Encores, sons and endpin anchors

I can confirm that the encore I referred to a couple of weeks ago was indeed 'Alone' by Sollima. The cellist we heard at the Brighton Dome, Umberto Clerici, E-mailed the Brighton Dome Notice Board to verify it. Actually, from his website I noticed that he has been to USA since then and played the piece in question in Cleveland and Ann Harbor, Michigan.

I rarely miss a cello practise session. Usually it is 1-2 hours according to how the fingers and arms are holding up. However, one of our sons has left the house he rented with 2 other folk when the lease ran out and has moved all his stuff back home! He has so much that there is no room for him and so he is sleeping at his sister's down the road. He is planning another trip abroad for a few months. New Zealand this time. Last time it was Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam. He was going to visit Canada - specifically the West, but they don't easily recognise his qualification in Canada, but they are very keen on it in New Zealand. He is an ODP - Operating Department Practitioner. My time has been taken up, therefore, with finding space where there is no space.

Yesterday I had a good session and did rather better than expected. Perhaps a break is sometimes good. Also, my husband has made me an endpin anchor that won't skid all over a polished wood floor. Last week at Orchestra I had to cling on to the cello with my knees as the floor has been waxed, and my 'Black Hole' was useless. The Double Bass hissed at me to 'spit on it' which I did - several times - asking the gifted 10 year old on my left to avert her gaze! I have a real problem with sportsman spitting so even this ladylike version went against the grain and something had to be done. Now I am the possessor of one of those wooden ones with several holes and a cord that goes behind the front legs of the chair. It's perfect.