Things that frustrate us all

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by rhubarbodendron, Sep 4, 2014.

  1. Lord Garth

    Lord Garth Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 7, 2011
    Location:
    Aug 10, 1999
    Auto Repair people just tried to rip me off. BIG TIME.

    Let me re-type that in a way that's more accurate to the situation: *B* *I* *G* __ *T* *I* *M* *E* !!!!!!!!!

    B
    I
    G

    T
    I
    M
    E

    They were going to charge me over $2,300 to fix my car. My father talked them down to...

    ... $250.
     
    Sibyl and rhubarbodendron like this.
  2. Delta Vega

    Delta Vega Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Location:
    The Great Barrier
    Beginning to learn to play guitar at 53, and not 13, is frustrating
    Very frustrating
     
    Kor, Sibyl and rhubarbodendron like this.
  3. rhubarbodendron

    rhubarbodendron Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 1, 2011
    Location:
    milky way, outer spiral arm, Sol 3
    ^ I think maybe an adult's frustration threshold is lower (practize makes perfect in this respect, too ;) ). Try not to concentrate on your flops but on your achievements. If you get frustrated you tend to overlook that you do advance a little every day.
     
  4. Sibyl

    Sibyl Caffeine Pill Popper Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Location:
    The Void
    Congrats on giving it a go!

    I'm going to pick my piano lessons again from when I was about 12. I'm 45 now. :D

    I only had a few lessons at the time and have never been proficient at playing, but I'd like to be.

    Thing is, I'll be learning on a "fretless" piano-style MIDI controller. :wtf::wtf:

    Well, I used to play fretless electric bass, so at least I know I'm somewhat capable! :angel:
     
    Butters, Avro Arrow and Gary Mitchell like this.
  5. Sibyl

    Sibyl Caffeine Pill Popper Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Location:
    The Void

    There was a time I didn't mind them and even liked them and shot them off myself!

    Now, I realize how much they affect pets and people with PTSD, particularly military veterans. My hatred of them now is more sympathetic than direct.
     
    Avro Arrow likes this.
  6. Delta Vega

    Delta Vega Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Location:
    The Great Barrier
    In the recent past I was part of a small group of fellow learners, mostly of a similar level, who played and recorded songs together, but somehow we had a small disagreement about some subjects we should have known better discussing, and we no longer meet. It just fizzled out. That means that I'm now back to playing on my own, home recording etc, but it's not good when you can't bounce ideas off of people, or when there's no constructive criticism.
    And although I know I have gradually improved, I see other players on TV or even busking in the street and wonder why I can't sound as good, or make it look as easy, hence my frustration.
     
  7. Delta Vega

    Delta Vega Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Location:
    The Great Barrier
    I tinkered (ha ha) with piano two summers ago, from scratch, I enjoyed it but had to give up due to the double cost of guitar and piano sessions.
    Plus I just couldn't see myself playing even basic tunes on two hands, I was ok on my right hand but bass notes on my left was a problem.
    Good luck with your new piano lessons, I'm sure you'll take it all in your stride.
     
    Gary Mitchell likes this.
  8. Sibyl

    Sibyl Caffeine Pill Popper Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Location:
    The Void
    http://soundcloud.com ;)

    Get yourself a cheap recording kit (2-input USB interface with a mic and headphones, or, if you don't plan on singing or recording your voice, skip the kit and get a Steinberg, PreSonus, or Focusrite 2x2 interface box and plug your guitar right in! There are even a bunch of free guitar amp plugins out there. As for software, you can't really go wrong with Cockos' Reaper. :)

    Thanks! I won't actually be taking lessons, just a lot of self-teaching.

    Interesting that you say that playing with your left hand on a piano was an issue. Are you right-handed? Your left hand is the one fingering the notes on a guitar! ;)

    I get what you're saying, though. It's a completely different action and for some reason, even right-handers that are completely inept in most tasks with my left hand are comfortable with it on a guitar or bass neck while playing piano with my left hand is considerably more difficult. :shrug:

    I wish I could still play the bass. I loved playing but wrist issues killed that idea. I'm completely "in the box" now. All digital and virtual. :)
     
    rhubarbodendron likes this.
  9. Delta Vega

    Delta Vega Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Location:
    The Great Barrier
    Thanks Scribble, I actually do already own a Focusrite Scarlett Solo which I use for recording.
    I find programming drums and timing issues to be my major bugbears but I'm improving from, say three years ago, although still not what you would say studio quality.
    I actually prefer to play along to a drummer, rather than the cold calculating beat of a computerised drumbeat.
    I get what you're saying re the left fretting hand, I can get by on guitar if I'm not under pressure, but piano seemed very difficult for me.
    Old guys shouldn't be trying to be musical trendies, it's just not on ha ha :guffaw:
     
    rhubarbodendron and Sibyl like this.
  10. Doom Shepherd

    Doom Shepherd Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
    Location:
    Proxy Server 601
    When it's a new fiscal year as of July 1, but I still can't input orders into our cost center because the guy who's supposed to refill our accounts has buggered off to parts unknown.

    Also, any fireworks being set off after dark on dates other than 7/4 or 12/31 (or 4/7 or 31/12 for you non-Americans) should have their launch points targeted and destroyed by drone strike. Some of us have to get up and go to fucking work.
     
    Delta Vega likes this.
  11. Discofan

    Discofan Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2018
    Location:
    Discofan
    Private fireworks are strictly forbidden here because of the high risk of setting the forest on fire. The ones who would try it, should consider themselves lucky if the police get to them before the people do...
     
    Velocity and Mr. Laser Beam like this.
  12. auntiehill

    auntiehill The Blooness Premium Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Location:
    on the couch
    Stomach bugs that last for days.

    Ugh.
     
  13. rhubarbodendron

    rhubarbodendron Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 1, 2011
    Location:
    milky way, outer spiral arm, Sol 3
    aww, I hope you get better soon!

    It doesn't count if you're good or bad, trendy or old-fashioned. The only thing that counts is that you have fun! That's what music is there for.


    frustrating thing today: I washed my job car not even a week ago but one of my colleagues left it covered in so much dirt that you'd need a chisel to find the car beneath it.
     
  14. Silvercrest

    Silvercrest Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2003
    Heyyy, I'm doing the exact same thing! I had off-again on-again lessons between ages 10 and 14 — currently I'm 51. A few years ago I got a keyboard with the intent of sitting down and seeing what I could remember. All the family drama I've described in other threads kept me from concentrating on it much, but about two years ago I finally started banging out a few tunes. Since then I've gone large chunks of time without playing, but for a couple of Christmases in a row I've given carol recitals for some friends.

    I've discovered that while I can still read the music more or less, I tend to play more by ear and I'm really dependent on that. If I don't already know how a song is supposed to sound, I may not be able to reproduce it just from the sheet music.

    My original hope was to inherit my familiy's own piano (the same one I practiced on 35+ years ago). It'd be an uncomfortable squeeze to fit it into our living room — ask Mrs. Silvercrest about that. I hoped that I could justify it anyway if I played enough. Sadly, I haven't lived up to that, so I guess I have to stick with the keyboard.

    Keep on pounding!
     
    Delta Vega and Gary Mitchell like this.
  15. Butters

    Butters Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    Location:
    Elsewhere
    Spammy modal pop ups on trekbbs stopping me reading the forum.
     
  16. Peach Wookiee

    Peach Wookiee Cuddly Mod of Doom Moderator

    Joined:
    May 12, 2001
    Location:
    Peach Wookiee
    Waking up with an aura-level migraine...
     
  17. auntiehill

    auntiehill The Blooness Premium Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Location:
    on the couch
    Stomach pain that won't go away.

    And workers who ask me the same dumb-ass questions all day. I'm OK with at first, but after sending them constant chats and corrections, I finally get to the point of our version of RTFM.
     
  18. Discofan

    Discofan Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2018
    Location:
    Discofan
    People who share too many details of their ailments. I mean, I am a
    Made you look.:p
    not a doctor! Damn it!
     
  19. Gary Mitchell

    Gary Mitchell Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 16, 2001
    Location:
    ¯\_(°·O)_/¯ Florida
    I hope you both feel better soon.
     
    Velocity and Discofan like this.
  20. auntiehill

    auntiehill The Blooness Premium Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Location:
    on the couch
    Thanks. If I don't get better by Monday, I'm going in to see the doc.
     
    Avro Arrow and Gary Mitchell like this.