SERENA SMITH
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Busking Life

HostJane Day 2

3/10/2021

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​You ever have one of those days where everything just goes wrong for you? Like the universe is trying to tell you to just go back to bed? Yeah I had one of those days today. It’s been raining a lot lately so I’ve been anticipating going out this (Sunday) morning to try to get some videos and selfies done for HostJane.com. When I left the house the weather seemed great. Nice and sunny, no problems. I thought I’d go up to the cathedral area for some nice photos.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
 
I got up the hill and realised right away that it was really windy. I thought it’s probably just in that area, it’ll be fine! Found an area I wanted to set up to do some videos in… but I forgot that churches actually have their services on Sundays. I saw signs and heard them inside. So I realised I couldn’t blast my music right next to the cathedral. It would be rather awkward. So I moved on and found a spot in front of the arches between the cathedral and Bailgate. There’s also a church there but thought I could try some unaccompanied videos.
This time I used this flexible phone holder so I could be hands free. I tried to clamp it onto my violin case and only managed to get one video in before it just kept falling over because of the wind. I was also cold so I was trying to see if I could wear my jacket but it is difficult to keep the jacket back so the wording on my shirt is visible while I’m trying to actually play my violin. So I gave up on it then (but I was more successful later on).

Then I saw a free bench and thought I would grab that and try to do some videos sitting there. Well I scrambled to pack my stuff up, but as soon as I looked up again I saw some old couple had taken it already. Bad luck. So I went looking for somewhere else. Then I saw a spot where I could attach the phone holder to a fence and have some nice old walls in the background and the light was good there so I gave that a try. For some
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reason I struggled so much adjusting that holder thing so it would stay in place and not show the bright red bins in the distance behind me! Eventually managed to get a few little selfies and videos in. People nearby told me they were enjoying it and someone came up to me and asked if I’m a student. I said no, I’m a professional musician and just explained what I was doing. She explained she sees lots of students come up in that area so that’s why she asked.
​Flying Case
 
So finally things were going ok, but suddenly, in the middle of Despacito, my violin case actually flew away! I had to run after it. The inside pocket was open, so any bits of paper and business cards I had in there went flying too. I saw one fly away that I couldn’t retrieve so that is definitely lost to the universe. Guess whoevers card that was, I was not meant to have it! People around me who saw it happen were very nice and helped me gather everything. Just when I thought I got it all, a little girl came up to me and said “Excuse me”. She had picked up the cloth that goes on my violin in the case. I was very grateful for that and she seemed so sweet.
 
So that was enough of that. I went to another area that was still windy, but  enclosed so I didn’t have to worry about my case actually flying away again. I suppose normally when I’m out there, it’s full of coins which weighs it down a lot so not a problem. Never really thought about it before.
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​Btw, when I took the photo on the right I was on my way up the hill, completely unsuspecting of what was to come.

Also my fingers froze after being outside so long so I had to go indoors to do a bit more. I didn’t get as much done as I had planned. But, I will give it another go in the week and see what happens. Wish me luck! 
As always, tell me your thoughts in the comments below!
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    I am an American British violinist and fiddle player.  I play full time as a street musician in addition to the live gigs I perform with several bands.

    Disclaimer - All views expressed on this site are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.

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