Around this time last year
I did a Facebook Live video in the style of HRH The Queen of England titled “Rainbow Phil’s Christmas Message” to thank all you guys for your support over the last year and to sing a few Christmas songs, because, well, Jingle Bells innit…
This year (to save me from tears?)…
It turns out that I’m in a slightly different timezone to last year, so doing a Facebook Live video seems a bit of a silly idea… So instead, I figured I’d write a blog post from the other side of the world 😮
The Talkie bit before the Hokey Cokey
If you see me regularly then you will know that I often do a ‘Talkie Bit’ before the Hokey Cokey, where I try to convince you all to come to Saturday Superhouse, sign up for a term of Rainbow Music For Kids or let you know that I am available for kids parties or some other poorly executed sales pitch.. but the week before I finished for the year, I tried all week to make impromptu ‘Thank You’ speeches. I say tried. Each time, my words seemed to go astray and I stood there babbling about symbiotic relationships and making about as much sense as Liam Neeson addressing the Gungans in Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace… So I figured I’d write it down and post it on here, to make sure it all made a bit more sense!
The Rambling bit
It’s around this time of year that I often get to catch up with old friends who I mightn’t have seen for a at least twelve months. They often ask, “Are you still doing that music thing with the little kids?” and I am torn between humbly playing it down and saying something like, “Yea, still at it, its going well so, you know, its better than getting a proper job” or absolutely gushing at them about how unexpectedly amazing it is that I’ve turned singing ‘The Wheels On The Bus’ and blowing bubbles in to a full time job, gigging six mornings a week, unable to keep up with the demand, have 900 likes on my Facebook Page, my own website and EVERYTHING!!! …but if I did that, I’d feel like I was being a bit of a Billy Boaster.
What I have found myself doing instead, is saying how great its going, but also saying that I’m expecting the bubble to burst at any moment. That sooner or later I will be found out to be a fraud, who is below average on guitar and is actually a pretty terrible singer, and when that happens it will all come crashing down. Which is actually pretty close to the truth of how I feel. I’m able to put a tongue-in-cheek spin on it of course, but really, I know the limits of my own abilities.
Which is Why,
When I say that I honestly do appreciate every single one of you who bring their children to sing with me at a playgroup or playcafe or come to Saturday Superhouse (whether it be every single week or just on the odd occasion), those of you who sign up to my Rainbow Music classes, inviting me to your children’s birthday parties, recommending me to your friends or even just liking my posts on Facebook – I HONESTLY REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT – Because all of these things put together, mean that I have been able to continue being Rainbow Phil for yet another year; which is fantastic! Not just because it keeps me from having to get a proper job, but because I believe that being ‘Rainbow Phil’ makes me focus on positivity and, in turn, that makes me a better person all round.
What was all that about Liam Neeson?
In Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace, Liam Neeson’s character explains to the Gungan Leader (played by Brian Blessed/Grampy Rabbit) that they have a symbiotic relationship with The Naboo. Meaning that one cannot exist without the other.
In other words, if Rainbow Phil sings the Wheels on The Bus in an empty room with no toddlers to jump up and down; does he really sing The Wheels On The Bus?!? The answer is No. The more that you guys are into what I’m doing, the better I am at doing what I’m doing, and I hope you guys are into what I’m doing for a long time to come!
What were you saying about another timezone?!
Since you’ve read this far, I’ll let you into a little secret… I’ve not gone to the UK for Christmas, I’m actually in Japan!! I’ll be over here for the whole of Christmas and New Year – You can follow my adventures over on Instagram, and you never know, I might even post a couple of travel blogs on rainbowphil.com while I’m out here – let me know if that’s something you’d like to see!
That was quite a lot of writing.. do I get a Frank Zappa quote?
Yes, yes you do, in fact I’ll go one better than a quote…
Will that do?
I hope you all have an excellent Chirstmas
I know it’s not really time off as such, but enjoy it all the same! And don’t over do it on New Years Eve – The kids will still wake up at 5am no matter what time you put them to bed!
see you all in the new year!!