Remember how I initially wanted a soprano uke? Well, um, yeah.
Meet Tweety, Tattoo's little brother.
Adorable, super-portable and way affordable. And the best part? Totally frivolous. Sometimes a gal just needs a cute new accessory. ;)
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Tweety
Okay, so Tattoo and I have been together for just about two weeks, and we are so in love. I recorded myself practicing the other night and loved the sound of it. That in itself says a lot, because I am hyper-critical of myself when it comes to music.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Tattoo
For quite some time, I've wanted to learn to play the guitar. I've tried - and failed - no less than three times. I get to the torn-up fingers stage and at some point finally have to admit defeat. My left hand was just not constructed with the intention of making those god-awful claw shapes.
Recently, I've been romanticizing string instruments again. Not guitar...I know better by now. And not banjo, because The Hubbs is so crazy amazing at it. No, I wanted my own thing.
Since I went to a buddy's house in November and saw his ukulele, I've had these fancy ideas in my head. I'd managed to convince myself that I wanted a soprano uke, and there was very little anyone could do to deter me from this idea.
Keep in mind, this is after several failed attempts at learning guitar and one very misguided foray into the world of fiddling.
Last Friday, I did our taxes. Every year when this is done, The Hubbs graciously agrees to let me pick out a present. After all, we save scads of dough by not paying someone else to prepare the paperwork for us, so it's a perfect way to justify something shiny and new for me.
On Sunday, we decided to go to Guitar Center. Just to look. Any guesses as to how that one turned out for us?
Yeah. So, I didn't really want a soprano uke. Turns out the concert uke is a nicer size, at least for a beginner like me, and the moment I picked it up, it seemed to fit. I was able to make the chord shapes, and I loved the sound of it. We decided to make the purchase.
After a totally boss discount that was not advertised anywhere, I made out like a friggin' bandit.
Everyone, meet Tattoo:
Tattoo, this is everyone.
Now that you've been properly introduced, I'm happy to report that Tattoo and I have been playing together happily for a week. Only a couple hours after I brought her home, we started playing actual songs and singing.
Fingers are already developing calluses, and Tattoo and I are working on arrangements for some of my favorite songs. And, of course, I'm trying very hard to hit that low note in IZ's version of Over the Rainbow. :)
Seems like my hunch may have been right this time. Maybe the ukulele really "am" the instrument for me.
Recently, I've been romanticizing string instruments again. Not guitar...I know better by now. And not banjo, because The Hubbs is so crazy amazing at it. No, I wanted my own thing.
Since I went to a buddy's house in November and saw his ukulele, I've had these fancy ideas in my head. I'd managed to convince myself that I wanted a soprano uke, and there was very little anyone could do to deter me from this idea.
Keep in mind, this is after several failed attempts at learning guitar and one very misguided foray into the world of fiddling.
Last Friday, I did our taxes. Every year when this is done, The Hubbs graciously agrees to let me pick out a present. After all, we save scads of dough by not paying someone else to prepare the paperwork for us, so it's a perfect way to justify something shiny and new for me.
On Sunday, we decided to go to Guitar Center. Just to look. Any guesses as to how that one turned out for us?
Yeah. So, I didn't really want a soprano uke. Turns out the concert uke is a nicer size, at least for a beginner like me, and the moment I picked it up, it seemed to fit. I was able to make the chord shapes, and I loved the sound of it. We decided to make the purchase.
After a totally boss discount that was not advertised anywhere, I made out like a friggin' bandit.
Everyone, meet Tattoo:
Tattoo, this is everyone.
Now that you've been properly introduced, I'm happy to report that Tattoo and I have been playing together happily for a week. Only a couple hours after I brought her home, we started playing actual songs and singing.
Fingers are already developing calluses, and Tattoo and I are working on arrangements for some of my favorite songs. And, of course, I'm trying very hard to hit that low note in IZ's version of Over the Rainbow. :)
Seems like my hunch may have been right this time. Maybe the ukulele really "am" the instrument for me.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Mirror Play and Selfies
At nearly seven years old, The Princess has a functional vocabulary of zip, zilch, nada. Every day since her speech began to regress at the age of 12 months has been a struggle, grasping at straws and trying absolutely everything in our power to help her communicate.
Those who know her in real life have been witness to some truly innovative nonverbal communication over the years. She may not speak, but the girl can illustrate a point more concisely than many of us who can.
Sometime last year, she started showing an interest in the bathroom mirror, so I decided to make a game of it. At bedtime every night, she goes potty and we brush her teeth. Then she climbs on my back, and we play in the mirror. I make faces and sounds, and she mimics them.
After doing this for a while, I decided to show her the self-facing camera on my iPhone.
And without further ado, my friends, I present three selfies (mostly) taken by The Princess:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...
Eeeeeeeeeee...
Oooooooooooh...
Proud doesn't even begin to cover it. This is so much fun, y'all.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
And Better Than Ever
I'm back.
Wanna know why I was gone? I'm only gonna talk about this once, so pay attention. Ready? Here we go:
Professionally, I was careening in the wrong direction. Between January and April of 2013, I was away from my family for an entire month, and I hated it. I was good at my job, but it was the wrong fit for me. Wrong company, wrong team, wrong, wrong, wrong. I felt like I was caught on a high-speed train with no brakes and no clear destination. And I had no control over any of it. Something had to give.
In August, it did. My position was eliminated, and I was cut free.
Sadly, a long-standing friendship was a casualty in this saga.
Unemployment.
Job search.
Financial stress.
About one month after losing my job in The Big Bad City, I went on my fourth interview. This one was for a temp position at a well-known, long-established company. Temp was not my first choice, but I wanted a foot in the door, and I wanted it bad. I knew if I could show them what I can do, they'd want to keep me. I received an offer for the position before I even made it home from the interview.
I started my temp position on September 18. Temp. Not temp-to-perm. No assignment length. No paid holidays, no vacation pay, no benefits of any kind. This company is known for keeping temps indefinitely, but still I had hope.
My official offer came just after the first of the year, and I am now a permanent employee at a company I love. The people are wonderful, the company has a stellar reputation and proven track record, and the first day I walked in there, I felt like I was home.
And I owe nothing to anyone. This was all me.
So, yeah. I had a tough time professionally during the first eight months of last year, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The experience toughened me up a bit, so not only am I back; I'm better than ever.
Wanna know why I was gone? I'm only gonna talk about this once, so pay attention. Ready? Here we go:
Professionally, I was careening in the wrong direction. Between January and April of 2013, I was away from my family for an entire month, and I hated it. I was good at my job, but it was the wrong fit for me. Wrong company, wrong team, wrong, wrong, wrong. I felt like I was caught on a high-speed train with no brakes and no clear destination. And I had no control over any of it. Something had to give.
In August, it did. My position was eliminated, and I was cut free.
Sadly, a long-standing friendship was a casualty in this saga.
Unemployment.
Job search.
Financial stress.
About one month after losing my job in The Big Bad City, I went on my fourth interview. This one was for a temp position at a well-known, long-established company. Temp was not my first choice, but I wanted a foot in the door, and I wanted it bad. I knew if I could show them what I can do, they'd want to keep me. I received an offer for the position before I even made it home from the interview.
I started my temp position on September 18. Temp. Not temp-to-perm. No assignment length. No paid holidays, no vacation pay, no benefits of any kind. This company is known for keeping temps indefinitely, but still I had hope.
My official offer came just after the first of the year, and I am now a permanent employee at a company I love. The people are wonderful, the company has a stellar reputation and proven track record, and the first day I walked in there, I felt like I was home.
And I owe nothing to anyone. This was all me.
So, yeah. I had a tough time professionally during the first eight months of last year, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The experience toughened me up a bit, so not only am I back; I'm better than ever.
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