough to even start on that.

--I wanted to draw. I mean, get out the sketch pad and draw. I didn't. But I did manage to create some LJ icons for ladystarblade...that she likes and will use. Well, two of them. One is already in use. The other has yet to be uploaded...but she likes it.

--I feel like an underachiever. As in what I've done in life thus far. Weird. I think it has to do with not owning slips of paper that document my successes. My memory is all I have to serve that purpose.

--San Francisco is going to be my big trip this year. I say this only because it's going to cost me everything I have to get out there. And, unfortunately, the trip falls at the same time my car payment is due, my college tuition needs to be paid, Dragon*Con needs to be attended (and paid for!), and my September birthday month of doom begins. It's going to be fun...as soon as all the logistics get worked out and I stop freaking out about the money situation. Come on economic stimulus check.

--My individual meeting is on Wednesday with JJW. I intend to voice my thoughts on the way I was treated last week. Because I'm still pissed off about it.

--I'm wondering if my job will be of any use in the near future. Special Events is being taken away from Alumni Affairs...and does the director of Alumni Affairs really need an assistant when Special Events are no longer involved? Things that make you go hmmmm...

--Laundry was pretty much the only thing on my list that needed to be done this weekend that I actually accomplished. That and baking banana bread.

Much sadness.

But tomorrow starts another week. Hopefully one that isn't as full of suckage.

Okay...I think I've calmed down enough to talk about my guitar lesson now...

Yesterday, as you recall, I took my first guitar lesson. And I was really nervous going into it because I've never played an instrument with strings before. But I bought this beautiful acoustic guitar and I figured I best learn how to play it.

My instructor, Tim, is awesome. He came out to get me right on time. And he was in a Hendrix shirt, which should have tipped me off to his awesomeness right then. But, we went back to the room and he commented on my big guitar case and how it was almost as big as me. LOL! It's so true! But, he loved the stickers I've put on it to decorate it thus far. And said he used to do that too! Heee!

Okay...so Tim just moved into this room, and it's decorated with this awesome light-up guitar clock. Yes, ladystarblade...we need one of these for our apartment. It's $30 at Big Lots, he says! Hellz yeah! So, I get out the guitar and he asks me if I know anything about the insturment. I shake my head. And he promises me that I'll learn. So, he pointed out the different parts of the guitar. And then started to explain his teaching style.

In order to learn chords, he prefers to teach songs. The chords are all in the songs, so it's just a matter of learning the songs and what chords are used when. He's certain that it's a much easier to learn them that way, and while he will focus on some theory, he'll start off with songs.

And to prove his point...he began playing "Rockstar" by Nickelback on his electric guitar. AWESOME! And then showed me how the different chords worked in the song. Which led him to his next question...

What kind of music do I listen to?

Heh. I told him I wasn't lying when I said I listened to everything. Having worked in a CD store, I really did get exposed to everything and there is good stuff, even in rap music, my friends. Especially in the music...not so much the lyrics. He agreed.

I mentioned that I was going to go see a Snoop Dogg concert, but not for Snoop Dogg, but to see the opening act of the opening act. That would be Fiction Plane. He'd never heard of them, so I talked a little about them, mentioned the connection of Joe being Sting's son. Turns out, Tim's instructor has played with Sting. On many things. And is like this big-wig in the Hollywood scores now. He said he needed to get a poster of his instructor to put on the wall in his room to be like, "Yeah...this guy taught me." After which, I said I mostly listen to classic rock these days.

This made him happy.

So, the first song I'm learning is "Wild Thing." He showed me the different chords I need to learn...because there are only three throughout the whole song.

A, D, E

And you play each chord twice: A, A, D, D, E, E, D, D, A, A, D, D, E, E...etc.

Easy!

So, as soon as I get a little quicker on the chords, which he was impressed by how quickly I picked up the fingering and playing...I'll actually know the song. LOL!! WOOT!

Yeah...I think I'm really going to enjoy this teacher.

I also have a fingering exercise that I really need to work on. It's harder than it looks. And he showed me a riff he made up thanks to his fingering exercise. Awesome! He handed me my chord chart and we were done.

So, hopefully by next Wednesday, I'll be better with my fingering on the strings and actually be able to strum out "Wild Thing."

As my instructor told me: "The guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn, but one of the most difficult to master."

I believe it. But I'm willing to try!

I start guitar lessons tonight.

At 6:30.

For 30 minutes.

Yeah...I'm a little nervous. LOL!

Well, I've now been playing my guitar for two days. And let me just say, the fingers of my left hand are none to happy with me. But, despite them hurting today while I was working on my Major Chords, I persevered and played for about 20 minutes before putting it down for the night. I'm determined to work up those calluses so that the strings won't bother me.

Studying is coming along, although not at the pace I hoped.

But, I find guitar fascinating and I can't wait to get in with an instructor and really learn.

And now a meme...gakked from quaero_verum

You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

Not as easy as you might think. Remember: one word answers.

( Words Under Here )

Well...ladystarblade finally succumbed to her cold today. After making it through much of the day...the aches became a fever and the coughing got worse. And it was decided that it would be best for her to rest. So, we left the convention and came home. We'll return for a bit tomorrow and then we're heading out to attend a funeral.

Hopefully she'll be feeling a bit better. The sleep will be good for her.

Aside from that, I'm about to climb into bed myself. It's been a very long, very tiring weekend and when all is said and done tomorrow, I have two final exams to begin studying for.

And...pictures to take of a guitar.

And...learning to play the guitar.

So much to do...so very little time to do it in.

It arrive yesterday. Thanks to people who don't know how to drive and blocked traffic because of a 5-car pile-up on 64...I didn't get to get it yesterday. Got it this morning.

Sliced my finger open cutting into the box...so that sucked. But...

She's beautiful!!

Now I just need to learn how to play.

I'll take pictures later! :)

Well...I did it.

I purchased a guitar today. I went with the Johnson JD-16 Carolina Series acoustic guitar. It's absolutely beautiful. All that's left that I need to purchase is the tuner. I got the strap...which I LOVE, the picks, the stand, and the extender piece for the strap since this acoustic doesn't have a second peg for the strap.

Could I afford this?

Not really.

But I sure as hell wanted it. And I'll be taking lessons this summer.

I can't wait.

Happy things today. Happy things. Because it was the end of a bad week.