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Heart Strings: A New Love in My Life!

Started by SW3D,

31 posts in this topic

SW3D

SW3D

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Posted

"Where have I been?" That's what some of you may have been asking... others... are probably saying "Who cares?"

 

Well... for those who care... in the beginning of 2014, I was still a passionate comic book collector. Then in late January early February, I fell in love.

 

Before I reveal this new love, I just want to say I am still collecting comic books and still have every interest in the hobby. I keep an eye on the market and visit the CGC journals weekly... but to my shame, I haven't been contributing journals at all. My apologies for that. But it seems like a lot of journalists or usual suspects are also on hiatus. I credit Bag O' Fleas, Tnerb, and Hammership Down, as well as some newbies for keeping the journals alive. Thanks guys! Keep the fire and passion burning!

 

So... back to little old me. What exactly has been my goal when it comes to comics in 2014? It's been selling comics from my original childhood collection which I got graded in 2012 and 2013, and to use the revenue generated from these sales to buy one or two desired comics. In other words, I am focused on downsizing my collection to a small core group of comic books, which will be categorized as my "elite" or "premium collection".

 

Now this decision has been somewhat emotionally difficult for me... since I have to say goodbye to some treasured memories, yet the upside is that with the "once in a blue moon purchase" of an elite comic, I get to revel and bask in the glow of a new cherished memory.

 

But what exactly have I been up to since my last journal? Well, I haven't bought any comics, save for some minor stuff at my local LCS, but I'm delighted to say, I found a new "love of my life". This new love brings a profound joy to my heart, an inner sense of well being... and some cramps and aches to my wrists (no... that's not a sexual reference... get your mind out of the gutter).

 

Alright!... so who or what is it? Who or what is this She-Beast? Who is this Siren who hath captivated my mind and plucked my Heart Strings?

 

Drum roll please!

 

It's playing the guitar!... Specifically Classical Guitar and Acoustic Guitar.

 

That's right! I've gone cuckoo and gaga over the nylon string instruments and genre/style of music/play.

 

For the moment I take an hourly Classical Guitar lesson every week and devote about an hour a day for roughly five hours a week... that is whenever I can squeeze in the practice time between work, exercise, play and rest (yeah... But whose got the time to rest?).

 

So, for the time being, comic books have taken a back seat.

 

Truth be told... I always wanted to play a musical instrument. I briefly tried piano (had an electric Yamaha keyboard in my late teens in college but it eventually collected dust). I also took some voice lessons, but that didn't last. And once I came very very close to purchasing a drum kit... but chickened out for practical purposes... a drum kit is way too space intensive for NYC apartment dwellers and way too loud... I can only imagine how often the neighbors would call the cops on me for the racket... but damn the skins rock! Perhaps one day.

 

But anyway... on a whim... or perhaps the Rock Guitar Gods whispered a subliminal message into my ears... like a mindless Simon Garth mystically drawn by the bearer of the Voodoo Amulet, I walked into Sam Ash Music Store one day and walked out with a Cordoba C3 Classical Guitar and began a new love affair.

 

Since then, after popping my first string (literally the 1st String), I've bought a second guitar and the new obsession has been going strong.

 

I'm still learning the basics... which is not easy. I'm getting familiar with the basic stroke and fretting techniques, reading and interpreting sheet music and composition, learning finger combos, stretching my fingers for dexterity and articulation, and building the stamina required for proper posture, sitting and handling the Classical and Acoustic Guitars.

 

What do I hope to accomplish?... Do I want land a gig at local watering hole? Do I want to go on Tour and Live the Dream? Do I want to make a surprise appearance on American Idol?

 

Nah... none of that. I'll be happy with just merrily playing at home for Family and Friends or to impress a chick with a romantic song. But speaking truthfully from the heart... my hearts' desire is to master playing Classical Guitar from the Spanish, Baroque and Romance periods, Flamenco (ala Paco de Lucia... God rest his soul), popular Acoustic ballads, and the Classic Rock songs of the 60's and 70's I grew up listening to.

 

But mastering any of those will take years of practice, devotion and dedication. Wish me luck on that endeavor because mastering or sticking to anything has not been something I've ever been able to accomplish.

 

As for CGC Journals... don't you fear... I should have a couple of journals written by year end of my latest acquisitions (I got two "holy grails" on my radar). And I feel another Angela journal burning in my heart... when the time is right it will come. I don't know why that Redhead has captured my heart... but she has... even though she is as dull as a brick in the current Guardians of the Galaxy series. I'm hoping Angela will make an appearance in a future Marvel film... I know that won't happen anytime soon... but maybe one day.

 

Anyway... for now I leave you with a snap shot of my two guitars.

 

Till next time.

 

Happy Collecting!

 

SW3D

15418.JPG

 

See more journals by screenwriter3d

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Hibou

Hibou

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Congratulations on the new passion and I hear that collecting guitars can be just as addictive as collecting books!

 

And as for selling off your older collection to acquire a few nice books... it's bittersweet but in the end, perhaps more rewarding! :)

 

 

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bagofleas

bagofleas

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Congrats on the new passion!

 

I have been a musician for 21 years now and I don't know what my life would be like without being able to play music.

 

I took years of piano lessons but for some reason I am less proficient with it than with the instruments I taught myself. I guess learning the piano gave me music theory and how to read sheet music, which allowed me to be able to teach myself the other instruments.

 

I play Alto saxophone, bass guitar, vocals.... And yes, I am a drummer! I am probably a more proficient drummer than any other instrument. This is apparently something you are interested in.

 

Luckily, I had the ability to own my own set for years, so I was able to get better and better without really bothering anyone.

 

I really want to be a front man vocalist for a group someday, but typically I'm called on to bang the skins. I am lauded for my singing ability and drum playing, but for some reason, there never seems to be a good drummer around and I'm inevitably called on to man the skins, since I'm so good at them. Oh well.

 

Anyway, maybe someday, we can join up and become the official CGC band!! That would be awesome!!!

 

Again, congrats on the new passion and keep up the lessons!!!

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SW3D

SW3D

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That is so f@@king cool!

 

Could you post a pic of your drum kit?

 

And form a band?

 

Well... I'm years away from being proficient but damn that would be cool and fun!

Yeah I'm down for that. I have decent song writing ability... so we could write some good music together. Just give me some time. I got like 2 months user my belt while you have 21 years. But I'll get there... I hope!

 

But it would be fun to jam.

 

There are other musicians out there in CGC land... we can start our very own

"Rock N' Comic Book Hall of Fame"!

 

SW3D

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kaholo1256

kaholo1256

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That's awesome, and yeah I have been off here for a little while. Hoping to post some Journals in a few though as since I have been back I have been off to doing some other CGC enjoyable things...

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mzhammer

mzhammer

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Congratulations! The guitar is a wonderful instrument with boundless years of entertainment and delight. Once you get through the 1st year or two, it's like riding a bike, it'll stick with you forever. I started playing in 1990, joined a few bands over the years, wrote and recorded tons of tunes. It's a great love affair!

 

Friday Night in San Francisco is one of the all time greats!!!

 

 

 

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bagofleas

bagofleas

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Unfortunately, I no longer have the set, but I still play every week as my church is very progressive music-wise.

 

But I have been wanting to get involved in a group for a long time. I just don't have the social connections to do so. Plus, I don't generally hang out at night clubs, bars or places like that, so it makes it tough to find others who also want to look into starting up something.

 

Ironically enough, if I WERE to join up with a group, I would be at those same bars, night clubs and whatever, which is fine with me. I just love to play and sing!! lol

 

But it would def be cool to start a band of both musicians and CGC collectors!! That would be very original. :)

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SW3D

SW3D

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Wow! There's a future here for all of us!

 

I say we write all this and make the music!

 

Here's a few song titles of my own:

 

"Comic Book Man"

"Heroes of the Four Color Page"

"Silver Surfer Tribute Song (Working Title)"

"Angel Spawn" (think Heavy Metal song about Angela before Marvel)

"The Cosmic Messiah" (tribute to Adam Warlock)

"The Grader in All of Us"

"Panelologist Funk"

 

Doubtful these would be hits... but fun to play.

 

Maybe our first gig will be at a Con.

 

Rock on Brothers!

 

SW3D

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SW3D

SW3D

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I like "Watchin' the Watcher!"

 

Out 1st Album... Last Page Cameo, followed by the release of our 2nd Album, "The Green Label of Death!"

 

Then a live album called, "No Pressing, No Restoration!"

 

:)

 

SW3D

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