Things have been quiet here for the last week, both because we’ve been hard at work with the Kickstarter, and because I was as sick as a horse all weekend. Also, the whole of last week was above 90° — and that’s a no-go for performing!

But, we’ve been using the time off to good ends. For instance, BuskNY now has a mandolin:

Granted, it sounds like a cheapo instrument. But that’s great — it is, in fact, an ultra-cheapo instrument!

It went through a trial by fire yesterday when I busked with my pal Hannah, who I used to play with in the Annandale Ramblers, at the 57th St F station. We were out informally — finished with the workday and volunteer-two-hours, respectively, and we had an hour to kill before the Scottish session at the Iona. That meant that we had no stools, which led to logistical difficulties with the mando. (It’s really hard to pin it against your body while picking — especially when you start sweating!)

Nonetheless, we had a blast. I got to work on my chording, which is a work in progress — but the audience really enjoyed it. Whether for the music or for the sense of humor, we don’t know! But in any case, we made good money, even à deux, and certainly had good fun. To be repeated!