Today I went to Runnymede, perhaps the oddest-named subway station on the system. (Does the street refer to 'runny mead' I wonder? Is it some tribute to olde English ales? I must look that up.)
Anyway, Runnymede is in a sedate corner of the city known as Bloor West Village, a well-treed and established neighborhood where the houses are all detached and within walking distance of many quaint gift shoppes and cafes. Kitty-corner from the subway, you'll find a formerly grand historic theatre that was turned into a Chapters bookstore. A few years ago I played a (free) gig in that Chapters.
The performance area at Runnymede is peculiar. Unlike most performance areas, which are up against a wall, this set of yellow dots is smack dab in the middle of the large vestibule in front of a pillar. It's a very exposed place to be (as if any busking location isn't!) The Runnymede spot is positioned very well for pedestrian traffic, putting the performer directly in line of people heading to the turnstiles, often with their wallets open.
I've noticed, however, that if people don't plan to donate, their already-open wallet makes no difference. Indeed, if people do want to support a musician, they're often willing to stop, remove their backpacks and rummage through them to find some change. A few people did things like that this morning, which seemed nothing short of miraculous.
Generally speaking, the passers-by at Runnymede were just that. Passing by. Which is fine, of course.
I'm becoming much more comfortable with "slow" times. Subway performers talk about times and locations the way others talk about fishing: "the busking was good there today". Thinking about it that way, it doesn't seem so personal when many people choose not to donate anything. When you're fishing, you're enjoying the experience itself--the day, the water, the boat--and if you catch something, great. Even when you do catch a fish, you might let it go. The fishing metaphor helps me let go of expectations of financial return, and simply enjoy the experience.
Which is why I plan to return to Runnymede tomorrow morning, also at rush hour, to see if the fishing's any better.
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