"Where have I been?" That's what some of you may have been asking... others... are probably saying "Who cares?"

Well... for those who care... in the beginning of 2014, I was still a passionate comic book collector. Then in late January early February, I fell in love.Before I reveal this new love, I just want to say I am still collecting comic books and still have every interest in the hobby. I keep an eye on the market and visit the CGC journals weekly... but to my shame, I haven't been contributing journals at all. My apologies for that. But it seems like a lot of journalists or usual suspects are also on hiatus. I credit Bag O' Fleas, Tnerb, and Hammership Down, as well as some newbies for keeping the journals alive. Thanks guys! Keep the fire and passion burning!So... back to little old me. What exactly has been my goal when it comes to comics in 2014? It's been selling comics from my original childhood collection which I got graded in 2012 and 2013, and to use the revenue generated from these sales to buy one or two desired comics. In other words, I am focused on downsizing my collection to a small core group of comic books, which will be categorized as my "elite" or "premium collection". Now this decision has been somewhat emotionally difficult for me... since I have to say goodbye to some treasured memories, yet the upside is that with the "once in a blue moon purchase" of an elite comic, I get to revel and bask in the glow of a new cherished memory.But what exactly have I been up to since my last journal? Well, I haven't bought any comics, save for some minor stuff at my local LCS, but I'm delighted to say, I found a new "love of my life". This new love brings a profound joy to my heart, an inner sense of well being... and some cramps and aches to my wrists (no... that's not a sexual reference... get your mind out of the gutter). Alright!... so who or what is it? Who or what is this She-Beast? Who is this Siren who hath captivated my mind and plucked my Heart Strings?Drum roll please!It's playing the guitar!... Specifically Classical Guitar and Acoustic Guitar.That's right! I've gone cuckoo and gaga over the nylon string instruments and genre/style of music/play. For the moment I take an hourly Classical Guitar lesson every week and devote about an hour a day for roughly five hours a week... that is whenever I can squeeze in the practice time between work, exercise, play and rest (yeah... But whose got the time to rest?).So, for the time being, comic books have taken a back seat.Truth be told... I always wanted to play a musical instrument. I briefly tried piano (had an electric Yamaha keyboard in my late teens in college but it eventually collected dust). I also took some voice lessons, but that didn't last. And once I came very very close to purchasing a drum kit... but chickened out for practical purposes... a drum kit is way too space intensive for NYC apartment dwellers and way too loud... I can only imagine how often the neighbors would call the cops on me for the racket... but damn the skins rock! Perhaps one day. But anyway... on a whim... or perhaps the Rock Guitar Gods whispered a subliminal message into my ears... like a mindless Simon Garth mystically drawn by the bearer of the Voodoo Amulet, I walked into Sam Ash Music Store one day and walked out with a Cordoba C3 Classical Guitar and began a new love affair.Since then, after popping my first string (literally the 1st String), I've bought a second guitar and the new obsession has been going strong.I'm still learning the basics... which is not easy. I'm getting familiar with the basic stroke and fretting techniques, reading and interpreting sheet music and composition, learning finger combos, stretching my fingers for dexterity and articulation, and building the stamina required for proper posture, sitting and handling the Classical and Acoustic Guitars. What do I hope to accomplish?... Do I want land a gig at local watering hole? Do I want to go on Tour and Live the Dream? Do I want to make a surprise appearance on American Idol? Nah... none of that. I'll be happy with just merrily playing at home for Family and Friends or to impress a chick with a romantic song. But speaking truthfully from the heart... my hearts' desire is to master playing Classical Guitar from the Spanish, Baroque and Romance periods, Flamenco (ala Paco de Lucia... God rest his soul), popular Acoustic ballads, and the Classic Rock songs of the 60's and 70's I grew up listening to. But mastering any of those will take years of practice, devotion and dedication. Wish me luck on that endeavor because mastering or sticking to anything has not been something I've ever been able to accomplish. As for CGC Journals... don't you fear... I should have a couple of journals written by year end of my latest acquisitions (I got two "holy grails" on my radar). And I feel another Angela journal burning in my heart... when the time is right it will come. I don't know why that Redhead has captured my heart... but she has... even though she is as dull as a brick in the current Guardians of the Galaxy series. I'm hoping Angela will make an appearance in a future Marvel film... I know that won't happen anytime soon... but maybe one day.Anyway... for now I leave you with a snap shot of my two guitars.Till next time.Happy Collecting!SW3DTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.