🎸 New Guitar Day: Meet My Ibanez RG470AHW!
30 June 2025
I’m beyond excited to share that I’ve just added a brand new guitar to my collection — the Ibanez RG470AHW! This is my first ever Ibanez guitar, and I’m already in love with it.
The RG470AHW is part of Ibanez’s iconic RG series — known for its sleek, shred-ready design and fast playability. Mine has a gorgeous ash body with a natural finish that really lets the wood grain shine through. It’s loaded with a set of Quantum pickups that handle everything from tight, articulate cleans to face-melting leads. And of course, it comes with a Wizard III maple neck — thin, smooth, and built for speed.
One big first for me: this is also my first guitar with a Floyd Rose-style bridge (technically, an Ibanez Edge-Zero II tremolo). I know there’s a learning curve when it comes to setting up and tuning a floating bridge, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I can’t wait to experiment with dive bombs, flutters, and all the whammy tricks I’ve always wanted to try.
Learning the Guitar Solo from “Nightmare” by Avenged Sevenfold Using Rocksmith 2014
24 June 2025
Learning to play the guitar solo from “Nightmare” by Avenged Sevenfold has been one of the most exciting and challenging musical journeys I’ve embarked on. Armed with my Fender Jaguar and a copy of Rocksmith 2014, I’ve spent the past few weeks diving deep into the nuances of this powerful, high-energy solo, developing not only technical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the art of lead guitar.
Rocksmith 2014 has been an invaluable tool in this process. For those unfamiliar with it, Rocksmith is a music video game that allows players to plug in a real guitar and learn songs through an interactive interface. It combines elements of traditional music instruction with the instant feedback and engagement of a game. Unlike typical rhythm games, Rocksmith actually teaches you to play the real instrument, using a dynamic difficulty system that adapts to your skill level.
I started my journey by approaching the solo with caution, slowly increasing the difficulty in Rocksmith until it began to push the limits of what I could comfortably play. I tried not to get too frustrated when I stumbled — after all, this solo isn't just fast; it’s packed with quick runs, bends, slides, and shifts up and down the fretboard. But each time I returned to it, I felt a little more in control.
Eventually, I decided to go all in. I set the difficulty to 100%, ensuring I was practising all the notes exactly as they are played in the actual solo. At first, it was overwhelming — especially at full speed — so I dropped the speed to 60% to build muscle memory without the stress of keeping up. Once I got comfortable at a certain speed, I would nudge it up by 5% and repeat the process.
By the time I reached 80% speed, I started running into new challenges. The tempo was now fast enough that my old habits — particularly in my picking hand — were slowing me down. This is when I began researching ways to improve speed and efficiency, which led me to discover economy picking.
Economy picking is a hybrid technique that blends alternate picking with sweep picking. Instead of always alternating, economy picking allows the player to move in the direction of travel. The goal is to reduce unnecessary motion and increase efficiency. Once I began applying economy picking to certain phrases in the solo, I noticed an improvement in both speed and consistency.
Now I’ve reached about 85% speed, and I’m starting to get the hang of 90%. It still takes concentration, and I definitely need more practice, but I can feel that I’m close. The notes are becoming more fluid, my timing more precise, and the once intimidating flurries of notes are now starting to feel familiar under my fingers.
This journey has taught me much more than just how to play one guitar solo. It’s reminded me of the value of patience, the importance of technique, and the satisfaction that comes from breaking through plateaus with persistence. With the help of Rocksmith 2014, the tone of my Jaguar, and some deep dives into guitar technique, I’ve grown as a guitarist in ways I hadn’t expected. I still have work to do to nail the solo at full speed, but I’m confident I’ll get there.
The Importance of Listening to Others
15 June 2025
In a world that often values speaking over listening, the importance of truly hearing what others have to say is frequently underestimated. Yet, listening is one of the most powerful tools for learning, growth, and collaboration.
My First Weeks with the Nintendo Switch 2: Chaos, Competition, and Korok Seeds
12 June 2025
After finally getting my hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, I’ve been playing it nearly every day—and honestly, it’s been some of the most fun I’ve had in ages. Most of my time so far has gone into Mario Kart World, which has completely taken over my evenings, and a little into the enhanced version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which now runs beautifully on this new hardware.
The Joy of Mario Kart World
Let’s start with Mario Kart World. I’ve already completed every single cup with three stars, which was a real grind but so satisfying once I nailed the last few tough races. Now I’m deep into the Knockout Tour mode, trying to earn three stars across all the challenges. It’s proving to be a whole new level of difficulty, especially online where the competition is fierce. Still, I’ve managed to take first place a few times, which feels like a huge win—especially when I wasn’t sure I’d survive the first round.
On top of that, I’ve been collecting Peach Medallions and P Switches. It’s one of those goals where you know it’s going to take ages, but every time you pick one up it feels worth it. I’m determined to 100% complete all of them eventually... even if that takes months. Maybe years. We’ll see.
My favourite character right now is definitely Bee Wario—yes, I know he’s technically a wasp, but Bee Wario just sounds better. He’s chaotic, kind of unsettling, and that makes him feel right at home in this game’s wild roster. I haven’t settled on a favourite kart or bike yet, but I’m thinking I might look up what’s considered meta and experiment a bit. I’ve mostly just been using whatever looks ridiculous, which is probably not the most strategic approach!
Multiplayer Mayhem
One of the best experiences so far has been playing split screen with friends. Four-player split screen is a mess in the best way—utter chaos, people yelling, items flying everywhere. The only downside is how cramped the screen feels with four boxes, especially on a smaller telly. Two-player split screen, though, is absolutely perfect. Everything is still visible, and the performance holds up brilliantly.
There’s just one thing missing for me: I really wish Nintendo had made it possible to do four-player split screen in online Knockout Tour. Right now, you’re limited to just two players locally when going online, which is a shame. That would’ve been the ultimate party mode.
Breath of the Wild... Again, but Better
While Mario Kart has definitely been my main obsession, I’ve also spent a bit of time with the Switch 2 version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and wow—what a difference. The game not only looks better, but it feels smoother and more responsive. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes it hard to go back to the original.
The new Zelda Notes app is... strange. It feels like something I’ll either ignore completely or suddenly become obsessed with, no in-between. Right now, I’m on the fence, but since I’ve finally got access to a Korok GPS, I’m honestly considering going for all the Korok seeds. I know, I know—it’s madness. But the idea of checking them off one by one sounds oddly relaxing now that the searching isn’t quite so random.
Final Thoughts
All in all, I’m really enjoying my time with the Switch 2. Nintendo’s games have always had this unique charm and replayability, and this new system just gives them even more room to shine. Mario Kart World has me hooked with its collectible madness and competitive edge, while Zelda feels like returning to a favourite place that’s somehow even more beautiful the second time around.
I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of what the Switch 2 can offer, but so far? It's been fantastic. Here’s to more cups, more stars, and maybe—just maybe—every last Korok.
Being Wrong Is Okay: The Strength in Letting Go and Learning
2 June 2025
We often grow up believing that being wrong is something to be ashamed of. From school tests to workplace decisions, the fear of making mistakes is deeply ingrained. But the truth is, being wrong is not a sign of weakness—it’s a vital part of learning, growth, and human experience. In fact, there is something admirable in being able to admit when you’re wrong, especially when faced with evidence. It means you are open, adaptable, and more committed to truth than to ego. At the heart of this lies an important lesson: it is far better to be grateful for the opportunity to learn something new than to stubbornly hold on to a false belief, no matter how convincing it once seemed.
To start, we must accept that no one is right all the time. The world is complex, information evolves, and everyone has blind spots. Being wrong is not a failure—it’s inevitable. What matters is how we respond when we discover that our understanding was incomplete or mistaken. Do we double down out of pride? Or do we pause, reflect, and adjust our views? The first leads to stagnation and defensiveness, while the second leads to growth.
When we let go of the need to always be right, we become better listeners and thinkers. Conversations shift from battles of opinion to opportunities for understanding. This mindset creates space for curiosity. It allows us to ask, “Why do I believe this?” and “What if there’s more to it than I thought?” In doing so, we become less attached to being right, and more interested in getting it right—which is a far healthier and more productive attitude.
There’s also a certain peace that comes with admitting you were wrong. It removes the pressure of always needing to prove something, and replaces it with a mindset of humility. Imagine someone correcting a misconception you’ve had for years. Your first reaction might be embarrassment or defensiveness. But what if you chose instead to feel thankful? After all, you’ve just been handed an opportunity to understand the world more accurately than before. That’s a gift. Every time we correct a wrong belief, we take a step closer to clarity, truth, and wisdom.
Unfortunately, people sometimes cling to their beliefs even in the face of overwhelming evidence. This is often due to something called “cognitive dissonance”—the discomfort we feel when our beliefs are challenged by facts. It’s easier, emotionally, to dismiss the facts than to question the foundations of what we thought we knew. But this comfort is a trap. When we reject new information simply because it contradicts what we’ve always believed, we trade truth for familiarity, and growth for stagnation.
History is full of examples of how damaging it can be when people refuse to admit they’re wrong. Scientific breakthroughs have been delayed, societal problems have been ignored, and relationships have been damaged—all because someone couldn’t let go of being right. On the other hand, some of the world’s greatest advancements came because someone was willing to question their assumptions and revise their views.
Being wrong can be uncomfortable, but it’s also one of the most powerful learning experiences we can have. It teaches resilience, critical thinking, and openness. The more comfortable we become with being wrong, the more fearless we become in seeking truth. We become the kind of people who don’t just talk—we listen, we learn, and we grow.
It’s also worth noting that being wrong doesn’t make us less intelligent or capable. In fact, some of the wisest people are those who frequently question themselves and welcome correction. It shows strength, not weakness, to say, “I didn’t know that—thank you for telling me.” It shows a commitment to truth and an ability to adapt, which are far more valuable than the fragile pride of always needing to appear right.
In conclusion, it is perfectly okay to be wrong sometimes. It’s not a failure; it’s a feature of learning. The key is to respond with humility and gratitude when presented with new information. Life is a journey of constant learning, and every time we admit a mistake, we take a step forward. It is far better to grow than to cling to an illusion. So the next time you find yourself on the wrong side of a fact, take a breath, let go of your pride, and say, “Thanks—I didn’t know that.” You’ll be better for it.