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My Perfect Little Chair

It was on my 21st birthday that I decided to busk. Perhaps this was the internal gift to myself - a key to unlock an actualised life, and the opportunity to at last share my gift with the world.

I'm utterly thrilled by the songs I've composed. Yet, it is never enough to bask in solitary enjoyment of these tunes. Sure, it is richly satisfying to flirt with my muse in an evening piano session. But something within yearned for an outward expression - to share what my soul has conjured, with hopes to inspire others to go forth and create something, for the joy that it brings.

I pictured myself on the Queenstown waterfront with my keyboard, gently swaying in my own sounds and the cool breeze that has brushed against the magnificent mountain-scape. I pictured my music swirling around like ribbons in the air, cuddling the new arrivals of Queenstown, inviting them into beauty and bliss. It was this vision that propelled me to take action upon the idea to busk. But like anything, the decision was easy. It was the act of transferring this imagined bliss into reality that had me stumped.

So, I got to work. I needed a battery operated keyboard and amplifier, a stand, a tip box, and a chair.
I found that ordering the musical equipment online was painful to my finances. But when I contemplated the impact these items would have on my own life and the life of others, spending that money became easy. My new toys arrived in the mail, and it wasn't long before I was chaotically unboxing them. I looked over my new gear as it took residency in my life - I felt confident. This process wasn't so hard after all!

After purchasing a little treasure chest for my tip box, all that remained on my list was a chair. Ideally, I was after a nifty stool of some sort - portable and just the right height. The option to buy a piano stool online was always there, and I knew that. But I never did, because I was confident I could stumble upon a perfect little chair. So, I spent a day weaving in and out of second hand stores around Queenstown, scrounging around the rubble for my perfect little chair. A day of hunting left me empty handed, so I asked around at work in hope that my co-workers could help me out. Again, my efforts were met with silence. I just couldn't find my perfect little chair - the last piece of the puzzle.

Christmas had come around already, and I managed to arrange 2 days off, where I journeyed back home to Auckland city for some time with the family. Although it wasn't much time, I managed to squeeze in a humble Auckland experience, coloured with all my favourite delights and moments with the family. I found it to be a vibrant source of inspiration for my new busking endeavour, although maybe it wasn't the right time to tell my ex - merchant banker grandfather that I wanted to pursue a life as a busker.

Christmas was a bit hum-drum for the family this year. The most fruity and fun character - Auntie Jean - was unable to attend our Christmas celebrations - she was too busy flirting with the hot studs in Heaven. Christmas will never be the same without her presence gracing us all. Auntie Jean was my biggest fan in music. She would have been absolutely thrilled to hear of my new found busking endeavour, celebrating with champagne and all the support her heart could muster.

When I told mum that all I needed to busk was a chair, she perked up. It just so happened that she spotted one of Auntie Jeans old chairs in one of the collections just the other day. She brought it over, and I could not believe my eyes. Before me was the most brilliant piece of furniture I had ever laid my eyes on. It was a nifty little wooden chair that folded up - and just the right height. It screamed character! Antique, rustic, incredibly crafty - I always knew the right chair would come my way.
And it couldn't have come from a more perfect person - an inspiring lady who held the world in her palm, relentlessly and unapologetically sharing her vibrant soul in art and in gesture. Auntie Jean was always the most creative and generous with her gifts, and even after death, her gifting precise and beautiful.


I busked for the first time this month. It was a gorgeous experience that uplifted me into the majesty of sharing my greatest gifts to the world, as a way to inspire others and create beautiful moments for people - an experience Auntie Jean cherished so dearly. And she was with me the whole time in spirit, for it was her loving and generosity that aided me to that very moment - perched on my perfect little chair, celebrating life.

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