The World According to ME

From Lennon: The Musical

2010-12-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

Patrick Wilson Singing the National Anthem

2010-11-21T09:41:00.001-08:00

Once on this Island

2010-07-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

A wonderful new musical, with a Caribbean flavor, now playing in the Chicago area. Features the always adorable Jesse Means and the music is fantastic. Looks ever so much more exciting than that awful "In the Heights." I hope it makes it to New York and then comes to California with THIS cast!

Once on this Island

COMCAST

2010-06-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

It all started when I decided to add Comcast Cable TV to my existing Comcast Internet and Telephone Accounts. I made the switch, Comcast installed the TV box, never provided me with the additional 2 digital converter boxes (which i was told would be delivered but never were). A minor inconvenience since I am one person and can only watch one TV at a time anyway, right?

So the May bill comes. $66 dollars and something. Which is what I was paying BEFORE I added the TV service. I called and they said the difference would be reflected on my next bill. Fine, says I, and I go ahead and pay the bill online. I received an email confirmation from Comcast and the debited amount showed up in my almost immediately in my bank statement (also online).

I hereby provide proof the transaction (have blanked out the actual account numbers because, sadly, I wasn't born yesterday):

Dear Comcast Customer,

Thank you for your payment. You have authorized Comcast to charge $66.74 to the bank account specified below. It may take up to 3 business days to process your Comcast services payment. Please save this e-mail for your records.

Payment Details:

Comcast Account Number: ******************
Payment Date: 5/3/2010
Payment Amount: $66.74
Name: Michelle B McFee
Routing Number: *********
Account Number: ***************
Confirmation Number: 1018853690

My next communication from Comcast stated my account was past due by $66.74. But I paid that, says I, and I have proof. Comcast blamed the bank and vice versa. Meanwhile, life goes on. New statement comes in and I pay only current charges because I have already paid the previous, right? And here we have proof of THAT pudding:

Dear Comcast Customer,

Thank you for your payment. You have authorized Comcast to charge $140.00 to the Visa specified below. It may take up to 3 business days to process your Comcast services payment. Please save this e-mail for your records.

Payment Details:

Comcast Account Number: ****************
Payment Date: 6/3/2010
Payment Amount: $140.00
Name: Michelle B McFee
Card Type: Visa
Card Number: ****************
Authorization Number: 045320
Confirmation Number: 1021990779

And so I review all records and notice that the first payment confirmation does not display an authorization number (something Comcast did not notice, by the way). But it did show up in my account statement as a debit on the date in question.

So I call the bank again. "Yes, that was paid. Talk to the vendor." And thus we roll merrily along. Until this Friday when my sister changed her phone and TV service from Time Warner to AT&T U-Verse.

I tried to call Vicki on her landline and got a message, "We are unable to complete your call as dialed. Please try your call again." However, when I called her landline from my cell, it was fine. And furthermore, when I called her cell from my landline, the call went through. Vicki called AT&T to ask what was up and I called Comcast for the same reason, each of us wondering which service had the problem.

Comcast took the party line that the reason for my problems must be because my account was delinquent. WHAT? says I - first of all, I paid the bills and I have confirmation numbers. Second, it makes no sense that I can call all over the world (I verified this by calling Greece, no problem) but one number in Los Angeles is restricted? "I suggest you go in to the Comcast office near you and talk to them. I cannot help you." Geez, no KIDDING!

Lacy J. Dalton sings John Dawson featuring Bill Laymon

2010-05-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

Friend of the Devil!!!

Oops, They Did It Again

2010-02-27T23:26:00.000-08:00

Because residents of Marin County CONSERVED TOO MUCH WATER DURING A DROUGHT (you heard me correctly, CONSERVED during a DROUGHT), the Marin Municipal Water District has raised their rates 9.8% when they had planned (and said so) to reward us for conserving by CUTTING the rates by 5%. I would say this leaves us, the paying customers, with net increase of 14.8% over the rates we EXPECTED to pay when you account for the 5% decrease. Not only that, two of the members of the board were not even at the meeting, preferring, instead, to plead a business trip and illness as their cowardly way of refusing to face the angry residents of Marin.

Read all about it in the Marin Independent Journal

Am I on glue or what? As a person who lives by herself, I don't use much water and have been conserving faithfully since the drought of 1976 - another time we were penalized for conserving by having our rates jacked. Geez. PG&E raised rates, MMWD raised rates, the grocery store is no bargain these days but hell, Obama and his entitled minions decided we poor slobs on Social Security did not merit a rate increase (which is usually only 1% anyway, hardly keeping up) because their contorted cost of living index erroneously and fraudulently reported no rise in the CPI during the time period on which they based their calculations. If I am going to be fucked, I would prefer it to be by Johnny Depp, thank you ever so.

Partial Order Embedding with Multiple Kernels

2010-02-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

Partial Order Embedding with Multiple Kernels

Julian Dawson Cometh!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

I can now disclose the private party at my house will feature none other than internationally renowned musician Julian Dawson . Julian has played with or performed on a bill with EVERYBODY and that is not hyperbole. OK, maybe not David Nelson but I think Mr. Nelson is not far enough up on the musical ladder for this honor. I for one am thrilled to welcome Julian to Marin County! Check out the photos of Julian with everyone from Rufus Thomas to Bob Geldof to Sam Phillips to Cynthia Lennon to Gene Parsons...

From the Afghan Women's Writing Project:

2010-01-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

Please take a minute to read this very poignant plea for support and feel free to pass it along to anyone and everyone you can think of.

I Am For Sale, Who Will Buy Me?

January 3, 2010

(Eds Note: This is only the second anonymous piece we have run on the blog. We encourage our participants to claim their own stories, but in this case, the writer felt she could only safely share this if she did so anonymously.)

I used to think big. When I was six, I made my mom let me go to school, and I loved it. My father told me: “If you stay at the top of your class until the end of your studies, I will do two things for you. First, I will let you go abroad to continue your education. Secondly, I will buy you a car and let you drive.” With the encouragement of my father, I was a superstar in my classes. He was my first English teacher and he always called me “my scholar daughter.”

During the Taliban’s black government, my brothers could go to school, but I couldn’t. My father bought me school supplies, though, and told me: “Be patient. One day you will finish your studies.” He was right. I waited five years, but after that, I could go to school.

When I was in ninth grade, I earned my first money from teaching English. It was only 200 Afs, but I was excited. I gave my salary to my father. He kissed me and laughed and told me, “Dear, keep your salary for yourself. I don’t need it.” I said, “Dad, it is for you.” He smiled and told me, “It is just the cost of ink for your shoes,” and he gave me another 1000 Afs. He was my supporter in all aspects.
When I was sixteen years old, one of my neighbors came to our house and proposed that his son marry me. My father was angry and told him: “Do you know my daughter is sixteen? It is time for her to study. If the king comes and knocks at the door of my house and proposes that my daughter marry his son, I won’t accept it. Please, leave my house and never come back again.”

I was in my last days of school when my father died. When I lost him, I lost my shadow, but he left me with his words and advice and books. After his death, our economic situation was bad. Mom’s salary was the equivalent of $25, which was not enough. I began teaching classes in a private school. Half my salary was for my studies and half went for house expenses. During these years, I was the poorest student in my class. I spent days without breakfast or lunch, but I felt happy for my education. During the last four years, I received a number of marriage proposals but I rejected them all. Most wanted me to stop my studies and never work outside the home.

After my father died, the responsibility for me fell to my brothers, who grew up under the Taliban government and were influenced by it. Now I live with three Talibs and I must obey what they say. I am not like a girl in the house, but a slave. When I was at third year at the university, the owner of our house demanded higher rent. My family decided they would leave Kabul and go to a province where housing was cheaper. But I didn’t know how I would continue my studies in that case, so I gave up my transportation money to help pay for our rent, and I go to the university on foot.

Still, at the beginning of this year, my brothers said: “It is time for you to marry.” They arranged a marriage to my first cousin, my mom’s brother’s son, who lives in a province where most of the people are Talib. My cousin is about 40 years old and uneducated. His family has a business and a big house. Their women are required to wear burqas and are responsible for cooking, cleaning and caring for the animals. Most have eight or nine children. They can’t go outside the house—even when they are sick, they aren’t allowed to go to the doctor. My uncle’s money gives him power despite the fact that he is uneducated.

My family thinks I am tired of working so hard, and that my uncle’s money will convince me to accept this golden bracelet. My uncle told my family he would pay them $20,000, and this money might possibly keep my family alive. At the same time, I am thinking about graduating, seeking my masters’ degree and a PhD, getting a better job, making an independent life, standing on my own feet. I told my mom: “Please give me a chance. I don’t like this man. I can’t marry him. If you want to sell me, then I am ready to buy myself. I have a plan for my life. Please give me a chance, please, please.” She didn’t reply, but cried silently with me. I told her: “If my father were here, he would bring a revolution in this house.”

None of my close friends know what is happening with me. Once one of my classmates came to my house and she was carrying her notebook. I study in secret. When my family saw her notebook, they behaved badly toward her and told her not to come again.

These days I am thinking of possible solutions: how to get another job, earn at least $1,000 a month in salary. Running away is not an option because girls who run away here are raped by men and spend years in jail, and I am not such a girl. I can’t leave my mom because my brothers believe anything “wrong” I do is the fault of my mother, and they will kill her. My brothers think a girl who has a bank account or a mobile phone is a prostitute. I hide my phone and keep it on silent mode when I’m home.
I have two months to find a solution. If I fail, I have to accept this marriage, and I will accept it because of my mom, but I can’t live in such a situation. How can I live with such a man, or accept such failure? I think if this happens, I won’t stay in this world; I will leave the world for those who can live in it, who can find a solution.

What I write here are the wounded and torn pieces of my heart and the secrets an Afghan girl suffers.
I am like a piece of cloth. I cost little. Who will buy me?

By Anonymous

I always KNEW Marmaduke was descended from the fairy folk...

2009-12-30T22:56:00.001-08:00

look what his mother sent me!

R.I.P. James Gurley

2009-12-23T22:11:00.000-08:00

James Gurley – Janis Joplin’s Guitarist 1939-2009

James Gurley, the fiery guitarist from Big Brother & the Holding Company, the band that helped propel singer Janis Joplin to international prominence, passed away at his Palm Desert home on December 20th.

He was 69.

Hailed by Guitar Player magazine as “The Father of the Psychedelic Guitar,” Mr. Gurley was best known for his jaw dropping, frenzied guitar solos in such classics as: “Combination of The Two,” “Ball and Chain,” and “Piece of My Heart.”

Born James Martin Gurley, he grew up in Detroit, MI, and was a self taught musician originally inspired by the recordings of the seminal bluesman Lightning Hopkins. The son of a stunt car driver, Mr. Gurley was once featured as a human hood ornament while his father sped though a flaming plywood wall.

An extremely spiritual man, Mr. Gurley spent four years with the Brothers of the Holy Cross in Detroit studying for the priesthood. Mr. Gurley’s priestly ambitions ended when he met his first wife, Nancy at Wayne State University in 1957. By then, Mr. Gurley was playing in coffee houses around Detroit including The Cup of Socrates. The two married, then traveled to Mexico, and lived in Los Angeles and Big Sur, before settling in San Francisco’s North Beach District in 1962. Both immersed themselves in the flourishing Beatnik scene as Mr. Gurley performed in coffee houses playing country blues while his wife Nancy worked at the legendary jazz Mecca ~ Jimbo’s Bop City.

In Nick Gravenites autobiography Bad Talking Bluesman he recalled meeting Mr., Gurley on his first visit to San Francisco in 1963, “James Gurley was one of the few people in Beatnik San Francisco who was playing the blues, and I knew from personal experience that he was a strange character. We used to hang out together at a folk music bar in North Beach called The Coffee Gallery, and one day I saw him on the street and he had his head shaved bald and had stopped talking. I heard from friends that he had had a motorcycle accident while visiting his family in Detroit and had ceased communicating with words. The only way he would communicate was with facial expressions. He had a girlfriend who carried a beanbag frog everywhere she went, and they made an odd trio, James, his girlfriend, and the frog. Instead of talking to James, you'd talk to the frog. Somehow, the frog made it all make sense.”

It was while performing in North Beach that Mr. Gurley first heard a young blues singer from Port Arthur, Texas, named Janis Joplin. Like many, Mr. Gurley was impressed with her guitar and vocal styling reminiscent of Bessie Smith. In 1965, through the urging of Chet Helms, Mr. Gurley went to 1090 Page Street to meet with San Andrew and Peter Albin who were forming Big Brother & the Holding Company, and shortly thereafter, Mr. Gurley joined the band. When they needed a singer, both Mr. Albin and Mr. Gurley remembered hearing a young unbridled blues singer in North Beach, the only thing was, Janis Joplin had moved back to Texas. Chet Helms would eventually coax Ms. Joplin back to San Francisco to join Big Brother.

A staple at the Fillmore and Avalon Ballrooms, Big Brother and the Holding Company would go on to perform at the legendary Monterrey Pop Festival in 1966 bursting on the national music scene. With the success of their classic album, Cheap Thrills (Columbia), the band became superstars. However, the stardom was to be short lived as Ms. Joplin was enticed to leave Big Brother in 1969 by their manager Albert Grossman. With the loss of their lead singer, the band never really recovered, going through singers such as Kathi McDonald and Nick Gravenites and recording a couple of more albums, before disbanding in 1972. The band would reunite in 1987 with the four original surviving members. Mr. Gurley left the band in 1997 to pursue other musical projects.

In recent years, Mr. Gurley spent his time between homes in Cupertino, CA, and Palm Desert, CA painting and immersing himself in musical projects. He recorded several albums with New Age drummer Muruga Booker while also releasing solo albums, “Pipe Dreams,” and “Saint James.” Perhaps the most significant recording project was one that Mr. Gurley did called “This Is Janis Joplin,” in which Mr. Gurley took a recording that he made of Janis Joplin during her coffee house folk years and added instrumental backing tracks. This recording was the long lost link between Ms. Joplin’s early folk years and her accent to rock stardom. Mr. Gurley performed in Golden Gate Park in 2005 for the Chet Helms Tribal Stomp honoring the man who turned him on to Big Brother. Mr. Gurley’s last recordings were made during the last weeks of his life as he recorded with Muruga Booker while in Michigan.

News of James Gurley’s death brought out remembrances from his peers such as Country Joe and The Fish guitarist Barry “The Fish” Melton who recalled: “James Gurley was the Yuri Gagarin of rock & roll -- the first man in space! There was only handful of us that created our mini-genre of psychedelic guitar, and James was the avatar who blazed the path for the rest of us.”

Mr. Gurley was survived by wife Margaret Gurley, sons Adam Reisman (nee Hongo Gurley), Django Gurley, granddaughter of James and Nancy Gurley (deceased) Sierra Noel Reisman, sisters Ms. Darlene Grigg, Mrs. Georgee Jarvis, uncle Major Robert Pier, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Services are private.

Plans are in the works for memorial honoring James Gurley to be held in San Francisco in 2010.

###
Media Contact: J.C. Juanis

thepublicityzone@aol.com

Nutter Butters Et Al

2009-12-23T17:49:00.000-08:00

To quote Sophia Petrillo, "Picture it: Sicily 1922..." Just kidding. Picture it: "Larkspur, California July 1970... I have been signed in to Marin General Hospital a day ahead of having oral surgery to remove my impacted wisdom teeth. Unfortunately for the staff there, this directly clashed with my previous plans to see the Grateful Dead at Pepperland (or maybe they were calling it Euphoria then, I don't remember and I don't really care) in San Rafael. There was no way in hell I was missing that show, so my good friend, Jeannie Harvey, came over to visit me, brought me some clothes, I got dressed and we went out for awhile. OK. For most of the night. We did go to the Dead show, as did Janis Joplin, and it was one of those nights she sat in with Pig Pen. I seem to remember that David Crosby also crashed into that gig but I could be confused (I was, you see, heavily medicated). Anyway, after the show, we stopped off at the local Mayfair Market (it was an all night market in San Rafael) and bought some Nutter Butter peanut butter cookies, you know the ones that look sort of like Hershey bars (the ones with the waffle like tabs to break them apart into sections) in terms of form. Anyway, I snuck back in to the hospital where nobody seemed to have noticed I had gone missing for the evening and ate the cookies in spite of instructions to not eat anything after 8 PM. Oh, what did those losers know?

Next morning, they hauled my sorry ass in to the operating room and removed the teeth. I woke up retching my guts out from the bad combination of anesthesia and cookies. Just another one of life's lessons learned the hard way and I had quite forgotten it until today...

Deb and I were in Mollie Stone's and she pointed out a package of nutter butters, the originals as opposed to the stupid peanut shaped ones. And that is why I have brought this up after 39.5 years. Wow. I DO need a life."

Trouble Makers, Shit Disturbers and Outsiders Wanting to be Insiders

2009-12-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

During the past month or so, I have been publicly flogged and vilified for things I did not do as well as for things I did do but were misinterpreted by outsiders who witnessed what they thought was one thing when in fact, it was something completely different, and so here I am, on my very own blog, making an attempt to set the record straight.

This all started when we were trying to organize a private event to honor John Dawson's life and legacy. It would have been pretty meaningless without the involvement of the New Riders of the Purple Sage but scheduling was a nightmare so we gave up and added a "Tribute" to the beginning of the NRPS show at the Mystic Theatre. It was still a private event but we requested (and required) that most attendees also purchase a ticket to the show because it was our way of thanking the venue for giving us the extra time at the place and frankly, a guest list of 100 people in a venue that holds maybe 4 times that would have been a financial disaster for the band. All was going fairly well until one of the invitees, not recognizing my name, decided I was trying to make money off of John's death (huh? This cost me money and I was happy to do it, would have paid more if we could have worked it out)and posted that publicly.

Concurrent to that now fateful Faceboook post (which was copied and pasted all over the internet), I had a discussion with an old friend who, while participating in the event big time, told me in a very public place that he didn't think our friend who had passed was a very nice guy. That is all I am going to say about that except that his words were far harsher. I got upset and decided my 40 year friendship with this person was over. This didn't go over well with the aforementioned, attempted, former friend (we have since resolved the issue and are friends again) but I was completely inflamed for about a month and could not calm down. And let's just throw in here the cancer meds and the surgeries (most recent surgery was October 21, right in the middleof all of this), have left me a little off my game (and some would say, off my rocker) and caused some distinct shifts in my personality. I never suffered bullshit easily and nowadays, I really cannot and will not tolerate it.

Imagine my surprise when, let's just call him AAFF for aforementioned attempted former friend came up to me in another public place where I was waiting to say hello to someone else, as if nothing had happened. I merely reiterated what I had told him previously, that I had nothing to say to him and did not wish to talk to him ever again and waved him away. I did not yell, I did not scream, but I was firm. He caught the look in my eyes that said "I am not kidding" and walked away, very hurt (this is where you can say, "AWWWWWWWWWWWWW"). I did have an inkling of how hurtful I was being but in that moment I felt I was right and did not care whether or not I hurt someone else's feelings. That was very, very wrong of me and one of my friends, who was with me at the time, said she thought I had been very cruel. I didn't see that then but in retrospect, she was right.

Fast forward a few weeks. Another mutual friend jumped in to the mix, called and spoke with me and encouraged me to resolve the issue. I made a call to AAFF and left a message of contrition (or as contrite as I can be, which isn't all that contrite).
The tribute started out a little rocky but by the end of the evening, AAFF and I had resolved the problem and were once again friends. He told me never to apologize for being straight with him and that he appreciated my honesty.

That was the end of any problem between the two of us but some outsiders, who witnessed my little "I'm not speaking to him..." brief speech, decided I was self-aggrandizing and had deliberately attempted to belittle AAFF in front of his fans and friends (so not true) (and believe me, had I wanted to do that, really wanted to do that, I have more than enough true ammunition). Anyway, idiot outsider started another public flogging of me, and of course, he/she/it does not sign his/her/its name to anything because he/she/it is a complete coward.

Cowardly Outsider, or CO as I am naming this person, stirred up a pile of shit by misinterpreting a post I made to yet another mutual friend who asked me to find out if AAFF had received a present she sent him quite awhile back since she never received an acknowledgement. I inquired of AAFF, got his response, and posted it, referring, jokingly, to AAFF with something along the line of "you know how it is with these legends in their owns minds, busy, busy, busy..." and that started the whole thing going yet again. Hey you know people, get a life of your own. And a sense of humor. AAFF is not GOD.

Walk Through The Fire

2009-11-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

All I can say about Friday's record release party in Sausalito is: "way to go, Mark!!!" The current version of Jemimah Puddleduck is an amazing lineup of talent including Wally Ingram on drums and of course, Mark on lead guitar. I am ashamed to say I didn't pay much attention to the rest of the band but they were effing amazing! Started out with "Annie Don't Lie" and blues boogied their way through the night, sounding at times evocative of Little Feat and/or Johnny Rivers during the "Rockin' Pneumonia" phase, and other times, similar to mid 1970s Elvin Bishop. Mark's originals are wonderful: especially the title song which holds a place in my heart and has since Mark first emailed me a rough, unmixed cut of it while I was undergoing my own walk through the fire last year around this time. For those of you who do not know the story, Mark wrote the song while he was in the hospital, undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4B throat cancer. Two years now he is cancer free and going strong! I am so happy for Mark and Maile and so thrilled to have had the two of them in my life during this past year. To listen to a sample of what I am talking about:

Walk Through The Fire

The last few songs of the night on Friday included a special guest - Bobby Weir popped in after a "Furthur" show in Fairfax and the band played a few Dead type tunes including "Sugaree" and "Turn On Your Lovelight." We left as Lovelight was winding down - the show was great fun and I had a blast. Thanks again, Maile and Mark, for including me. I will be back, that is certain!

Nelson in the Headlights

2009-10-08T23:38:00.001-07:00

You know...

2009-09-27T04:17:00.000-07:00

Or maybe you do not know... most people are STUPID. (As my friend Deb says, "I see stupid people: and they're everywhere I want to be!") Especially men. I feel SO much better for sharing that piece of insight. And now, to the whys and wherefores that caused me to make that statement!

I have had a "helper" here since I started treatment for nature's lovely gift to me (cancer). Sometimes the guy actually helps and sometimes, well, not so effing much. For instance, I have a complex and unique computer set up here at the house: main computer and two auxiliary units are in my son's old bedroom, AKA my office, AKA the guest room. And everything is wireless so I can access from my laptop if need be. Also located in the aforementioned room are various peripherals - a printer, a scanner, battery chargers, etc., and two UPS boxes (uninterruptable power sources, not shipping containers) as well as a TV set. My helper was told "feel free to use the equipment but DO NOT move it or play with the wiring." I told him this because I know how complex the whole thing is and I have not been well enough to think clearly and straighten out any electronic boo-boos, some of which I actually have the expertise to fix and some of which require a professional such as my son, who is 500 miles away.

So, one day a few months back, I came in from a hospital stay to discover the TV had been moved from its shelf and placed high in the air (so someone could be killed in case of an earthquake, I guess). The printer had been moved from its rightful place to where the TV used to be, and the two additional network computers had been disconnected. Oh, and did I mention my external hard drive was also disconnected. Long story short: I suffered with this for a few months. No access to files stored on the other machines, etc. Finally today I thought, oh screw this situation and the horse it rode in on, I NEED those files. I got down on the floor and started tracing cables. There were a lot of what appeared to be superfluous cables coming out of the UPS box and going nowhere, so I started tracing them back to their sources. Some could just be removed, they belonged nowhere, and some cables were hanging out the backs of the PCs.

Now, I know the difference between an ethernet cable (looks like a wider telephone jack cable), a USB cable (the various kinds of USB cables as well), and audio video cables. But I did not know where anything went. I called my son who told me to plug an ethernet cable into the Linksys router and put the other end in the back of the auxiliary computer. I did that and nothing. Turned out the auxiliary unit had been disconnected from its monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I reconnected everything and rebooted. Success. Sort of.

My main computer now recognizes the other one but I cannot access the other one from the main computer and the aux computer does not recognize the home LAN, which thanks to my "helper" is screwed up.

And so after this little tirade, I ask the universe, would you go into someone else's house and make changes such as my ersatz helper did to me? I sure as hell never would, especially after having been told DO NOT move anything.

Thanks. As usual, I feel ever so much better for venting. And thanks to JC Juanis who pointed out the other night that I have not blogged in a long time. I'm back!

Ripple

2009-08-26T06:35:00.001-07:00

WHAT ABOUT 30 SECONDS, COMA, DEATH DON'T THESE PEOPLE GET????

2009-08-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Just got a call from UCSF confirming my MRI appointment for Monday, August 24, at 8:30 AM. They wanted to make sure I was sufficiently pre-medicated and I said, "I will be. I have plenty of Ativan." "No, it's not the anxiety that concerns us. it is your anaphylactic response to contrast dye." "Yes, and that is why WE DO NOT DO THAT. EVER. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, CODE BLUE TWICE. NO THREE-PEAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH." "Uh, uh..." "NOT HAPPENING. See you Monday."

Why do I go through this EVERY FRIGGIN' TIME??

Geez, if I could tolerate the dye, I would, especially since I have been suffering so much with this damn sinus infection and pray to God that is all it is...

NextStop.Com

2009-08-15T14:57:00.001-07:00

R.I.P. John Collins Dawson IV

2009-07-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

Good bye old friend. I've been bawling my eyes out all morning. You know how much I loved you but I wonder if you ever knew how much SO MANY others loved you as well. Be free of pain and give my love to Elanna.

33 Years Ago This Very Day

2009-07-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

Seems as if it was only yesterday!
Grateful Dead at the Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco - July 18, 1976!!!

That's me on far left, "Miss Keith"

Something You Don"t Usually Think Of

2009-07-15T20:22:00.001-07:00

When you picture Greece in your mind:

What IS It About Fast Food Restaurants

2009-07-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Or the way I speak... or something. No matter what I order, I get something else entirely!

Thirty odd years ago, my friend Edith and I were driving through a place called Tijuana Taco in San Rafael (Oh I wanna, gee I wanna Tijuana Taco...). I asked for a taco and an orange soda and was told "We don't have any orange soda tonight." Smart ass that I have always been, I said "Them's the breaks..." We pulled up to the window and I was handed my taco and a GRAPE soda...for months afterward, Edith and I would say "Them's the grapes" when expressing sympathy to someone who had just had a bad experience. Now, fast forward thirty-odd years to this evening...

All of a sudden, I got a craving for a Big Mac. Usually I do not eat this stuff but I really wanted one tonight and besides, I thought maybe I could swallow it because they are usually so full of fat and juice. I ordered a Big Mac and a sprite. "Don't you want a value meal?" "Really not, just the burger and drink. Pulled up to the window thinking "That's strange that he didn't ask what size sprite." I paid and opened the bag to find a large order of French Fries, the Big Mac and no drink. I said, "Where's my sprite?" "You didn't order sprite." "Yes I did. What I did NOT order is French Fries, I cannot swallow them." Trade made and I left.

Moral of story? I should stay away from drive through restaurants if not all fast food.

Bicyclists

2009-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while driving through San Francisco (we were in Parnassus Heights but it could just as easily have happened closer to Golden Gate Park (and it did) or anywhere else in the City of Self-Entitlement, my friend Deb and I encountered several different cyclists or groups of cyclists, only one of whom obeyed the traffic signs. All others barreled right on through, completely ignorant of the fact that the State of California vehicle code includes bicycles as wheeled vehicles (which they are) and can thus be held accountable for causing traffic accidents, damaging property, injuring pedestrians or passengers of other vehicles, etc.

Bicyclists in California are governed by the motor vehicle code. Below you will find sections of that law that apply directly to bicycles. Certain points should be clear:

Bicycles have the same right to use the road as cars do.

Bicyclists are required to obey traffic rules, signs and signals; and like motorists, should not operate a bike while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Now I just know had one of those bike riding idiots been involved in accident involving a motor vehicle (such as a car), the car would most certainly be found at fault. This happens all the time. I cannot tell you how many bikers I see NOT using the bicycle lanes, not following the rules of the road, and not sharing the road, all the while blissfully ignorant of the great potential for damage. Get a clue, folks!

COMCAST

2009-07-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

My internet access (and telephone service, VOIP) has been down for the past several days on an intermittent basis. Yesterday, I received a voice mail message from my ISP, Comcast, stating that the service would be down last night after midnight for about 30-90 minutes. When I got up this morning, NO ACCESS. I called and was given the usual party line that it must be something that I am doing on my end and was further told if they send a technician, I will be billed $49.95. For their fuck up!!! No way. I went ahead and scheduled the appointment but said I would NOT pay for it.

Two hours later, I come in and the system is magically "fixed" (again, through NOTHING that I did). I check my email and find the following:

Please accept our sincere apology for the trouble you have been experiencing with your Comcast service and thank you for taking the time to bring your concern to our attention. We are committed to providing you with the best possible service and want to resolve this matter for you as quickly as possible. In order to resolve your service concern, we will need to send a Comcast technician to your home.

This e-mail serves as a confirmation for your service repair appointment. The technician is scheduled to arrive on 07/08/2009 with an arrival window of 2PM to 4PM.

My point here is that if my service was down, how was I expected to receive this message, through osmosis? I am tempted to call and cancel because I do not want to be charged by these idiots. However, what if it goes down AGAIN?

REAL ESTATE AGENTS - OFFENSIVE AS HELL

2009-06-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

As far as I am concerned, they are lower than pond scum. And here's the proof - I photographed vehicles PARKED ACROSS MY DRIVEWAY (6-8 feet) and I am posting here for people on YELP to see.

And OKAY, the station wagon is not blocking my driveway. But she parks here all the time and opens her passenger door into my plants.

But what about the Range Rover, huh? That bitch refused to move her car so that I, a cancer patient en route to treatment, could back out of my driveway. The agency? Brown & Company Realtors. NEVER use 'em.

Eureka!

2009-06-20T09:46:00.001-07:00

The name of club to which I took Jesse was 14 Below and it WAS on 14th Street (whether Los Angeles or Santa Monica, I could not say).

Jesse Means

2009-06-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

I found Jesse on Facebook - haven't seen him or heard from him for several years - not since we went to dinner at the French Market Cafe in LA and then to see the Nelson Band somewhere in LA (I wanted to say 4th and B but that is in San Diego and I KNOW that is not right - I think it was somewhere on 14th Street maybe?). Anyway, I found the following cool video link and thought I would share - that's Jesse on the far left, playing the banjo during
Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine" (from Showboat, one of my favorites) and Jesse yodelling and playing keyboards, etc.

NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE: THEN AND NOW

2009-06-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

I am currently listening to the original NRPS album, released in 1971 - you know, the one with John Dawson, David Nelson, David Torbert, Jerry Garcia and Spencer Dryden, with additional help from Mickey Hart and Commander Cody. Damn that was a good record and it still holds up 38 years later! Earlier, I was listening to the NRPS' current release, "Where I Come From." While that is also a good album, I do not believe that we will still be playing it 38 years from now (if we should live so long). The songs on the new record are reflective of the new band and the new direction it has taken, and I have to say, man for man, the current lineup probably beats the hell out of the original in terms of musicianship - but it is really apples and oranges out there in the fruit basket of life known as NRPS.

Don't get me wrong, "Where I Come From" has some excellent material but some of it is obfuscated by the extensive and, in my mind, unnecessary jams whereas the 1971 recording is tight and concise. The title song, one of many written by Robert Hunter and David Nelson, is really good and other standouts for me include Johnny Markowski's "Higher" (a logical next step in NRPS terminology), a song which, when I have seen the band in person, appears to be the new anthem for the band. "Carl Perkins Wears the Crown" is another wonderful song and Michael Falzarano is spot on with this composition which actually reflects the late composer of "Blue Suede Shoes." The only song on the record that holds true to the original NRPS sound is Ronnie Penque's "Olivia Rose." "Olivia Rose" sounds as if John Dawson could have written and/or sung it but by now, pretty much everyone knows that Olivia was Ronnie's daughter who passed from heart disease at age 5. Still, the song is not maudlin at all but upbeat:

OLIVIA ROSE
(RONNIE PENQUE)
Do you know Olivia Rose?
Do you know the way the story goes?
Good things will come to those who know
Angels sometimes fly down this low

She's been gone all day
I know she's gonna do it her way
People calling all night, I ain't got nothing new to say
A change of heart is all that she's feeling
It's OK, it's OK

Smile for me Olivia Rose
Butterflies are landing on your clothes
Ever since the day that you came
I knew life would never be the same

I brought you a picture for your table
I'm lying on your floor trying to write my song
You'll be coming home just as soon as you're able
Don't take long, don't take long

Straight to the heart, Olivia Rose
The world is at your feet and you know
You are the warm morning sun
you blew in like breeze and you're gone

Your phone's been ringing and blues been singing in hallway
But you don't answer,
I'm waiting just to hear you say
I'd do it all again if I only had the chance to
Everyday, everyday

I cannot help but think that little girl is beaming down from Heaven, very proud of her daddy. I found the one disappointing cut on the record to be another Hunter/Nelson ditty (yet another song about Garcia's passing and the legacy he left behind), "Ghost Train Blues," which sounds less like a tribute to Garcia and more like a combination of guitar work by The Ventures, Dick Dale and The Beatles ("Things We Said Today"). On the other hand,I could just see Garcia out there, catching a big one off the coast of Maui, Telecaster in hand.

Proposition 8

2009-05-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am probably going to get reamed over the coals for stating a possibly unpopular opinion about this gay marriage proposition but I feel I have to speak out. First of all, I am completely FOR marriage between two people, of any gender, if that is their choice. However, it seems to me that the people of California (however wrong they may be) have made their opinions known, over and over. Will that change with badgering? Probably not.

This whole thing sort of reminds me of my sister when she was small - she would ask my parents for something, would be told NO, and would badger them over and over with "Say yes or no, say yes or no" when what she really meant was "say YES."

Here I Am

2009-05-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting at the computer for almost two hours... I think my cyber-hiatus has officially come to an end! I just wish I could see well enough to type for any appreciable length of time.

Where to start? This has been a week of milestones - I was finally able to eat some solid food (it has been really hard to do so without choking because of the probable scar tissue (from the radiation) in my throat. In addition to food, I made it out into the real world to see Christopher Felver's new film about Lawrence Ferlinghetti (more about that below). And now here I am at the keyboard... there is a God after all.

OK, the film. I thought it was disappointing in so many ways. First of all, while the director pointed out some of Mr. Ferlinghetti's myriad accomplishments in the world of art and literature, it was more of a montage, skimming over the salient points and almost completely discounting Mr. Ferlinghetti's paintings. In addition, the depiction of Mr. Ferlinghetti reading his poetry is truncated time after time, showing only brief portions of the poems. This filmmaker has unparalleled access to Mr. Ferlinghetti but fails to take advantage of it, glossing over Mr. F's long and varied careers. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the evening was the sight of Wavy Gravy, sitting in the front row, minus his clown costume, rainbow hair and fish.

And now, to the cancer. I do not want to jinx anything - my baseline scan appointment is May 22, but I am feeling better with every passing day and Dr. Kramer thinks I am doing really well. Especially since my most recent trip to the hospital in April when I was suffering from malnutrition. Did I mention the bonus to being ill was that I could not eat at all and dropped a LOT of weight in the past few months (OK, about 70 pounds). Thank God I had it to lose or my sister would be posting my epitaph here.

Falalalalalifegoeson

2008-12-27T02:09:00.000-08:00

It has been a long ime since I have posted here. 3 weeks at UCSF as an inpatient recovering from two surgeries in a variety of rooms (including 3 IcUs.) followed by several weeks in bed at home. On November 14, they admitted me to the surgical floor where Dr. El Sayed was to perform surgery on my nose, quite likely surgically separating it from my face. Five plus hours in the operating room and my nose was completely separated from my face. I awoke to a face swathed in bandages and some somber expressions. Turns out, Dr. El Sayed did not get all the cancer - the tumor had made its way under my skull base and was dangerously close to my brain. Dr. El sayed suggested a second surgery with Dr. Michael McDermott, a neurosurgeon who specializes in the skull base area. Damn! That was set for November 19 and once again, I gamely went into the OR although this time, I was terrified. When I came out of the anesthesia, I was shaking all over and freezing cold. Turns out, they lowered my body temperature for the surgery. It would have been nice to be warned about that. And on November 18, I went in for a biopsy on my lymph nodes. Thankfully, that test was negative.

While in hospital, I was served a vareity of awful food. Carboard, I believe it was. So I didn't eat during the time I was there.

I did have a lot of visitors - My sister and my son were there daily, and others who came on a regular basis were family friends Mary Yannaghas, Gari Katsanis, and Mary's daugheter Kathy Karsant, as well as Pat Campbell, Deb Grabien, Judy Dawson, Helana Fitzgerald, Lyn Scholz, Karen Lyberger, Peter Albin and Angela Gans. At one point, we were all in my room in the 11th floor neuro ICU, divided into teams and playing San Francisco Trivial Pursuit. Some bitch nurse decided we were too rowdy and made everybody leave. Later, in the same ICU, I was given a different nurse, Kelly Wood, who was wonderful.

After the drain in my brain was removed, I was relocated to regular ICU on the 13th floor, which was way cool because each of those rooms had flat screen LG TVs and Bose Sound systems with 5 CD changers. So I got to hear some of my music. One nurse on that floor was an asshole. While I was using the bedside commode for the first time, said nurse (A male named Ron) tore open the curtains and had a conversation with the nurse who was helping me, leaving me exposed to the entire area, I finally yelled at him, "Hey, patient here - I could use some privacy. SHUT THE FUCKING CURTAIN."

The next day, I was moved to a private room on the 8th floor where I was visited by the New Riders of the Purple Sage - en masse. They filed into the room led by Captain Toast - Little Toast, Johnny Markowski, Ronnie Penque, Buddy Cage and David Nelson. That was very special.

Damn Fools kept me incarcerated long after I was told I could go home - I had developed a fever and chills which they finally determined, days later, was a virus.

Goober

2008-11-13T22:31:00.000-08:00

My mother's dog, Goober (or Goobie), whose name was actually Mikro Scato (Greek for Little Shit) was one of the dogs featured in promo ads for TV 20 back in the early 1980s. And TV 20 has recently started running the ads again. Here is Goobie:

Meanwhile, Back In North Beachia

2008-10-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

After my medical appointment yesterday, Bethy, Deb and I decided to grab a bite to eat in North Beach (is there anywhere else to go when in San Francisco). The decision was made, unanimously, to go for soup at E Tutto Qua. We walked in and had our pick of seating because it was between the lunch and dinner hours. Sat in my usual spot where I could look at the windows of City Lights and whoa, the signs are back, in EVERY window! Yes, the Keep Abortion Legal sign was still up but there were a great many new signs as well, including one which simply read, "Throw The Bums Out" and another which mentioned the need to revise laws regarding regulating corporations. It makes me feel so good to see those signs!

After dinner, we went in to City Lights where we can into Jack Hirschman. He mentioned tonight's event at SPECS and I told him that I would try to be there. Jack also mentioned Sunday's memorial for Tony Vaughn at Live Worms and said we missed a great reading, that everyone read poems in honor of Tony. I wish I had felt well enough to attend that. Well, I am going to see Jack tonight. I hate it when I miss anything!

30 Years Ago...

2008-10-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Joan and Alzara Getz, backstage at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (the Tribal Stomp):

Tuesday, October 21 in North Beach

2008-10-19T11:31:00.001-07:00

Sounds like the place to be, according to columnist Tony Long. I plan to be there! Read on:

Tuesday, crossroads of culture

October 18, 1:11 PM

by Tony Long, North Beach Examiner

The World Series starts Wednesday, and as our loins quiver in anticipation of a Philadelphia Phillies championship we can bide our time indulging in a rich cultural Tuesday around the Beach.

You can begin your evening at the North Beach Library, where poets Neeli Cherkovski and Bill Berkson will read from their work as part of the library's regular Tuesday night poets' program. Cherkovski, who is also an editor, is the biographer of both Charles Bukowski and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Berkson, a teacher and critic, has published 16 books and pamphlets of poetry.

Now you're warmed up to swing by Live Worms Gallery for something completely different. Eclectic artists Torrey Nommesen and Scott Blake are moving in for a one-night-only show, Nommesen displaying his Lego mosaics and Blake featuring his Bar Code installation. The show runs from 5 to 10 p.m., so you can hit 'em before the library reading, if you prefer. Rather than attempt a feeble description of what to expect, go to Nommesen's blog and check it out for yourself. You can also find out about Nommesen's other upcoming North Beach appearances. This guy's all over the map artistically, so each show is different from the last.

Then cap things off at Specs, the venerable North Beach watering hole, where the city's most recent poet laureate, Jack Hirschman, will be celebrating the publication of his latest work, Look a Hear, a collection of jazz poems. That one starts at 8:30, and there is alcohol on the premises.

Thus sated, you can plop yourself guilt-free in front of the TV beginning Wednesday and watch the Fightin' Phils toy with the hapless representative of the Designated Hitter League.

HOWL The Movie

2008-10-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Not one word about who is playing defendant Lawrence Ferlinghetti. My choice would be Patrick Wilson, they are both built the same and both men have those amazingly gorgeous blue eyes.

Five have the beat for 'Howl'
James Franco stars in the Allen Ginsberg biopic
By Gregg Goldstein
Sept 9, 2008, 12:00 AM ET

NEW YORK -- David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Paul Rudd are attached to join James Franco as Allen Ginsberg in the beatnik biopic "Howl."Telling Pictures documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman will make their narrative writing, producing and directing debut with the 1950s-era tale, focusing on the obscenity trial launched to censor Ginsberg's groundbreaking book-length poem. The pair were approached by the Allen Ginsberg Trust to make a film commemorating the 50th anniversary of "Howl."Among the real-life characters featured in the film are prosecuting attorney Ralph McIntosh (Strathairn), Judge Clayton Horn (Alda), prosecution witness Professor David Kirk (Daniels), radio personality and prosecution witness Gail Potter (Parker) and literary critic and defense witness Luther Nichols (Rudd). Gus Van Sant is executive producing the project. WMA and Cinetic Media are onboard to assemble financing and handle sales. "Fifty years later, Ginsberg's vision is as relevant as the year he wrote it," Friedman said. "It resonates with issues of free speech, government censorship, militaristic empire building, fear-mongering, sexual conformity and the co-opting of religion."Graphic novelist and Ginsberg collaborator Eric Drooker will create an animated reimagining of "Howl" (in segments Epstein describes as "a Beat Fantasia") and Carter Burwell will write the original score.Epstein and Friedman produced and directed "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt," and Epstein directed "The Times of Harvey Milk," both Oscar-winning docus. Van Sant's Milk biopic features Franco and bows in November.Franco is repped by Endeavor and James/Levy Management. Strathairn, Alda and Daniels are repped by ICM. Parker is repped by WMA. Rudd is repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Epstein and Friedman are repped by Sloss Eckhouse Brennan Law.

RIP GARY HAROVER

2008-10-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

No mention of his time with the New Riders of the Purple Sage but oh, well...

OBITUARIES: Gary G. Harover
July 13, 1950-Oct. 13, 2008

PENDLETON - Gary G. Harover, 58, a longtime resident of Pendleton, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, in St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in the Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. Viewing will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the Burns Mortuary Chapel in Pendleton.

Mr. Harover was born July 13, 1950, in Pendleton to Eugene E. Harover and Beulah Moody. He was raised and educated in Pendleton and graduated from Pendleton High School. While in high school he was active in basketball and football, and played in the East-West Shrine Game.

After graduation he attended college for time, and then had worked in Austin, Texas, at the Manor Downs Horse Race Track. He also worked and traveled with the Grateful Dead. He helped to build many potato sheds in the Hermiston area, and for the last 13 years he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a welder.

He greatly enjoyed the outdoors and hunting.

Mr. Harover is survived by his mother, Beulah Harover, and brother Joe Harover, both of Pendleton.

He was preceded in his death by his father, Eugene.

Memorials in his memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, or the charity of one's choice, in care of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton, OR 97801.RU

A New Blog

2008-10-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

I recently started a new blog which will be just for my cancer. It is called A Day In The Life of A Cancer Patient. So far, the blog really doesn't have anything I haven't already posted here but I hope to post often as my treatment plan is defined and refined as well as my thoughts and feelings about my experiences. This will clear my space (and my head) for this blog to focus on things that are much more fun: namely my interests in the arts!

Poetry at Bird & Beckett

2008-10-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Literature Festival and Live Jazz @ Bird Beckett (Glen Park)
Sunday, October 5
1:00 pm
In association with the Berlin International Literature Festival, Bird & Beckett presents a reading in tribute to the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish with poets Neeli Cherkovski, Sharon Doubiago, Agneta Falk, Jack Hirschman, Nina Serrano and Leonore Weiss (1pm). At 2:45 pm is wordWind Chorus performs poetry with music in tribute to the late poet Reginald Lockett. At 4:30pm is which way west?, a weekly concert series, presents live jazz with The Georges Lamman Ensemble in a concert of pan-Arabic music.
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.birdbeckett.com/
Venue: Bird & Beckett Books and Records
Address: 653 Chenery Street (@ Diamond), San Francisco, CA

No News Is Good News

2008-09-29T21:24:00.001-07:00

At least, I hope that old adage holds true for me right now! I did get a call from Dr. Engel's office today, in fact, two calls, but those calls had nothing to do with the scan - one call was in response to a call I made on Saturday morning to inquire about side effects of the radioactive glucose with which I was injected the day before. All info I could find said there were no side effects but I had terrible nausea, fever and sweats. Anyway, the doctor's office confirmed that those are not known effects of the glucose so I probably did have food poisoning as I suspected (is anything ever simple these days?). The other call was to confirm that the doctor's office faxed my latest medical records to Social Security - that should speed up my disability claim.

Meanwhile, yesterday I felt marginally okay so I dragged myself to the Museum of the African Diaspora for Jack Hirschman's poetry reading. Jack and a Greek poet named Dimitri Charalambous read works of their own as well as their translation of the work of Yiannis Livadas, specifically his poetry about John Coltrane. They were accompanied by jazz saxophonist Liam Furey. I arrived late so I missed the Greek language portion of the reading (damn!) but I did enjoy hearing Jack read from his newest book, Look A Hear. I wish I felt well enough to stick around for the reception afterwards but I left - at least my soul and spirit had some nourishment.

The News Is In...

2008-09-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

...and it is not good. I have cancer. There. I have said it out loud. In writing. And on my blog.

I am still in shock but here is what I know. Dr. Engel called and said "The news is not good. It's cancer." He went on to say that we know nothing more at this time, I will need a PET scan to see if the disease is contained or has spread to surrounding areas, etc. While I am terrified of cancer, I am thankful for a diagnosis. Hopefully it is contained and treatable. Pray for me.

According to the order for my PET scan, I have squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum. I pray it is confined and treatable.

The SIGNS in the windows of CITY LIGHTS

2008-09-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

I just read over my previous post and I want to clarify something. When I said that it is comforting to see the signs in the window, I did not mean that it was comforting to read the expressions (although I agree with ALL of them that I have seen over the years). What I meant is that it is comforting to see someone (or an entity, in this case, the book store) using our right to freedom of speech to express views which may or may not be popular at the moment and it is wonderful to note that some people or entities have enough courage of conviction to stand up and state their beliefs publicly. Vis-a-vis the current political campaigns, it seems to me that Republicans are beating the hell out of the Democrats on that point, even if the former are dead wrong and flat out stupid (and they are). If the Demos lose the upcoming election, it will be because their backstage politicking and good ol' boy system shoved the better candidate out of the running despite the primary races being a virtual dead heat. Argh!

Here I am

2008-09-11T05:57:00.001-07:00

Up since 4 AM with another nosebleed. I guess the miracle of the miracle drugs is wearing off (already!).

Yesterday I went in to The City for a medical appointment. My good fortune that the building was just a few blocks, as the crow flies, from North Beach (so guess where I went when it was all over?). It was another beautiful day in San Francisco - sunny and warm but not hot. I lucked out with a great parking place in front of Steps of Rome and went for a walk. The first thing I noticed was the absence of any machinery on Broadway and Columbus streets - it looks as if the Big Project (whatever it was) is finally finished. I bet the owners of E Tutto Qua are jumping for joy right about now because the bulk and brunt of that monstrous activity was right outside their door! As I walked up Vallejo Street toward Trieste, I heard a loud, familiar squawking sound and looked up to see the "wild parrots of Telegraph Hill" soaring joyfully above the Shrine of St. Francis. Every time I see that flock of birds I am amazed that they could survive and even thrive in The City - I think the patron saint of San Francisco may have something to do with that!

After buying some brioche and biscotti at the bakery, I walked by City Lights and a familiar something blue in one of the upstairs windows caught my eye - the KEEP ABORTION LEGAL sign was leaning against the window, upside down, but it was there. Maybe Mr. Ferlinghetti will put it back on display! It is always so comforting to see the signs in those windows.

Uh oh, I better go get some sleep!

Yet another trip to Urgent Care

2008-09-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I reached my limit insofar as this nose thing goes. While I was in the hospital in July, I was either too distracted to notice the pain or it was handled by the dilaudid I was getting for the pancreatitis. During the past few weeks, however, it has come back in spades and now feels as if I am blowing rusty nails and broken glass through my right nostril as well as the usual painful sinus headache. It has been impossible to turn my head or to sleep.

One of my doctors suggested I go over to Urgent Care in Terra Linda because it was so late in the day. He said I should be seen immediately, this could be staph and I needed a culture done. I followed his instructions and I am so glad I did! The staff at urgent care were great! I was seen immediately, cultured (it will take 48-72 hours to know what the infection is, if any), told there was definitely something in my nose (DUH) and prescribed Septra and Muciprocin, just in case. After two doses of Septra, the pain has gone away to the point where I can sit up now (Septra is an antibiotic, not a pain killer). I may actually be getting better!

Meanwhile, Urgent Care gave me yet another dandy little bracelet. So far this year, I have banked five of these little guys not including the extra one they gave me in July because my allergies list was too long to fit on only one wristlet (see photo for 3 of them). Hey, Marin General and Sutter Health, haven't I earned a laminate?

Oh Lord, LODI Again

2008-09-09T04:40:00.000-07:00

From Pat Campbell:

Hey Folks,

This show is about 90 minutes from the Bay Area, but I thought you might have some interest. One of my mentors, Gary Wagner, will be on the bill. In 1966 Gary's Band The Chosen Few recorded with Sly Stone at Autumn Records in SF & released 2 singles along with The Beau Brummels, Great Society, The Mojo Men & others. The Chosen Few opened for the Stones & Ike & Tina at the Cow Palace in 1966! Gary released Parish Hall http://www.answers.com/topic/parish-hall on Fantasy Records in 1970, which has become a huge cult record in Europe with vinyl copies selling for over $400. I'm very excited that Gary is again pursuing music.

Please let me know if you want more info for this show.

Pat

The Water Brothers Band & J. Burbank & The Distractions

featuring Jim Johnston, Gary Wagner & Paul Herman.

Country Rock & Blues at it's best!

Sat Sept 27th Lockeford Springs Golf Course

http://www.lockefordsprings.com/golf/proto/lockefordsprings/index.htm

16360 North Hwy 88 Lodi, CA

Doors open @ 6pm Music 7pm to Midnight

$15 for 2 Great Bands!

All Age Show!

Full Bar & Food Available!

info: wbinfo@comcast.net or call 209-471-2072

Pat

Happy Birthday Ron McKernan - September 8

2008-09-08T08:53:00.001-07:00

Nobody else could ever sing "Turn on Your Lovelight" the way you did. I will always remember the late, late Lovelight jams at the Fillmore (remember, the Dead would hit midnight with "Turn on Your Lovelight" and play it for forty five minutes or so it seemed and I would be dancing in the crowd and see my father come to collect me so I'd run backstage and hide until he gave up (God, I was a trial back then).

And I will always remember September 8, 1970, your birthday and the first time I went to dinner with Rex Jackson at Tia Margarita. After dinner, we went back to his place and he showed me some great photos of you. I hope you all are having fun up there, old friends... I think I will dig out "Live Dead" and play it this morning.

Barack The Waffler

2008-09-07T18:27:00.001-07:00

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20080907/Obama.Abortion.Question/

Looks as if the Palin/McCain ticket is not the only group who would attempt to overturn Roe V Wade. THINK before you VOTE for any of these clowns.

From David Getz (Big Brother and the Holding Company)

2008-09-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love Dave and Joan Getz so I will probably go to the No Name on September 13 (I am spoken for on the 11th and 12th).

Dear Friends and music lovers,

I would like to invite you to these upcoming shows.

Come and hear something different

The Dave Getz Breakaway:

Music that's simple and complex at the same time
Music that has both rhythmic and melodic (and literary) content
Music that absorbs Jazz, Rock, Latin, African, Eastern European and Whatever..
and emerges with it's own sound

19 Broadway in Fairfax
Thursday, Sept 11 2008...........9pm-12

and

No Name Bar
Bridgeway, downtown Sausalito
Saturday Sept 13, 2008...................8-12pm

featuring: Tom Finch, guitar; Rob Fordyce, 6 string bass, Peter Penhallow, keyboards&piano; Dave Getz, drums and Balaphon with guest vocalists Lynn Asher and Joan Getz.

Some comments about my music from myspace:

"Seriously, I REALLY like your music!!! Nice, classy, intelligent ..verygood, Dave. I'll have to buy the CD when it's released unless, of course, you comp me a copy."

I like your solo music; it's really trancendental and cerebral, really psychedelic too in a unique way."

Meanwhile, Back on the CAROUSEL...

2008-09-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not exactly the Carousel, but look what popped up for Patrick Wilson (and just in case you think my head works in strange, mysterious ways, Patrick recently recited some Charles Bukowski poetry - you can find the evidence at poetry.org - which only gives more credence to my idea to cast Patrick as Lawrence Ferlinghetti in my upcoming screenplay)!

THE MASTERPIECE NO ONE SHOULD MISS.THE CAST NO ONE CAN BELIEVE.THE EVENT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT.

Strictly Limited Engagement • 16 weeks only! Previews begin September 18

Tony Award®-winner JOHN LITHGOW, Academy Award®-winner DIANNE WIEST, Tony Award nominee PATRICK WILSON, and KATIE HOLMES, in her Broadway debut, star in the greatly anticipated new production of ARTHUR MILLER'S Tony Award-winning classic, ALL MY SONS, directed by world-renowned SIMON McBURNEY.

A middle-class couple, Joe and Kate Keller, have lost their younger son in the war, but Kate cannot give up believing that he is still alive. Chris, their surviving son, falls in love with his brother's fiancée Ann and brings her home to tell them of their new relationship and their plans to marry. In the confrontations that follow, cracks appear in everyone's stories, lies are exposed, and a secret is revealed that could destroy them all. Hailed as "a masterwork," Arthur Miller's thought-provoking play is coming to Broadway for a strictly limited engagement.

AllMySonsOnBroadway.com

"Arthur Miller is a GIANT of the American theater." -The New York Times 2/11/05
Director Simon McBurney is:
"A visionary."
-Charles Isherwood, Variety 10/21/02
"Magical." -Ben Brantley, The New York Times 7/23/04
"One of our few theater-directors of genius."-London Daily Telegraph, 9/16/07

It's Official...

2008-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

the United States of America has gone collectively insane.

Not only has the Democratic Party completely lost all credibility by nominating a candidate with no experience as an executive, the candidate himself has no credibility as a legislator. Read his voting record and get back to me on that one, will you? How many times has Mr. Obama been "present" for critical votes yet abstained from voting? Oh, I would say about ninety times. And those times when he did bother to vote, he waited until the last minute to make sure the wind was blowing in the correct direction toward his electorate. Good God, I will never vote for that man. To those of you who say a non vote for Obama is a vote for McCain, I say "hogwash." It is simply a non vote because I have no confidence in the man.

As for McCain, he has not earned my vote either. Nor is he likely to do so. His choice of Sarah Palin for Vice Presidential nominee is simply disturbing and speaks to the idea that the man seriously needs psychotherapy. Mrs. Palin has every right to her beliefs and opinions. What she does not and should not have is the right to impose those beliefs and opinions on the rest of the world. Her views on abortion are just plain terrifying and her ability as a parent is seriously in question. I mean, her seventeen year old daughter should never have been put in the position of bringing a child into the world at this point in her life. Parental education, responsibility and birth control play into the equation here far more than the possibility of terminating a pregnancy.

And now we go to that word: NU-CU-LER. Ms. Palin actually pronounced it that way during the speech she gave after she was introduced by McCain. Do all Republicans go to the same school of ignorance and mispronunciation or, even more diabolical, is this a ploy by the GOP to make themselves sound folksy and remove the terror invoked when people hear the word, nuclear, correctly pronounced? You have to wonder.

In any case, neither party has offered me anything worth voting for. Obama wants to escalate Afghanistan, McCain says we could (not we will as the democrats would spin it) stay in Iraq for 100 years. No no no to all.

Woo hoo!!!!

2008-08-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Jack Hirschman

When: September 11, 2008 - Thursday7:30 p.m.
Where: 888 Valencia Street, San Francisco

What: City Lights Bookstore presents San Francisco's Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman reading from his volume of poetry "All That's Left."

Information: 415-282-9246

From Tony Long at the North Beach Examiner

2008-08-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Beachniks Have Their Week Cut Out For Them
POSTED August 17, 5:47 PM
A busy week ahead for the neighborhood's civic minded, politically aware or just plain nosy.

On Wednesday, of course, the candidates for District 3 supervisor will be descending like locusts upon the S.F. Art Institute for another one of their scheduled debates. Phil Bronstein, the colorful former editor of both the Examiner (in its Hearst days) and Chronicle (ditto), will moderate. You still have that little crossbow, Phil? Bring it.

Seeing as how whoever wins this thing in November will be representing (or abusing) us for the next four years, you might want to show up for this beauty contest.

The debate starts at 7 p.m. but you should plan on being there by 6:30. The Art Institute, of course, is located at 800 Chestnut St., between Jones and Leavenworth.

Before that, though, there's this: The S.F. Public Library appears ready to make its formal recommendation for the remodeling of our forlorn North Beach branch, so you might learn a lot by attending a special community meeting Monday evening at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Sts. Peter and Paul Church.

Because the library is inextricably bound to the North Beach/Joe DiMaggio Playground rehab project, not to mention the possible closure of Mason Street between Columbus and Lombard, however this plays out is going to feel like giving birth to quintuplets. But the major domos from the Main have apparently devised a plan of campaign, so come see what they're thinking.

Tuesday night the library, in its present incarnation, will be turned over to our city's poet laureate, Jack Hirschman, who's hosting another edition of Poets Eleven. The series features local poets from each of the 11 supervisorial districts reading their work. That one you can attend for sheer pleasure, and perhaps a little enlightenment. The readings begin at 7 p.m.

More Flashes From The Past

2008-08-18T18:53:00.001-07:00

Oh boy, a bunch of real winners have we here! L-R, Danny Morrison, Bob McFee (my husband), Unknown Dude and John Casey (aka John Crazy).

FINALLY!!!!

2008-08-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 25th, 2008
from 7 pm to 11 pm
at LIVE WORMS GALLERY
1345 Grant, between Vallejo and Green, in North Beach
ONE NIGHT ONLY!

In my inimitable haste to post the following announcement, I neglected to include the all-important header (and okay, I cleaned up a few misspelled words (which were not mine)):

13 Notorious Artists incl. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Matt Gonzalez

Ronald F. Sauer and Rebecca Peters present:
“Lucky 13” Thirteen notorious artists and more
at North Beach’s most exciting modernist gallery.
One night only: a superbly cocky array, from
painting to collage to glass, with live guitar music
performed by Tony Vaughan and Jerry Ferraz. Admission is free.

Contact: Rebecca Peters, 415.309-6026 or rebepeters@gmail.com

Strange Photo from Tribal Stomp 1978 at the Greek

2008-08-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

While looking through my file cabinet for a letter I saw only last week (and then promptly lost), I came across the following not so great photo. The photo itself is no big deal but it is noteworthy for the people in it!

The man in the blue running suit, talking with Allen Ginsberg, is (I think - this was 30 years ago, you know and the photo is a rear view) Barry Melton. The person sitting in the foreground, with the pipe, is Peter Orlovsky.

Lord only knows why I took this picture, I was probably trying to get Sam Andrew or someone else completely NOT in the frame (it was, after all, the same day I took a lovely shot of Chris Rowan's bare chest with a can of coca cola. It was during that time when many people photographed by me were immortalized as headless). Hey, I got Ginsberg's and Orlovksy's faces...

Nelson News

2008-08-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

To quote the King of Siam, "News? Yes there are news." At least, in a vague sort of way.

Tonight, I ran into John Molo in Colonial Liquor here in Kentfield (I was buying a paper). Anyway, it is always a pleasure to see him. He said he "saw our Man earlier this week in Connecticut -- David," a comment which lead me to mention that some fans have emailed me to ask what is up with the Nelson Band. John said they are actually talking about some early fall shows.

And on the more immediate horizon, Mr. Molo is up here (at Casa Sless-Barry) for the evening before they (he, Kimmock, Melvin, etc.) head north for a private party gig in Mendocino. He said they were also playing Sunday at the Forestville Club.

So stay tuned, you heard it here first (maybe).

And Speaking of Brett Rickaby...

2008-08-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

I moderate a chat group for Brett and just received this message:

Hi, everybody! My name is Eric and I'm glad to be on board. Here's
whas'sup. It has come to my attention that the studio bosses at Warner
are already tipping Johnny Depp to possibly play the Riddler in the
sequel to the Dark Knight, set to begin shooting early next year. You
all know as well as I do that that would be a serious, COSTLY
corporate blunder. Our man Mr. Brett Rickaby is the logical choice,
having done the role in the most recent (and true) episode starring
the ORIGINAL characters! Now you tell me ... how much more of a
testimonial can you get?! Case in point: I have been authorized to
speak on Mr. Rickaby's behalf, and I'm hereby deputizing & mobilizing
all you stone-city sinisters to BLITZ each and every e-mail, page,
site , word-of-mouth and any and all other methods and mediums
availble so as to drop the buzz regarding Mr. Rickaby's namesake and
image in relation to his portryal of the Riddler in the next Batman
installment, ya heard? Report to me directly as you wish -- and
remember, time is NOT on our side as it is, so put a glide in yo
stride, a dip in yo hip, tighten up on your backstroke and get going.
Thanks. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Since I Am Already On the Subject

2008-08-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

I have posted this before, but once again, here's my favorite singer (and you all thought it was David Nelson!) singing my favorite song (hint: not Glendale Train).

CAROUSEL

2008-08-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, Carousel. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Actually, my favorite musical of all time. Something set me off thinking about Carousel lately and I actually got out my DVD of snippets from the Royal National Theatre tour featuring (naturally) Patrick Wilson and Brett Rickaby and played it yesterday, especially "Blow High, Blow Low" and "Soliloquy." I was feeling sorry for myself and needed a quick pick me up (OK, what about a musical based on wife beating and suicide doesn't sound cheery to you?) so of course, I went for Carousel. Last night, I turned on a show featuring Shirley Jones who was talking about "If I Loved You" being Richard Rodgers' favorite song (mine too but I didn't write it). And then tonight, after I watched "How Do I Look," I channel surfed into a show about Broadway and there was the late John Raitt, singing the aforementioned "Soliloquy." Now I know this is tantamount to sacrilege in some circles, but I always thought Patrick Wilson was the best Billy Bigelow ever and of course, Brett Rickaby's Jigger far surpasses performances by Mervyn Vye, Jerry Orbach, and Cameron Mitchell.

Snipped from Wikipedia:

1996/1997 U.S. national tour

The London/Broadway production -- directed by Hytner, choreographed by MacMillan, and produced by the Royal National Theatre -- toured the U.S. for fifteen months. This was the first national exposure for Patrick Wilson, who played Billy Bigelow. Other cast members who eventually went on to Broadway and film careers include Sarah Uriarte Berry, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Brett Rickaby.

I think the whole world knows that my friend, Lyn, and I hopped on that merry-go-round twelve years ago (!!!) and are still riding the ponies, hoping for that brass ring!

Anyway, it always seems that when my life hits a low point (as it did this week, believe me) Carousel, in true merry-go-round fashion, comes 'round again to comfort me (but I really doubt anyone will ever top the RNT tour of 1996/1997):

2008 West End revival

A revival of Carousel is scheduled to open at the Savoy Theatre in London on December 2, 2008, starring Jeremiah James as Billy Bigelow, Alexandra Silber as Julie Jordan, and Lesley Garrett as Nettie Fowler. Previews at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley from 26 September.

The World According to Mark Schwartz

2008-08-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, this interview is a hoot. Mark talks about everything from why he has been 86'd from various North Beach establishments (including, but not limited to, Caffe Trieste, Specs and City Lights). I knew about Trieste already but how the hell can you get thrown out of a BOOKSTORE??? To find the answer to that burning question and more information about Mark that you ever thought you needed to know, click here:

Judy Joy Jones interviews Mark Schwartz

Mark is a very talented poet and a hilarious dinner companion not to mention he is an absolute ace at locating the elusive parking space in North Beach (one night, I drove around the block a dozen times, ran into Mark at the corner of Pacific and Grant, he asked if he could help me find a parking place, jumped in my car, and I swear to God, somebody pulled out of a space about 1/3 of a block away). If you spend any time at all in the land of North Beachia, you will understand how rare THAT is! I know I posted a photo of Mark somewhere else on my blog, probably from a December or January poetry reading. Seek and ye shall find. Hi, Mark! (Oh, that's right, you don't have a computer) (which leads me to wonder, how the hell can you be applying to grad school in Engineering (at Cornell, where he did his undergrad) without a computer. For that matter, how the hell can you be in Grad school on the east coast and run for San Francisco Supervisor at the same time - it's a puzzlement).

I Don't Get It

2008-08-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Or maybe I am truly an idiot. I came across the following in today's online SF Examiner. It would appear to be an abstract, but the full article does not come up no matter what I do. Or maybe this is the entire thing? If so, it is nice that somebody recognizes Jack Hirschman for the wonderful job he does but I wanted the author to expound on the subject. Any thoughts?

Kudos: Jack Hirschman

Aug 12, 2008 3:00 AM (10 hrs ago) by Staff, The Examiner

“You can’t explain poetry. It’s the most powerful thing in the world. And it’s the furthest away from being trashed by commerce.”

# 2,956 of 8,352
Filed under: SAN FRANCISCO , Staff , Kudos

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) -

JACK HIRSCHMAN

Occupation Poet laureate

Home San Francisco

Achievement The San Francisco poet laureate — along with poets Francisco X. Alarcon, Jose Montoya and Nina Serrano — is part of the “Dream Poetry Team” that recently appeared in a special program at Berkeley’s La Peña Cultural Center.

# 2,956 of 8,352

Good News about Audrey Blaker

2008-08-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know them (and that is just about any fans of the DNB or NRPS), Marc and Audrey Blaker have been having a rough time lately (to say the least) with Audrey suffering from breast cancer. According to Marc's email this morning, the news is encouraging:

Hi Friends,

I want to thank everyone for their good wishes and expressions of love.
Audrey has completed her chemotherapy and it looks like it did
the job. The second cocktail, Taxol, was so strong that her wonderful oncologist Dr. Daniel Maloney, felt that the 4th infusion was not needed when compared to the harm this potent drug can do to her organs. The tumor has shrunk enough to give her surgeon, Dr. Agnes Radzio, clean margins while any free floating cancer cells have been destroyed.

Now it's on to phase 2. Audrey will be having a masectomey at noon on Wed Aug 13th in Kaiser San Rafael (Terra Linda). Dr. Radzio will be removing her left breast along with some lymph nodes. They don't expect to keep her longer than overnight then it's home for recovery.

Please direct your prayers, good thoughts, and healing vibes to San Rafael on Wed.

Poetry in Berkeley August 10

2008-08-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Arte Poetica - The Dream Poetry Team

With Alarcón, Hirschman, Montoya, and Serrano.

Sunday August 10, 2008

$5 - 7pm

The Dream Poetry Team descends on La Peña for a powerful evening of poetry.

La Peña celebrates California's full-fledged voices of poetry, the ripened voices that have taught up & coming new generations and upheld resolutely the arte poética for the people. With Francisco x Alarcón, Jack Hirschman, Jose Montoya, and Nina Serrano. MC by La Peña's Fernando A. Torres.

Francisco x Alarcón, Chicano poet and educator, was born in Wilmington, California, in 1954. Raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, he came to California when he was 18 years old. He is the author of a number of bilingual poetry books for children and ten volumes of poetry, including "From the Other Side of Night/Del otro lado de la noche: New and Selected Poems"; "Sonnets to Madness and Other/Sonetos a la locura y otras penas"; "Snake Poems: An Aztec Invocation and Of Dark Love/De amor oscuro". Francisco was one of three finalists for Poet Laureate of California in 2005 and again was selected as a finalist by a California Arst Council panel on June 2008. More information about Francisco can be found here:

http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=122

Jack Hirschman is San Francisco's Poet Laureate and social activist. He has written more than 60 volumes of poetry, translated more than 45 poems from at least 6 different languages, edited anthologies and journals. Dismissed from teaching at UCLA for anti-war activities in 1966, he moved to San Francisco in 1973. He is the city's present poet laureate. The Before Columbus Foundation presented Hirschman with an American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2002. The citation, written by David Meltzer, reads in part: "Jack Hirschman is an immensely present yet hidden figure in the cultural politics and life of American poetry. Amazingly prolific - on the highest levels of committed artistic and activist involvement - his work is generous, open, and penetratingly critical." More information about Jack can be found here: http://www.sfcall.com/issues%202002/5.24.02/hirschman_bio_5_24_02.htm

Jose Montoya was named Poet Laureate of the City of Sacramento in 2002. As a painter, poet, and activist, Montoya is recognized as a legendary figure who has played a leading role in the Chicano cultural movement. He founded the Royal Chicano Air Force, a California arts collective renowned for its political murals and community projects. His poetry is widely anthologized and has promoted new interest in Chicano literature. Among his most famous poems is "El Louie," about a man with whom Montoya grew up. The poem described Louie's military service in Korea and his later entanglement with drugs, which led to his death. Many critics consider "El Louie" to be a classic depiction of a pachuco. "A Chicano cannot be born. No, the individual becomes a Chicano. The difficulty is not to understand what Chicanismo is but to become and to be a Chicano. What is Chicanismo? Simple: to be like Jose Montoya." (Javier Huerta) More information on Jose can be found here:

http://biography.jrank.org/pages/3946/Montoya-Jos-1932-Artist-Educator-Writer-Poems-Published-in-Anthology.html

Nina Serrano is a poet, writer, storyteller, and independent media producer. Her poems are widely anthologized, most recently in the literary anthology, Under the Fifth Sun: Latino Writers from California and the three anthologies of peace poems Farewell to Armaments. She has won international film awards and served as an Alameda County Arts Commissioner. Serrano, former director of the San Francisco Poetry in the Schools program, is a co-founder of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino and produces regular radio programming on KPFA 94.1 FM in Berkeley. "She has lived a relatively long time compared to a butterfly and a relatively short time compared to a rock. There is much she still does not know about the two basic issues: life and death." More information about Nina can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Serrano

Music on Thursday

2008-07-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

Chuck & Jeanie Poling
with Mississippi Mike (guitar & vocals), PC (red 65'),very special guests.
Thursday July 31st 9:30pm
Giordano Bros in North Beach, SF, CA
http://www.yelp.com/biz/giordano-bros-san-francisco

PC, of course, is Pat Campbell, who told me that Chuck and Jeanie Poling are fun people and great musicians. This little gig should be a blast and I do not plan to miss it! Giordano's is on Columbus, a few doors up from Broadway and directly across the street from Steps of Rome.

Interview with Lawrence Ferlinghetti

2008-07-29T04:12:00.001-07:00

This Looks Like Fun

2008-07-29T03:42:00.000-07:00

10 AUGUST---sunday:
• The Dream Poetry Team, a poetry reading by Francisco X. Alarcón, Jack Hirschman, Jose Montoya, and Nina Serrano, hosted by Fernando A. Torres, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, $5, 7:00 (510/849-2568, www.lapena.org).

Marin County Memorial for Harvey Susser August 3

2008-07-27T01:11:00.000-07:00

The memorial service for Harvey will be at the College of Marin Mainstage, Drama/Music building, Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield, Ca. at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 3rd.

More from Pe-ta-loonyville

2008-07-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Some new faces and some familiar ones

Above are the set lists from last night - they may not be exact because changes were made after they were posted. I scratched off the songs I knew were scrubbed but I may not have correctly added to the order. Progress, not perfection, right? Right!

Just a Little Taste of Star Quality

2008-07-25T05:16:00.001-07:00

Look Out, Petaluma...

Boy does that purple rug look strangely familiar!

From the NY Times Sunday Book Review, July 20

2008-07-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Top Selling Poetry Books

Look at #3....

BIG LITTLE BOOKS: America’s best-selling indie poetry book, according to Small Press Distribution, a nonprofit distributor that represents books by some 450 small publishers, is Aram Saroyan’s crafty “Complete Minimal Poems.” The list below, from the S.P.D. Web site (www.spdbooks.org), reflects sales in March and April.

1) “Complete Minimal Poems,” by Aram Saroyan (Ugly Duckling).
2) “Poeta en San Francisco,” by Barbara Jane Reyes (Tinfish).
3) “All That’s Left,” by Jack Hirschman (City Lights).
4) “You Are a Little Bit Happier Than I Am,” by Tao Lin (Action).
5) “The True Keeps Calm Biding Its Story,” by Rusty Morrison (Ahsahta).
6) “Lobster With Ol’ Dirty Bastard,” by Michael Cirelli (Hanging Loose).
7) “The Evolution of a Sigh,” by R. Zamora Linmark (Hanging Loose).
8) “Lyric Postmodernisms,” edited by Reginald Shepherd (Counterpath).
9) “Incubation: A Space for Monsters,” by Bhanu Kapil (Leon Works).
10) “Underwater Lengths in a Single Breath,” by Benjamin S. Grossman (Ashland Poetry)

FRAUD ALERT-BOYCOTT THE GRATEFUL GARCIA GATHERING

2008-07-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

From Buddy Cage:

Here’s the real story of the planned event in Thorneville, OH named Grateful Garcia Gathering

This ‘promoter’, one Tim Sun Dog booked NRPS for almost a year without ever coming up with the guarantee (deposit), then abruptly cancelled NRPS 2 weeks ago. Also, without notice to us.

He publishes several lame reasons as to why this occurred, inferring as well that NRPS had been the party cancelling. This was all bogus – it is an out and out lie. He did this action when it appeared that his ticket sales were lagging. He cancelled 2 of the highest dollar bands on the bill – New Riders and Donna Jean & The Tricksters. By dropping NRPS he was saving himself a 6500 dollar guarantee, ripping us off, deceiving the public!

Last night, I was sitting here on the tour bus listening to the conversation Tim Sun Dog was having with my Tour Mgr. after he reneged when called by our Crew Chief to ‘advance’ the show. Apparently Tim S.D. was complaining about my blogging concerning his deception (oh well!), our Tour Mgr. told him to clean up his act, to publicly tell the truth to the fans and public at large the truth. And to change the billing on his advertisement of the show. To wit: Take our (NRPS) name OFF his online flyer. He was still suggesting that we were going to possibly appear! Fraud.

Toast gave him 2 hours to get honest, to admit fault and be truthful to the public. At the same time and over this period of 2 weeks, Tim S.D. has been verbally abusive to fans wanting their money back, since it had leaked that NRPS would NOT be playing at his show on July 31.

So far, no honest retraction or apology has been witnessed by this band.

This petty rip-off is nothing more than a cheap, two-bit swindle. And he STILL persists perpetrating this fraud in the name of Jerry Garcia. DON’T GO. Boycott this clown. The Garcia estate should sue this clown for using Jerry’s name in such a deception!

Buddy Cage

This Just In From Darlene di Domenico

2008-07-18T22:59:00.001-07:00

A stunning photo of our own David Nelson with roadies Gary Harover and Johnny Hagen. Hagen and Harover were the NRPS crew circa 1972-1973.

Thanks, Dar!

Look What I Found!!!

2008-07-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

My fascination with teen magazines was memorialized in 1965 at that Bob Dylan press conference and reconfirmed over and over again throughout my life, so I felt completely justified in buying this on EBAY! April 1973 TEEN MAGAZINE.

And look below for real relevance, this issue contains a review of Gypsy Cowboy - you will find it in the right hand column, third from the top. Doesn't really say anything substantive, though. Right click on the picture of the review page to make it big enough to read. Gee, I never ever thought The New Riders of the Purple Sage appealed to teenyboppers!!! And I should know, I answered the fan mail which at that time was mostly from 15 year old boys wanting T shirts.

Decluttering My Home (and My Life)

2008-07-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

How can I put this delicately? I guess I should just come right out and say it - my house was a mess. Not a little, ordinary lived-in mess but a real contender for one of those home makeover shows on the House & Garden channel - you know, the one that features a mouthy woman with a team of professionals. They invade the home in question, empty it of almost everything and have a huge sale in the yard. My house was so bad that I have been fighting off temptation to submit it to that show. The only thing that stopped me from submitting my name was the risk of public humiliation.

My home has not always been like this but I have to admit, house work is not a favorite activity of mine. During the past eighteen months or so, things went downhill. As I became more and more ill (which I was not admitting) the house became a real disaster area and resembled some of those homes that "survived" hurricane Katrina (only without water damage). Things on the home front came to a rather ugly head during my most recent hospital stay.

As the paramedics wheeled the gurney up to the ambulance, all I could think about (aside from the pain and nausea I felt) was that I needed someone to feed my dog, Koukla, and make sure she was given her medicines twice a day. Once things settled down at the hospital, I made some calls and arranged for a group of friends to take turns caring for and visiting Koukie. Thank God I have a lot of wonderful people in my life.

Now I need to digress here just a little. I am not one of those people who cannot stand a dirty kitchen but I do wash the dishes every day. For some reason, I have always liked to soak the dishes in the sink overnight and wash them first thing the following morning while my coffee is brewing. I had a sink full of water and two pans soaking in it at 3:30 AM when I left for the hospital. Not a big deal. On the window sill above the sink, I have a cup and saucer which I leave there 24/7 - I use them to hold my rings while I work at the sink. The night before my "trip," I was only wearing one ring, my diamond and platinum wedding band. As usual, I put the ring in the saucer. For some reason, that night, I looked at the ring and thought, "should I move this? not a great place for a ring." But I was queasy and tired and not fully functional, so I left the ring where I always put it.

When I returned from the hospital a few days later, the first thing I did was go to the sink to get my ring. It wasn't there! I thought, "Ok, well, maybe I did move it." So I went in to my bedroom and did a quick check of my jewelry armoire: no ring. I looked in several places where I might have set it down but that little bugger was nowhere to be found. I went back to the sink and my heart sank - someone had washed the dishes. Nice gesture but, well, you see where this is going.

I called all five people who helped me with Koukla and Debbie was the only person who remembered seeing the ring. She described it perfectly and told me where she had seen it, which was a 10 point match to my recollection. If Debbie's memory hadn't matched my own, I would have assumed that I did move the ring and just forgot where I put it.

I went to the hospital early Tuesday morning and Debbie had first been at my house on Friday night, which is the night she saw the ring. She said she came back on Saturday night but did not go near the sink so she could not tell me whether or not the ring was still there. Three other people were at the house between Friday night and Sunday afternoon - Bethy, Angela and Cris. I called everyone again and this time, asked if they had come alone. They had. I really began to panic but honestly assumed I would find the ring in a day or two and tried to relax. I knew none of my friends would steal from me - I have known them most of them for at least twenty years (one of them since 1957!). Plausible scenarios were scarce but the one thought that kept coming into my mind was that someone noticed the ring in the saucer, moved it elsewhere for safe keeping and forgot. The only other idea I had is that one of my friends did not notice the ring and accidentally knocked it down.

When Narciso arrived on Monday night, he took apart the pipes under the sink and dismantled the dishwasher. No ring. He then went through all the drawers and cabinets near the sink and looked in every item on the counter top. Debbie came by and the two of them moved the refrigerator in case the ring had rolled underneath it. It is with great sadness that I report we still did not (and have not) found that ring.

Meanwhile, I am just about ready to return to the topic of this post! Nothing spurs a cleaning frenzy like missing diamonds but house cleaning is not an ideal task for someone just out of the hospital and recovering from surgery. Narciso is still here and my sister arrived on Tuesday, so we have been cleaning everything very thoroughly. Today, Vicki and I worked in my bedroom, which has basically functioned as a trash heap and storage facility for some time (I have been sleeping in one of the other bedrooms). I said hello to the floor in the bedroom today for the first time in years. This house does not have walk-in closets but I have two closets totaling 19 linear feet of closet space in my bedroom and they were both packed. Everything came out but many items were re-directed to either charity or trash.

Ok, I put this post on hold as I was writing early yesterday morning and now I have no idea what I was talking about. Oh well... Perhaps you can seek and identify my point and return it to me via the Comments.

Common Sense Wins Again

2008-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Michelle:

By now you know the great news—Congress heard the voices of patients and doctors around the country and voted Tuesday to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 6331 and preserve access to health care for millions of Americans.

To override a veto, two-thirds of those present in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate must vote “yes.” The magic number needed to override in the House was 285; 65 were needed in the Senate. Thanks to your efforts, the motion to override the veto of H.R. 6331 passed overwhelmingly in the House, 383-41, and by 70-26 in the Senate!

On the day of the veto alone, you and your fellow Patients’ Action Network activists sent over 35,000 e-mails to Congress—with only a few hours notice! Since the cuts were scheduled to go into effect (July 1) until the day they were stopped (July 15), more than 8,500 phone calls were made and 87,000 messages sent to Congress. You are a powerful voice in Washington, D.C., and we appreciate your efforts to get this bill passed!

See how your representative and senators voted, then please take a moment to thank those lawmakers who voted “yes” and stood up for doctors, seniors and our military families. You can use our Patients’ Action Network toll-free hotline at (888) 434-6200.

Thank you again for taking the time to support the Patients’ Action Network!

New Riders of the Purple Sage - July 23 - San Francisco

2008-07-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

I received the official word regarding the Great American Music Hall - there are still plenty of tickets available and you can buy them online or by fax for the cost of the ticket plus a $2 service fee. Past NRPS shows at GAMH have sold out and there is no reason this show will not sell out as well, so I encourage you to buy tickets ahead of time.

Here is the ticket information from the GAMH website. I hope it is helpful.

Moon Alice goes on from 8-9 and NRPS from 9:30-11:30.

See you there!

Ticket Information

ATTENTION! IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
GAMH & Slim's have
NEW TICKETING LINKS!

- For all shows at GAMH go to: http://www.gamhtickets.com/

-For all shows at Slim's go to: http://www.slimstickets.com/

(www.tickets.com can still be used to purchase tickets for both venues as well)

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Virtuous.com for their wonderful ticketing service through the years!

TICKET PURCHASING INFORMATION
Purchasing tickets to the Great American Music Hall is simple and can be done in several ways. Although we do not accept telephone orders, we do accept fax orders with a small service charge of $2 per ticket. Download ticket fax form here and fax orders in to us with your Visa or Mastercard # at 415-885-5075. You can also stop by our box office at 859 O'Farrell Street (located between Polk and Larkin) to purchase tickets directly ($1 servce charge). Directions to the Music Hall are online.

Tickets available at gamhtickets.com and Tickets.com. Tickets also available via phone at 1-800-225-2277

Tickets also available at all Tickets.com outlets including Giants Dugouts. To find a complete listing of ticket outlets online, click here

Dinner Tickets ($24.95 added onto the price of the regular ticket - this covers your meal and a reserved seat at a table for the night) also available for all shows from tickets.com, in person at GAMH box office, or by fax order.

-Dinner can be ordered anytime between when doors open through an hour a half after that. When you arrive, the door person will show you where the dinner section is. You will order from a menu, always with a veg option.

TICKETS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE, NON-EXCHANGABLE, AND NON-REFUNDABLE!

IMPORTANT - YOU MUST HAVE A PHOTO ID AND YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL WITH YOU TO PICK UP YOUR TICKETS AT WILL CALL AT THE SHOW!!!

TO TRANSFER TICKETS TO A NEW NAME:
In order to transfer your tickets over to someone else's name you will need to make a photocopy of your ID and sign that paper saying you authorize "….." to pick up your ticket for the show that night. The new person will need to have this paper as well as their own ID at the box office window for will call. ***Please note that there are some shows where this policy will not be honored and will be stated on the website/Slim's weekly emailer, etc. in advance.***

* We accept VISA and MASTERCARD.
* We accept personal checks no later than ten (10) days before the performance.
* The Great American Music Hall box office now accepts fax orders. $2 service charge per ticket, VISA and Mastercard only. Fax (415) 885-5075.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION NUMBER: 415-885-0750

BOX OFFICE HOURS

* Monday - Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
* Show Nights til 9 p.m.
* One hour before Showtime on Saturday & Sunday
* Closed Saturday & Sunday (except during shows)

RESTRICTIONS
All shows: All Ages 6 and over
Audio taping and cameras: Our policy is the band's policy: if the band allows taping/photos we allow it. If the band doesn't we don't.

PARKING
Valet parking available for some shows (check with box office). Validated parking ($5 for 4 hours) available at Cathedral Hill Parking Garage, 1101 Van Ness Ave. Public parking on Van Ness Avenue (between Post and Geary) (see map). Other parking facilities include AMC1000 theater garage on O'Farrell (between Van Ness and Polk) and on Post Street (between Polk and Van Ness). Limited street parking available in the vicinity.

ACCESS
Limited access/seating for the disabled. Fully-compliant restrooms with handicapped access available during all events.

Moon Alice at the Oregon Country Fair

2008-07-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

Sitting, L-R, Roger MacNamee, Pete Sears, G.E. Smith. Standing, Ann MacNamee, Barry Sless.

All photos by Sheree W (thanks!)

Interview With Lawrence Ferlinghetti from Brussels

2008-07-13T05:12:00.001-07:00

RIP Harvey Susser

2008-07-10T23:12:00.001-07:00

I was very upset on Sunday when Helana called to tell me that Harvey had passed away. I knew he had been ill for some time with a brain tumor but I corresponded with him through his wife, who was kind enough to pass along my messages. Harvey is one of the few teachers I ever had from whom I actually learned anything. I still remember walking into my 8th grade literature class on the first day of school - Mr. Susser had written a quote from Alexander Pope on the board that stays with me to this day:

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance
As those move easiest who have learned to dance.

Over the years, our paths crossed many times via mutual friends and the College of Marin drama department. I remember taking a film class there in the mid 1970s and Harvey was the instructor. He saw my name on the roster and said, "Michelle Basil! You were in my 8th grade class!" (meaning I was in the 8th grade literature class he taught - I think we were his very first class). Lucy Witkin called out from the theatre balcony, "I went to high school with her!" How funny what you remember.

I pirated this from the Marin Independent Journal website:

Susser, Harvey J.

Harvey J. Susser Husband and father, theatre and film teacher, photographer, stage director, lover of words and of music, gardener, passed away gently on July 4th, 2008 at his home in Kelowna, B.C. following a year-long struggle with cancer. He joins his parents, Sylvia and David Susser and his nephew, London Susser of Los Angeles, California, who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Coralie Paris Susser, by his sons Leland Susser of Los Angeles, Joshua and Benjamin Susser of Vancouver, B.C. and his daughter, Jennifer Susser, of Kelowna, by his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Marcia Susser of Los Angeles, his nephews Morgan and Spencer Susser and Gabriel Susser of Los Angeles, by his myriad of sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces from the Paris family of Vancouver, Victoria, and Gibsons, B.C. He is also survived by the hundreds of students and colleagues whose lives he touched as artist, director and teacher during his 30 years teaching English, Drama and Film History at Adeline Kent Middle School, Novato High School and the College of Marin in Marin County, California. Cremation services will be private. Friends and family are invited to join the Susser family at their home, at 2435 Fairhall Road, Kelowna on Tuesday evening, July 8th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friends, colleagues and students in California will be invited to join the Susser family for a 'final' Susser cast party sometime in late summer in Marin or Sonoma County. Details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Holding Hands for Hospice to support the new Hospice facility or to the Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior, both in Kelowna, B.C. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfield funeralhome.com, 250-860-7077.
Published in the Marin Independent Journal from 7/8/2008 - 7/9/2008.

David and the UFO

2008-07-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

Does THIS explain the tie dyes????

Another Strange Dream

2008-07-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

I would say maybe these dreams are from my post op drugs but I haven't really had a need for pain killers and as far as I know, prilosec is not hallucinogenic.

Anyway, in this dream, I was in a three tiered coffee house (presumably in North Beach but no such venue exists there, to my knowledge and profound relief), got my coffee and the last available empty table. Right after I sat down, a voice asked, "can we join you? there don't appear to be any other empty seats." "Sure," I said, looking up to see Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and a million kids. Angelina sat down and lit up a Sherman which promptly set me off. I started screaming at her, "first of all, it is bad enough that you are violating the law by smoking in here but god, lady, how can you expose your children to that secondhand smoke?" I must have been loud because I got a round of applause from the other customers. My dream then jagged off in another direction, which I do not remember at all.

I have no real point to make here except that I cannot figure out what prompted this scene - not a fan of Jolie or Pitt or the pseudo-intimate chain store coffee house thing. I am of course a rabid non-smoker (NEVER been a smoker as opposed to a reformed addict). And I certainly do not care whether or not Ms. Jolie smokes(as long as it is not around me) and I have not seen those smelly Sherman cigarettes around for years.

Go back to sleep, Michelle, maybe you will find your ring in a dream. Or dream in a ring. What-ever!

Tell it "Good-bye"

2008-07-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Bye, bye,
gall
bladder
bye bye..."

(sorry Janis, Peter, Sam, Dave and James)...

In case you did not already hear, last week, I took another lovely ride courtesy of the Ross Valley Paramedics and spent another several days in the hospital followed by the much ballyhooed and anticipated (and scheduled for July 30) cholecystectomy. My stay at Marin General Hospital was generally quite pleasant, given the circumstances, with one notable exception.

On July 4, my IV ceased functioning and after several checks, the nurses decided to put in a new line. This is not their fault, things like this happen. But there was so much edema in the arm where the first IV had been that the nurse could not confidently locate a vein so she called in another nurse who tried on the other arm. Hey! I had my first experience with a collapsed vein. THAT nurse, in turn, called in the big guns head nurse who assured me that HE could do this and went back to the original arm. He jabbed me and believe me, if I had seen a sharp instrument nearby it would probably be lodged in his head right now. He hit a nerve. The burning pain ran from my index finger to my shoulder blade and the top of my hand felt as if it had been held in scalding hot water for several minutes. And this moron DENIED that he hit a nerve. Naturally, I went postal, ballistic, etc. and started screaming and crying (this just an hour after David Nelson called (just as Peter Albin walked in the room to visit) and I told him how well everything was going). I mandated NO NEW IVS and waved the staff away with what is generally referred to around here as a "Royal Fluffy" (you had to be there). The staff at least respected my wishes but it left me without dilaudid for the evening.

The following day (surgery!) the anesthesiologist was easily able to locate a vein and painlessly start an IV drip, so I have no idea what was going on Friday night.

And now here I am at home and on the mend. A little nausea, very little pain... I have no idea what made me think this would wait another month.

I do highly recommend some of my nurses, Mary Ann Konzcal (our kids went through school together), Ma'an and Renee, who were above and beyond the call of duty wonderful to me the entire time. My surgeon, Dr. Ann Vercoutere, is I believe the best general surgeon in Marin. I changed my dressings today and forced myself to look for the first time - such tiny incisions!

David Nelson's Birthday Photos

2008-07-08T14:13:00.001-07:00

Pictures from the Mexicali Blues gig on 6/12/08 from Captain ToasT...

Pablo Neruda on "Millionaire"

2008-07-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when one of the questions asked on this morning's episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire asked the contestant to complete the title of a poem by Pablo Neruda, "Ode to the..." Correct answer, of course, was Onion. I just never thought I would see Pablo Neruda on a game show.

San Francisco Poet Laureate JACK HIRSCHMAN author event

2008-06-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Now this is upsetting - Jack is reading the same day as the NRPS show at the GAMH. I hope he does some other things around that time!

San Francisco Poet Laureate JACK HIRSCHMAN author event
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
7:30 PM

The Booksmith
1644 Haight Street
San Francisco, California 94117
Category: Other
Description: JACK HIRSCHMAN talk & booksigning for "All That's Left "
Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 pm

The most recent volume in the San Francisco Poet Laureate Series, "All That's Left," is a powerful collection of poems by street poet turned city laureate Jack Hirschman. The volume opens with the poet's autobiographical inaugural address, which traces his career as a poet, editor, translator, and agitator for political and social causes. Along with more personal poems, "All That's Left" includes a homage to fallen comrades like Bob Kaufman and Jack Kerouac.

Jack Hirschman is a poet and social activist who has written more than 50 volumes of poetry. Dismissed from teaching at UCLA for anti-war activities in 1966, he moved to San Francisco in 1973, and at present is the city's poet laureate. Hirschman translates nine languages and edited the seminal "Artuad Anthology."

This Booksmith sponsored event will take place at The Booksmith (1644 Haight Street in San Francisco). For further information, call 415-863-8688 or visit www.booksmith.com If you can't attend this event and would like to order a signed copy of the author's new book, please email or phone our store.

Yesterday and Today

2008-06-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Well no, I did not go to Pat Campbell's Yard Jam 2008 yesterday, I was still recovering from Thursday in Fairfax (damn it all anyway) (now I sound like Danbel). When I talked to Pat on Friday, he told me that David Nelson, Maria Muldaur and Banana Levenger were among those confirmed to attend and perform. Again, damn... I wanted to be there but I knew being outside in the smoke would not be good for me and going anywhere, period, is not the brightest idea I ever had. I will post pictures when Pat sends them.

As for today's party at 2B1, I am going to miss that, too. Happy 60th birthday, Boots Hughston (and twin whose name always evades me, I think Lance?) and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Kurt Kangas (the party is also a benefit to help with Kurt's medical bills). Again, Maria is scheduled to perform along with David and Linda LaFlamme (two of my favorites) and a bezillion others. If you are in the bay area and you see this in time, you should head over. 3775 17th St off of Folsom. Starts late afternoonish.

Jack Hirschman reading from "All That's Left"

2008-06-28T02:14:00.001-07:00

This was at Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Public Library, April 1, 2008. I know because, as usual, I was there!

DNQ at Iron Springs

2008-06-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

I really was not going to go to this show, I did not feel at all like going out, but I kept getting phone calls from people asking if I was coming, telling me to come, offering me rides, etc., so I finally decided to make an effort. Lee Lammert came and picked me up and Pat Campbell had saved me a seat, front table, center, next to photographer Bob Minkin and across from Marc and Audrey Blaker and Jeannette Sears. I had a wonderful time visiting with all the Nelson fans and family and listening to the music, which was all the more special with Mookie there! And here is the set list:

Set 1
Rocky Road Blues
Give Me Love
High Time
Fable Of A Chosen One
Red Crow **
Down The Middle *
Where I Come From *
Attics Of My Life
Cumberland Blues
Set 2
Any Naked Eye
Sitting In Limbo
Rockin' With Nona *
Lazy River Road *
The Wheel > Different World > Earl's Girls
E - Box Of Rain

* New Hunter/Nelson songs
** New Pete Sears song

I am sure Bob will be posting pictures from the show very soon, and you can check his website: Bob Minkin

Thanks David, Mookie, Barry and Pete, do it again real soon, OK? And Maltman, too.

Darlene DiDomenico

2008-06-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Someone from Tempe, Arizona, googled "Darlene DiDomenico" and landed on my blog. Hey! Let me know who you are and I will put you in touch with Darlene (unless you found HER blog and contacted her already).

NRPS in Chicago

2008-06-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

All photos by Tricia!

Brad, Tricia, Michael, ToasT, David and Ronnie - (I heard David wasn't drinking, hmm)

Captain Toast, all dolled up

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOUKIE OOKIE OOKIE

2008-06-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Today is my daughter's 11th birthday. It seems like only yesterday...

Could be, who knows...

2008-06-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

Something's coming, something good...

The infamous DNT is playing at the Iron Springs Pub on June 26. And it actually could be a DNQ. I have no idea. As I am fond of saying, the important thing is that it is David Nelson. The support staff really don't matter all that much (or maybe they do). I highly doubt that I will be well enough to attend but you never know.

Billy Laymon has been calling - he offered to come stay here and nurse me back to health. A sweet gesture but uh, no thanks. He did mention that he is en route back to the Bay Area for good. Could he be person #4? Apparently not - person #4 would be Mookie Siegel.

Gee, now I have stirred up some merde du jour...

Music is the Doctor

2008-06-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Doobie Brothers!

There's a healing in those guitars
And a spirit in the song
No matter what condition your rhythm is in
The message goes on and on

Music is the doctor
Makes you feel like you want to
Listen to the doctor
Just like you ought to
Music is the doctor of my soul

That song really says it all. I was feeling yet again a little better today so a friend came by and drove me to Fairfax to see Big Brother and the Holding Company. I have to say, Big Brother was terrific and hearing them really did make me feel so much better - music really is the doctor. Why, during Blind Man I was able to stand up and rock out. Nobody who saw me as late as three days ago would have believed it! It was so good hearing them play and hanging out in the band room with everyone - I had a blast! 90+ minutes of joy. Woo hoo! I love all of you: Peter, Sam, Dave, Tom and Cathy!!! And Joan, Joanee, Karen, Elyse, Lisa, Jessica, and Martha. What a blessed day I had there in the redwoods!

Return of the Native

2008-06-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

All apologies to Thomas Hardy (although when I was young, I always did fancy myself Eustacia Vye, walking the misty moors under a moonless sky in a long cape)...

Today marks the third week of me on bed rest - one week in the hospital and now two weeks at home. I am about 40% of normal now (and that is a ten thousand % improvement over my condition on May 24). Anyway, I was diagnosed with pancreatitis which was caused by gallbladder disease. More information than most of you want, I am sure. Let me just say right now, it was no fun (not even when they gave me the good drugs). I was sent home to recuperate and get well enough for surgery (I see the surgeon on June 20) but these past two weeks have been rough - I could not even get out of bed until Thursday, really, when I had to go to the doctor, and that little excursion wore me out. But the good Dr. Kao (a saint, I say) changed my medication and within a few hours, I was actually feeling a bit better. And today, I was well enough to watch TV (and no, I was not lying in bed watching TV and reading this whole time, more like staring at the ceiling fan as it went round and round and round and knowing at any time, I was going to lose my mind).

I am so blessed to have so many good friends who have driven me to the doctor, picked up some groceries, come by the house to help me, whatever. I love you all and I know I can never repay your kindness in full but I will try and I will never forget your generosity.

And now, back to TV. So I finally put on my DVR and caught up on All My Children and One Life to Live. Good Lord, turn the tube off for a few days and everything changes! One Life killed off one of my favorite characters, vintner Nash Brennan. I cannot believe they did that - he was so gorgeous to look at! And now they are bringing back the original Tina and the original Marti Saybrooke while letting Adrianna Cramer Bolsom go back to Paris for an indefinite period of time. I love Adrianna and think she should stay in Llanview with her new husband, Rex, and stand up and fight that simpering bitch Gigi (whom I loathe and despise and wish she would disappear from the cast).

As for AMC, well, I spent today bawling my eyes out as Tad and Dixie said goodbye to each other yet again... Dixie went back to Heaven after making sure that Tad found his (and her) long lost missing 6 year old daughter. I love Tad and Dixie and I cried for an hour... must be the meds???

Sorry this post is not more exciting but right now, I have no life.

Mumble, mumble, grumble and groan...

2008-05-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is going to be one of those posts...

Yesterday I was overcome with the urge for a coca cola and I was in a hurry to get somewhere so I pulled in to the drive-through at McDonald's. Now you have to understand that the McDonald's on the Miracle Mile has an outer lane that is used for ordering and an inner lane which is used for supply delivery. Both lanes converge into one just before the pay window, although the delivery lane has an option of driving straight across, entering the parking lot and then exiting. I was in the order lane and put in my order for a small coke.

Meanwhile, I saw a stopped (and presumably parked) car in the delivery lane. I did not think too much about this until I started to move forward and all of a sudden, that car pulled right in front of me. What the effing eff, I thought to myself but noticed the driver was an elderly gentleman of Asian ethnicity so I bit my tongue. He pulled up to the window and the server started to hand him my drink. No, he said, that was not his order. He did not want to order anything, in fact, he wanted directions to another town close by. So I waited there, five minutes, while the server explained to this bozo how to get to his destination. Drive through directions! Not a new concept, we often see that at the toll booth on the Golden Gate Bridge, but at McDonald's? The nerve.

New Riders Summer Schedule

2008-05-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

In readable form:

June
6 – Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
7 – Farrell Hall/S.U.N.Y. – Delhi, NY
8 – "Barn Shindig" [Private Party] – Amenia, NY
9 – Session – Killingworth, VT
10 – Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH
11 – W. Rutland Music Hall – W. Rutland, VT
12/13 – Mexicali Blues – Teaneck, NJ
14 – Boulton Center/Theater – [2 SHOWS!!!] – Bay Shore, NY
15 – Mountain State Brewing Company – Thomas, W. VA
17/18 – Lucas School House – St. Louis, MO
19 – Beverley Arts Center - Chicago, IL
20 – Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
21 – Indian Crossing – Waupaca, WI
22 – [tentative] Madison, WI
28 – Benefit in Westchester, NY with Meg Griffin & Trainwreck

July
17 – Fox Theater - Boulder, CO
18 – [PRIVATE] BMW/MOA International Rally Cam-Flex Center - Gillette, WY
19 – Quixote's True Blue – Denver, CO
20 – Carbondale Summer of Music Series – Carbondale, CO
23 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
24 – Mystic Theater – Petaluma, CA
25 – Crystal Bay Casino – Crystal Bay, NV [Tahoe]
26 – Trinity Tribal Stomp – Junction City, CA [west of Redding/south of Shasta]
31 – Legend Valley Music Center [Grateful Garcia Gathering] – Thorneville, OH

Aug
1 – Rochester Public Market - Rochester, NY
2 – Gathering Of The Vibes – Seaside Park - Bridgeport, CT
8 – Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ
9 – [TENTATIVE] Budd Lake, NJ
15 – Lycian Theater – Sugar Loaf, NY
16/17 – Bear's Picnic – Milton, PA
23 – Turkey Trot Acres – Candor, NY

Sept
19 – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, TN
27 – Skipper's Smokehouse – Tampa, FL

Oct
3 – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
4 – Threadgill's Wrld. HQ – Austin, TX

Thank You, Darlene!

2008-05-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Darlene di Domenico sent me the following pictures of John Dawson's late wife, Elanna. She was so beautiful. Another life cut too short by breast cancer. These pictures are from her modeling days in the U.K. before we all met her in 1972 on the Europe trip.

The Latest Video

2008-05-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

I just HAD to do this!

Try JibJab Sendables!

What a Day

2008-05-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

Such sad news this morning - Edward M. Kennedy was just diagnosed with the same thing that my father had, a glioma on the left parietal lobe; otherwise known as a brain tumor and glioblastoma. In another coincidence, my dad was the same age as Senator Kennedy when he was diagnosed. My dad lived for about 15 months after the diagnosis after bravely undergoing brain surgery for which he a. was awake and b. had to have holes drilled into his skull so they could bolt a restraining device in place to hold his head still while they cut into his skull. After that, there was no sign of the tumor but he elected to have gamma knife radiation anyway, as an extra measure. And it was the gamma knife which ultimately killed him - blasted away the white cells in his blood and he died of A-plastic Anemia. But after his surgery, he did have almost a full year of reasonable quality life. In June, it will be 11 years since my dad passed away and it feels like yesterday that we were all going through this surreal experience together. I sure as hell would never wish this disease on anyone.

My mood was lightened a bit, though, when the mail came. I received a package from Dan Ward with CDs of the Wavy Gravy benefit and have been playing the Nelson segments over and over... some really good stuff there, especially "Where I Come From", one of the new Hunter/Nelson tunes (although I prefer it by the New Riders). And I was also blessed with a vinyl copy of Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading Tyrannus Nix, which I played several times. I love the way Mr. Ferlinghetti chastises Richard Nixon.