Meet Dave

Yesterday was raining, so I took my time off busking. Weather forecast dictates my work schedule. Luckily this morning the sun came out and I could go out busking for a bit before it got cloudy again. Living in England I learned to take advantage of every sunny spell you get - because weather never stays the same for long.

This morning I woke up early because I decided to improve my Wedding Sign. I had to send it off for print and then collect it right before my busking. I just wanted it to look like I have put effort into it, not simply scribbled it on the peace of cardboard. And I hoped my fiance will like it too. It only cost me £1.80 and the print was ready to collect 10am.

I took me some time to setup. I attached the new sign to the cardboard and changed the batteries for the amp. Once everything was working, I began my playing as usual.

At one point I noticed a guy trying to dance to my music. His movements reminded me of contemporary free dance. I was playing "Hallelujah" at that point and as soon as I noticed him dancing, I tried to keep a steady pace. It was a good attempt, but halfway through the song someone tapped on my right shoulder and I looked up to realize it was Dave.  

Dave is a lively man in his 70s, we met more than one year ago while busking and I wasn't dress up as a zebra back then. He used to come and tell me about his complicated situation with a women he loves and I often helped him out with that. In return he's been taking really good photographs of me playing the piano, he often prints them off and hands them to me as a present. Since then we've been good friends and I very much enjoy his company when I busk. 

Today Dave brought me a new photograph of me and few graduates posing next to my piano. We had a quick chat and he stepped aside to let me carry on with my busking. The day was really nice and sunny, a lot of people were sitting in the garden, many were passing by and smiling to me. Occasionally I heard someone reading my sign out loud and I responded with a nod of my Zebra head.

There were still many graduates today. Someone told me "they were missing me yesterday". Not as many kids as previous days, but still occasional "Twinkle Twinkle Little Start" and "Run Rabbit Run" were present. Overall a really good day - I played for 3h until another buskers came. Dave stayed until the very end until we both left for a friendly pint of refreshing beer....

Pokemon Hunters, Graduates and Kids

The week has began very good with a nice, sunny weather. Not many buskers around on weekdays which makes my job very relaxed - less moving around. On Monday I started busking at 10:30am as usual, today I came out at 11:30am and Pavilion Gardens were still available. If it was weekend, I'm sure someone else would be already there playing...

From yesterday I started using a new sign. I made it up from the cardboard I picked up at the recycling bin. I am getting married in 1 month and thought it might be a good idea to make a sign: "Saving For Wedding". I thought it might help a little bit as I depend on the busking income quite a lot now. And it also makes it a little bit more personal. 

On the other hand I really wanted to make a funny sign I came up with few days ago: "Rarest Pokemon Ever Seen". I thought it's really funny as "Pokemon Go" is a very big thing right now. Lots of people go to parks and play this game. I assumed Pavilion Gardens is not an exception for the local Pokemon hunters. 

So what I did - I wrote the Pokemon sign on the back of Wedding sign and occasionally kept turning the sign around. I can't say for sure if the both signs made a big impact on my earnings, but it gave people something to talk about. Whenever I used Wedding sign people were throwing the coins in and saying "here is some for your wedding" or "give him something, he's getting married!" And whenever I used Pokemon sign people kept reading it loud to each other and laughing. Many people took photo of the sign and I could tell some boys were playing Pokemon Go and found the sign very funny. 

Both today and yesterday there were graduation ceremonies taking place at Brighton Dome. Graduates often come to the garden to take the pictures afterwards. Last year when I was busking around this time I got in the local news. Don't know how is it going to be this time, but some graduates did ask me if they could take a picture with me. Someone asked me "if I graduated myself today", that made me think I should have got a graduate hat for myself - would have been really funny...

On Monday my sister came to see me with her parents in law. They are from India and it was a real pleasure to play for them. They are visiting UK for the first time and I'm glad they were out in the garden on such a beautiful, sunny day. They told me afterwards it was very funny to watch me play and they were delighted of how many people were enjoying it too. My sister is into photography and she took some really nice pictures of us together. I promised I'll post one on my blog.

What really stuck in my mind after these few days were kids! Honestly, kids bring so much joy to my busking I can't get enough. There was a little girl today, she was so amazed by me she was standing and watching me for a very long time. When parents took her away she began to cry... Bless her! Another little girl was left in a pushchair very close to me while her mom taking a picture. She was so excited and was reaching her little hand out for me wanting to touch me. I reached my hand back and her mom took a really nice picture of her holding one of my fingers in her tiny fist... At some point there were so many kids around my piano, I began playing "If You Happy And You Know It". All of them were laughing and lively clapping along. Later on there was a kid with a "Happy Birthday" ballon attached to his pushchair - that was a perfect time to play "Happy Birthday" song! Another tune I often play for kids is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and after I hit the last chord I often point to the sky as if there was a star... The girl in the picture stood out from all of the kids today by running back and forward to me with the phone. At first I thought she wants to take a picture of me, but then I realised she wants me to take a picture of her. She was so happy she ran back to her mom holding the phone high up and laughing. 

Both days I played without stops for more than 3h. Somehow when I play I don't really feel any hunger or tiredness. It's after I finish playing when it suddenly hits me. Perhaps I a little bit over-did-it today. I was just waiting for someone to come along and replace me, but there was no one around...

After all when I went to the bank with all the coins, I knew it was worth it. The bag was so heavy I was afraid it will break... I believe busking is very rewarding both mentally and financially. In the end of the day I feel accomplished and I feel I have lived. As Abraham Lincoln once said: "It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Sunny Day in Brighton

It's Sunday! So lovely to have a nice, summery day in Brighton. It's about time - the end of July! Days like this really make a difference - a lot of people outside: tourists, international students, parents with kids etc. The whole city just comes alive - vibrant and lively. Perfect conditions for Zebra to come out and play some piano! 

I usually come out around 10:30am, not many buskers around at this time. Advantage of living in a center really helps - 10min and I'm in Pavilion Gardens. The sun becomes more present as I set up my gear. Few people passing by giving me smiles. I can hear them saying "zebra" to one another, they probably have seen me busking before. 

As soon as my mask goes on, I hit the epic choir chords to make everyone aware of my presence. "The show is on" and audience quickly builds up around my piano. They laugh and poke each other. Most of them have phones in their hands taking pictures and videos of me playing. The theme from "Amelie" goes down very well - I can already tell it will be a very good day! 

As I keep playing crowd keeps changing. I swing my head around and often look at the people, sometimes shaking my head in their direction. I focus more on the people rather then playing the piano - I trust my finger memory. It's about engaging with people and making a contact.

I often see kids and I give them a wave. Some of them give me a wave back, some of them keep staring at me with big, open eyes. They are so funny! Parents love watching their kids reaction too - they give them a coin and push them towards me. Very carefully they make their way to the front of the piano where "zebra mat" is lying for the money. They throw the coin in and laughing they run back to the parents as fast as they can. 

The day goes well, the time comes to 12pm and I have to move to give space to another buskers (famous man with an African drum and his partner with a soprano sax). We have a little conversation while I pack my stuff. I wish them well and keep moving.

Bond street is my best second choice, but I often get moved by police there. This time I'm smart. I know it's the tobacco shop that's calling police - I go straight in and ask the owner if I could play for no more than one hour promising to move straight after. He looks at me with a grin, but then agrees. I'm really happy! This day is really going well. 

Bond street very busy, people wondering through the lanes. The narrow streets make it look packed. I quickly set up and begin my set as usual. It's going well straight away. I keep getting smiles, laughs. People imitate horse sounds (not knowing the fact Zebra's actually have their own sound). Lunchtime is a very good time to busk on this street - sun is facing me like a spotlight.

The #mellowzebra of the Laines, because there aren't enough musical zebras in the world. #zebra #streetperformer #northlaines #brighton #sunday #summer

A video posted by Pattie (@probablypatricia) on Jul 24, 2016 at 1:12pm PDT

A family settles down on the other side of the street next to the pub. A little girl keeps looking at me and her father holds her hands. They become my main audience and I play for them. Sometimes I give them a wave and shake my Zebra head to make little girl laugh. Few kids stopped by and comment on the amount of money I got. "He must be rich," says one of them. I smile behind the mask and give him a funny head shake. 

I finish my set one hour later as promised to the Tobacco shop and pack my stuff. My fiancee comes along on the bike to give me a kiss even though I am all sweaty and smelly... I decide to take a little break, come home and have lunch...

Around 2:15pm I come out again. First I try Pavilion Gardens, but I notice an orchestra setting - they often have concerts there on the weekends. I can't go back to Bond street and quickly decide to try East street. 

East street is a very nice place to busk, there are at least three restaurants with tables outside, street serves as a link between seaside and Pavilion gardens - lots of foot traffic. The only downside of busking here - the spot is always taken by a big jazz band. They are regulars here and probably have been playing there for many years. According to the council busking leaflet (advisory) you can only busk in one place for 1h, these guys seem to be there 24/7. I think it's unfair to other buskers... 

So what I do - I just move a little bit up the street and play on the crossroads with Bartholomews. It's a very nice spot around 4pm when sun makes a turn and it gets a lot of sunshine. I was there around 2:45pm. The street was packed with various street traders, a fortune teller, portrait artists and also a massage therapists which is quite tempting after a long day of busking... 

Anyhow - I talked to one of the street traders, he's a really nice guy, sells different hand-crafted jewelry and bubble guns. He was holding in hands his 5-year-old son Omar, I never met him before, really cute boy. In the end I set up just opposite his stall and began my usual Zebra show. 

I played for 1 hour, as always got lots of attention. The friend I just spoke to making bubbles with the bubble guns - goes really well with my music. In the middle of set I noticed someone has put a 10-pound-note on my Zebra mat. I feel really appreciated when someone gives me such an amount. I wish I noticed the person at least to say thank you...

I finish my busking day at 4pm. Played 3.5h. Really great day, wasn't tired at all - that's how it should be. It pays off when you look after yourself - no point forcing the busking process. Have a nice lunch, drink plenty of water - it's all important. 

This is pretty much how a usual busking day goes. Lots of positive emotions, joy. Being Zebra is really fun and I feel like I made a lot of people happy today. This is what I will think about before I go to sleep. Tomorrow is another day. Hope it brings as much fun as today! 

Mellow Zebra and Escape From The Zoo

I begin here. At my desk in central Brighton flat. Apart from all the other reasons, we moved here to be in the center, less hassle and walking when getting around busking. Just down the road, five minutes away are famous Pavilion Gardens - my favorite place to busk. I believe busking in the garden makes me look more authentic as an animal. Nevertheless it compliments my image and blends well with the music I play. 

I call myself Mellow Zebra. The other option was Piano Zebra, because I play the piano, but that seemed too straight and obvious. "Mellow" sounds better and underlines the mood rather than the instrument. I think that's important, I love playing beautiful, mellow piano peaces, but also I love a bit of fun. As a zebra I don't take myself too serious - element of fun in my playing is often much appreciated. 

People often ask me - why? Why Zebra? And after I tell them the answer they often realize how obvious it is. I can give you a little hint if you want - it's about colors... But otherwise - you have to guess yourself. Perhaps you already know...

ESCAPE FROM THE ZOO

This is where I begin my story about escape from the zoo. You see, Zoo is a very nice place, you have your own cage, your own stall. You have few Zebras of your own kind living next to you and you are all being looked after by the Zoo keepers. You comply with their rules and life doesn't seem too much of a hassle at all... But then deep in your heart you know that you belong somewhere else, somewhere out there is a huge land with Zebras living free in the wild. You dream about that place and sometimes you talk about it with your fellow Zebras, but often they are scared to leave Zoo and they say "they like it here". And then you try to forget that dream and begin to focus on the life at Zoo. But whatever you do - you find it boring. There is no excitement and every day is the same. Sometimes Zoo keepers change the cage, but after few days it all comes back to normal and that voice inside your Zebra head keeps coming back reminding you about the land where all the animals are living together - free...

Busking for me is a little escape from the Zoo. When I busk I am being myself and feeling completely present. It's a very rewarding feeling. I love what I do and when you do what you love, it's simply amazing. What else do you need?

*   *   *

I sometimes wonder how would the job description look for what I do? Say you are looking at the newspaper and you see this post:

"Street Musician Wanted!

No previous experience or qualifications required. Need to have intermediate piano skills and passion for playing. Zebra uniform, instrument and necessary gear provided. Work on your own. Flexible hours of work. Travel around the world. Immediate start."

At this point many people would probably think how much would this job pay? A very important point missing is salary. Apart from knowing it depends on flexible circumstances, say we could actually travel to the future and see exact annual salary and then come back to the present and complete this job description with a certain number. Wouldn't this job advert look so much more attractive once you know the number, once you actually see it can cover all your costs? The point is we don't know the number yet and there is no one else out there to tell you what the number is going to be, but if you'd know it would be good enough and you were playing the piano - would you take the job? 

The way I think about it - I took this job. Even though there was never a job post like that and I made it all up in my head. When I think about it this way, it all doesn't sound too crazy after all and somehow goes along "the society norms". Perhaps it's a good way to explain the logic inside the silly Zebra head to a regular human being working "normal" 9-5 job.