High Tech - Low Tech

Why I Started the Cello

I live in two worlds now.  The high tech world and the low tech world.  For about the last twenty-five years, I've making my living as a software engineer, a computer programmer if you will.  In our culture we tend to identify ourselves with our vocation.  If somebody asks you what you are, we answer, a computer programmer, a teacher, a plumber, or whatever it is that we do to earn money but we are much more than that we are a parent, a child, a happy person, a smart person, etc. Also, it is not unusual to have more than one career.  I've had two so far.  I was a school psychologist and now I'm a computer professional -- two very different areas.  For the past several years, I have focused on my computer career to the neglect of other aspects of my personality. Lately, I've really wanted develop those other areas.  For what ever reason, in the past year, the cello has become a passion (or an obsession as my kids will tell you).  I believe there are several reasons for this.  First of all the cello is a beautiful instrument--both to look at and to listen to.  Second it uses a completely different mindset than computer work which is refreshing to me.  It's a challenge to learn to play well. It's low tech - some of the best examples of cellos are 300 years old (although there are some aspects of high tech like carbon fiber endpins, I still consider it a low tech instrument).  There is something satisfying to creating a beautiful sound from this wonderful instrument.  Mostly though, I think I wanted to learn to play the cello because it is symbolic of reconnecting with alot of aspects of me that have been ignored for years. A contrast to help me have more balance.  I will continue to live in both the high tech and low tech world.  The high tech world pays the bills and the low tech brings my a new level of satisfaction.