Jessa’s Top Three Things: A List Nobody Asked For

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

I’ve been enjoying these prompts, as it gives me more ideas of neat things to share with you guys. Writing this blog has been one of my favorite ways to connect with people, and one of my favorite ways of connecting with people is sharing stuff I like. Usually, when I say “stuff I like,” I mean like, Bon Jovi and shit, but what about the actual stuff I own? What objects can I not live without?

Glad you asked, unnamed reader! Here’s a list of three things I absolutely require to function (well, aside from food and water and the obvious):

1. My Guitar

Is this too obvious? I picked up a guitar for the first time as an awkward 10-year-old who desperately wanted to be Richie Sambora, and I never looked back. Over the years, I’ve accumulated many instruments, which means this answer is kind of a cop-out since “my guitar” could describe like, ten different items. I’ve got my cherry red Epiphone Les Paul and my sunburst American-made Fender Strat. I’ve also got my Baby Taylor, a scaled-down acoustic I got for myself due to the portability. There’s also one with my name on it that’s shaped like a J that a family friend custom made for me (I don’t know how well it works — I think it was unfinished — but it’s mostly for show anyways). Then there’s my Franken-Dean — a guitar with a neon green neck slapped on a hot pink body, complete with a spider decal.

But nothing compares to my Epiphone acoustic. That is probably the real answer to this question — if I had to choose one, that one would be it. It’s not the best sound-wise, nor is it especially flashy-looking, but it belonged to my grandfather, a bluegrass player, and was then passed to my late uncle, then me. The guitar is so old it was literally made in the very city I live in, Kalamazoo, before the company moved its operations overseas years ago. I’ve been considering getting it fixed up so if shit hits the fan and we need to skidaddle from like, the whole ass country, I can smuggle this guitar and have it be functional. As much as I love my Baby Taylor, the Epi is my pride and joy for sentimental reasons. Should I have a kid someday, I’ll pass it along to her too.

2. My Phone

Again, I feel like this is fairly obvious, and also something most people would pick. It is the 21st century — your whole life is on that thing. But I’m not much of a talker or texter, even though I do use it to keep in touch with my friends and family. There’s a lot of other stuff I use my phone for everyday that a lot of folks probably don’t realize. I use my phone for writing primarily, as it’s easy to transport, unlike a bulky computer or notebook. The word processors work almost identically to computer word processors, but I can write from anywhere whenever inspiration strikes. I’m writing this very blog post on my phone! I’m a bit of a compulsive reader so I also use it for reading, since it’s easier than lugging books with me everywhere. Had the internet not been invented, I’d probably have a bag full of books at all times!

The fact that I keep my phone with me at all times is why I opted to put it in a wallet case with a lanyard. I know myself and I know I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to my body, but if my wallet is literally an object that is always in my hands, I know it’s safe. I also use my phone as a planner for the same reason. I highly recommend the app Zinnia for my fellow ADHDers, as it’s very customizable and colorful! I’ve made a ritual of updating it every Sunday night, and I swear it’s the only reason I’m ever punctual at all.

3. My Piano

Of course there’s another musical entry. What do y’all expect from me? My piano (or rather, electronic keyboard) was a gift from a former producer of mine who no longer needed it. I’d wanted one primarily for the sake of practicing the songs I’d have to learn on keys for music therapy, but honestly, even though that didn’t work out, I’m happy I ended up with this instrument anyways. I remember being heartbroken that my paternal grandmother’s piano went to another family member. I always wanted to play piano, almost as much as I wanted to play guitar, but I never had the opportunity to learn as a child. I guess having this keyboard now makes up for it a little.

Piano is important to me in particular because it’s the instrument I mostly use for songwriting purposes. I’m so familiar with the guitar and have so much training on it that I don’t feel like I can be fun and experimental as much on it. I’m too worried about playing correctly. But with keys, I don’t know as much about proper technique because my only lessons were a few classes in college, so I’m not as afraid to make mistakes and play around. I don’t hold myself to a super high standard, which means I can get my ideas out there in a more raw and real way. Sometimes I’ll just write out some lyrics and sit at the piano bench and try out different melodies with the chords. I love guitar, but I feel like I almost have more fun playing piano.

So that concludes my top three objects I absolutely, positively need. What are your top three? Drop them in the comments section!