Here they are …

(By the way, the upwards arrow that appears twice is a reminder to pick a starting note that’s higher than the one I’m thinking of using, so I’ll be able to hit low notes later)

And here I am …

I’m sitting in Lloyd Coffee Eatery, awaiting my Morning Club breakfast.  Two hours from now, my mouth will be open in song about fifty metres from here – in front of Eyes + More optician.

Breathe, Bruce, breathe

It helps when you sing

For months a choice has roamed around in my head.  Focus on performing some activity well or focus on loving the people who are witnessing the activity.

The cultural pull is for excellence but there’s something else at work in me.

Love them all.  Light the world

Six words that have been alive for years.

However, my mind has the capacity to be tricky:

If you love them, you’ll be relaxed

And then you’ll sing well!

Silly mind.

At 11:00 am, how about if I just beam love?  I may forget words, or be out of tune.  If that happens, how about if “So what?” comes in response?  Not a peace to achieve something.  Just peace.

That’s enough for now.  I’ll talk to you again after I sing.

***

As they say …

The best laid plans of mice and men

I had my moments of loving the passersby – many in fact.  Most often, though, it was the beauty of the lyrics I was feeling.  Such as …

The days they pass so quickly now
Nights are seldom long
Time around me whispers when it’s cold
The changes somehow frighten me
But still I have to smile
It turns me on to think of growing old

Not such a bad thing to be loving the words.

Virtually no one glanced at me as they strolled or hurried along.  One woman smiled and gave me a thumbs up … and kept going.  A friend of mine stopped to smile and listen.  No one else paused their day.

A woman came close, pointed to my sign, and started speaking in Dutch.  I didn’t understand.  And I lost the lyrics.  Thirty seconds or so later they returned.

My sign:

I don’t want any money.  Thank you

One man put his face close to mine and almost yelled, flailing his arms down the street.  I think he spoke Turkish and I know he wanted me to leave.  Once more the words of the song disappeared, and once more they reappeared in my mind after a short lapse.

***

My love for the passing shoppers was sporadic but I’d say I sang ten lovely songs … well.  And now my smile lingers

On to the next performance