meghan9436

Yesterday, I finally caved and got the 90s reissue pizza fom Pizza Hut. It was a little expensive, and the pizza is smaller than I remember, so that is going to be an early birthday present to myself. I posted pictures of what I got here. My air conditioner hasn't been working properly, and temperatures jumped to 36℃ yesterday. It was very difficult to stay focused on anything. 💦

I didn't get to livestream yesterday due to work obligations, but they have been so much fun to work on!

I took a break from said work, and returned to my local park to practise guitar. I continued to work on the same set of songs that I have for the week, and I ended up attracting a different crowd!

At the beginning, I was playing my cover of If Life is So Short. Two groups of parents with their kids came by to watch. I was a little startled by the larger crowd of maybe ten in total, and nerves did start to set in for some reason. I shouldn't have been nervous because I've taught and acted silly in front of much larger groups of kids in the classroom - some kindergarten groups as large as 40, but that was pre-Covid.

Still, I pushed those feelings down, and stayed focused on playing well, and not messing up. My only regret is that I didn't make more eye contact with the group in the moment. In the middle of the song, the group started saying their goodbyes, and parted ways. Despite everything, I still think this was a win.

Later, a Chinese family came by to enjoy when they heard me performing the secret song. When I tried to explain in Japanese that the key of the song was too high for my voice, I was informed that woman with her infant who was with her spoke no English or Japanese. So I had to think back to what little Mandarin I could remember from the one term that I took in university. Still, the song, smiles, and the pleasantries were enough to enjoy the moment, I think.

Misery is coming along really well, and I am starting to be able to switch chords much more quickly. I am also quickly putting together Miss You Like Crazy, but I will have to review that tutorial a few more times to play it properly without the video or an internet connection outside.

Since I made the decision to practise outside at my local park, it truly has been a game changer. Previously, I would practise at home without a pick so that I wouldn't disturb my neighbours. They have been amazing and kind to let me practise with no complaints to management at all. There were a few times I got some bangs on the wall, but that's on me for playing after 22:00.

BUT! Playing at the park has been amazing because I can truly practise uninhibited. Although there isn't any privacy, there is a lot more space so that I can do what I want. Even if my work is imperfect now, it has been an amazing way to connect with people, and get the word out there.