We Wants it, Precious

Monday, January 21, 2008

This is a Fender Jazz Bass Guitar. I've been thinking about taking up bass guitar for some time, but I haven't made a move to do so. Recently I started doing my research, and decided that this year might be a good time for me to start.

Then my Smart Boy had his accident. Then I found out the oral surgery I need to have at the end of the month will cost more than I had anticipated, and none of it is covered by my insurance. Then I had to take Boogie the Giant Schnauzer to the vet for hip X-Rays that came out to $450.00. Don't you love unexpected expenses? And it's only January 21st.

So it looks like I'll have to wait to buy my Bass and the required amplifier and other accessories.

I'm not very good at delaying gratification. We wants it, precious.

37 comments:

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Whoa, what surgery?

Janiece said...

I had to have a cracked molar pulled a few months ago, and I'm getting an implant to replace it. It involves some oral surgery and a bone graft, so the cost is pretty high.

Anne C. said...

Geez, that sucks. My sympathies. I want to get a new laptop and new living room furniture, but I also am planning to go on a trip to India (not a crappy thing like oral surgury or car accident) but as a single income, that sets other purchases back by a year. >:P

Janiece said...

Anne, my Smart Man and I will be going on a cruise this fall to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, so I'm not postponing all my fun expedentitures.

Unfortunately, I was born Hot instead of Rich, so I just have to prioritize. Which does in fact suck.

Jeri said...

A few years ago, after watching O Brother, Where Art Thou I decided that I needed to take up guitar again, after 25 years.

I stopped playing it as a kid because I can't sing, not one bit, and classical wasn't fun to a 17 year old.

The bluegrass resurgence has inspired me, and thankfully, I got a small bonus at work a few weeks later, and used it to buy a mid-range Yamaha.

I don't play with it often, but it's therapeutic when I do.

So - I hope you're able to get it soon, and also that your oral surgery goes smoothly!

Unknown said...

*pssst*

Just a teeny weeny little minuscule suggestion:

Try a pawn shop or used music store for a comfy bass. I know it's not new, but you're not out the hundreds of dollars if you decide that you don't like playing it.

I have a used acoustic that I've been trying to learn for years, but keep ending up in guitar classes with wierdo instructors who think they're Gods.

It's nice not having to go back and forth everyday, looking at the thing, smacking my forehead at the waste of money.

Free and cheap is goooood. ;)

Shawn Powers said...

I bought Donna an electric bass guitar last year, with the intent for us to play together. (I play the 6 string. Poorly.)

So far it just hasn't happened. Life is just too busy I guess. I'd suggest used too, you can get something with character, and not pay so much. (Older amps are awesome too)

Janiece said...

Kate, I have considered getting a used one. Unfortunately, I need to take care of these pesky expenses before I buy anything fairly large. In our house, that's defined as anything over $100.00.

Which is just a bitch, because Rush tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow.

::Goat Horns::

Geddy Rules!

Janiece said...

Shawn, my smart man plays the electric guitar. He's pretty good, but I don't know if we'll every play together. We have pretty different tastes in music.

Shawn Powers said...

I'm really *not* good, so Donna and I play as poorly together as we do apart. It's one of those things we'd both love to be good at, but just aren't.

The extent of my guitar skills are showcased at the end of that review I did for the little instant messaging device. I had to practice in order to get that to happen. :)

Janiece said...

Shawn, we all can't be good at everything. Once your kids don't need so much care, you guys may have more time to practice, and then you'll improve.

Tom said...

In addition to liking the C.F. group (Nathan's term) for their writings, now I find out several of you are also closet guitarists! This is just too much.

I am a closet guitarist who once sold (for very cheap) a Takamine electric/acoustic because it kept looking at me (in Kate's manner). I get to indulge myself playing poorly with good friends (who don't play poorly) every year.

I do a campout (with those same good friends) over Labor Day and the Saturday and Sunday night guitar get-together is about the only time I play. It's great fun. You can see pics of the campout, including the guitar playing, at hitg.snave.org if you were so inclined. I haven't gotten the most recent pics up yet, but there are previous years available.

Janiece said...

Tom, I can't really claim to be a closet guitarist...I just play one on T.V.

I'm hoping to be able to buy my Precious before the end of the summer, then I'll have pretensions of competence.

I'm a vocal musician, though...and I believe Kate is, as well. If we could only find a percussionist, we'd have a band. Called the Collaborating Founders, no doubt. Nathan, if you don't wax musical, you can be our manager...location or otherwise.

Anne C. said...

A friend of mine is a drummer and tried to teach me. I'm afraid I didn't progress much beyond the paradiddle.

Tania said...

I'm not a guitarist, not even interested.

I want to learn to play the flute*. So, that's what I'm treating myself to as a graduation gift - flute lessons.

So, if you're looking for backup accompaniment, I can always fulfill my other childhood ambition, which is to be the girl on stage shaking her groove thang and a tambourine.

*yeah, the first person to be tacky enough to make a skin flute somment is getting kicked in the shins while I'm wearing logger boots. I'm just saying.

Janiece said...

Tania, feel free to borrow the Shovel of Doom™ as required.

And you and Anne can be our back-up gals, shaking your tambourines and groove thangs.

How can we not get a contract??

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your surgery, but I love your giant! But I am very partial to this breed! ;-))

Jeri said...

I'd rather be rhythm guitar than lead guitar - I just like those parts better. Although, we'll just have to pretend my acoustic is an electric for metal purposes.

This band - can it be grunge rock? 'Cause I'm really not into spandex, leather or big hair.

Janiece said...

Welcome, DesertDreamer. Yeah, I love my Boogie-Dog. As everyone around here already knows, I'm a bit soft in the head when it comes to my pooch.

Jeri, the last thing the world needs is a bunch of middle-aged folks in spandex or big hair. I'm thinking jeans and T's, myself. Because I know, you know, care about the world.

Tania said...

Yellow eyeshadow. I want to be all about big hair and yellow eyeshadow. Yeah!

Janiece said...

Tania, while I understand that big hair and middle age aren't really compatible, I must admit that I loved my big 80's hair, and I want it back. It's not really Precious, though.

Tania said...

What's not to love about big hair? Aquanet, blowdryer, and attitude. That's all you need. :)

Oh, and good tambourine.

Random Michelle K said...

I actually took guitar lessons for years as a kid/teen. And played and sang for church. But haven't touched my guitar since I was 20. I was competent, but not good. Which was just a rather depressing state to be.

I'd love to learn banjo, but that's down on my wish list. After getting the house re-sided and getting the upstairs bathroom remodeled. And going on vacation.

However, I can occasionally sing a half decent alto harmony. I'm perfectly comfortable with the fact that my vocal range best matches that of Elton John and Billy Joel (which is why I enjoy their music so much--because I can sing it without straining my voice). And harmony is often more fun than lead vocals.

Random Michelle K said...

And if someone wants big hair, they can borrow mine.

They just have to promise to brush out all the tangles before they return it.

Janiece said...

Michelle, I used to be a female tenor, and sang in the tenor section of my community choir.

Then I quit smoking, and my range increased pretty dramatically - now I can sing comfortably anywhere from 1st tenor to 2nd soprano.

And I can make my hair big, oh my, yes.

Hmmm....big hair...

Jeri said...

I have fine, soft hair that leaves me completely incapable of big hair without a wig. With a great cut and lots of training from my hairstylist, I can achieve slightly fluffy on a good day. Truly big is out of the question.

But I'll match Tania's yellow eyeshadow with my own peacock green. With eyeliner, Nike swoosh blusher, and lots of lip gloss.

But I still can't sing, only play. You *really* don't want to give me a vocal mike. I don't know where oldest smug son got his vocal chops and perfect pitch, but it's not from me.

Janiece said...

I guess that means I'm left with the sky blue eyeshadow with my Big Hair. I can live with that.

Tom said...

No can do big hair, unless it's a wig, and that just aint right, y'all! Big hair would make me look like Bozo. But that's OK, cause I'm more the T-shirt and jeans type, too.

Tania, flute is good, but don't "flaut" it. I had a favorite album (vinyl) called "Bongos, Flute, and Guitar" and I can still hear the soulful flute doing the lead to "End of the World."

We seem to have pushed a big button with this thread. Who knew? Big hair and pretentions of musicality!

Janiece said...

Tom, I can honestly say that for me, when it comes to men:

Long hair = hubba hubba
Big hair = ew, run away, he's touching me!

So please, no wigs.

All those in favor, say "aye..."

Random Michelle K said...

I can make my hair big by going outside without a hat.

Poof!

And I kinda like having a lower singing voice--which is just as well since my ears find most sopranos screechy. :)

Janiece said...

Michelle, I like my voice, too. I like it better now that it spans multiple octaves.

And my hair requires much effort in order to become "big."

Is your hair just curly, or do you have the natural "poof?"

MWT said...

Hmm. I can sing, and have played piano, violin, flute, and harp. All classical, alas. If someone can figure out how to include a harp in heavy metal, I'm so there...

Random Michelle K said...

I have both curl and poof. Though the poof comes more from the curl. I don't have the curls that stick together and look nice, no I have the curls where each individual hair wants to do it's own thing, and also would like to keep as much space as possible from it's neighbors.

Let's just say that I put entirely too many products in my hair to keep from looking like an escapee from an 80s metal band.

Why couldn't you have a harp in the band? I mean, if They Might Be Giants can have accordion, why not?

Though if you could play ACCORDION that would be more awesome!

Anne C. said...

And you and Anne can be our back-up gals, shaking your tambourines and groove thangs.

I am *there*.
thump shaka shaka, thump shaka shaka...
And I'm good at shaking my groove thang too.

Jethro Tull has a pan flute, so I see no problem with a harp. When you have a virtual band, you can pretty much make up the rules, right?

MWT said...

Hmmm... sure... I guess it could somehow be a harp that sounds deafening with every string pluck. Yeah. *nod nod* Just because you can't even hear one in a normal symphony orchestra, that's no reason why it wouldn't work in a metal context. *nod nod nod*

So are we putting on a concert for Shawn's party tomorrow?

Janiece said...

MWT, you are so in the band. With your harp. And occasional keyboards.

As suggested by MWT, we'll be making our debut tomorrow for SAS.

Bwahahaha!

The Mechanicky Gal said...

I'm in for recorder! I can play any of 'em, as required.
Got the long hair thing covered, to make it big scares me. I would never be able to comb it out.