I bought my first Xmas presents today. Online. For my parents to give to ME.

I have a cold and I went to a bar to see a concert last night. Bar was really hot and humid and did a number on my sinuses that they haven't recovered from. I've had a headache all day that I can't get rid of, it is driving me mad.

(popping in)

I took piano lessons for a year when I was a kid -- from my mother. Mistake. She's an excellent pianist, but wasn't a very good teacher. She gave up on me because I never practiced, and she believes that if you are a true musician you'll want to practice all the time and will need no prodding. My feeling is that, unless you're a rare child, you have so many other things going on that you need a practice schedule and probably a little nudging.

Four years ago I decided to start again from the beginning, since I remembered nothing from those childhood lessons. Turns out I'm not very good, but if I practice regularly I'm fairly competent. It's been a year and half since I had a lesson, and I haven't touched the piano since. I need the prodding, I guess. But I kind of enjoyed practicing when I had a reason to practice.

My mother just bought us a Yamaha P-95 (NICE digital piano).

Oh, you lucky thing!

I learned just enough piano to pass music theory classes waaaaay back in the day. I wish I had room for a piano (real or digital), as I'd love to actually learn to play.

ION, for all your snacking needs: Cocoa nib pink peppercorn caramel corn [link]

I had some of this last night, and it is AMAZING. I am going to get over my fear of using a candy thermometer and making caramel so I can make my own supply.

I'm going to curl up with an Amy Garvey and some tea.

Was it good for you?

I had piano lessons for years and would love to take them again. I really wish I'd never stopped. Being able to sit down and play would be really lovely, I think.

I know I've told it before, but the piano was a huge part of my childhood. My dad bought himself a baby grand when I was four, as his Christmas gift to himself (he was selling insurance then -- I guess it was a good year). He would come home from work and play old standards while Mom made dinner, and it's one of my favorite memories of childhood.

I grew up listening to my mom play Chopin and Mozart and Debussy. Some of those pieces are still my favorites. But she also had the complete scores to tons of classic musicals, which I practically had memorized when I was a kid. I can still sing big chunks of Billy Bigelow's "Soliloquy" from "Carousel." I knew everybody's part.

Amy, what a wonderful memory.

My mom just listened to show tunes. I got my Oliver and Brigadoon and Jesus Christ Superstar love straight from her. Along with a deep fondness for the Carpenters.

That sounds delightful, Amy. My dad plays piano, but we never had one at home, so I didn't really get to hear him play until I was an adult.

My goal right now is to manage the chords for some Christmas carols by Christmas.

Dillo sets it to "vibraphone" and is having a grand old time.