Today has been an interesting day. Firstly I had an appointment with a new physio about an ongoing issue that I have with my lower back. Being 6’2″ is a blessing and a curse. But I think that we might have finally found the right combination of stretching and exercises to resolve the problem. The one weird thing I have noticed over the years is that sex makes lower back pain vanish completely (at least for a while!).
So, as part of my “core” strength building program to help support my back, I went to the pool here at Olympic Park and swam some laps. Not the three kilometres I would once have done, but I was happy with the outcome. Tomorrow I will swim again and go a bit further. I came home from that feeling like I had no bones in my body. That delightful feeling of being completely exhausted physically and floppy all over.
So, having had a quiet evening (and iTunes taking forever to download a movie on my very slow ADSL2 internet connection) I decided to pick up the guitar and practice some of the tunes I have been learning. Not having a piano down here in the apartment means that I have to wait until I go home again to continue that adventure and that’s not going to happen for another week or two until my back is in better shape. It’s one of the downsides of motorcycles. They are hard on your back if it’s not in great shape.
So, one hour and totally worn out fingers later I am on my way to being able to play the first line of Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata Movement 3 and the most excellent riff from Dire Straights Sultans of Swing. The only downside: my left hand fingertips (which are all numb and compressed from holding down guitar strings) now fail to work reliably on my laptop track pad for some weird reason!
Anyway, my musical adventures continue and I am having real fun with them. One day soon I may even be able to play a full song.
John.
Well done you. It’s great that your challenging yourself and getting so much enjoyment from it. Guitar and piano are such beautiful instruments, and sound exquisite when mastered. So again, well done. If only more of us had persevered with our childhood lessons. If I’m lucky maybe next time you’ll play for me ;). I’m glad you have finally got the help you need for your back and it’s feeling better & yes swimming is one of the best thing for it.
Thanks Tracy :-) The interesting thing to me is that I wasn’t until recently that I finally developed a real “feel” for music. Despite lots of effort when I was young, I never seemed to make progress. Now, it comes much more easily. A time and a place for everything :-) And it will be my pleasure to play for you one day. Yes my back is making good progress. Off to the pool again today :-)
John.