Esotropiart

This Post Functions as Guitar Progress V

...now let's see if I remember and skip to VI next time!

Last night I began to notice myself getting sick. I'm guessing now that it is a cold. I have not felt very well all day today, but I didn't let it keep me cooped up entirely. In the afternoon I decided to take a walk - for exercise and to get something to eat. Today was a fantastic day, easily the most pleasant of the year so far. I believe it got up into the sixties. The beautiful clouds in the sky were not filled with rain for a change.

After about 7 minutes of walking I turned around and went back home: I realized I would be needing my camera to capture the Signs of Spring. I didn't see sprouting plants or flowers, but the weather definitely indicated a break in the cold (and somehow a beginning for mine).

My ordinary route for walking is to go about 1/2 block north to the entrance to Fanno Creek Park. The park features a path that cuts straight through a significant length of Beaverton and Tigard. The wetland waters were up to the brim and quite visible adjacent to the path, producing many photo ops if you keep an eye out. There was an amazing number of people out, especially families and bikers. I can't imagine it has anything to do with the best weather so far this year. Well, maybe. It's too bad taking pictures of people is pretty much outlawed today. I think some of the best images would involve interesting angles of people in their natural environment - candid shots. I opted not to risk life and lens on such an otherwise rewarding venture. I stuck to shooting scenery.

See EsoShow for photos from the walk

I walked about 1.6 miles to Burger King to get a [very] late lunch. Then I stepped back outside and walked the 1.6 miles back to my place. It's interesting that I feel pretty good when I'm walking, even being rather sick. When I stop is when the extra sick-related soreness and fatigue set in.

When I arrived home I resumed playing my guitar and writing this entry. The song of the hour (day) is "I Need Thee Every Hour", an old hymn that I like very much. I don't think we have sung it at church in a very long time. This song contains the very words that are on my heart.

On the spur of the moment I started playing a random chord progression, and I guess it turned into a short, nameless, wordless song. Okay, so it's not nameless: I'm calling it "There's Only One Who Can". I encoded it using the Ogg Vorbis format (I know, weird name - probably why it isn't catching on quicker), since it's free and good. My friend Dave reminded me of its existence a while ago. If you can't play it for some reason (Windows Media Player should be able if you have the proper encoder), here is a site with directions pointing to multiple free players that can handle the files.

Here's the short song (chord progression) for your listening pleasure (or not so much): There's Only One Who Can

I hope I don't come across as boasting with these recordings. In fact, they are quite horrible, and that's the point! I want to share my progress in learning to play guitar, including a way to actually hear my improvements. This one is nothing masterful, but it is certainly better than the one I made almost 3 weeks ago. My chord changes are getting smoother and faster.