Sunpie the Accordion Man

I'm doing a program called "The Artist's Way", which is a 12 week by-book program that's supposed to help unblock creativity. Sounds like a lot of self-help jargon, I thought, but everyone I know who has done it swears by it, and I'm starting to believe in it a little as well. Week three is all about synchronicity, and how people subconsciously prefer their doors closed so they don't have the responsibility to themselves to take hold of opportunities that present themselves because it's a leap from safety. However, the book said, if one is willing to allow good things to happen and welcome them, chances are, all sorts of doors will open automatically. Synchronicity, a greater force. The book challenged the reader to think of one wish or want that they had never sought to satisfy and to be open to an option to do so in the next week. Playing along, I remembered by life-long wish to learn to play the accordion. I decided to mention my desire to learn the accordion at work that day, and so I did.

At the first mention that I might be in the market for a decent, inexpensive starter accordion, I got the name of a music store a few blocks from my house owned by a man named "Jimmy" who might be able to help me out. On my second mention, a passing co-worker offered the number of his friend, a semi-professional accordionist and park ranger. I.e. This guy:



Sketch? Maybe. But I called him up. His name is Sunpie. Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes. "Sunpie" proceeded to tell me that if I had previous piano training (seven years of Classical paid off after all) that I should try the piano accordion. He went on to say that he happened to have one he could let me try out to see if I liked it if I wanted. I was just expecting the guy to give me advice on a brand or something. Now, Sunpie and I have an appointment at six this evening with a full-size piano accordion and perhaps synchronistic destiny? *cue eerie music* Creepy artist mumbo jumbo...

But doesn't he look like fun?
Wish me luck.

-Accordion Prodigy Jess