First day on the job

Well, I've been out here a week and finally managed to get out to busk. Yup, went out to Santa Monica's famous 3rd Promenade.

I arrived about 12:00 and found a spot on the far South side of the Promenade. It was the only spot available. I forgot, it's Saturday, and apparently Saturday is the day to be out there. So I set up and start going and before long have a small crowd. I get to my cups routine and am inturrupted by one of the "Promenade Ambassodors" who informs me I was blocking a fire lane. He was very polite about it, but really? Blocking a fire lane? Buddy, if a fire breaks out, I'm moving. So I move my show twenty feet to the North and continue. Grand total from that show: $5

I continue on until 2pm when, as all of you should know, you are required by law, to move to a different spot more than 125 or 150 feet away (aka off that street and onto the next). So I move to the center street of the Promenade, the Mecca of performing in this area, and I find a perfect pitch. Oh, it was so beautiful! But then 35-40 feet in front of me, the distance required by law, a guitar duo hooked up to some very, very, very loud amps and began to play grunge music. Needless to say, I couldn't hear myself speak, let alone the audience hear me. And there weren't any other pitches open.

So I thought I'd head to Santa Monica Pier, but the magician I ran into earlier this week ran into me and we started talking. Apparently there is a secret law that they don't put into the booklet they give you on busking laws that states that you must be present at 11am on the pier at the second gazebo to sign up for a spot to perform. On top of that, they will tell you exactly where you will perform and you are by law not allowed to perform anywhere else but that 7.5 foot square. But that only lets you perform til 4. If you want to perform after 4, from 4-7 (the next time slot), you must be present at the second gazebo at 2pm to sign up for a spot. again at 5:30 or so.

So, what I've found out today:

1. Everyone and their dog (or iguana in the case of one guy) is out there trying to perform on the weekend.
2. The bums are out in force.
3. There are hidden, secret rules that no one will tell you, even if you ask. You gotta find out by being issued a ticket (not me, my friend).
4. Some bums have great stories.
5. Don't sleep on the metro (CHANCE: Missed your stop on the Metro. +45 minutes to your already 2.5 hour trip)
6. 5 hours a day on the Metro will steal your soul.
7. No matter how bad your day, a puppy makes it all better.

So, grand total for the day: $5

Keep your fingers crossed I get the CityWalk thing. It's closer and I could actually use my "getting a crowd" bit (confetti storm) without being afraid the cops would write me 10,000 tickets for littering. (CityWalk is private property)