Norma

Happy New Year!

Welcome, one and all, to the year 2008!

It's 8:00pm here in Maryland. And I just got off the phone with my sister Janice and her boyfriend Chad. Janice and Chad are both in Madrid (yes, Spain) and it's after 2:00am for them. I listened closely as Janice and Chad described the chaos that was happening around them. How the streets were full of thousands of people, who were clutching bottles of wine and champagne and lighting off all manner of fireworks. Smoke filled the streets and people had that crazy look in their eyes. It sounded like a really good new year's eve. And then they told me about the local tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight. They said I should eat 12 grapes at midnight, and I said "sure, why not!"

Other than the grapes, and this post, I'm not sure what my plans are for tonight. I was going to go to a party at my friend Travis's home, but my car decided not to start. So here I am, still at home. I may head out later with my friend Mary, but for now I am happy writing. Alone, at home, writing my way closer to the new year.

I'm very excited about the new year. For me, 2008 will be the year that I start to play the mandolin. It's not so much a new year's resolution, but rather a new year's calling. I will play the mandolin because I want to. I will play because it might be impossible for me not to. The 8 perfect strings, four pairs of two. The golden sound. The musical possibilities are infinite! I couldn't be happier sitting, playing, learning the scales, the chords, making up melodies. I spent all last night reviving my mandolin and now it is alive.

My mandolin bears the name "Norma" on the top of the headstock. It was given to me by my friend Allen Dyer. I received the mandolin last spring, and since then it has just been sitting in my room. I thought it was beyond fixing. But I decided to buy some strings and see what I could do. And last night, after carving down the bridge and stringing up the new strings, I was overjoyed to discover that my mandolin was actually playable. And it actually sounded descent. The action is still a little high, but the intonation is good. It works! I still can't believe it. Oh, the music that will be made! Oh, the clunkers that will be played as I fumble my way through the scales! Here is a picture of my new friend Norma.






















Not bad, eh? Thanks again Allen!

Well, I should get going here. I want to see if I can learn "Auld Lang Syne" before the clocks strike twelve. Goodnight and happy new year!