u/aa1ou

My wife was awarded a Fulbright to Sierra Leone, and she’ll be taking our daughter with her. Our daughter plays cello, and we’re not sure yet whether we’ll be able to find a cello locally.

If we can’t, we’re considering bringing one with them. It would be my daughter’s old student cello, not her good instrument.

Does anyone have experience traveling internationally with a cello, especially to places where finding or servicing one locally may be difficult? We’d appreciate any advice on the safest and most practical way to transport it, whether that means checking it, buying an extra seat, using a flight case, shipping it, or something else.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Has anyone dealt with the condemnation process in Norman? As part of all of the road construction, the city wants a 24.5 sqft corner of my property. Honestly, not much. The valuation method was amateurish (4 year old sales with no adjustments and a two year old sale 1/2 miles further away from campus). They also refuse to give any value to trees and bushes in the area though they ignore the question rather than say $0.

However, this really isn't the issue. The issue is that they are refusing to give me any hard definitions. They are demanding an 804 sqft temporary easement that includes my entire driveway and the only viable entrance to my house. They refuse to give any type of time frame. I do not know if this a week or 6 months. Even if they intend to be short, they are insisting I sign an open ended document. For all I know, they could be intending to use my driveway for equipment staging. If I sign this, they could do this legally even if they do not intend to do so. I ask about parking, and they say the city might open up an area north of the construction zone for parking (something that students would likely use).

I asked about damage. They tell me that if a contractor damages my property through negligence, I can file a legal claim against them (sue). Damage can also occur through other than negligence, but I guess that's my problem.

I'm concerned about liability, and I asked to be indemnified. If a worker gets injured or killed, the city isn't responsible, and the contractor is limited by workman's comp. The only person to sue is me. If it happens in the temporary easement, I'll be the only person who could be sued. There are some legal theories that say I'm not responsible, but it isn't assured either way. In any event, lawyers often file shotgun cases. If they are going to force me to let then use my land, it isn't unreasonable to ask about protecting me.

There are a few other details, but the city just ignores them. I sent a detailed letter two days after I received a letter. They responded after 42 days with a couple of statements (like they might open up parking a block or two away) and generally just saying their offer was fair. I responded the same day, reiterating my concerns. Two weeks later, I get a letter offering me $300 more and no address of my concerns. I ask for 30 days to consider everything, and a week later, they right of way consulting company responds in a single sentence that the city is going to do a condemnation and asking if I have any questions.

It is really comical. They refuse to give me any details. I didn't give all of the details, but they basically just keep saying, "trust us, it will work out." They just want me to sign an open ended agreement. All of the emails have been poorly written and very amateurish. I guess we go forward. An hour phone call followed up by a single letter could have resolved this.

Oh, and there was a veiled threat to tear down a 30 year old fence that is bordering the right of way. Not in it. Bordering.