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jinxed, Life, street life

Taking the old lady out

oh my makery

With my Martin being in the shop for a repair, I’ve been using some of my other guitars. Yes, I have other guitars, who just has one!

I borrowed my husband’s Martin but the jack plug wasn’t working so I went back to my 3/4 Takamini … I played this one when I first started busking. It’s a lovely guitar but it’s not my Martin. So, the last couple of days I’ve been using my Takamine EN30C … the guitar I bought when I was 17.

I traded in a Yamaha jumbo and my dad loaned me the money to buy it. It’s the guitar I busked with acoustically on Spui strasse in Amsterdam. I played it in various bands, at music college, in front of the muted TV ( one of my favourite things) …. I thought it would be to fragile to take out on the street.

Well I have loved playing it. It’s been like taking out an aged relative expecting cream teas and a bit of snooze only to find them drinking shots and dancing on the table. Such a wonderful guitar❣️

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busking, Life, music, Uncategorized

Blue Steel

oh my makery

I saw these and those of you of a similar age will know why I couldn’t resist buying them. You know what? They sound good!

This is all part of the ongoing saga of my cracked guitar. It got too dry being played in the heat. It’s still at Manson’s being repaired… 😥😥😥

My wonderful husband, Jerri has been re-stringing all the guitars in the house. I have a nickel allergy and so normally use the Elixir strings but thought these would have to be worth a go on my trusty old Takamine… I might use it next time I go busking….

busking, Life, music, street life

what a day!

louisehartcom

Yup, that’s a real life car number plate. I want it, on a day that started with realising I’ve lost my very expensive glasses, just before getting rained on (even tho the met office forgot to mention this until they looked out of their window and saw it had rain drops on it) oh and also saw me later on, still wearing my busking frilly skirt while chasing a mummy pig and her piglets down a road and then later out of our wood… Yeah living the f***ing dream. FML.

I’ve seriously had enough of today…. At bedtime my daughter, who was protesting that it wasn’t fair that she had to go to bed, was genuinely surprised when told her that actually being a grown up sucks quite a lot. That while you can choose to stay up late and eat whatever you want, the reality is that mostly you’re too tired and the cupboards are empty (of chocolate, crisps and cider) That the only good thing about being a grown up is that I couldn’t be her mummy if I wasn’t an adult and she’s the best thing ever and makes it all worth it; Yeah. Some days are like that. They suck. A lot. And just when you think you’ve reached peak suck-dom then something else throws itself your way (like your neighbours escaped pigs 🐖)

So now, in the relative quiet of our home, before phoning my husband who is away busking in Bath I can reflect. That actually I really enjoyed playing today, that that lady who took he trouble to cross the road to shout “Rubbish” at me as she walked past must be quite an unhappy person to feel the need to do that sort of crap, andthat I’ve had my fair share of 💩jobs in the past and I am forever grateful to be able to sing and play guitar and that some people like it and give me money. That the highlight of my busking day was when a blind man carefully found his way to my case to give me money. He said I made his day. He made mine too, I gave him a CD. Hope he enjoys it.

Yey! So jaded, yes… Worn out, yes but also grateful, blessed and humbled.

busking, music, street life

Who ate all the pies?

oh my makery

Me. Whenever I busk at Cathedral Green I always get a coffee (decaf flat white if you’re interested) at The Plant Cafe. These are the good guys in life, amazing coffee who gives a crap loo roll and a selection of ‘lady products’ in the loo and AMAZING looking food.

Anyway, I drank my coffee and chatted with a few of the locals. One guy had been a guitarist and then suffered brain injury so was struggling to play. I felt sad for him as it must be awful to be so changed by something and so suddenly.

After a while more people were about so I started to play. It was already really hot. I had dressed for autumn but it was hot hot hot! One song in I’d taken off my cold weather gear and was playing in my vest; no longer as smart as I wanted to be but needs must.

Time passes quickly when I’m playing and by the time I’d finished I was famished. I always say I’m going to get something to eat from the nice cafe after playing but I never do; not until today. Oh my! I have been missing out. It was a toss up between the beetroot red onion and Brie or the sweet potato, ginger, coconut and dhal. The latter won…. As Arnie says, I’ll be back

busking, learning, music

Say What?

oh my makery

I’m working on a few new songs. One of my favourite songs of all times is Eloise by The Damned. It’s a big song but I’m sure I can pull it off.  I’m going to be dipping my toe in the water of guitar fx pedals too….First things first though, how many times have you thought you knew the lyrics and then, well Peter Kay says it best…. 

Also, this is one of the (many) songs I didn’t know was a cover…. I still like The Damned version best…..and who knew Barbra Streisand did Don’t Rain On my Parade before Japan? Not me until my wedding day when my Husband’s daughters (West End Musical Theatre Star) put me straight! In case you’re not familiar with the Japan version here it is

I love David Sylvian’s  voice both in Japan and solo; Secrets of the Beehive will continue to be one of my most loved albums.  Anyway, I digress, MUST LEARN THE WORDS!