April 25, 2021 — Despite all that I have to do today, I am determined to have a new story. I keep thinking I’ll write something substantive, but I never seem to. What I do when I want a spontaneous story is go on YouTube and find something from what pops up in suggestions.

Today that would be African Grey parrots riding in cars, miscellaneous skating, Covid news, and guitar tutorials for various songs. I’m not sure, but I suppose each of those things could be a personal hint — go for a car ride, practice something for skating, get a shot (or perhaps launder the masks), and of course, play guitar. But the guitar is hiding right now. It’s scared of me.

Then there was this suggestion: an interview of Eddie Van Halen.

I personally don’t think Eddie interviews well, for many reasons. But he did say something in this one I’m taking to heart. They asked him many questions about his new guitar models, then a Kramer. He really liked the neck. He shows some playing too; the camera zooms in, so that’s fun to see. And he concludes with a statement to young (or old) players out there, telling them to not give up. If I can do it, you can do it, he says. What does one even say to that as a conclusion? I don’t know, but my goodness, that means there was a time that Eddie was a beginner, or an intermediate. Now back to what I actually have to write. And hopefully soon I’ll be in the mood for real stories. In the meantime, don’t give up seems like good advice.