Rhiggatwat, thanks for the advice. A digital synthesiser was indeed what I was considering for my first purchase (perhaps a few years or so in the future)--one that I intend to last me for many, many years. Whatever I get then needs to be as versatile as possible, because I would even like to try my hand at recording music. BTW, I think you're the second person to mention the Korg Triton...which kind of piques my curiosity. And like I said, I will definitely be TRYING anything I buy, messing with it as much as I can before I make a purchase. Believe me, I am one of the most paranoid people when it comes to major purchases--that's why I'm researching two, perhaps three years ahead of myself (as far as the synth goes. The rest is even more long-range).

The Hammond is something I envision perhaps as far away as between five or ten years in the future. There's a reason--you see, I'm also learning to play guitar. Someday (whenever I get a house so I don't disturb the neighbours as I would now) I want a nice Stratocaster with a really good effects pedal and stuff like taht, which I'll probably get between the synth and the Hammond. So as you can see, I've got quite a long-range list of purchases. I'm not rich by any means, but I work hard and am VERY patient. I don't waste my money on things like getting a new car every few years--the car I have right now has over 90000 miles on it and still runs like a charm! I think I can crank a good 200000 miles out of it...!

I'm not much of a musician. At least, I'm not RIGHT NOW. Sometimes I feel like there is something--some kind of potential--lying just below the surface. I mean, music is such a big part of my life. Occasionally a good dose of Mr. Wright's music lets it out for a time. Those are the times when I abandon myself at the keys--sometimes I just close my eyes as I play and my fingers seem to know exactly what they're doing...I don't THINK about the music...I just FEEL it. There is no more struggling...it's a lightness in my hands that I can hardly describe. They are rare, transcendent moments, especially considering the technical flaws I know I have (I'm working on them, slowly but surely).

__________________
"And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again..."

WrightSatellite #1