Then, this afternoon I got this email from B:


Transformer!

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.

Eagerly awaiting your thoughts as always,
love,
T