Monday, June 11, 2007

The Busker, Part II

i've officially made more busking than i did in Vegas.

last weekend's two-hour take was $29. combined with my $6 initial experience, that makes $35. even if you don't count the money i put in to win at slots (that is, my actual losses), i only got $34 payout.

i made up a song about mango ice cream, and another one about butterflies, and a peruvian man and his translator told me all about god. i also got to meet a man carving a hiking stick and another busker, Curtis. Curtis has a kick drum/hi-hat set up along with his guitar, and he does them good ol' down south blues. he's good, and nice. he dropped a couple bucks in my case a little while after directing me to a good spot to set up.

so... i think i'm hooked. practicing guitar, getting paid for it, no pressure of a show... yeah. i like busking.

Tennis Kicks My Butt!

seriously. my ass is sore today from an hour of 'tennis' yesterday. i put that in quote marks cos if you ever see me play, the only resemblance to the actual sport you would see is that i hold a racquet and there is a round yellow ball.

but it was fun! i managed to eke out a string of maybe five returns against my opponent, a personal best. and my opponent NEVER misses. that wall is one tough customer!

Friday, June 1, 2007

The Little Things Make You Feel Special

as summer approaches (it already feels like it's here), the trees become lush and green, and parkways and walks become a cool respite from the blazing sun. and in this shifting pattern of dark greens and bright drops of sunlight, little tufts of plant matter drift softly like the seeds of dandelions, fluffy and buff-coloured, catching the light and making the path feel full of magic.

even when the day is hot and you're sweating through your work clothes and there are too many things to do and too many people to contact, it's good to let a little child-like magic slip in. you don't even have to stop (like smelling the roses). just notice, while you're on your way. it's the little things that often make the big things worth it.

like a cat curling up by your side. or a bird singing outside your window.