Bombing of Darwin

Got to spend time with the wife today, went in to the city for the commemoration of the bombing of Darwin in WWII. Really liked the ceremony, the artillery put on a bit of a re-enactment using era appropriate weaponry. The cannons were quite load.

Cruise sick

Can't say that I've ever had a hankering to go on a cruise. The big draw that I hear people raving about are the drinks and doing nothing - neither of which are things that appeal to me. I'm not a "lounge by the pool getting wasted all day" kind of guy.

Having said that, I wouldn't mind setting sail on a reasonably big ship, going out to sea hunting sunken treasure or something. Not a little tug boat size ship, something like a coast guard or research vessel sized ship or bigger.

Currently in the news, another cruise ship has docked with an outbreak of gastro. Considering that they are a closed system of sorts, have thousands of people from different parts of the country and go visiting other countries, they become a petri dish of mixed bugs.

No wonder people get sick. Pass, not my thing. I'd rather keep working. Or have a good hobby to keep me busy.

Week Six

And a weak performance. This is relating to my writing, with the week of the year. Was ahead on my word count but now that we've clicked over to a new week, I'm pretty sure I've fallen behind.

There is an old quote about writers, not sure who said it: "Anybody can say you can't write, don't let them say you don't."

Failing on that count, at the moment. :(

Day Twenty Three

Although not sure how to count. It's day 23 by the calendar, but had very little actual practice time. Tonight I was encouraged to have some time on the guitar, though could only really work on my fingering a bit.

Still putting fingers down too wide and muting one or the other string to the sides of the one I am aiming for. On the plus side, fingers getting a bit stronger and the ends should be getting tougher, over time.

Probably need to trim my nails even shorter than they are, especially on my left hand. Might try that before picking up the guitar again tomorrow

Missed days

Been too slack with guitar, not going to get very far without practice. Need to focus but can be tricky with a little one who jumps all over you the moment you get home.

Glad I don't work from home. Be nice to in some regards, but would be pretty difficult on work days that aren't school days.

Day One, sort of

Started practicing a bit on the guitar toniggt, though admittedly not much. Was working a bit on my fingering, still hitting the next string along and muting the sound.

Tried to write a bit today too, but I didn't get up early enough. Might have to get up earlier next time.

Day Zero

Well, I'd had a few different plans for an "unboxing" video of sorts when I had a chance to muck around a bit with my new guitar for the first time, but didn't end up videoing it.

I did have a play and (unsurprisingly) I totally suck at it. Considering that it is the first time I have picked up a guitar and have had no lessons, nobody is surprised by that plot twist.

Pretty sure that the first thing I should focus on is going to be my fingering. I noticed straight off the bat that I tend to contact the next string down and mute it. So I need to really arch my fingers to get the tips in there without touching the other strings.

Although I'm trying to do this on a zero dollar budget, my first expense is going to be new strings. I did manage to tune the guitar, but it started drifting out of tune almost instantly. The strings are old, pretty much the original strings that came with the guitar as far as I know. The guitar used to be my mum's and she didn't get much of a chance to play it.

I can get cheap strings online off eBay no drama, though while I'm learning I should probably spring for good ones so I can train my ear. Or not, the budget is the budget.

Maybe on the weekend I'll get a chance to sit down and do a video. Here's hoping!