We used to sing House of the Rising Sun. And that godawful Cat Stevens’ song. It’s no wonder we all ran a mile from Catholicism as soon as we came of age.

I am not a pessimist, Gahan. I just assume the worst to avoid disappointment.

Harry, you are really a positive person, forward-looking and an optimist; you must have voted Labour in the last elections.

Baxxter, unlike Harry, you are a pessimist and a negative person, you must be a PN supporter.

Where have all the flowers gone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2SIIeqy34

[Daphne – Well, that brings back memories. At St Dorothy’s Primary School in Sliema, back in the Age of Aquarius, that was one of our hymns during mass in the school chapel, along with Bob Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind and Cat Stevens’ Morning Has Broken. It was some years before I found out that they were not hymns at all.]

Would a shoe-shine stand be classified as busking or trading?

C’mon Joe. Hyde Park Speaker’s Corner?
After a relatively long pub lunch, close to Hyde Park, I climbed up on the Corner box, gave a discourse on why I disagree with Milton Friedman’s monetary policy.
Coppers just shook their heads and walked on.

So sorry about your day, Baxxter.
However, let me attempt to shine a little light on your cloud.
As you know, I took all my Maltese family to Switzerland for Christmas, so that they could meet and play with their Swiss cousins, in Fribourg. A great and enjoyable time for all.
As you also know, I love my daily power walks, and usually find my way to the train station, for a beer.
Last week, I totally enjoyed a troup of buskers, at the station, around ten young people, well rehearsed, all bundled up in the cold, and seemed to be from many different countries.
They were having as much fun and roused the usually reserved Swiss to laughs and applause. I, truthfully, have never seen a Swiss crowd so happy.
Baxxter, our youth will always have the ability to raise our spirits.
I’m a sixties kid, who was so lucky to be at Woodstock, the experience of my life.
I do, though, have faith that things will work for today’s youth.
Being an old fart now, but looking into the mischievious twinkle of my eight year old grand daughter, I have no doubt that things will progress quite nicely.

With a permit, of course! Competition is fierce and no one will allow to have his/her spot stolen by an intruder.

In major cities, buskers need a permit to perform (at least, in the hotspots). Can you imagine someone turning up in Covent Garden and performing? Paris only issue permits to the best buskers (these are often top freelance artists who also perform in cafes).

[Daphne – ‘Someone turning up in Covent Garden and performing’: yes, it happens all the time.]

Ages ago, there used to be a Russian or Slavic type playing the guitar opposite McDonalds in Valletta. And damn good he was too. Couldn’t speak a word in any intelligible language but he played beautifully.

Where have they all gone, Harry? Where are the heroes of our youth? The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand.

Yes, I’ve had a terrible day.

I’ve been called a wardrobe general.