Learning an Instrument

Can someone be too old to start playing an instrument? I bought a bass. I've always wanted to play one. I tried guitar, but could never quite get the hang of it. Bass seems easier in some ways. I'm going to see about getting some private lessons too. It is just fun to play an instrument. It takes my mind off of anything else and it can be relaxing, yet energizing.

Long Distance Friends?

I moved a few months ago. I had to leave behind the best friend I have ever had. The thing is that she is more or less convinced that we won't keep in touch and that our friendship will fade. I've tried to show her it doesn't have to be that way. I only live a few hours away from her and we can see each other. There is also email (which we did regularly anyway) and cell phones. I am doing my best but it seems kind of one-sided at times. I'm the one doing the calling, the emailing and the driving. She has a family, but her children are grown and have their own lives and her husband does his own thing and they very rarely do anything together. I work a typical workday (7:30-4:30) and she only works until 1:00pm each day. It seems to me she has a little more time to invest in our friendship.

I'm very sad about this. Does she no longer want to be friends? Is she just using a self-fulfulling prophecy to prove that we can't be friends? I'm just not sure how to procede on this one. Good friends, true friends are so hard to find, but the signals I'm getting is that this one is indeed fading. How does one keep a long distance friendship strong?

4 More Days

Until Christmas. It's hard to believe. Last year at this time I was in England. The year before that, in Texas while my dad was fighting for his life in the hospital. I have a lot to be thankful for this year: a new job with more money, good friends that I have made with great experiences to go along with them, health, my dad's remission (even though it was short-lived). Nothing should be taken for granted and each day should be appreciated for what it is: another day.

To Look or Not to Look?

I watched Rachael Ray this morning as the furnace guy was installing my furnace. It's not a bad show. Rachael's voice can grate on one's nerves after a while though. Anyway, she had a woman on who feels so terrible that she is single. R then had 20 other single women gathered in the audience. She basically told them to stop dating for 90 days and to just enjoy life and concentrate on work, hobbies, etc. Is that the thing to do? I don't really "look" anymore because it doesn't seem to help (especially when most of the men are already married). I enjoy life and my friends. It would be nice to have someone around who was just mine though. I think I want it all: my independence and to be involved with someone on my terms. I don't feel particularly lacking, it would just be nice sometimes to know there is someone out there just for you.

I'll be interested to see what those women report in 3 months. My guess is that not much will change for them.

Are We into the Season Yet?

I mean Christmas or whatever holiday one celebrates at this time of year. It's hard not to get swept away by it all; the decorations, the commercials, the crowds in the malls. What I like best of all, however, is just the buzz in the air. Something is happening. There is an undercurrent of energy. Sure I hate going to the mall and the extra traffic on the streets, the endless holiday parties, buying gifts for people you hardly know, but it's also a special time. When it is spent with loved ones, that's all that matters. Two years ago, I spent Christmas literally in the hospital in Texas visiting my dad. He hovered between life and death for several weeks. Even there, we couldn't ignore the holiday and the hospital staff went out of their way to bring some cheer. No matter where one is, this time is special and should be appreciated as a time to show those whom you love, that you care. That's what this season means to me.