Update 2 - March 2024
Learn to sing and play the guitar
This has been the major focus area for the past couple of months. If I could pick just one goal that I’m going to achieve, it would be this one. There are a few songs that I’m working on, mainly in the pop, country and (soft) rock genres.
I’m really taking my time to properly analyze the song and learn the melody by ear. I have little trouble singing the melody by heart, but I find that knowing the notes and intervals is an invaluable asset when trying out keys at the edge of my vocal range.
I doubt many of these songs will be AVOYP material, but who knows. I wasn’t planning to release this Shania Twain cover either. It’s just a song that I started singing along with in the car and it started growing on me. I agree it’s quite different from the songs I’ve done before, but sometimes you have to broaden your horizons. 
Feeling major
Speaking of broadening my horizons, I’ve taken a completely different path in my guitar journey. I felt I needed something new and exciting, so I started looking into the major pentatonic scale.
As mentioned in my previous update, I started listening to country music, a genre that doesn’t get a lot of airplay around here. I discovered many country bands and subgenres already and I’m really digging it. I’ve only touched the surface of different country guitar techniques (travis/hybrid/chicken picking, double stops, major pentatonic licks, …), but it’s such a rabbit hole.
The more I practice the major pentatonic scale, the more I’m liking it. It’s really taking my playing to another level, because it’s kind of forcing me to make the changes, unlike the minor pentatonic.
What works for me is learning one lick per week and getting the most out of it. What notes does it use? Where are the bends? Can it be transferred to different patterns or registers/octaves? Can I combine it with licks that I already know? Really good stuff.
Gear
I made two new purchases that I think are justifiable.
The first one is the DigiTech Trio+ Band Creator / Looper. I long thought it was a bit of a gimmick, but I was wrong. It’s actually pretty cool to play with. I’ve set up a few country progressions with the I, IV and V chords and I’m improvising and practicing licks with a band in no time.
The second one is a Fender Player Plus Telecaster. I never had a Tele before but it’s becoming my favorite. It’s suited for country twang, blues, rock & roll, and many other things. I’m even considering selling my Strat which I rarely use anymore.
Other stuff
To conclude, a little side story. My oldest daughter, who is now 5 years old, has started showing some interest in the guitar. The other day she told me she learned Frère Jacques at school and asked me to play it for her. I just started on a random note and played the melody by ear in one go, without any mistakes. It’s amazing what our ears can do. You should’ve seen the smile on our faces. It’s the small things that make you happy.
That’s it for now. Back to practicing.