And so, as we slide into the night ..... (a ramble if you've got the time)

Ray

of the last day of another year. I must ask you to forgive me for gather round while I slip into my state of euphoric recollection.FFFAAAAAAAAAKKKKKK!!!!! You ouens are teaching me big words here. Anyway, we are all entitled to a certain amount of chemical repose from time to time and this be one of those times for me. Are we allowed this?

Let's address a few issues ne.

1. What have I achieved over the last year as far as guitar playing or any guitar activity is concerned? Pretty much nuthin! But it was a blast anyway. I wathced Wayne spraying my stratocaster body and tried to pick up what the hell was going on but first I got on such a plak and then I couldnt breathe so I still dont know how he goes about the things he goes about.

2. What have I learned here over the past year? A LOT!! The likes of Neon Gecko, Nicovlogg, the oke from Cape Town with a sort of German name, and so many other people.

3. And I've also learned that there are successful musicians who are just useless. Successful musicians whose music I dont like but it doesnt bother me because I dont listen to it anyway, but it seems all the rage to talk about it a lot in this school. So, I guess I've got to school myself on who I should dislike immensely and become a bit more outspoken about it.

4. So, my old man made the crossing in July. And a cold crossing it was. Just short of a year it took him to get there but anyway. I wasnt that close to the guy but you know how it is with blood: you just be there all the time and watch and wonder. And that night I got to thinking about what might have been and what wasnt and what people were saying about him when he was alive and now that he was dead. And I must tell you, that we are a very strange ignoble species for a lot of the time. Anyway, old Wayne's Dad also saw out his days here and we complained a bit with each other.

5. I want to play in a band. I want to post my songs here. But I'm scared the okes say I sound liek Justin Beever. But ja, I need to get into some sort of outfit that can accommodate me and put up with my plinking away until I get the hang of it and I'm up and running. Just say the word, I'll resign my job and I'll tour. I've left enough money in an account for the wife and kids.

6. Ag and I have refretted a buitar neck. Well, I must tell you that it wastn pretty. It reminded me of the time when my fortune teller threw her teeth in the fire. I can tell you about that sometime.

7. And then, I've been offered a teaching post to teach English. I must decline because I cant even speak the language anymore. But anyway, that waa my reading and university. That and philosolphy. Why does somebody major in those subjects? Just so that you can stop shooting at people.

A lot more! Maybe later tonight (if I dont get bandned and if I can still see.

Have a happy new year.

Cheers - Eddie

DaFiz

Have a luvly NYE Ray... and keep on keepin' on... it's what really matters 8)

Norman86

Ray!
thank you for being such a "kwaai" oom! ?
always great reading your thoughts!

Sean

Ray, hope 2013 is the year you find yourself a couple of like minded okes who play other instruments and are keen to play your songs.
That was a good ramble ?

AlanRatcliffe

Thanks for a great post Ray. I really enjoyed reading that.

Ray wrote 1. What have I achieved over the last year as far as guitar playing or any guitar activity is concerned? Pretty much nuthin! But it was a blast anyway.

That's the ticket. Have fun, the rest follows. Anyway, we're always learning, sometimes it just takes a little while to translate through to our fingers. Then one day you're playing and suddenly it kicks in. Next thing you know is you're amazing yourself, makin' friends and influencing people.

So, I guess I've got to school myself on who I should dislike immensely and become a bit more outspoken about it.

? Don't forget to develop a similar distaste for a gear brand or two and learn to slag them off at every opportunity - whether it be actually on topic or not. Bonus points if you pretend it's just a joke by cramming in a few smileys at the end of something particularly unreasoning or harsh. ? (< see what I did there? How clever am I?)

I want to play in a band.

Go for it. Even if it's just a duo. Playing with others is the only real shortcut to learning. And just about everyone has something to teach you (even if they don't know it).

I want to post my songs here. But I'm scared the okes say I sound liek Justin Beever.

A wise man once said: "F**K 'em!" (I don't know which one, but he was obviously wise if he pooted forth such erudite expositions). Refer to the "having fun" bit above.

Anyway, something tells me my additions to this are tantamount to the grandmother/egg thing (and my nan made killer pickled eggs, let me tell you...). So I'll stop now...

Bob-Dubery

A nice little nod to some of Springs finest ?

Ray, Alan is right, playing music with other people is a great way to fast track your playing and your ear. A while back I had regular get togethers with a friend who is a better player than me and has this great gift for finding complementary parts to what you're playing. Great fun, and I found myself coming up with parts I couldn't have imagined I'd conceive and execute. You get a very positive push when playing with other people.

Seventhson

Been a bit of a heartbreak year for me :'(

lol ? but This year I am amped. Seeing metallica ?

DonovanB

Ray, you can easily make us all smile by just being you. and not that "wtf is this guy on about" smile but a genuine, lekker, give that man a bells but I drink brandy smile.

you already sound like Bieber. as long as you don't sound like the Parlotones singing RnB while playing a Starfire it'll be fine. 8) 8)