Friday, February 18, 2005
Street Lessons
I think more professions should have times when they have to do their jobs on the street. Think of that. I actually have taught on the street during field trips. And then there was last night's Venice Third Thursday Stroll. I do that monthly just for good will and education. How'd you like to have to do your job on the street? A little sidewalk dermatology, curbside computer repair, pedestrian insurance sales?"Your Honor, I'd like to call my next witness as soon as that fire truck has passed and we can HEAR OURSELVES THINK!"
"Open wide, that's it. OOPs, let me get that pigeon feather out of your mouth."
Just like real estate or any business, location is key. It's never advantageous, for instance, to perform a solo acoustic act fifty feet from a rock band. The spots were assigned. Moving was not an option. This monthly event is thoughtfully disorganized by volunteer group of merchants who really have to examine carefully how much money they save by not hiring somebody to keep them organized. It's as effective at times as I would be if I relied on the good will of neighbors or passersby to cut my lawn, pick up my garbage, spray for bugs, provide electricity and cable and do my shopping.
This is the same group of merchants, God bless them really, who see no advantage in staying open past 5pm except for this one event each third Thursday. Small town charm stops being charming when you have to drive 20 minutes to buy something you ran out of just before your dinner at 7. But I love Venice, I really do. It's a town of many charms. The call-in anonymous newspaper gripe column, for instance, provides enough comic material to write a sitcom. If only I were so inclined. If only I even looked at sitcoms. But the weather here is unbeatable compared to anyplace I've ever been. Location, location, etc.
If I believed in preaching of any sort, I'd preach that there is something to be learned from everything you encounter. Especially the bad stuff. So while I bristled during my sets where I couldn't hear myself but heard the rock band just fine, I didn't have all the info. I thank my own wisdom in not going ballistic and copping and attitude because I was a lot better than I thought. The folks inside the store were extremely enthusiastic I learned afterward. The band that drowned me out was very nice and felt that they could hear me fine. They, apparently could hear me better than I could. They even mentioned my set list. How bad is my hearing? All of this could have been a bit more relaxing for me if I had somebody with me to check my sound. That was practical learning number two. The internal lessons go much farther. Be cool, smile even when you're pissed. Wink at children, make precious expressions at pets. Don't watch babes too long as they stride past. That takes a type of multitasking I'm really not equipped for. And you could lean right into your mic and knock it down. Not that it actually happened to me. Honest.
posted by Bud @ 6:52 AM
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