Playin' Tunes and Gettin' By

We were supposed to take the trailer and the dog camping this weekend, however, the rain said "better not". OK, plan "B". I went online and got a hotwire 4.5 star room in the GasLamp District in San Diego for $99. Not a bad plan "B". Beautiful room to do a lot of reading and relaxing.

We asked where the most authentic Irish Pub in the area would be and we were delighted to discover "The Field". We were told that it was like someone pulled this pub out of Ireland and plopped it down in the heart of San Diego. We were told right. A great neighborhood feel with Irish music blaring, delicious shepherd?s pie (the best I've had) and of course...pints of Guinness.

On our walk to the pub, we encountered the nameless, invisible homeless folks resting against their shopping cart domiciles, wheel chair bound panhandlers, weary travelers and street musicians. I'm careful not to photograph or embarrass the down and out, but street performers love the attention...and the tips. About once a year, I love to stand on a corner in Laguna and play guitar for the people walking by. It always feels a little edgy and little risky to put yourself out there and play even if you don't have to count on tips for your survival.

The Ukulele/harmonica player is Boone. He's been playing the streets for 5 years. I thought this was an interesting juxtaposition of him against the stained glass . I don't know the back story regarding Boone but in our brief conversation he seemed happy and content. Not the life I would choose, but maybe Boone didn't choose it either.

As we walked full and satisfied the five blocks from the pub to our luxury room, threading through the lives and living rooms of the homeless and downtrodden, I couldn't help but wonder There, but by the Grace of God, go I.