[tbondo]

like my friend Rick Skeens, I had a long hiatus (though he was much more accomplished when he gave up-- still is, BTW....he's a really good player) .....got my first guitar in early 20's (community college grad present), knew a couple of chords and 2 songs (playing at most once a year) until I turned 50 (2001) , decided to learn how to play or give it up altogether....bought 1st expensive guitar (Taylor 510) for this initiative and got hooked up with this forum as a result.....though I'm still not really any good at all, I'm better than I used to be and I'm having more fun than I could have imagined.....two important features for my continued enjoyment...1) playing with others (AGF get-togethers, open mics, MonroeStock, guitar camp) and 2) trying all manner of new ideas and songs based on GP and Acoustic Guitar magazines.....and incorporating/retro-fitting into my new and old original songs....