04 - 06, 2005

Tis a perfect day to be cheerful and kind!

I have not been seeking out publicity for what I do because I always thought that when the time is right kind of journalist will find me, someone who understands that there is more to news then tragedy and politics. Brian Britt from CFCF TV came by today to do a profile on me. It was a lovely afternoon and I was in good spirits. It was a lot of fun to do and I think that it will end up being a cheerful and inspiring piece. There were even 30 or so school children who came by for a big group hug. The cheerful energy and fun generated from a group hugs always leaves everyone involved bursting with joy and walking away beaming, me included.

In the evening I went down to my spot in the Old Port. Again it proved to be quite a invigorating experience. The crowd that gathers around me seems so much more receptive and I feel a difference in the quality of the hugs that I share. I am beginning to really like the closeness of the people as they gather around to watch. There is something different about performing in that area, I am inspired somehow. Utter calm and an inner stillness would engulf me for the briefest of moments. It was very similar to what I experience at Vipassana retreats or when I was meditating in the desert a few years ago. Those were times when I, all too briefly, when my mind would settle into profound stillness while remaining complete aware of my state of being. Time seemed to stop and space would evaporate into me and me to it. Of course then I would try to possess the experience and it would vanish. Ah, the struggles of a grasping mind and controlling ego that every serious meditator is familiar with.

Not long after setting up I heard a chorale group near by practicing their singing. A few chaperons and some young women form this group came to hug me, as did one of the organizers. She then asked if her artists could sing for another artist, me. I was touched by this wonderful offer and readily accepted. As I went back to standing in stillness, with my arms outstretched, the accompanying adults formed a large semi circle in the space in front of me. Then from behind me I was graced with the most sublime and uplifting version of Alleluia that I had ever heard. Angelic voices filled the square. These were angles sent to fill my being with love and grace and to remind me that I too am worthy of the unconditional love of strangers. These young singers touched my heart so deeply that tears streamed down my face. I was experiencing one of those all too rare moment in life where the exquisite beauty of God, reveals itself in all its glory. When they finished I turned to thank them but my emotions with in me were so strong that I could not get even one word out. With tear filled eyes I simply bowed to them with reverence and humility. Then I returned to my stillness waiting for a hug.

These were singers from the Amadeus Chorale. Many of them came to share a hug with me afterwards. I feel so blessed to receive such sublime and deeply moving experiences. I believe more then ever that one reaps what one sows. I am so happy that I have chosen to sow love into the world.

A porn star came by to hug me to day. I have hugged several times in the past, last the fall at the ‘Salon Exotica’ and again in February at the ‘Salon of Love and Seduction’ where I was invited to give hugs. She is a very sexy and sensual woman but she always tries to rub herself up against me like a purring kitten. As Martin I thoroughly enjoy being embraced sensually by a beautiful woman but as the Hugger Busker it makes me mighty uncomfortable, because there is no place for sensuality or eroticism in the genuine, heartfelt hugs that I give. My hugs are about promoting the sharing of unconditional love and tenderness between two human beings, nothing more. I suppose it is the only way that she knows how to express love and affection through her sexuality. I think this hyper sexed, overtly sensual, media influenced society of ours the line between human affection and sexual affection has been severely blurred. This is why many of us are hesitant to touch a stranger or be touched affectionately by a stranger for fear that the action be misinterpreted as something sexual. I sense this influence even in some of the men who say to me ‘Oh no I don’t hug men, only women’, or ‘If you were a woman , maybe I’d hug you, but you’re a man.’

Ahh! Fire works night.

This is the first time that I have gone down to play in the Old Port, during the fireworks. I was worried that I would feel uncomfortable in a large crowd. But it was quite wonderful. I enjoyed it because so many people were receptive. Since I am directly at the crossing point of two paths I get all the traffic coming and going. The people are much closer in proximity to me here then up in the square. There is something very stimulating, even exhilarating about performing in a crowd. I am definitely going to return here for all the fireworks.

One very strange event occurred. A man walked up to me and after observing me very closely for a few minutes pulled out a nail clipper from his bag and proceeded to very carefully clip my nails. With a crowd looking on I maintained stillness through out my manicure. When he finished he dusted off my hat and I gave him a hug which he reluctantly accepted. It was I must say a very odd experience.

People tend to take a lot of liberties with me that they would never dare take with another person. I wonder why. I think that from now one I will ask people why they feel that they have the right to touch, fondle, prod and poke me with out asking.

Celebrate this day with loveing kindness!

Today was a day to celebrate Saint Jean Baptist day Quebec’s major holiday. There was the usual noon time parade of decorated floats, dancing troupes, marching bands and hand-gladding politicos on the street right behind me. The square was filled with revelers from morning till night. There were so many hugs given and happy smiling faces around, It was delightful to experience this. I just love these days of none stop activity. I was exhausted after a 12 hour day but totally fulfilled and happy.

I have begun exploring new ways to engage the public especially when there is a crowd around me watching my stillness and waiting for some one to step up and hug me. After giving a hug instead of resuming my still position I simply stand still for a moment and look at all the people around smiling and making eye contact. Then I open my arms, find my stillness and wait for the next person to come. I found that establishing this eye contact allows for a more personal experience with the audience and the arte less intimidated by the strangeness of my immobility. I hope to alleviate the shyness that many people have. It is a direction that I will continue to explore.

So I found myself down in the old port again. I am beginning to really like the energy there. I set myself up by the large steel anchor, which is the cross roads for people entering and leaving the Old Port to Place Jacque Cartier. The evening is good it is cooler and people are more receptive. It is still terribly hot and muggy though not as bad as the last two days.

Well the hugger gets mugged hugging. I had my nice handkerchief lifted today by some one I hugged. Why some one would do this I do not know but it happened. It is odd because this morning I had a premonition that I should pin my kerchief to the inside of my vest pocket or I might lose it and I didn’t listen to my intuition.

My intuitive sense is becoming stronger again as I find myself thinking of someone or something that I would like to happen and with in a day or so it happens. It was like that last summer. I seemed to have stopped listening to my intuition over the winter and so lost touch with my inner guide now that I am more receptive to it I hope that I have the wisdom and discipline to nurture this gift.

I explored several different spaces on the Old Port grounds to see which would be best for me. I settled on two, both near the entrance Jacques Cartier Pier, which is down the hill from where I am usually. The first spot is at a crossroads, next to a huge steel anchor and the other is in the very middle of the main pedestrian road about 30 feet from the anchor.

It was so bloody hot and terribly humid today. I thought I was going to evaporate standing facing the sun all day. But I got through it. In spite of the heat many people came for hugs. Sometimes when it is too muggy people just don’t want to be touched let alone hugged. Haaaaa! I know just how they feel.

I got myself a spot light to work at night. It works really well casting quite a striking image with me standing in the middle of a large open, cobble-stone street, with my cases and long flowing coat and hat. The image of the solitary traveler waiting to be embraced by a long lost loved one. It makes for a very romantic tableau. With the Cirque du Soliel crowds coming to and from the shows who pass by me, it makes for a very interesting experience. The lead singer in the new Cirque show came by for a hug and we chatted for a bit. She was very sweet. Unfortunately I did not get to see the show. Hummmm! I am thrilled to be doing that I am doing at this point in my life.