Beginning Band class went well at BISS today. Students are maintaining their enthusiasm and we’re making slow progress. They’re not allowed to take the instruments home (administrative decision) so there isn’t much practicing outside of class taking place. Judy is opening the room and allowing students to come in during lunch to practice if they want, and she’s had good participation.

I may have created a problem for myself today? Several of the teachers at BHSFIC celebrated a birthday party for one of the new teachers, LaShawna, at “The Veggie Table”, a vegan restaurant. I met them at the restaurant. It’s really close to a train station, so the trip was easy. The food was interesting. I had a “Southwestern Bean Burger”. It was very good.

My Bean Burger

Vegan pastes to spread on bread. Left to right, Hummus, cole slaw, ???, olive, beet

As the dinner finished up, and we were saying our congratulations to LaShawna for her birthday, I pulled a comb out of my bag, a 100rmb bill out of my pocket, and played “Happy Birthday” on my improvised kazoo. As I finished, several people from nearby tables started watching. Eventually, a Chinese man came over, and started enquiring about how I was creating the sound. As we talked, he invited me to perform at a small activity he was having Friday night. I succumbed to pressure from my “friends” at the table and agreed to go.   As the details of the event became clear, I began to regret the decision.

The event was going to be held at “The Bookworm”, a well-known bookstore/performance venue/café in the Sanlitun area. ULP!!! What have I done? Friday night at the Bookworm, and I’m performing on Kazoo? There’s a 100rmb cover charge for the 7:30 pm performance. Oh no! Me and my big mouth (comb)!