I had time to play 4 songs, well, I left a verse off of a couple of 'em to keep them short. I'm sure the owners would have let me play on, but the books were gone and it was way past my lunch time.
The star of that book was Molly... and, as you can tell by the past tense there, she is no longer with us. A house, boat, and RV is not a home without a great cat, though. Isabella (Izzy) is our current furry girl. Sweet as can be and absolutely gorgeous. Molly and I understood each other... at the risk of sounding like a crazy cat guy. I have no idea what Isabella is saying or thinking, and if she understands me, she isn't letting on; but, we're both working on it.
My wife is lobbying for me to write another book - she thinks fiction would be good for a change. I suggested something like 50 Shades of Gray (which I haven't read, but she has)... she said, "You may not be up for that." I think I am offended.
The store was very full (the owners promoted it in the local papers). The Mini did a fine job. I have plenty of volume for singing. A PA would have been good for the vocal harmony pedal I normally use, but for as few songs as I played, it would have been more work setting up/tearing down than I cared to do. Plus, it was pouring rain, with a cold wind out of the north at about 30 mph... I really didn't want to carry equipment in that mess.
While the consensus
here would logically lean towards the music part, as long as people were bringing books for me to sign, the playing was secondary. The bookstore owners were happy, Joan and I were happy... and this is the first public playing I've done where it was completely unplugged (other than occasionally playing for friends). Doesn't get much easier than that.
The sound was fine for those who were listening, and not too much for those further away. I still find myself talking in hushed tones when I go into most bookstores (like a library) - the owner thinks that is funny.
In my pre-retirement life, I did seminars for professional organizations. Most of the public playing I do these days is for business sponsored gatherings - I know I am going to have a friendly crowd. On the way there today, driving through the awful rain and wind, I had visions of sitting at a table by myself, in front of empty chairs. I was relieved to see people! Even better: people buying books.
Best wishes,
Jim
