Old Skill/New Skill 2012

[Menolly]

If worse comes to worst, I'll stick it in the corner next to my collection of recorders/pennywhistles/simple system flutes.

You could always put it up on ebay/cragslist, nu?

[aliantha]

If worse comes to worst, I'll stick it in the corner next to my collection of recorders/pennywhistles/simple system flutes.

You could always put it up on ebay/cragslist, nu?

I could sell the flutes and pennywhistles too, come to that. I don't play them either. But I have this idle fantasy of picking them up again someday.

[Menolly]

Yes, but if the guitar isn't right, that's a horse of a different color rather than not "picking them up again someday." I can understand not wanting to sell it if there is nothing wrong with it, and it does speak to you but you find you don't have the dime to devote to playing. But if it isn't right for you to play...

[aliantha]

Yeah, that's true enough. Altho if I hate it right out of the box, Amazon will take it back.

I'm surprisingly stoked about getting a guitar. The new computer was more-or-less a must, given that Magickmaker's laptop was giving up the ghost, one hardware component at a time. And it's cool, don't get me wrong -- I'm having fun playing around with all the features. But I also associate the computer with, y'know, work. The guitar is just for fun.

[Mr Hat]

Skills I picked up last year: Bass guitar - I can sort of make a normal 6 string make some noise, but I've never really been that good at it, so thought I'd try my hand at bass - afterall, it's got two fewer strings, so it must be easier?

Also took up running and will be running my first marathon on four months

This year I really want to become a good cook and learn lots of cheap, healthy, quick meals so I'm no longer being lazy and spending a fortune on fast food or ready meals.

[aliantha]

Let me know if four strings are any easier to play than six, Mr. Hat.

[Menolly]

This year I really want to become a good cook and learn lots of cheap, healthy, quick meals so I'm no longer being lazy and spending a fortune on fast food or ready meals.

[blatant forum pimping]Please come join us down in The Galley and let us know how your progress goes.[/blatant forum pimping]

[aliantha]

The guitar is here! I spent a couple of hours playing it last night -- not quite long enough to shred my fingertips, but nearly so. First of all, it's small and light, which is awesome. Second, it sounds terrific. Third, I am horribly out of practice. Also, I keep overreaching because I'm used to playing a regular-sized instrument. So...must practice.

I also pulled out all my old guitar sheet music. Boy howdy, I had lousy taste in those days. "The Rose"? Really???

[Shaun das Schaf]

Way to trigger a bad-taste memory; I played that on my guitar too!
Sounds like the geetar is a winner. Excellent news.

[lucimay]

oooo i went to Luna's website ali...very nice!

they're really beautiful guitars but i can't find any info on the luthiers.
does luna have their own luthiers? if so, where did they get them?
or does someone else build the guitars for luna.
i would assume a company like this would employ their own luthiers
but i can't find any names attached or any info.

ah well, they sure are lovely. i like the dragon bass.

good luck with that ali.


oh i found it in their faq.

Luna Guitars are designed by our designer, Yvonne de Villiers here in the U.S. and the Henna Series are designed by Alex Morgan in the U.K. They are then manufactured to our strict specifications by instrument specialists in China, Korea and Japan. In fact, most guitar companies have some or all of their instruments built in Asia. The Luna Trinity and Phoenix, for example, are crafted at the historic Terada Factory that has manufactured guitars for Alvarez, Gibson, Gretsch and Martin - combines uncompromising structural integrity and superb playability, tone and projection worthy of any professional artist or discriminating player.

Throughout the design and construction process, Yvonne maintains close communication with our manufacturers. Each instrument that arrives in our Tampa, Florida headquarters is then inspected by a technician who performs a detailed set-up process on each guitar before it is sent to a Luna authorized dealer.

[aliantha]

oooo i went to Luna's website ali...very nice!

they're really beautiful guitars but i can't find any info on the luthiers.
does luna have their own luthiers? if so, where did they get them?
or does someone else build the guitars for luna.
i would assume a company like this would employ their own luthiers
but i can't find any names attached or any info.

ah well, they sure are lovely. i like the dragon bass.

good luck with that ali.


oh i found it in their faq.

Luna Guitars are designed by our designer, Yvonne de Villiers here in the U.S. and the Henna Series are designed by Alex Morgan in the U.K. They are then manufactured to our strict specifications by instrument specialists in China, Korea and Japan. In fact, most guitar companies have some or all of their instruments built in Asia. The Luna Trinity and Phoenix, for example, are crafted at the historic Terada Factory that has manufactured guitars for Alvarez, Gibson, Gretsch and Martin - combines uncompromising structural integrity and superb playability, tone and projection worthy of any professional artist or discriminating player.

Throughout the design and construction process, Yvonne maintains close communication with our manufacturers. Each instrument that arrives in our Tampa, Florida headquarters is then inspected by a technician who performs a detailed set-up process on each guitar before it is sent to a Luna authorized dealer.

I suspect that's how they keep their prices reasonable. The sticker on mine says it was made in China. And yeah, ain't they purty? They sent a glossy brochure with my guitar, featuring all of their designs, and I was ooh-ing and aah-ing over 'em, and Magickmaker says, "You just *bought* a guitar!"

[deer of the dawn]

Awesome!! I did a lot of playing this week. It is so wonderful to have a gift to share. One of the things I played was "Landslide", the Stevie Nicks song, and my daughter sang it so beautifully...

Haven't settled on a new skill to learn this year, beyond some highly personal issues. I guess in my dreams, I would learn to play the cello.

[Vraith]

I would learn to play the cello.

excellent choice. I absolutely love cello and am determined to get one and learn it someday. I have a bit of a start on it, since I played real bass in high school, so know the basics of bowing, how to shift up the neck, and playing without frets [some adjustment necessary cuz it's tuned in 5ths not 4ths].

[TerisasMirror]

Anyone wanna come to NE Fla & hunt some deer???? (Please!)

Not sure I actually want to learn to hunt; at least, not if it involves guns. I have always wanted to learn to use a crossbow though.

And I would love some venison, should there be any extra. Where in NE Florida are you planning on going? Very far from Gator Town (Gainesville)?

Going?? I live here. Northwest Clay County. I actually live inside an almost 24K acre Florida state wildlife preserve (although hunting is legal with appropriate permits and in season). Y'all come on over.

Crossbows I never found much fun...there's just something about real bows more aesthetically enjoyable and complete.
But more specifically, crossbow hunting laws are weird in various states...some don't allow them at all, or only if you're handicapped, some only during gun season not bow season...last I knew Florida has only a 1 or 2 week period around thanksgiving when crossbows are legal.

Actually, crossbows are legal in FL at pretty much all times guns are legal. The are considered a firearm. The only exception to that is if you have a disability that prevents you from using a bow & arrow. Then you can get a permit to use a crossbow in Bow Hunting season. What's really convoluted are all the rules for hunting in a manged wildlife area. They hold a lottery for hunting permits each season. The rules will fair make your head spin. But I am with you - I prefer bow & arrow, and traditional bows most of all.
But honestly, if you are willing come get rid of some deer, I am willing to look the other way in regards to any way you want to do it or any season you do it in! The *^&% things here are a darn nuisance!

I improved my mechanics skills this last year (which were already pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!). Improved my database skills, too. Still a long way to go on that, though.

What database? In what context are you using it?

And whaddya mean by "mechanics skills"? That sounds cool! Fixing a car?

Um, pretty much databases in general. I have worked with several - just learning to build reports & such, some minor changes. Mostly in a work context, but I am playing with a few at home now, too. I am really a total beginner at it, as I am completely self-taught. But I am learning!

And yes, I mean cars (among other things, but mostly that). I have been good with cars since I was little, but have been doing a lot more lately. I am on much firmer footing with that than the databases! My specialty is Fords.

The guitar is here!

Congrats on the new git-bucket! My mom used to play, before her arthritis got waaay too bad. I have tried to learn several instruments, only to find that I am musically inclined but not at all musically talented. It really is a gift - enjoy!

[MsMary]

Clay County, eh? Not too far from Menolly, I don't think, but one heck of a hike for me.

[balon!]

omg yer so handy. you should go on survivor balon!

haha..i actually applied for Season 2, but I was under the age limit at the time...

so, i learned about 2 of the most important women in my life this year and
it has helped me tremendously.


in 2012 i hope to continue to grow and learn, about myself, about what i may be capable of, and myriad other things.

also i'd like to learn how to do the argentine tango.

I'm sooooo happy for you Luci! I have family who've never managed to get that kind of closure, I'm so glad that you did. It truly does make all the difference, at least for me. My brain can be cluttered sometimes...

Claire and I have been blues dancing and it's wicked fun. In Otown there's a place that hosts dancing for 5 bucks with a quickie lesson beforehand...gotta be something like that near you.

Take pics if you get to start dancing with a rose in your teeth!!

Damn, balon, you need to read Malazan. I think you're a T'lan Imass.

Ive been called a lot of things, but never that...

The guitar is here! I spent a couple of hours playing it last night -- not quite long enough to shred my fingertips, but nearly so. First of all, it's small and light, which is awesome. Second, it sounds terrific. Third, I am horribly out of practice. Also, I keep overreaching because I'm used to playing a regular-sized instrument. So...must practice.

I also pulled out all my old guitar sheet music. Boy howdy, I had lousy taste in those days. "The Rose"? Really???

My little brother just got Ukelelle...it's so cute! Maybe we'll get to see some youtube videos of you playing?.....

[aliantha]

My little brother just got Ukelelle...it's so cute! Maybe we'll get to see some youtube videos of you playing?.....

Highly unlikely. For which you should all be grateful.

I should get MagickMaker a ukelele. She was in a ukelele ensemble briefly at college, but used a borrowed one then.

[TerisasMirror]

Clay County, eh? Not too far from Menolly, I don't think, but one heck of a hike for me.

Nope, about an hour from Gator Town. I take it you are further south?

[MsMary]

At least six hours farther south!

I'm in the southeast part of the state.



ETA: This was my 4300th post.

[aliantha]

Congrats, MsMary! At this rate, you'll hit 5000 by...uh...2020!