you *don't* have your own tuba???
Nope. Every tuba I've regularly played belonged to either my school or the Salvation Army. Tuba/Sousaphone, along with certain percussion and pianos, is in that "frickin' huge" class where the instrument is often provided by the organization, since a lot of students can't afford one.
After college, I had a classic chicken and egg problem... I might have considered joining a community band, but I didn't know how to enquire if they could provide a tuba. But I didn't want to acquire a tuba without knowing I had a band to play it in.
eh? just ask if they'll provide! you're the king of silliness.
It made more sense to me at the time.
*hee* you look goofy all tubaed up. but i suppose that can't be helped.
you're a far, far braver man than me.