POTTY AWARD

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Les Smith wrote:

> Greetings, All!
>
> When I first turned on my computer today, my intention was to start
> off the New Year by writing a note of thanks to the list for giving me
> the opportunity to participate in the discussions and to interact
> with all of you on a daily basis. Given the way my continuing health
> problems have impacted my ability to function as either a tech or a
> pianist, it is certainly the best therapy I could possibly have.
>
> I started out today by reading my e-mail. When I came to Jim's post
> concerning the POTTY award and started reading it, the question in
> my mind was: "I wonder who got it--Del, or Steven?" Although I knew
> I had been nominated, I never expected to win. After reading through
> Jim's post a couple of times, my surprise was such that I just walk-
> ed away from the computer for a while, unsure about how I should reply
> to the news.
>
> My immediate response surprised even me, I did something I haven't
> been able to do in going on two years now. I made my way over to my
> favorite piano-- a restored, 1885, Knabe, rosewood, nine-foot grand--
> and spent almost an hour fumbling my way through some simple Chopin
> and thinking about you guys. The "playing" was poor, but the thoughts
> were good! :)
>
> Now I'm back at the computer keyboard--temporarily :) I would sincerely
> like to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to participate in
> this forum, for the unexpected award, and especially for giving me the
> impetus that moved me back to the piano after all this time. That great,
> old Knabe helped to remind me of why I became a technician in the first
> place. In fact--despite the fact that many years ago when we were first
> married, my wife (whom I met while tuning her piano!) said there wasn't
> any--it even lead me to think that there might be hope for me yet!
>
> Summing up: Thank You, Pianotech and Best Wishes for the New Year!
>
> Les Smith
>
> PS I'm putting the final touches on a post that's probably going to have
> to be preceeded by one of my "GET READY" warnings. It's concerns a some-
> what UNIQUE approach to evaluating the quality of a piano. I'm mention-
> ing this ahead of time in order that you can...well...er...you know...
> have time to...er...get ready! :)
>
> LS

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Les,

Well, surely, there was really was any contest. The rest of us put words on paper (ok, the screen). You write.

Thank you for informing me, enlightening me, making me smile and entertaining me through the past few months.

Del