Scribbler's Cafe

The Violin Saga

The problem with being the only adult in the house come Christmas, is that there is no one to sneak off and buy you exactly what you want. I don't let my three-year-old go on shopping expeditions on her own just yet. Besides, even if I did, she would come come with a bounty of princess tiaras, kitty notebooks and strawberry candy. So, this year, another member of our little family stepped up to take care of my Christmas wish. Hamtaro to the rescue!

Unfortunately, Hamtaro also has difficulty shopping as well, being a hamster and all. So, After I whispered to her what I wanted and let her borrow some money, I then returned her generousity by doing her the favor of taking the money back and heading into Osaka to pick the item up in her stead.

So, on Christmas morning, sure enough, there was a lovely new electric violin under the Christmas tree. Yea! Thanks Hamtaro! It was just what I wanted.

And then I tried to play it. I couldn't get any sound out of it, at least not with the bow. When I plucked the strings with my fingertips, the headphones could blow out my ear drums. The bow only made a slight whispering sound. Dammit! Kio, Hamtaro and I I are eating ramen throughout the last week of this pay period because of this damn thing. My Christmas cheer quickly turned into Christmas guilt.

Of course, you think, why don't you just take it back? Hmmm, good idea. But you see, I live in this country called "Japan". In Japan, they happen to speak a language called "Japanese". I am not graced with the miraculous ability to speak this strange tongue. So, even small tasks like returning a violin become monumentus undertakings that require two weeks to psyche up, complete with practice scenerios with my ever patient friends whom are graced with the "gift".

Anyway, after two weeks of avoiding the problem and sighing deeply everytime the case caught my eye, I finally sucked it up and took the damn thing back.

I brought Kio into Umeda with me. She loves riding the trains out and all the attention she gets in the crowds. Also, she makes people like me. So, when I plop the violin down on the counter and slaughter some Japanese that make 1/3 of my request comprehendable - I would expect a scowl from the clerk. Before that can happen, Kio breaks out her smile and flashes her giant baby blues at the bemuddled guy. "Konnichiwa!" She gushes. Her pronunciation is perfect. Mine is... not. The clerk smiles and says something to her in Japanese. Kio, of course, understands. She answers back some shy response that we can both barely hear, but that is definitely Japanese. The clerk understands her and drops his mouth open in delight. I, of course, did not understand my toddler. But, I look at his beaming face and know my skillful mangling of his mother tongue will be forgiven for the rest of this interaction. He may even try out some English with me.

Long story a little bit longer, the problem was my bow. The shop replaced it for free and now the violing sounds great (If not painfully out of tune due to my complete inability to hear tones correctly - aren't I just chock full of fabulous skills?) Kiomye and I were both very cheerful after our excursion. We walked through the crowded underground shopping streets back to the train station in a light mood. Kiomye held my hand and sang songs at the top of her lungs as we strolled along. She seems to think that in large, bustling crowds, no one can see or hear her. They can and they do. Again, wth the cuteness making everyone around her turn and smile and gasp "Kawaii!".

Last night I spent an hour trying to make my fingers work over the strings. When I was younger, I could play rather well. Now, not so much. At least I'm still better at violin than I am at Japanese. Wait, is that a good thing?

posted by Scribbler @ Sunday, January 08, 2006