thank you so much for the birthday wishes!!!!! Many lovely things happened on my birthday... I had a party for my dearest friends in ATL and we had a special meal: moqueqa de peixe (brazilian fish stew), fruit salad, fresh figs with goat cheese, and saint andre cheese with pears. And we had strawberry whipped cream birthday cake on the roof deck!!! I wore a very sexy mermaid-like dress, and put flowers in my hair, and lit my apartment with candelight to celebrate.
I called my family on my birthday and my mom & dad sang to me on the phone. my Momma told me that I was the best daughter she could ever have (or something like that) and that she loved me since the day I was born, and I almost cried. I know that she always loves me, but I am so happy to feel more connected to her now than I did before!
Other news: I have a new tutoring student, an adult who was the former Chief of Police???!!! Yay!!! I feel like I am in a TV show.
I played a concert yesterday... it was actually a memorial for my cello friend who was killed back in May, and it was really, really sad and really, really amazing.
Happy belated birthday! How was your birthday weekend? I've been meaning to call but have been incredibly busy for the past week and sick too. I'm still busy now, but the cold is going away.
I just got back to NYC on tues, and I've had 7 rehearsals and a concert already; I'm on a bus to Philly to play a concert tonight; then upstate to record with XXXX XXXXXXX tomorrow; then back on wed to get ready for another week in Iowa with the quartet starting sun! Yaaaaa! Craziness. Oh, and H [my former cello teacher] is playing this gig with me and XXXX XXXXXX - she asked how you were doing. Small world!
So, amongst this wild week, I will try to give you a call. A [one of his brothers] just bought a new violin, and it is a good success story. I hope I can offer some encouragement in that area! I'll be in touch!
BXXXXXX
Overall... good energy, more information about his life? It sounds like he is really busy which is good? And he brought up my shopping-for-a-cello project which is thoughtful of him.
What do I do??
I'm thinking I should be encouraging, but not too encouraging? And get back relatively soon? yet still leave the ball in his court for calling me?
Something like,
Dear BXXXX,
Thank you for the birthday wishes! My birthday weekend was great!! I had an awesome party. And on Sunday we did an all-brahms orchestra concert which went SOOOOOO well... I wish you could have heard it!
Congratulations on everything you're doing with your violin. That's great that you're performing and recording with XXX, and everything else! I'm sorry to hear that you are sick though, I hope you have an instantaneous 100% recovery!!
I would love to hear more about AXXXX's successful instrument search! I am feeling a lil confused about mine. How was getting your instrument fixed by its maker? Give me a call when it's a good time for you, and safe travels.
TRANSFORMER
What do you think guys?
I think it's encouraging that he wants to try to call me soon. Technically he will just be returning my phone call from over a week ago, but at least now I know why he didn't call me sooner.
WOW! Wow wow wow. God. Ok, I am clearly not right, ever, at all and am a total nana. I felt his last email was giving you a polite brushoff.. and then this !?
OHHHHH MYYYYY GODDD! Yuo must have been amazed! Thrilled!
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! Sorry that I missed it, but sounds like you had a really great time.
Ok..your email sounds great and I agree, respond within a day or two. I love that he makes excuses and apologies as to why he didnt reply sooner, thats great T!
Yuor email was fine, but I would tone down the excitement/number of exclamation marks a little and also, take off the wish he could have been there (bit too much?). So seeing as you asked, heres my edit, but hey, you know him and your sitch best, right!
Thank you for the birthday wishes, my birthday weekend was great!! I had an awesome party. And on Sunday we did an all-brahms orchestra concert which went SOOOOOO well... you would have loved it/you missed a treat/leave this bit off altogether? Congratulations on all your latest concerts. That's great that you're performing and recording with XXX! I'm sorry to hear that you are sick though, I hope you have a quick recovery.
I would love to hear more about AXXXX's successful instrument search, I am feeling a lil confused about mine. How was getting your instrument fixed by its maker? Safe travels, look forward to hearing from you.
Soooooo happy for you T, seriously, I am amazed, I think his email is very positive, generally. Whatever you have been doing, seems to be working !
Ali xxxxx
Me:40! H:37 Together: 12yrs IDLY & left 11/07 ADs 03/08 OW 8/08 Reconciled 05/09 now married! my thread
Personally T I'm not sure a response is called for or needed as he has said he will phone you later in the week. I would just trust him on that and wait for him to take the initiative.
Or if you wanted to say something I would just keep it short and say something like
Dear B
Nice to hear from you. Thank you for the birthday wishes! I'm sorry to hear that you are sick though, I hope you have an instantaneous 100% recovery!!
No problem about the call, whenever is good for you. Safe travels.
T
And
HAPPYBIRTHDAY
Sorry I missed it, I hope you had a wonderful time.
Great news that B e-mailed! I think your original response is good- IMHO you guys need to build a connection, and he seems sometimes wary around you, so be yourself and be friendly and encouraging. I like that you suggested he call when it's convenient; let him feel in control and come to you.
YAY that your birthday went well, and I hope the memorial concert was a success.
Yay! Very happy that B emailed. And I vote for your original email and sending it soon. You are building the safe friendship bridge beautifully. I'm crossing my fingers that he calls you and you can try the appreciating / flirting thing on the phone with him.
Congrats on the new tutoring student. And I'm so glad that you and your Mom are connecting so well and you feel loved by her. That is such a wonderful gift that you have been able to give each other.
How was getting your instrument fixed by its maker? Give me a call when it's a good time for you, and safe travels. 