Happy New Year, Urban Flute Style

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Aulde Lang Syne (Scotland)

Nothing like a little guerrilla-style performance to round out the year!

Welcome to Laywine’s, the coolest place in Toronto to browse high end fountain pens and any writing or office accessories you might care to imagine. The term stationery shop just doesn’t do this place justice! Tucked discreetly in the heart of historic Yorkville, I had dropped by just before Christmas to secure some keepsake, last-minute gifts for family – the friendly and resourceful staff looked so spiffy, I asked if I might come back again to record briefly and get a few pictures.

True to form, they welcomed the idea and we settled on New Year’s Eve before closing. Dashing down the street just now with minutes to spare, I arrived out of breath and ready to set up and play. I’m so glad it all worked out, especially since I’ve had Aulde Lang Syne stuck in my head all day (funny that!) and this was a chance to kinda get it out of my system.

One problem  is that my Nikon D-60, which has been a real workhorse of late, happened to have inexplicably jammed on me the other night and is in for repairs – so here’s a quick pic taken on Brenton’s cell phone: check out his classy tails and gold fob. These guys mean business when it comes to style, what can I say??

As often is the case, there is a humorous twist to this tale: Aulde Lang Syne kinda rhymes with the name of the shop, so the tune (an ear worm I believe these are called) is stuck in my head all over again, this time as Aulde Lay Wine’s…go figure!!

As backdrop to my playing of this perennial classic, listen for the gentle candour between staff and customers along with Laywine’s  ringing through their last sales of the year for 2009.

Thanks to the staff at Laywine’s and to all of my loyal readers for a fabulous year and joining me in an ongoing odyssey of Urban Flute adventures! Rest assured that there’s lots more to come, and wishing you all the best for an equally exciting and fulfilling 2010!

Cheers, Jamie