On the world stage 2020 was a Yin Yang year. The deadly virus stalking the planet was a BIG Yin; Joe Biden toppling Trump was a BIGLY Yang. However, being neither a medico nor politico writer – I like to blog only about busking as it relates to me, me, me, as anyone who is reading this will see, see, see.
2020, too, was a Yin Yang year on my personal stage. The deadly virus that cancelled my busking
season was a BIG Yin; my blog (this blog!) being Google-rated as NUMBER ONE
atop the Top 10 Busking Blogs and Websites to Follow in 2020 was a BIG-time Yang. (*See the Google image atop.)
Every New Year people tend to hope and trend to resolve that this will be the best year ever, or at worst, be a year better than the year before. For the most part, such self-fulfilling prophecies usually ring true. And can there ever be a better way to ring in 2021 than with a couple of fortune cookie readings!
“Laughter is the best medicine.” “You will soon make an important decision.” These were the first two of the many fortune cookies stuffed into our Chinese food takeout, the traditional New Year’s Day menu for the Child family.
Laughter is the best medicine. As a therapist I tend to mockingly follow the creed of Frasier Crane (from the American sitcom, Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammar as the Harvard-trained psychiatrist) who said, “If you can’t laugh at your clients, what fun are they!” This, of course, is in reference to my private practice in a general, most certainly nary a slam nor slight to any clients in particular.
You will soon make an important decision. Yikes. My most important decisions made so far for 2021 have been a couple of Yang walks around Wascana Lake. (Luckily, I’ve no Yins yet to report, but should the Fates allow, there are still another 364 days to go in 2021! I've my fingers crossed hoping for the Fates to be exceedingly kind!)
In retrospect, my life represents a syncretic impulse of writing and busking. Dear reader, my New Year’s resolutions will confirm this life trend of mine to continue:
In 2021 I want to self-publish two books, one a mnemonic dictionary, and the other an adolescent piece of science fiction. I’ve had experience with traditional publishing companies, having two books previously published with traditional publishing agencies. I must admit getting to be a published author was a Yangful of fun, writing and rewriting and more rewriting, but a Yinload of angst having to wait and to wait and to wait some more for the news and reviews. This time ‘round I want to control the entire writing enterprise, but alas I am thus far more filled with Yin than with Yang.
I know, compared to traditional publishing, the online self-publishing is easy-peasy. Even so, I lack the necessary technical confidence to upload and download my book and hit the send button to the publishing platform. I have the hardware and the software; I do not have the necessary wetware (brain)! My intellectual self knows this is just a mole-hill problem step over; but my heartache self is convinced this is a very high mountain to climb.
Therefore, be it resolved that I have these two books published online before Springtime. (My adolescent science-fiction one is complete; my mnemonic dictionary needs just one more rewrite.)
In 2021, I am writing the CANADIAN HYPNOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION MASTER CLINICAL EXAMINATION. At first glance such an endeavour seemed rather too learned and too stodgy. However, just a couple days into the New Year, I have been writing about current therapy theories, whilst reflecting and also writing on the pragmatic probabilities as I’ve personally experienced from past professional sessions with clients.
Therefore, be it resolved that I have this examination completed and ready for submission Saturday March 20th (the first day of spring).
In 2021 I am scheduled to make a recording. Staff at the best guitar shop in Regina (B SHARP) have decided to offer free recordings and posted videos for their regular consumers. Near the back of the guitar shop is where they stack all the big speakers and monitors and other sound equipment. These music-gear lined walls in the back look to be the very cool and perfect setting for a garage-style recording. Of all their consumers given this recording opportunity, I am slated to go first! I’ve decided to sing one of my original songs, strumming my twelve-string and blowing my harp, while being seated on a bar stool. Cap-a-pie I will have messy hair, a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and hiking boots. This is my oftentimes busker Bobby Dylan alterity.
Of all the guitar guys with whom I regularly share the stage, I stand alone in the fact that I’ve no interest in traditional recordings in the hope of leading to rock star fame. I am but a busker seeking the planetary experience, not a performer seeking a record deal.
Therefore, be it resolved that I have one of my original songs polished and ready to perform January 17th.
In 2021, on the street when the weather permits, I want to draw lots of pencil portraits. (I am both a guitar busker and a portrait busker.) I need to continue to practice, practice, practice to sketch anyone’s portrait within my designed 15-minute time frame. I decided upon 15 minutes for a trio of reasons: First, being a busker one has to impress to make money. Busking is a mercenary adventure, and to quick-draw people’s portraits on-the-spot under 15 minutes does attract potential consumers. Guitar busking, I rarely draw a crowd; most people simply toss their coin into my guitar-case while walking by. Drawing portraits, I always draw a crowd. People tend to gather behind me, while comparing the pencil strokes on my sketchpad to the real person modelling in front of me. And second, keeping with the mercenary theme, the more people I can draw the more money I make. For example, charging ten bucks a portrait, at fifteen minutes per person, I can earn $40.00 per hour. And last, the longer it takes me to draw someone, the more that person expects a photo-like production. I am a portrait busker – I am not a portrait photographer.
Therefore, be it resolved that I begin to draw at least three people a week, be it for profit or for practice, until my street-busking season begins.
I’ve begun this resolution with IRIS, the first-born to my busking buddy, Devon, and his wife, Elly.
I’m continuing this resolution with VAYDA, the first-born to my long-time buddy, Taylor, and wife, Nicole.
And to close, it is obvious that IRIS is a chip off the old busking block!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
AND THE BEST OF LUCK …
BE IT WHATEVER YOU RESOLVE!
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