So there i was, just woke up from an alarm i set to wake up and snatch some of those sweet accessories deals, waiting to pounce on that sweet sunrise tone guard i been eyeballing for a while, and a few picks to experiment a little with my mandolin playing. I just recently made it triumphantly all the way through version 3 of build-a-break on Unclouded Day, and it took this novice, weeks…wuh-eeeeks, to hit it clean. So of course, as a beginner, im thinking I’m pretty much ready for the Opry now. u know the feeling, hit those slides and hammer-ons after hours and hours of practicing till ur hands are sore the next day, and electricity shoots out of the end of your mandolin and your fingers move on their own like the hand from the Addams Family. Feeling like I’m somebody, I started to eyeball that sugar sweet blonde KM-752 Mando bundle and tell myself I’m worth it, I mean it has a radiused fret board, i need that…probably, I don’t know, I’ll Google what it is later. Besides, Jesse would want me to have it, even if his forward roll style makes u wanna cry in the corner; but, then again, banjo ben wants u to hook that lifetime membership deal. A fireman’s salary won’t allow both before Christmas, and I decide im not ready to turn my back on my Eastman oval hole md-304 just yet. Well, I am, but I can stick it out with the old mule for one more year until I can save up again for an f-hole thats got a little pizazz. So, for now, the lifetime membership deal is what I decided to pull the trigger on when it comes up. My life has been enriched greatly by this first year of gold pick awesomeness so I decided a lifetime of awesomeness sounds pretty good, plus Ben proheticley warned in his video that lifetime memberships might not be around forever. And if 2020 has taught me nothing, it has taught me that all financial and major life decisions should be based solely on fear. I’ll save up for an f- hole next year, and hopefully get to come to the cabin camp thing sooner than later. So, as I reflect on these decisions and watch the promo video for the new general store for the 100th time and put my hand over my heart when the eagle Flys out of the KEEE-YAHH guys America punch on the porch and I repeat my Scruggs not drugs mantra, I scroll down an old email to check the countdown clocks for these deals again, and I see this…
Now, I know, I’m new, and not that good, yet, and got no business questioning anyone with actual talent, but…is that mandolin…upside-down…
I hope the BanjoBen team and their families have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving as well as all the members and there families. I’m grateful for many things and this forum, community, and team is for sure one of them. Glad we can still not take ourselves too serious and have a good time considering everything else. Feel free to post your tongue and cheek stories of newbie struggles for those needing a good laugh.