I got fresh strings for my guitar.

I haven't played for a number of years, but I fished my guitar out of the cupboard. I have always liked the sound of new strings, so I stopped by the guitar shop to pick up a set of hybrid slinkies. After a few hours of stretching and re-tuning, I revelled in a crisp E chord. I tried to play a riff, but my memory failed me. Tears in Heaven. Greensleeves. Stairway to Heaven. I used to know how to play them.

My iPod has allowed me to take an interest in playing music again. Listening to some Metallica or Megadeth reminds me why I played guitar. I remember hunting down Yardbird tapes just because they were the origin of the music I listened to.

Now, I want to learn some new songs by the likes of Nick Drake and Nanci Griffith.

My bass, which I was planning on selling, may not go after all. I'm going to listen to Billy Sheehan, and Jaco Pastorius again before I decide. Also, bassists I've not studied before like Kim Deal, and Metallica's new bassist Robert Trujillo. The amp is coming out of the garage next week.

I played music all the way through school. I regret not having continued learning piano or violin. I wish I'd worked harder on playing the saxophone. I wish I'd picked up my flute earlier.

I'm glad I've got this opportunity to rediscover music fully. It's like talking in a language you haven't spoken in a long time.