There and Back Again

Isn't it weird how everything goes in cycles?  I was thinking recently about how when I first started learning to play the guitar (a beginning guitar class at SLOHS with Brooke Evans) I was so excited about it.  The two of us would stay up late into the night playing worship songs, and would even walk around downtown with our guitars strapped to us, and occasionally commandeer Woodstock's for a late night jam session.  The guy who worked there got so used to us coming, he started moving the table out of the way before we got there.  I think our playing was probably pretty horrible at the time, but we kind of didn't care.  We just wanted to make music wherever we went.  Well, I haven't felt that way for a long time... until now.  Jennifer Barnett and I were just talking on the phone about how when you're not inspired musically, there's really nothing you can do about it except wait - for a new season, we decided, and that's what I feel like this is.  I am starting to feel the old feeling of anticipation again for music.  Writing little songs in my head, and wishing I had a microphone to try them out properly.  And whenever I hear great music, and especially worshipful music, this deep longing to be in the middle of it and be a part of it, and what it means.

I got a new guitar this week.  A way better one than I deserve.  But I am so excited about it and grateful to have it that I am really feeling motivated to learn to play it better.  And that's saying a lot since most of my musical "fun" is in the singing, not the guitar playing.  So, here I am back where I started, and it sure does feel good.

Speaking of traveling, I'm going to Wyoming this week to visit Jennifer!  Yay!  We are going to have some crazy adventures.  And I'm willing to bet we will have some musical adventures, too!

Here are some random pictures from the past couple weeks.  Enjoy!

It's not funny.  He's a guy.  A cowboy guy with a guy mustache.
Okay, so it's funny after all.  You can laugh now.
Erin got a variety pack of mustaches from somewhere, and we had lots of fun with them.
Here's my new guitar, Brown Rosie.  Oh, the music you will make!  It's a Heritage H535 (similar to a Gibson ES335 only better-ish), and is #18 of 25 special edition matched pairs, so she has an H150 brother (which is like a Gibson Les Paul).  It sounds really great, even at my ability level, so it will be exciting to see what happens with this great guitar.
Oh yeah, and here's a really dark video of Elliot having way too much fun with a toilet paper ball he made himself.  Why do I buy toys, again?

P.S.  This is my 100th blog posting!  Yay!