playing in the street

I make it my policy to tip street musicians. Artists, mind you, not annoying people. If they're overly amplified, blocking the sidewalk, or are playing a plastic bucket of any kind, I'd rather turn a hose on them.

But if a public musician's performance makes you pause, you owe them a dollar. I like to reward beauty (and talent, and perseverance, and passion) when it is due. These guys were really nice.

I recall recently I paused to (1) enjoy the inspiring violin performance in the Powell Street Station and (2) alternate my distraction between his musical talent and his ridiculous woofy handsomeness.

A friend noticed me there as he walked by and we caught up for a moment. He proceeded to tell me a seemingly never-ending tale of woe. Just this after that.

All I could think of after a while, and it was hard not to crack into a smile in the face of his laments, that "You do realize there is a violin player playing your sad song right behind you..." It was a bit surreal.