Alright. Well. We’ve reached the point of quarantine — for me — where I’m starting to go stir-crazy.
Quarantine started off eh, OK. Still wouldn’t recommend it or anything, but it wasn’t bad. At first it was a fun two-month-long all-expense-paid vacation to the United States. Then it was a two-week work-from-home Netflix binge spent smoking a ton of weed and eating a ton of nachos on my sister’s couch. Then it was five months of unemployment, dog cuddles, daily runs in the park, endless amounts of time to read, camping, kayaking, and outdoors time with my mom and sister. Then it was a cross-country move to Arizona.
Now? I’m alone. I know exactly three people in the state of Arizona — all of which are my coworkers — and I’m working remotely 98 percent of my time. Everything is closed, it’s impossible to meet new people, and — because I’m living alone — I spend a lot of time with just my thoughts to keep me company.
No. I do not like that. No.
OK, I’m being a little dramatic. I FaceTime with friends back in the Midwest a lot. I’m still learning the ins and outs of my new job, and because I’m endlessly curious, I spend a lot of time Googling very niche topics. I’m still studying Ukrainian and Spanish, practicing yoga every day and reading books. I was in the Peace Corps, ffs, I’m good at keeping myself company.
But you guys know me, and you know that I am never satisfied unless my schedule is jam-packed with work, volunteering, yoga teaching, freelancing, brunch dates, fitness classes, language lessons and association board meetings.
Basically, I have a lot more free time, and I’m really sick of spending it all doomscrolling.
So… I got drunk and ordered a ukulele off the internet!
…Because the world DEFINITELY needs another white girl who plays the ukulele.
I played the clarinet and flute in middle school. I’ve always wanted to learn the piano, but pianos are expensive and bulky and not really renter-friendly.
So… cue the ukulele!
I’ve been interested in learning the guitar for a while, but it’s always been a little intimidating. The ukulele was a perfect compromise. It only has four strings so it’s a little easier to learn, it’s compact and it’s inexpensive. Plus, it just looked fun!
Plus… I was drunk!
My ukulele is a Kala-branded KA-15S soprano ukulele, which I bought from Sweetwater.
I just ordered a wall mount as well, so I can hang it on top of my couch. I’m already looking forward to just absent-mindedly grabbing it and strumming when I get sick of my iPhone.
So far, learning is going well! My fingers are blistered, but I’m having fun learning some of my favorite songs. I started with “Riptide,” obviously, but I’ve also got the chorus to “House of Gold” down. I have the worst singing voice, so don’t ever expect any videos, but I will say it’s been fun to challenge myself by learning a new skill over the past few days.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to annoy my neighbors.
This post was originally published Jan. 21, 2021. Its timestamp has been updated.
