I just completed the 146th fragment of my work in progress, Appearances: A Novel in 365 Fragments.  It's one of the most difficult things I've attempted to this point. And I'm flying by the seat of my pants.  I've a very limited idea of where it might be going.  But just enough of one to hang on for the ride.

I've always dreamed of a longish writing project that I could return to daily and sink virtually anything into.  I never dreamed that the project when it arrived would be quasi-allegorical, but this one certainly is. I'm enjoying the process, even the frustrations, because after 10 months I'm seeing some truly interesting progress.

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Guitar notes. Once again, I practiced the 1st string only today.  E, E, E, E/ F, F, F, F/ G, G, G, G/ F, F, E, E. Over and over for about 35 minutes.

Lots of frustration, but joy too when something seems to go.

The thing about a guitar is that if your finger doesn't press down right, press down correctly, behind the fret then the note buzzes or is muffled and that's not what I'm going for at the moment.  I'm looking for clarity of sound.

If I were a guitar virtuoso I would improvise myself to death.

But I'm a guitar embryo and very stormy weather.  I'm trying to learn the syllables.  I want to learn to talk at least a little on this goddamn thing.

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