Saturday:

Band practice: awesome, awesome, awesome. Then assorted errands.

Sunday:

Spring/Earth Day/various godfamily birthdays etc. celebrated by visiting the Butterflies Go Free exhibit at the Jardins Botaniques. I teared up as soon as we stepped into the greenhouse; there were that many tiny fragile beautiful creatures flying around or feeding or just perching on leaves. It was incredibly magical. Liam loved it.

Yesterday afternoon I practiced for a while, then picked up t! and Jan and my amp (who does not have an online journal), and went to test that electric cello. After taking about a half-hour to tune it and set it up properly (long story — suffice it to say I was moderately appalled) I played it for a while, trying out various themes and riffs from band stuff. Then I picked up my own cello to hear its sound again. And you know, I love my cello so much; I just need to be reminded of why every once in a while. The electric is missing the depth and richness of the acoustic. I’d be spending a lot of time trying to mess with amp settings to get it to sound like a traditional cello, and why do that when I already have one?

It was a valuable experience. It was interesting to feel the differences in playing, how the body of it felt in my hands and against my knees, particularly while playing. I’m not used to an absence of vibration felt in my body as I play. It wasn’t a bad instrument, although certainly not one I’d recommend for a beginner… but it wsn’t technically a cello, either. If I played a lot more than I do, and travelled, I might seriously consider it. But I don’t, and I don’t particularly want it. What I have is better in every way for what I need, and meets my desire for sound.

Heartfelt thanks go out to Jan and t! for their company and feedback (and navigation through the traffic-clogged streets of the east Plateau, despite my surprising sanguinity about it). I didn’t need to be talked out of a bad decision (be that leaving it or taking it home!), but it was good to have support with me and to hear their confirmation of my opinions.