The tooba arrived…

…today!

What?  You don't remember the Bath House Brass instruments that came out in 1967?

I remember the commercials for these coming out that summer.  Unfortunately it was my older brother's birthday that came every July and he was the one gifted with the brassoon.  In the long run I did end up being the one playing with it the most — even years later.  Like, maybe into high school?

So anyways…

There is this band in Lexington, called the March Madness Marching Band, that started back in the summer of 2008 (I think).  The band came together as a bunch of adults who had participated in band when they were in school.  Band members pretty much dress in non-matching uniforms, holiday themed attire, etc., and they also have a drill team (pantomime and dance).  The band was only to perform for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade, to promote LOCAL FIRST Lexington, but they were so well received they've continued to perform in other parades and events around the town, state, and a few other states, too.

I knew a couple of pholks in the band and thought about joining myself, except I don't play a band instrument.  However!  I called up my brother and asked him if he still had his brassoon.  He said he thought it might be in his shed, but that he also thought a mouse had used it for a chew toy and probably wasn't in the best shape.

And so I let go of even the idea of joining MMMB.

In comes eBay.  I've been shopping pretty regular on eBay since I got laid off from work (I know!  Who shops when they're out of work!).  Well I was looking for certain things and those certain things become a few more things until finally I thought to look on eBay for a brassoon.

And I would find one from time to time, but the beginning bid or even the "buy it now" price was already a $100 or more.  Until some guy listed a brassoon and a flooglehorn still in the boxes they came in — with starting bids of $9.95!

So I bid on both of them.  And I won both of them!

And those purchases prompted me to look around these here innernets to see how many other Bath House Brass models there were.  There was a third one called a tooba and logically I had to have one, too.

It took months and months and months for one to finally turn up on eBay.  It wasn't a brand-new-still-in-the-box tooba, but it did come with the box — and a spare!  This seller was listing two toobas, one in pristine condition, the second in need a small repair, one box, and the instructions for $9.95!

I bid.  Others did bid against me, but I won!  I did pay a bit more for the tooba than I did the brassoon or flooglehorn, but when you consider that I got two toobas my purchases were more an equal cost each.

And the tooba(s) arrived today:

Soooooooooooo! 

Once I get back home, and going to the gym regular again, my goal will be to get back in the shape I was before I got laid off from my job.  Once I'm strong and loaded with the endurance I had then I will try and audition for the March Madness Marching Band.

I'm planning on having some fun in my middle age, pholks!

Oh!  And the brassoon, flooglehorn, and tooba are easy to play because they are really just elaborate and comical looking kazoos!  I think I would fit right in with the MMMB if I were wearing these and my "playable" costume.  I'll figure out some way to attach them to my clothes — if I pass the audition!

Here's to my getting strong and being able to hum in tune!