The Bass

Now about playing the bass.  I had the feeling of wanting to learn how to play the bass guitar, for quite some time now.  I've known a few people in bands who play various different instruments, and I always wondered if it was hard to learn.  I even wondered if I could learn to play....didn't I need to be "talented" ?  Whenever I would be listening to music, it was always the deep sound of the bass that got my attention.  I like to hear it, I like to watch people play the bass.  So after this long period of time I had finally decided that I might as well try it.  I had the desire and I felt as if I might just be able to do this....since I wanted to.  

Keep in mind I won't be going to any tryouts anytime soon to be in a band. lol  Nope.  Merely playing for the sheer enjoyment of it.  I like it.  I like the way it feels in my hands and how I can control the sounds that I make from it.  I like to find "fun" songs to play where you can really hear the bass and it has a deep sound that makes you notice.  And now my pet peeve is one where the songs have a bass that is just nothing more than a background beat, if you will.  It's sort of drowned out by everything else and the notes are only a few, nothing exciting to play if you know what I mean.

So what I do is I pick up my bass and plug in my amp.  I have about 5 or 6 favorite songs to play that I like.  I always pick something with meaning...to me, anyway.  And sometimes something that is just fun or has a fun little lick.  I have a wonderful friend here who plays the guitar.  He's been playing since he was like 12 and he owns a nice little very-well-worn and played '72 Strat that believe it or not has the back of it signed by the one and only Ingwie Malmsteen himself.  My friend is the best that I've ever heard.  He does some crazy, insane, sick licks and just amazes me all the time.  Well, anyway...we hang out together and jam.  He teaches me some things (he can also play the bass) and I learn so much from him.  Mostly what I learn is how freaking good he is.  Yes, he did play in bands.  Right now he's writing some music for some friends of his.

I'm building my song list that I play.  Just to give you an idea of my taste in what songs I play on my bass...here are a few of my favs.  I play an old Cream song, called "Sunshine of My Love".  It's awesome.

I also play a couple of old classic Dio songs, one classic Deep Purple, and one cool W.A.S.P. song.  It's so crazy.  These songs are so much fun to play.  I work everyday and sometimes have late hours if I get overtime so I don't get to play as often as I'd like to.  But I'll be sitting there at work and be listening to a song and I'll be thinking...."wow, I'd like to play that". lol  Or I'll even listen to the ones I'm already playing and I'll be thinking....."yeah, that rocks."

I need to practice more and get better.  There is a lot to learn and I want to get good enough to feel really comfortable with it.  To just be able to pick it up and play like maybe 6 to 15 songs that I know from playing all the time.  And my friend says that if I get good enough I could maybe play bass for someone...oh, I don't know about that.  You just never know.  Maybe a local band here..I already know a few.  I have more songs that I'll be learning.  One of them includes an old Tora Tora song...for those of you who remember them. 

In the future maybe I'll get video up and you can see me play. :)  haha Imagine...I fit the part even. A rock n roll chick with long hair and lots of tattoos.  Well, I'll have to put up some pics of the new tats too some day.

The Vegan Decision

During the week I made the decision to become a Vegan.

For the past several years, I had made small but constant changes to my diet and lifestyle.  My first choice was to stop drinking cow's milk.  I won't even go into the great feeling of disgust I encounter when I imagine drinking this white liquid that is produced from a female cow intended to feed her young.  I am a human, not a calf.  I now drink soy milk.

My next decision was to stop eating red meat.  Then I stopped eating pork.  Next I stopped eating chicken.  Honestly that should have been first...knowing the process of raising chickens.  Lastly I decided that even eating fish was considered a "meat"...an animal.  A living, breathing thing that can itself live and die and produce life.  It doesn't need to die to feed me.  Besides, I think it's beautiful to see the Koi swimming happily in a pond, or a dolphin jumping out of the water playfully.  To kill those for food is NOT humane.  

To not eat meat is not hard for me.  I wouldn't slaughter my dog or my cat and eat the meat for dinner.  What difference does it make because it is a cow, a pig, a fish, a deer, etc.  It is grossly unnecessary and shows that we are still nothing more than barbarians.  Sickening.  Besides I don't need clogged arteries, heart disease or any other illness causing death due to eating an animal.  Completely avoidable.

That was my decision about becoming a Vegan.  I suppose my feeling of a weight being lifted is due to the fact that I actually felt guilty, and ashamed for continuing to eat meat.  It was the way that I was raised.  Meat was the "main" part of the meal and I was provided very few choices in regards to vegetables, and I do not ever recall fruits being there at all.  As an adult, it is my responsibility to take care of myself and I do not use my upbringing as an excuse.  I am not perfect, and I do constantly make great strides in trying to better myself....for the better.

Opening Post

My first posting for the new blog, how exciting.

Many things have happened recently, so much so that I'd like to share it here with all of you readers.
Let me start by giving you a little insight of how my regular days go.  I have worked a total of five hours of overtime this week.  I have tried to squeeze into my precious few evening hours remaining after work all of the activities, chores, duties, responsibilities, wants/desires, etc.  Quite having to confess here at this time that this does wear me out, which is nearly impossible to do.

There are several things weighing heavily on my mind at this time.  One is the reality that I have just recently broken up with my boyfriend after I had to force myself to make the decision, extremely unwillingly...as I did have feelings for him.  The second is the harsh reality that it would probably be in the best interest of my two very intelligent and sweet dogs that I give them to a family who has more time to devote to them, as I am usually working and they are currently living in a small apartment with me.  Next would be the heartache due to the fact that my kids still live back home, as I have only moved to this area during the past year, and I do not get to see them anymore.  The holidays are coming up and I want to be with my kids...money to travel, decisions to make, etc.  


However there are also great, tremendous and wonderful things happening in my life...which I will share in each individual posts coming.  Just this week I have made a very critical decision in my life.  This decision has unexpectedly given me the feeling of a weight being lifted...and I am not quite sure as to "why".  After several years of being a "near-vegetarian", I have decided to go Vegan.


In the past month, I have purchased the long-awaited "Bass Guitar" that I have desired.  I am practically in heaven.  I've been wanting to learn to play.  I've just felt as if it would feel almost natural to me, and I'm not surprised that it does.  I enjoy it tremendously.


Just today...Friday, Oct. 8th; I have received 2 Recognitions of Achievement at my work.  Funny, I never really admitted to myself that I was an over-achiever, but I guess now the word it out.


Over the past few months I began the large project called "The Back Piece".   This was my idea to have my whole back tattooed.  I have probably about 50% completed.  My intentions are to have it fully completed by this years end.  I have started with a small dragon to cover up a birthmark that I was never fond of.  Next I added two large very colorful dragons in what will be intended to be a "fighting scene".  I have also added a mythical looking/gothic castle.  My next move will be to add in some type of a moon, some dark shadings about smoke and fog, possibly a streak of lightening and more to have the piece completed....as in, my whole back.  After that I have chosen a few select dragons to be done somewhere else besides my back.  


My next decision.  I've always wanted a "sleeve".  I know, I'm a girl.  I have a start already.  More on that later.  For the future, more tattoos of course.  In addition, I'd like to pick up on my writing again.  I want to learn more songs and almost constantly think about playing my bass.


I'm excited.  My life is not without stress or heartaches, but I will go into more detail about my present.