The name of my blog was taken from one of my favorite songs, "This Is Who I Am" by my favorite band, Cause and Effect.
To listen to or buy "This Is Who I Am," click here.

February 19, 2012

Feeling plucky

I want to learn how to play the guitar. I know - I don't need any more projects, but I really want to try this. I think it would be fun. The problem is I think I'm getting to the age where it's harder to learn new things. I know I'm not THAT old, but I've been noticing that I've been having trouble in that department lately. Like a few weeks ago I got a new cell phone. I think I've finally figured it out. A 5 year old could have figured it out in about 2 seconds. I used to be really good at stuff like that, but now, not so much. This worries me. But I feel like trying to learn something new and somewhat challenging might help my feeble little crazy brain.

One reason I want to learn the guitar is just to figure out how the thing works. I know how to play the piano. I can read music. I'm not very good at the piano, but I understand it. I think that might give me an advantage with the guitar. Except have you seen a guitar? It only has six strings. A piano has 88 keys. How do you get 88 notes out of 6 strings??? I want to understand this. I've seen people play the guitar and I know you slide your fingers up and down the handle thing (I also need to learn the names of guitar parts) and you pluck the strings with a pick, but that's about all I know.

Another problem is how do I learn to play it? Is it possible to teach myself? I can't stand the thought of taking lessons. I did piano lessons. And recitals. Hated them! There's no way I would put myself through that again. But if I just get a book or watch videos on YouTube, would that work? I don't know. I don't need to become a professional guitar player or anything, but I would like to have a good knowledge of the instrument and how to play it. Can I do this myself?

At least I'm pretty sure I can get a guitar when I'm ready to take this on. My parents each have one from when they were younger. They don't play anymore and the guitars are just sitting in the closet. I just need to convince them to give me one.

So I'm wondering if I should even bother with this, or is it just some crazy idea I have that will probably never work out? If anyone's reading this (yeah right) I would appreciate your thoughts.

February 2, 2012

You're sticking that where?

The other day I had to get a tetanus shot.

Husband and I are building a chicken coop because a friend is giving us two chickens. I was cutting a piece of chicken wire and scraped two of my fingers with it. I didn't think it was a big deal until a couple minutes later when I noticed my knuckle was bleeding. After I finished freaking out at the sight of blood, I ran in the house and washed it off with antibacterial soap and put some neosporin and a band aid on it. The thought that maybe I should get a tetanus shot crossed my mind, but I didn't worry about it too much. I just kept thinking about it though. The chicken wire had been outside on the ground for a while. Probably not the cleanest chicken wire in the world.

I decided to call my mom and ask her. I told her what happened. She said that she didn't think I'd had a tetanus shot since I was a baby. She said I should call the doctor's office and tell them what happened and see what they had to say. My mom had to get one a few years ago when a friend's parrot bit her on the hand. I thought you just got tetanus from metal. Birds beaks aren't metal. Anyway, she said it was just like getting a flu shot. No big deal, I thought. I can do that. I'm not really that bothered by shots anymore. I got allergy shots for several years when I was younger. But I was really worried about side effects with this one because the last time I got a booster shot for something, I got really sick. I think it was for measles. My mom said she didn't have anything weird happen, just that it made her arm a little more sore than a flu shot did. OK. I can deal with that.

I called the doctor and talked to the nurse. She said I needed to come in because I hadn't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years. OK. A minor inconvenience, but worth it if the alternative is dying from some horrific disease.

We went to the doctor's office. When they called me in, I went into the room with the nurse who was going to do the deed. She proceeded to explain that she was going to give me the shot in "my glute." WHAT???? WHERE??? My mom said it was just like getting a flu shot! Every flu shot I've ever had has been in my arm. The nurse said it's less painful in the posterior and it works better. OK. I pulled down the top of my pants and let her stick me. It didn't hurt too bad....until now.

This was on Monday. It is now early Thursday morning. My "glute" still hurts! I can barely sit. I can't lay on that side. It is torture! I've tried taking aspirin, etc for the pain and it barely works. I'm sick of this! I don't handle pain well. The cuts on my fingers don't even hurt anymore! And they probably won't even leave a scar to remember them by. This is ridiculous!!!

I think I'm going to go and poke myself with random rusty metal objects just to make this whole experience worthwhile.