jamesclark.com

I stand before you today stricken with an unfortunate illness known as UAS. It is a sickness that totally consumes your mind and consciousness once it takes hold. There is no cure.

I’m feeling no pain from it yet, but I can tell that it’s starting to create a bit of a strain on my family. With any luck it will go into remission soon. I had no idea that treating the illness could be so expensive, and my medical insurance refuses to cover it.

To raise awareness, I offer this bit of information from the official UAS website:

“Too often, folks who discover the seductive charms of the ukulele fall prey to a horrid affliction known as UAS, or Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome. Early signs of UAS usually include loss of common sense and self-control, always accompanied by an irresistible urge to own as many ukuleles as possible, basically the worst kind of collector’s obsession. UAS is a mutated strain of the common GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) that affects millions of musicians worldwide.”

It’s going to be a long road, but I will try and fight it. It’s hard because your mind easily justifies why you NEED to spend your rent money on this fun and easy-to-play instrument. You promise your loved ones that if you buy this new uke or guitar you will sell one of your current instruments, but you never sell them, the instruments just keep piling up.

I just returned from the Southern California Uke Festival, and while I was there I had a UAS relapse and came home with two new ukes. As you can see, my habit is taking over:

I am hoping that by raising awareness–and funds–we can find a cure for UAS.

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