Monday, April 6, 2009

The Big Surprise

A few days ago, Buck called me, and he sounded really excited.

“I got something for you!” he said, “You have to come over and see it.”

“Really?” I said. “What did you get me?”

“You have to come over and see it,” he said again. “Do you want to come over tonight?”

Now I was really intrigued. What the heck did he get for me? My mind reeled with what item he might have procured for one Miss Healthypants. Well, I had just written about my fancy-ass olive oil and vinegar on my blog—maybe it was something oil or vinegar related. But he kept saying it was a large item. Perhaps some furniture type of item? But why the heck would Buck get me furniture? I really had no clue what he had gotten for me.

And unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to find out until a couple of nights ago. That night, Iwanski, my best girlfriend Diane, and I headed over to Buck’s apartment. When I called Buck to tell him we were on our way, he told me that Iwanski and Diane should walk into his living room first, while I waited—just so I could see their reactions to the surprise first. I found myself getting a little nervous. What the heck could it be?

A few minutes later, we arrived at Buck’s apartment, and as he had requested, Diane and Iwanski walked in first. Immediately, they both gasped and smiled. “That is awesome!” Diane said.

“Oh my God, now I’m nervous!” I laughed.

“No, it’s good. It’s really good,” Diane said.

So finally, I walked in.

There, sitting there on Buck’s coffee table, was…a trombone! Just like the one I played during junior high, high school, and college!

“No WAY!” I said, with a huge smile on my face. I couldn’t believe it. I used to LOVE playing the trombone—but it had been over ten years since I last played! “Oh my gosh, this is too cool!” I picked it up and hoisted it on my shoulder, just like I had done a million times before. It felt great. “Did you buy this?” I asked.

“No, I rented it for a month,” Buck replied. “I also rented a french horn for myself.”

I laughed. “You’re kidding me! Now we can do duets!” I could not stop smiling.

Then it came time for me to try to play. For the past ten years, every time I thought about playing the trombone again, I had secretly feared that I would not be able to play at all. I’d even had dreams where I picked up the trombone and only air would come out—no sound. Yep, I was nervous. But hell, I had to try.

So I put my lips to the mouthpiece, and—“Bwow!”—out came a sound—a note! An actual musical note! I could still play, after all!

Now mind you, I certainly wasn’t NEARLY as good as I used to be—and I hardly remember the notes, nor do I remember any real songs—but I could still play! I felt alive—like there was a part of myself that had lay dormant for so long, but came alive again that very second.

I played some more notes, and then Buck brought out his french horn, and we actually harmonized for a few notes. It sounded just lovely.

What a brilliant surprise it was!

And what a wonderful friend Buck is!

We already have plans to get together and play on Thursday night. I can’t wait.

Now, if you want to hear Miss Healthypants squawk out a few notes on the ole’ trombone, check this out. But remember—I haven’t played in TEN years. So I’m not so good. But at least I can still play!

16 comments:

murry said...

That's awesome!!! What a cool surprise, and what a great friend!

MaryRuth said...

Awesome...!
You can be in my polka band.

Daisy's Mom said...

You are such a dork.... and I love you for it!!

Being a total dork myself, I salute your trombone skills and totally defer to your Susa melodies!

Barb said...

That is just fabulous! I wanna come live in Chicago and be friends with you, Iwanski and Buck. You all have too much fun!

Unknown said...

What FUN! I think that is so cool! Imagine the fun you can have. Did your lips tingle? I took piano lessons for years growing up, and thankfully I can still sit and play a few things, but not really what you would call well...LOL.

Have fun!

Unknown said...

You know, my mother played trombone... and so did my dad. I guess that is how they met. We, my sibs, just called it her pea shooter and what's not to love about a pea shooter? Have fun tootling on your horn.

sageweb said...

Very cool..you have such a cute laugh...
are you guys gonna join a marching band?

rosemary said...

that is so cool.....you were awesome!!! I still have my accordion (I can hear you snicker) but I can't remember much about playing it. I wanna join the group too.

Sling said...

You STILL got it kid! :)
What a fun surprise Buck came up with.
You guys are gonna have a ball!

Random Thinker said...

Makes want to break out a violin and see if I still have the skills. Promise you'll post the duet you guys come up with after a month of practice.

Jeanna said...

That is excellent and one helluva lot better than when I picked up the violin after (muffled) years.
You sound great, love the sliding. What a cool and considerate gift.
Did it bring out the neighbors?

Anonymous said...

If I still had my trumpet, I'd pack my bags and join the festivities.

You're probably lucky I don't still have my trumpet.

Alderman Sheri S Hartzheim said...

How freakin' cool, Carly! You're ready for Sabre Show again!! HEE HEE! :) Have a great time playing duets with Your Dooder... Of course that calls for more YouTube videos.

Crafty snark said...

Wow. Pretty good after 10 years. Not an easy instrument to play. I shudder to think what I would sound like on the flute after all these years. Enjoy!

LostInColor said...

How totally awesome this is!!!! :)

lisahgolden said...

Whoo! You rocked that trombone. That's it. We're coming back to Chicagoland to form a band. MathMan plays the bassoon. The Actor plays baritone, I can still toot out some noise on my trumpet, The Dancer plays clarinet and Garbo will provide the attitude.

Oh, and please more video! I want to see video of the trombone/french horn duet.