La la ukulele: Do you play an instrument?

A few months ago, I ordered a blue ukulele, an impulse purchase, if there ever was one. In my mind, as soon as the instrument arrived, I would be singing and playing Israel Kamakawiwo's Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but after I eagerly ripped open the package, I could barely tune the thing. Damian, however, strumming and humming, carried the ukulele everywhere. (I was jealous of his mad skills). One of our neighbors even stopped him to say, "Hey! Nice ukulele!" as if he was complimenting Damian on something as ordinary as a new haircut. Then we carried the little blue uke on a weekend trip to Arkansas, and if nothing else, it served as a conversation starter.

These days, I'm slowly learning a few chords and how to tune, but normally when I try to play a song, I soon become irritated and lay the ukulele down in exchange for the guitar, more familiar territory. (I've never been known for my patience, and I have a long history of dabbling, particularly when it comes to music).

Last night, Damian and I hosted a movie night and after the movie (probably due to the conspicuous presence of the blue ukulele on the bookshelf) the conversation steered toward musical instruments. We began to realize a lot of people we know are closet musicians, so finally, Damian asked each person, one by one, what instrument he or she played.

"Well, actually, I teach piano..."
"You teach piano?!"
"Oh, and I play the clarinet."
"The clarinet! You don't say!"

It was hilarious, because we all felt like we were confessing. So, here's my confession: I played the violin throughout junior high and high school. I also played the saxophone in the sixth grade--I had braces and giant glasses and was a classic band nerd. I wish I had a picture to share. :)

So, I ask you, Gentle Reader, to confess: do you play any musical instruments?