East Berlin Kiss. Photo: SK

There is a man who busks in Bra, Italy with his violin. Two musician friends questioned him to see if he makes any money because they were thinking of doing something similar. The man claimed that he made around 800 Euros a month through his street music, which comes as a surprise considering that he does not actually know how to play the violin. Seriously.

He practices tuning it, or simply plays the same two notes in alteration to no apparent rhythm, often without any resin on the bow. He has also been seen strumming one A minor bar chord on the guitar for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. And he is a success.

During the month of August, the majority of High Con’s staff will be out on assignment, gathering material, or on vacation to New England, London, China, or elsewhere. But do not fret, we have arranged for a solid lineup to run in our absence, notably a pair of historical documents on loan from the Kern Valley Transients’ Entity, a photo essay on a wheelbarrow tour of the Netherlands, & a tasty recipe for Elderberry Cake. Caroline McCarty will serve as the acting Chief Editor, & all submissions for the month of August may be directed to her.

There are also times when the man simply sits with his violin on his lap and does not play. The world goes on just the same.