Poor Dobby.  That part always makes me cry.  (Well, not the part in this picture.  The part in the book and the movie.)

When I tell people I am playing on the Metrolink this weekend, why do they ask if I am bringing protection?  It’s not that bad…is it?  I’ve only ridden it once.  I remember that being a little scary, but the RTA in Cleveland was always a little scary too and nothing ever happened.

Though, I certainly wish we had the public transportation of Paris…(link just goes to my recaps of Paris 😉 )

My sister Carrie is going to be on the radio tomorrow—you should tune in.  12:35 to 1 pm EST (that’s 11:35 my time) on Tuesday (I guess technically that’s today, isn’t it?)

How cute is she?  She plays the viola, which is like a violin, but bigger and more unwieldy.  (And the butt of many musician jokes.  I make them all the time and say “it’s okay because I’m married to a violist.”)

Here’s a classic viola joke:

An American orchestra had just arrived in Europe for a two-week tour. One hour before the first concert, the conductor became very ill and was unable to conduct, and the orchestra suddenly had to find a substitute. The orchestra manager asked everyone in the orchestra whether they could step in and conduct, and the only person who was willing was the last chair violist.

The manager was very nervous about this. “We can’t audition you,” he said.

“No problem,” replied the violist.

“There’s no time to rehearse. You’ll have to do the concert cold.”

“I know. It’ll be all right.”

The violist conducted the concert and it was a smashing success. Since the conductor remained ill for the duration of the tour, the violist conducted all of the concerts, getting rave reviews and standing ovations at each one.

At the next rehearsal, the conductor had recovered, and the violist took his place at the back of the viola section. As he sat down, his stand partner asked him “Where’ve you been for the last two weeks?”

I’d better get some sleep.  Tomorrow is my first official run of marathon training!