David Runnion wrote:

>I have had funny experiences in taxis, when the driver wants me to put the
>cello in the trunk, and I say no, it should go in the back seat, it's worth
>about ten times as much as your car!  That shuts 'em up!

Which reminds me that within the past few months or so Yo-yo Ma left
his cello in a taxi and didn't recover it until the next day and a
prominent violinist (don't remember who) also left his violin in a taxi
and scrambled to recover it.  Neither immediately realized they were
missing their instrument.  I find it hard to believe that anyone whose
career is dependent on their instrument and whose instrument is so costly,
can 'forget' it and leave it in a cab.  I remember at a recital given by
Elsa Hilger, someone was trying to be helpful and went to carry her cello
for her and she sort of snatched it from his grip and insisted on carrying
it herself.

Mary Esterheld
Office of the Deputy Provost