Friday 28th January

28/365: testing the setup for online lessons
(I have no idea why the tablet screen is displaying as B/W as it was actually in full colour)

I think that I will have to replace the tablet stand at some point as it's not quite strong enough to hold the new tablet at the correct height. It'll do for a while as I can rest it on the edge of the piano (makes mental note to put something under it to protect the piano from scratches) but I won't rush to replace it until I'm sure that C is happy with the view it gives her.

I spent most of the morning playing on the piano, mostly tinkering and familiarising myself with the computer navigation, but I fitted in some proper practice as well. I won't be changing the sounds that frequently but it's still good to know what's available to me. I took a break for the Indian cookery class and to get myself some lunch, and then spent a good part of the afternoon playing scales and trying to get used to the very different, but so much nicer, action of the keys. I'm enjoying myself!

I'd planned to sort out the computers last night but best laid plans and all that ... unexpected but very welcome visitors put paid to that. I think my friends had come to see the piano rather than me but their company was still welcome all the same, and they did bring a takeaway with them! They only stayed about an hour but by the time they'd left I didn't fancy tackling the computers so it's on the list for another day. 

I think the nutrition class is cancelled this morning so I'm off to town to pick up some bread, eggs and fruit ... it'll be interesting to see how busy the shops are and whether people are wearing masks now that the restrictions have been relaxed. I also need to make an optician's appointment. I'm not due to have my eyes checked just yet but I want to have my current prescription checked as the vision in my right eye seems to be blurry all the time. 

I'm sure the rest of the day will be dominated by piano playing but I'm also hoping to do some more research on my family tree. I want to finish listing some possible areas to investigate for the Wiltshire based families and once that's done I can make an appointment to visit the local History Centre to see what I can find.

Comments

  1. I'm sure your new treasure will dominate your life for some time to come and that's not surprising. It looks so lovely.
    xx

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    1. I know it's early days so the novelty hasn't worn off yet, but I know that I will get a lot of pleasure from playing this instrument. The touch is completely different and doesn't aggravate the arthritis in my hands in quite the same way as the old piano did, so I can play for longer at each sitting. It's worth the expense just for that.

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  2. That looks like a perfect set up to me and I'm sure you will have many, many hours of enjoyment from your new piano, it really is lovely.

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    1. If the setup is okay for C I can probably swap this stand with one that a friend has which is much sturdier and which will save some money. I'm loving my new toy!

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  3. New piano & tablet both look so shining & new. How's the foot peddling on the new piano? Guests that bring dinner are certainly a welcome treat.

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    1. I'm still quite new to pedalling so, although if feels different to the old piano, I think I'll get used to it very quickly. There's no squeak, which is the most important thing.

      Guests bringing dinner were certainly welcome although I was a little frustrated that they'd assumed I was ready to invite people indoors ... they are convinced Covid is over but I'm not, so we are on opposite sides in that argument and have agreed to differ. They were wearing masks, though we took them off to eat.

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    2. Oh no! Did you say anything? I would not have known how to handle that - trying to strike a balance between being gracious and acknowledging the kind intentions while feeling resentful about being cornered in a situation I didn't want. I would have felt obliged to let them in but probably suffered in silence, and not enjoyed it at all.

      That set up with the new tablet looks most satisfactory. Great pic - I thought it was b/w till I noticed the brass hinges of the lid.

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    3. They have isolated themselves since the pandemic started and haven't had close contact with too many people so are quite low risk but ... we did have a bit of a chat (as in I told them!) that the pandemic isn't over and people need to respect others choices in how they choose to keep themselves safe. At least they didn't stay for too long and know to make arrangements if they want to meet up in the future, not just turn up.

      I'm hoping the setup works for C. There's not a lot of room to fit a stand in unless I opt for a wall mounted solution but I don't really want to do that if I can avoid it.

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  4. So happy for you! I'm sure that you'll find a set up that works.

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    1. Thanks Lyssa. My next lesson is on Wednesday so I'll know then whether this attempt is going to be okay.

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  5. Sounds like you are having lots of fun trying out your new piano and tablet! Scales! Yikes! I have to admit that I haven't played any scales in I don't know how long! Friends who visit with dinner are very welcome, but, not without some advance notice and taking off masks to eat can be nerve-wracking! At least, that's how I felt when I went to my cousins'.

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    1. I usually play some scales as a warm up. I hated doing them on my other instruments but find them quite therapeutic on the piano.

      If they'd contacted me to suggest coming round I probably would have agreed but I didn't like that they had forced the decision in the way they did. We ate in the living room as that room allows space to keep a safe distance from each other. I agree, it is nerve wracking!

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