Let's put some cheer : )))

@northoftheborder I learned by buying a MIDI keyboard that connects to my computer. It has "chord mode" which is sort of cheating but let me make good sounding music fairly easily by just playing around and setting the keyboard to various instruments and playing random chords until I learned what sounded good and what didn't.

This led to me taking an online music theory and keyboard class, followed by a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, or more commonly called a mixing board) class and my music got even better.

Then AI voices came along and I was finally able to get decent sounding vocals since I can't sing. I wrote several songs, including one about my prostate cancer experience (indirectly) and made a full CD of holiday music for my friends where every song is an original, some serious and some funny.

@surftohealth88 if you commit an hour a day to music you'll be amazed how quickly you'll learn.

PC is not a great thing to hear. But, from the very first doctor visit, everyone needs to prepare for the possible news. Other than that news, develop a positive mind set and let that control your happiness in your life. Waking up every day is a great occasion and is worth happiness. Participate in events that draws your attention from yourself. You can certainly find a way to deal with your incontinence for a couple of hours and enjoy a little of what life offers. My attitude enables me to do that for myself, my family and my friends. Merry Christmas and a Very Positive Happy New Year to us all.

@northoftheborder
Oh dear North - I wish somebody told me that when I was growing up lol. I was raised to be a perfectionist and early on got very clear message that I better be the best in whatever I do or it is just not worth doing it at all. Since I was exceptional in dancing I was supported to do that 100% , but piano lessons were out as an option because that would "take away time" from doing what I do the best. I pleaded - but nope. I dreamed of playing piano my whole life and would take any opportunity to just "touch it" and play "by ear" when nobody was watching. I would stay hidden in a locker room and wait till everybody went home and sneak back to studio room and pretend playing piano on very old upright Welmar lol. At this ripe age of 62 my hands would perhaps be able to play some very, very basic kid's songs which would be really fun - but "loosing oneself in playing music for hours" ; ) I do not think is possible ha ha... BUT - I will go today to the garage and find my daughter's old piano books and refresh my basic knowledge lol - maybe I can at least play some carols this Christmas
: ))) ! ?

@bbqpitmaster

Oh I love oldies too, actually even from earlier periods (50's) !!! I did not have much chance to listen to country before I came to the USA but I just LOVED it when I first herd it and even learned line dancing and tried "clogging" believe it or not ha ha - such a joyful and free moving type of dancing !

Congrats on being such a great cook and BBQ -master ! I am so sorry that this condition did put stop on your joy of cooking : (((, PC is true kill-joy in general *ughhhh BUT, we have to somehow push forward and do fun things to spite it ! ; ) I know that you will laugh, but hey, this thread is meant to actually do that - make us smile - did you try BBQ-ing veggies LOL . I know that it can not be compared to smoked turkey by any means but marinated eggplant and portabello mushrooms are pretty tasty too ; ). I somehow always liked veggies but I understand that I am exception - I learned that here on this forum ha ha. You can grill fish and occasionally skinless chicken too : ) !!! I just think that it would be a pity for your cooking talent to go "on a back burner" completely.
; ) .

@scottbeammeup
Thanks for writing about this - now North and you really made me excited about the whole thing : )))

I never explored that possibility nor knew that it exists !
THANK you guysssss !!! < 3 I will look into it as soon as this holiday rush is over : ) !

Duke Basketball. I've been a fan since 1980, even before Coach K took over. I just absolutely love it. I've been there inside Cameron and it was surreal. I don't miss a game, not a minute. Yeah, I need help! HAHAHA

@harvey44

Thanks Harvey for sharing your positive energy with us : ))) ! < 3
All that you said is so true : )
Now tell us what is your favorite sight , smell, sound and/or activity that instantly puts smile on your face ? ; )))

I am wishing you Very Marry Christmas too and Very Healthy and Happy New Year < 3

@dpayton
That is so cool : ))) !
I bet you have a lot of memorabilia too !!!! : )

@surftohealth88

Oh I do! 🙂 So does my son. One of my life's goal is to watch a game with him there. It'll happen!! 🙂 OK, it probably won't be in the Crazies section, but I'm ok with that. LMAO

@ozelli

Oh boy - I can only imagine beauty of a sunrise in a "land of rising sun" !!! Wow
Do you take photos of them : ))) ?
AND near ocean on top of that (???) - well, that must be heavenly experience indeed : )
I bet sushi is not bad there either *wink wink ; ), ha ha.
I LOVE Japanese cuisine, one of these days I will find time to learn making at least a basic miso soup - I even bought a clay pot couple of months back but somehow never got to actually do it *eyeroll