Two unusual events to brighten the day. Both required the stepping out of the comfort zone.
The first was a BBQ held in our street. Not unusual in other parts of the world but a bit scarce in my experience. I met the neighbours from the end of our cul de sac - a much more poetic way of saying ‘dead end street.’
Even though the BBQ was at short notice, we had a fair sprinkling of neighbours and it was a delight to be there. It also gave me an opportunity to play guitar in the street in the hours leading up to lunch. That - in itself - required a certain courage. It was short notice because the weather gets cooler by the day. We’ll have another event closer to Christmas which is generally quite hot here, in Australia.
The second event was yesterday - my last day of work for a month. My sister - a nun - invited me to drop in to the convent for lunch prior to my shift. My sister is an unusual nun. A yoga teacher and an all round, open minded woman who comes to see me play when time allows. She is both a joy and an inspiration.
There are novices from ‘the South Seas’ at the convent and I had it in my mind to play my south sea island song for them if the conditions allowed. I’m still not a natural performer nor can I hide behind great guitar technique so to play would, again, require moving out of my comfort zone.
I left the guitar in the car and entered a hall in which a score of nuns were just starting an Easter lunch. A bright and cheerful atmosphere, an excellent meal and lots of introductions. Towards the end of the meal the conversation moved to music and, with the encouragement of the group at my table, I went and retrieved the guitar. I no longer get terrified at the thought of performing by using the simple aid of not thinking about it and then moving from moment to moment which, of course, requires putting one foot forward and then the other.
It’s the best ‘gig’ that I’ve played. Three songs later and I head off to work feeling energised and encouraged.
I usually take my guitar to work although I’ve been so ‘snowed under’ recently that I often don’t have the time nor the energy to play. Two of the ‘clients’ - what a horrible word that is - quite like my stuff and were keen on a few songs. The bloke for whom I’m a key worker and who is classified as non verbal gave me a chuckle when I asked him what he’d like to hear........ “You gotta move”, “ Knocking on heavens door”, “Waltzing Matilda” “Happy Birthday” and “Pain and Sorrow,” came tumbling from his lips.
Played them all except ‘Pain and Sorrow’ which is one of my songs for which I’d forgotten both the chords and the words.
I’m now officially on holiday and will head north tomorrow.
There are a few isolated pubs in the general area in which I’ll be travelling. I hope to play there - not for money - just adventure.