But, it’s hard as hell. I mean, think of how much music you listen to and for how long you’ve been listening to it. You know what you like and (hopefully) what’s good and what’s not. Then you start trying to play it and you can barely pound out the most basic version of Jimmy Crack Corn.

The other thing that’s frustrating, at least for how I’m going about things, is that I’ve been practicing a lot — I play probably 5-6 times a week for maybe 45-60 minutes each time — yet I can’t really play a single song. I’m spending most of my time learning the fundamentals and drilling them into my hands and my brain. I know this is going to pay off in the long run, but it’s tempting to just grab some tabs online and spend hours trying to learn parts of a few songs. But, I’m all about the long run. I’m never going to be in a band and will probably never play for anyone except my cats and Heidi, who’s usually cringing in the next room. It’s definitely all about the journey and the joy I get from seeing improvements and challenging myself. And occasionally producing something beautiful. If I can keep at it and stay dedicated, by the time I hit 40 I’ll have been playing for 5 years. And 10 years by 45. That’s a long time so with any luck I should be able to carry a tune by then. But, it’s scales and chord drills for now.

I’ve been riding bike my bike more lately, which has been a lot of fun. I think I’m averaging between 170-200 miles a week, which is probably 50 miles or so more than I was riding before. I joined two clubs a month or so ago: Swamis and Ranchos. I’ve been riding with Swamis on Thursday mornings and, occasionally, on Sundays. I’ve been riding with Ranchos on Saturdays. Both clubs are very fast and have been a challenge for me, which is why I decided to join them. I also bought a touring bike in early summer. It’s been really fun to get that outfitted with the proper gear. I’m hoping to post a lot more about the bike and our touring adventures in the near future.

Otherwise, there’s not too much else to report. Life is good.

I think I started trying to play when I was a sophomore or junior in high school. But, that was pre-Internet and I didn’t really have any resources available except one instruction book and an old hymnal from church. Needless to say, it didn’t go very well and I was quickly discouraged. I made a second run at it in college, but once again didn’t stay on it. Which, looking back, is a major shame because some of my friends were awesome musicians/guitar players and I could have really learned something. But, it’s such a damn hard instrument to learn that if you aren’t really dedicated to it, you’re going to fail.

So, I picked things up with renewed vigor in November. Heidi got me the Gibson Learn and Master Guitar DVD course for Christmas and I picked up a beautiful used Les Paul on eBay. I’ve been playing about 6 hours a week for the last 2.5 months. It’s harder than hell and there are times when I get super frustrated, but it seems different this time. I can’t really play anything besides scales, a dozen or so chords, and some cheesy old folk songs, but it’s still been a lot of fun.

I posted a link to this on Twitter a while ago, but thought I should also add it here.

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Pictures on Vimeo.

It would probably be more accurate to call it an “experience” rather than a show, even if that sounds kind of stupid. To see what I mean, watch this.

jónsi tour trailer from Jónsi on Vimeo.

Then read this.
Jonsi’s High-Tech Concerts: More Live Film Than Stadium Spectacle

I really liked all the video stuff going on — it totally added to the show rather than be an unnecessary distraction. I’m not sure there are a lot of other bands out there that could pull this off since Sigur Ros/Jonsi’s music really lends itself to this kind of thing. There were three or four moments during the show when the massive wall of sound, along with the cool animated backgrounds sort of transported me to a different place. Pretty much everything you’d want in an awesome concert.

And what would a concert be without a shitty phone pic? (Obviously I need a better camera in my phone. Still holding out for a Galaxy S.)

Jonsi at HOB in Las Vegas

I’ve been getting up every morning a couple hours before the sessions start to do P90X in my room. I’m not sure if that’s lame or cool — maybe a little of both. I almost said “screw it” this morning, but buckled down and “brought it!”

Highlights so far have been the Powershell sessions with Don Jones. Learning a lot about PS, which will be useful at work.

It marked the third consecutive sweep that the Twins have suffered in the first round of the playoffs, including a sweep by the A’s in 2006 and one by this same Yankees club last season.

This was also the fifth straight first-round exit for the Twins, with four of those coming against the Yankees.

Twins’ season reaches disappointing end