The simple fact is that I am not going to get back into the straight world anyway. Three years ago I was teaching full time in German grammar schools. The contract ran out and there is no way I will get back into it at my age. I can either get back into playing small gigs and busking in the right places, or I can go on Harz IV - the German equivalent of Unemployment Benefit.
I am very confident in what I do and in my ability to get an audience on my side. What I came here for was to find out what people did not like about my video. I thought it showed me getting the audience to sing and laugh - but I sure got plenty of reasons why people did not like it! The next step will be the usual round of telephone work, booking a few more gigs in restaurants, bars etc and then getting in my car or bus and looking for new places to busk.
The feedback I have got here will go into my thinking about the next video. I can ask Derek Brimstone - and maybe Colin Wilkie, who lives in South Germany - for their ideas on presentation. Of course I will evolve and adapt anyway. If I can find towns like Linz, where it's possible to get regular edges, I can work in a whole lot of new patter and routines. That is what makes you better. I can usually win over the crowds - I am just not quite so clever with the bookers...