November 24, 2007
Stop the madness...
OK people. Friends, family, pets, etc. The time has come. It won't be easy, and I'm going to need help.
In just under two weeks, I turn 40. And I need to stop, stop, STOP smoking. Once and for all, and a hearty farewell to tobacco, you evil fucking weed.
It's not that I'm a heavy smoker by any means. Two a day is excessive for me these days. In college I could hit a pack a day, especially around exam time, right around the middle of my third junior year. But I just now finished a cigarette that I barely knew I was smoking. It's not like drinking; I can't remember ever not thoroughly enjoying whatever drink is in my hand. I don't do drugs, and I stopped with the caffeine. Easy. Of all the tobacco I've ever combusted, I've actually enjoyed MAYBE .01% of it. So STUPID!!
So, to anyone who has succesfully quit, please tell me how you managed. I've had it.
Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. For a detailed treatise on what it all actually means, and for a good belly laugh, go to billrushing.org for the real poop.
November 19, 2007
My New Guitar
Just feel like geeking out and musing. Yep. It had to happen. Once in a great while an instrument comes along that just says "Play me, love me, buy me," and this magnificent beast
is the latest to steal my heart. Purty, ain't she?
Squier Telecaster Thinline, Shoreline Gold, regrettably made in China, and therefore cheap. Sometimes Squier just amazes me. Right out of the box this guitar plays and sounds better than my American Telecaster which cost three times as much fifteen years ago. In fact it reminds me a great deal of the G&L ASATs that cost twice what my American Tele costs. Nice skinny neck, balanced well, stays in tune unlike a lot of Squires, and looks even better in person.
If you put a gun to my head I couldn't remember how many guitars I have owned. I always meant to try to make a list. In my life the vast majority of guitars come and go like socks for any number of reasons. If I remember correctly, this is the sixth Telecaster I've owned and the second Thinline, and it's a keeper for sure. My very first electric guitar was a Squier Strat, bought in England in 1984, back when they were made in Japan and rivaled the best American Strats. That one was stolen out of my car, and it still stings to think about it. The last guitar I fell in love with, a Gibson Les Paul Special, let me down so profoundly that we had a none-too-sad parting of the ways recently. The thing literally started falling apart right out from under my fingers after only two years. Appaling.
Next? I want one of those new Gibson Melody Makers. The white one looks pretty saucy. The new Firebirds look cool too, but the exchequer just won't allow it. Cheap guitars=good thing.