Move over, Benny Goodman

I may not be able to sing, and I certainly can't whistle, but for the last 20 years I have been making beautiful music, soothing sounds and miscellaneous cacophony on the clarinet.

This particular instrument in tubular form was a complete impulse buy nine years ago when I was living in Northern Japan. For weeks on end as I walked past this little music store, a beautiful and incredibly expensive wooden Yamaha was calling my name. Finally after about six weeks, I walked in, plopped down several vital organs and walked out of the store with my new baby. It wasn't til I got home to my tiny little closet of an apartment that I realized I didn't live anywhere that permitted me to play my heart out. Hehe, but to this day, it was one of the best purchases I've ever made.