Diary Of A Busker Day 10 Wednesday December 15th Winchester High Street (20 yards down from WH Smiths) Time: 1:20 – 3:10pm.
Another 1 1/2 hour session, as I seemed to have more than the usual amount of people coming up and being friendly, dispensing humbling comments, usually concerning The Third Man arrangement. The trouble is, I’m finding it hard to take part in a conversation and play at the same time…and I’m not ambidexterous, as I pointed out to that Big Issue guy who was bothering me in Southampton. However, no one gives money to an non-playing busker, so I am eager to start up again. Then George turns up – his third appearance in as many days. This time he wants a photo of me to help publicise some gigs he’s trying to arrange.
Later, a voice beside me – “Hey, I’ve been listening to you, how much do you go for? I know a jazz club in Southampton. I run it, called Sunrise. Be honest, how much do you charge?” “Oh, I don’t know…I just played a wine bar for fifty pounds.” You idiot – that’s cheap! – why didn’t you lie and say a hundred? “Listen, yer really good, now, there’s alot of old people there, sometimes they look like they aren’t listening, but they’re just asleep – it’s a rest home.” This was Pam, an American lady of about 85. “Where are you from?” she says. “You mean my accent? I lived in Canada for awhile.” Pam says she doesn’t like Canada. She said she’ll go and get some change for me. After an hour, I thought she’d forgotten, or gone back to her rest home, but she did come back and she did give me some change. She kept her word, which is something. I give Pam my card, so she can phone me about the rest home gig. Pam says she sometimes entertains the old folks with her ukelele – something I am quite looking forward to, if this comes off.
…I may tape a sign to my hat, saying “NO FOREIGN COINS PLEASE”, as I have had a couple chucked in today, including a 50 Forint coin. After research, I discovered this is from Hungary and worth about 26 US cents, but worthless to me, as no bank…
Earnings: £11.22p.
…I’m still waiting to hear back from Pam. I’m fearing the worst.