This Day Could Change Your Life

A short post about many things, mostly unrelated, but there is a bit of a connecting thread.

I am still waiting to find out about the status of a job I so desperately want (NEED).  It is beyond frustrating to just sit back and wait.  I've done this many times before.  I should be used to it.  But this time, it feels like my entire life is on the line here.  In some ways, I think it is.

Poetry has taken a bit of a backseat for a time, as I am back in novel mode.  I had one of those "aha!" moments which opened up an entire midsection that was, up until now, blank.  I knew what happened (mostly), but didn't quite know how to get there.  Still a lot to flesh out, but I'm getting the basics down.  Unfortunately, part of what I want to write involves some (rather disgusting) research.

However, in spite of what I just said, I'm trying to write a song (which is, let's be honest, basically a poem).  It's not something I'm going to actually play (zero music writing ability), but the song is part of the story.  This is much, much harder than I imagined.  For someone who listens to so much music, you would think I could figure out the basic structure of a song.  Unfortunately, I tend to like musicians who bend/break the rules.  This is not a bad thing, but it does make figuring out the structure more of a challenge.  If I can get some basic lyrics together, I'll probably post it.

I had a wonderful conversation today with a very kind gentleman who came into the bookstore.  He wasn't really in the mood to read, but came in to browse for a few minutes, just in case something jumped out at him.  We made a little small talk about books before he explained that he was repairing a violin, so that's where his focus was today.  As he was leaving, I wished him luck with the repairs (I imagine this is no small task--a violin is, like any instrument, a work of art).  He asked if I played an instrument.  I shook my head and said, "No, I wish I did."  

"Then do it.  Life's too short.  Do it now.  Don't spend the rest of your life with regret, wishing you had done it."

He then asked what I would play if I were to pick up an instrument.  Piano, of course.  He told me to go get a keyboard; he's found them at flea markets for $25.  No need for a Steinway.  There are books/videos in the library that will show you the basics.  He did the same, then actually figured out a few of the chords on the piano.  He went on to explain that he played stringed instruments: banjo, mandolin, etc.  I smiled and said that my second choice would be the ukulele.  He lit up and said I could get a nice one for about $75, then proceeded to give me a very basic music lesson on paper.  With that, he said, I could play any song in the world.  

As he walked out of the store, he gave me his card, and offered to give me a string lesson (we got a bit sidetracked and started talking about mandolins, but I think the offer stands for anything) some evening at the senior center.  "This day could change your life," he said.

And it may.

So, dear readers (all 2 of you), I ask.  Do I go to Downtown Sounds this week and buy myself a ukulele (I may not need a Steinway, but there's that little voice in me that says I want a full 88 keys)?  I'm not sure I'd take him up on the lesson, but maybe it's time to try something new (and, with summer coming--busking is always a possibility, and talent is usually optional there).

Or, am I missing the real lesson here?  Was he just there to remind me that it's time to go for what I want (job/location/writing/etc.)?

Dear stars, I know you are aligning for everything to happen.  Can you align just a little bit faster, though?  Thanks.  :)