Christmas (caution: some spoiler alerts for young ones)

I suppose the picture would suffice but here are the words:
Presenting Snowball. I would have preferred a name such as Josef or Big Dog but Dexter's hamster-Dexter's choice. Snowball is a large Syrian hamster, five feet tall and sleeps where he wants. These hamsters are solitary animals, mostly nocturnal and can not live with other males- which allows Dexter the opportunity to bond with him, or Snowball will have a lonely existence.

We hid Snowball in the apartment for two days, shuffling him and his cage to various rooms depending on the proximity of the boys and time of day. They did not seem to notice when we would speak to them LOUDLY when Snowball would run in his wheel, unseen but possibly heard in a closet, or be bothered by the constant playing of a radio- or when the cats would circle and sniff ("which one of you guys farted?"). Days before Christmas, we draped a small table in the room where our tree is- a place of destination for which the hamster could rest, hidden on Christmas morning.

The sounds of unwrapped presents, holiday tunes, Seattle pancakes did not reveal a sleeping hamster. Dext, happy enough with his bounty from the Big Guy was being a trooper in hiding his disappointment, until.

Also of note is an air hockey game which is turning out to be of sounder quality than expected, but the greatest facet of this piece is that Dexter took it upon himself to put the beast together, and did. Well done! Certainly skills inherited from the Dempsey side of the family.

Oliver mostly had his Santa list fulfilled; classic Monopoly, Kirby Wii game, Legos, Webkinz, and a tradition that goes back a few years, pissing the boy off. When Santa brought Oliver a Shrek Chia pet in '09 instead of a Scooby Doo Chia pet, Oliver has always held a bit of a grudge. Each year the Santa team intentionally delivers one of the smaller requests incorrectly; close, but not quite. Last on this year's list was the request of Club Penguin cards. Hope you enjoy Webkinz cards. This will be addressed in your letter next year Santa. Good luck.

A grand Christmas for us. We hope the same for you.

Where Ya At?

Well, I'll tell ya. This is where I'm at. It's nearly Christmas. Oliver is falling out of his shoes in anxiety. Dexter is playing it cool but definitely in the moment- especially with school on break.

We have the biggest tree we ever have had- which was a difficult choice as we found one about 4 feet tall, just 2 feet shorter but $30 cheaper. However we could tell that Dext had his hopes up for a big tree this year but felt guilty in deciding on the one he really wanted. Fortunately Captain Mike leaned in and whispered that we should get the bigger one, for Dext. Sounds good to us.

The busiest time at work for me, and Cai- two weeks of expecting the worse. Good thing I have kids for Christmas would only a headache but yet still, it is a heart affirming time- and fun. Crazy big stuff did come in a daily basis- room sized rugs, refrigerators, wine cabinets, bookshelves...but our team goal for these two weeks was to not get mad at each other and we were successful. One day we had 375 packages which including the several step process for each of them was a push to get them all completed for the day but we did. Our new facilities director, Amber may have been the secret to our success as three weeks prior she was able to get Cailin full time status, changing our outlook completely.

Just like Ronnie Lott (sorry folks-another sports reference) I was ready to take on whatever the day, or UPS man brought straight on.

Although my joke (it's not really true) is that everyone else at my work is 25 having more in common with Justin Bieber than they might with me, they really are a nice crowd of people.

Maria is happy to have some time off to spend it with us and friends that we do not have the opportunity to see enough. Marcail and Blythe came into their once city of residence and visited several times, notably one grand evening with our circle of friendships established 25 years ago. Anne, Traci, Marcail,Gemmie and families have aged well, I think.

Niners!! Saints!!

Niddy!! She, of who introduced Maria and I- showed up (from Atlanta) when Dexter and Cai volunteered outside the SPCA holiday windows (with the cats and dogs) at Macy's to spend time with us. She could be mistaken, in her good humored enthusiasm and demonstrative speaking,as a human Muppet. I sometimes think that when she really gets going, that Dr. Niddy might actually elevate. Plus a darn good interviewer!

One night Allison and John showed up for PG& E Polenta (it's really a polenta dish from Point Reyes Station Cafe). Friday the 16th a big box from Sarah and Drew arrived with immense goodness and goodies. It's great to have Andrew back in the SF office (have fun in Hawaii) although because of our work volume, I haven't yet been able to make daily stops to visit.

After this week we plan on going to Cambria on the central coast for New Year's. This is a December ritual for us; Robin's, the Main Street Grill, Linn's, the Tea Cozy, elephant seals, the baseball card shop, big yard at Pine Acres and the cozy stroll through town, despite the chilly temperatures brings joy and comfort. Also where we spent our (budget) honeymoon.

Earlier this month we saw the great Eddie Palmieri (playing with two other of my favorites, Hermann Olivera and Jimmy Bosch- D & O, when you read this look those names up!) at Yoshi's- this as a courtesy from some of the nice people that were part of the Slide group.

Dad's been watching the black and white episodes of Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel. I'm usually washing dishes during Have Gun, Will Travel but thoroughly enjoying the quality of these older episodes of Gunsmoke.

As I was running around shopping and errand doing today, I felt grateful for the life i have, the people i know, the family that surrounds, concluding that 50 was very fine and where I'm at us where I want to be.



A Christmas spoiler story (so stop here if anyone needs not read this):

Two years ago just after Thanksgiving, I was sitting in the cafe at work with Dexter and turned to him to suggest that he should start his Christmas wish list for the big guy. He glanced over and with a big grin said, "I'm looking at him". No! you have to play along. For his brother, he has played along.

I guess the Raisenets as deer poop didn't fool him back on the balcony of New Orleans, 12/25/07 . I thought I was being clever. However in careful observation, he said simply : "those are Raisenets".

The Elephant In The Room

At long last, I have finally done a top notch job in providing our turtles (how long have we had these guys- 15, 20 years?) a nice place to live? Reptiles are strong and reptiles are messy. We raised them when they were as small than the size of a quarter. Nursed them from the lethargic state that they had been in by rubbing meat on those mouths until they ate, provided a sun lamp to charge them up and gave them clean water. Llater a filtration system to keep their water reasonably so. Sold in the streets of Chinatown in little plastic cartons piled ten units high in rows of six or seven but with no instructions on how to provide care and life for these near lifeless babies.



Of course the realization that these guys (actually two females- occasionally laying an unfertilized egg or two) may outlive us. Over time their habitat have grown in size but because of their natural messy reptilian ways, the sunlight bringing algae on the sides of the tank and recently, the lack of a working sink (that's the big one!) in their area has made their home kinda funky. For too long. Now the size of a pot pie (smaller turtle) and a mini pizza (larger) I've been relieved that their shells are hard and healthy. Eyes clear and appetite present except in the winter when they hibernate ,eat and move less.



I know Maria has stayed out of the room feeling that the turtles, unofficially named Bud and Lou were not doing well. Dexter has decided that he wants to use this room as his room so it's been time to make it a good room. Dext has also been persistent in getting to me to tackle the task and this Saturday we dedicated ourselves in doing so. The past weeks spent accumulating supplies but now I could not stall any longer.

Devising a plan of transport (buckets of liquid sludge with intentionally blurred vision and slow breaths) using various tools for intense cleaning, we were able to wash their habitat surprisingly thorough. However, the state of the tank was worn; the seals were stripped and while probably still very functional, the thought of turtle waste leaking is not an appealing (nor healthy) one. So Sunday we went out to get a new habitat.

Going spare with the design; room to swim, room to sun, with a quiet powerful filter. It looks great to us. We think they like it and despite the changes in their usual quiet of winter, Bud and Lou are once again back in the groove. The elephant has left the building.

Thanksgiving Report

The best part of the big meal for me is all the choices of vegetables- delicious mushy vegetables! Didn't really get to any turkey but a taste- a taste of the bird that Ria cooked this year. Otherwise, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, sweet potatoes (and marshmallows), carrots, pearl onions, stuffing, salad, cranberry sauces pretty much covered the plate fer me. And pies! Molly's apple, Ann's pumpkin, Mickey's red devil cake. I miss Christmas Eve with the Cupps and as those were special days, Thanksgiving on Ruby Street are times to treasure.
















49'ers lose the HarBowl (both teams coached by brothers Harbaugh) but still at 9-2 with a good reminder that the team needs to work on some deficiencies, not a bad place to be.

Hey! A lot of our family couldn't make it because they had to work- isn't Thanksgiving supposed to be for families to be together? Pretty stupid that companies are making their people work these crazy hours. If the effort behind the marketing of the so called Black Friday was put behind a real day of service, we could achieve great things, and not be seen to be such a wasteful place by the rest of the world.

Dexter got a head start on the weekend by going ice skating with Katie, while Oliver spent the day with me at work. The chilly (for SF) weather lends itself to welcome beds and lazy cats seeking our body warmth. Yes, they might actually like us, too. Family!

Friday a big time production (for the small Benecia Ballet group) of the Nutcracker at the Solano Community College Theater- a cast of over 100! The music played live with a 50 piece orchestra! Of course with a very limited budget, the dancers only had one walk through with the orchestra before the evening's show. Our friends, the Burckins are featured in the play. Maya, expressive and fluid as Clara, Colleen and Hale, Clara's parents in gallant attire danced off stage with only the orchestra playing for them, Eli, versatile in several parts as Mouse King and mischevious brother. Last scene: Clara runs to the arms of her father who brings her comfort, shelter and safety.

Saturday: Dexter continues cat sitting for Bobby and Meredyth and also watching a senior cat (19!) for one of Cai's classmates. A visit with Dad, a change of car oil ( I resisted every upsell) This morning, o'er came the Rhodys' from Chico by way of Santa Clara, on their way to Petaluma. Miles is five months older than Dexter, Maya is four months younger- Dexter bookmarked between them, he has two strong friendships that will endure. Wade, Mile's younger brother is stocky and strong with excellent hand-eye coordination. Wade is very capable with his brother's I-Pod and got a kick out of knocking my baseball caps off the wall. Wade's big brother is very kind big brother, and as happy as we are to see him, he is equally so with us. We've known Lisa and Robert a long time, and I've forgiven Robert for hiring people to hit me over the head with things, years ago.
















Sunday 11/27: The First Annual ChewBowl. Football Fiesta: Dexter&Maria v. Oliver&Brian at the Marina Green. O&B walk off with the victory 35-21. It was mightily contested, followed by dinner at On the Bridge, Japan Town.

just for the Thanksgiving record at Ann and John's 2011: Tim, Eileen and Woody, Tom and Jay (who played keep away with Oliver for hours), and us 4 Chempseys.

The Essence Of It All

This one is very short but it probably says more in two sentences than my ramblings about the Space Family Robinson.

Someday when I grow up I hope to be as truly cool as Dexter and enjoy every moment as Oliver does.



There's no time like now.

TV Parents

There's a point in every nerd's life when they imagine, before they realize how truly cool their parents are, other people as their parental ideal. I, not being a nerd of course was otherwise no different. A father who had heart to heart talks providing guidance and sense to a maddening world =and always with kindness and understanding. A mother who always sympathized, always understood, was protective and ready with love and a hug.

Some of the subtle differences between my real family and my TV ideal is that I always had the time frame of when my TV family would offer up these talks and hugs- once a week at 8pm on CBS. You could watch Batman instead but come on! And my TV parents always had real nice background music in their parental moments while my real parents usually turned the music off when they needed to speak to me.

My TV parents did tend to wear silver jumpers at first but soon comforted me in plush velour garb. I too would later proudly wear my two toned sweatshirt. It may still survive waaay back in a closet.

Professor John Robinson had played Zorro in his previous TV life so he never was far from protecting me and Will from giant plastic crabs and other threats. He did this with a mixture of pseudo karate and a dancing strand of hair. Later when the show became a goofy mockery of what it originally was- the fear of becoming Lost in Space with evil lurking in the guise of Dr.Smith- to a comedy show with giant carrot and lettuce people chasing a very flaming and delightful Dr. Smith as he shrieked and pleaded chewing up scenery as no one has since. I'm not sure if TV Dad/Professor Robinson knew quite how to approach his role when this type of nonsense circled around him. He seemed lost- should I be serious and heroic? should I make funny faces and pratfalls? He was probably relieved not to be on camera. I also can not remember TV Mom/Maureen Robinson ever hitting anyone/thing/carrot. TV Mom was probably stuck on ways to offer hugs in her caring way.

Will, Penny and especially Robot were my best friends at least for an hour a week. Those were good times together although they never showed up for any of my birthdays. One Christmas I received the best Robot toy, which ;ater survived a friends' toss down the stairs. Although the toy company feared that a gray robot wouldn't appeal to the masses so it is oddly bright red and blue. Perhaps my real parents were trying to connect with my TV parents- if so, this still stands as a magic Christmas. I still have him, Robot, 40 plus years later.

There was Major Don West who at one point probably saw this show as a fine oppotunity to become a dashing leading man but he too was lost in the big shadow of Dr. Zachary Smith. And Judy, she was the fairest of them all. Or at least equal to all my TV marriages (before you-know-who and before 1970) Judy (Lost In Space), Mrs. Peel (the Avengers), Elizabeth Montgomery (Bewitched). While a decade later, my fellow fellows followed Marcia (Brady Bunch) as she filmed a Streets of San Francisco- this was different from an 8, 9 years olds' TV marriage. Also, despite what my former comrades will say, Marcia (Maureen McCormick) waved to me.

After three years, my TV parents left me without really saying goodbye. They never made it home, never sent anyone to continue what we had begun together. I didn't see them too often after that- and only once that I can remember together on a Family Feud reunion show. Even then they really didn't speak to me.

But in those years my real parents were always near and if they didn't provide many warm heart to hearts, or hugs, I did know that they would be there to pick me up if I fell. Today even as one has left and the other struggles with weakened legs and uncertain balance, their reach and care for me is a love unspoken. Their legacy is the music I will always feel.



(just for a mark in time> SF has elected mayor in standing, Ed Lee although he is backed strongly and financially by old SF powers brokers-Willie Brown & Rose Pak. Occupy movements -lacking organization but heartfelt as an effort to protest the banks control over all of us and the deep root of this country/ the world's financial crisis. 49'ers are 8-1. Maria and I will meet with Dexter's teacher tomorrow who is unfairly picking on this fine young man. That needs to stop.

Trick or Treat, Circa 2011

Still a blast! Oliver, 7 approaches it as his most important day of work (increased metrics, better flow) and was stoked to get going. Dexter, was on the fence about going- he's feeling older (Dext, once you stop- you won't start again!) but fortunately the afternoon of, he was ready to go too. Dexter wanted to wear the bear outfit again (did two years ago) which is a crazy thing to walk around in, and he did. Although his Dad ended up carrying the head between houses. We went with Anne, Ben and Ellen (Ava was at an school overnight trip) and Sirina, Michael and Zachary. Sirina's first time (she had to work last year) and she decided to go get some candy herself.


This was a fun night for all of us. Dexter managed to wander suited for nearly 90 minutes before retiring for the evening while Oliver was undeterred in his mission. Except for one scary house and in particular a kid who stood frozen as a statue- then suddenly turned in front of Ollie and growled at him. Even in his Captain America outfit, Oliver was terribly frightened. Was it wrong for me to "accidentally" push this other kid over? I think perhaps.





There is a house on California Street between 30th and 31st Avenue where they put on a lively thematic celebration every year. This year they scaled down a bit in the production but the mariachi theme was fun and the music joyful. In year's past, there were more musicians and dancers. Last year was a big New Orleans brass band- and other years- Renaissance, Tango, Eastern Belly Dancers. Come and go as you please but it's a generous show from neighbors never known. I found out that last year was going to be the final year but they reconsidered, scaled down, and went ahead. Thankfully.



The Niners are 6-1. #2 in ESPN's power rankings- a huge surprise. Stanford football wins in triple overtime v. USC. The Cardinals win the World Series v. Texas (Texas loses again) in seven games, saving game six twice- down to their last strike. Incredible win ( with questionable fielding by Texas RF Cruz)! MVP is Freese who grew up in St.Louis. Lance Berkman delivered the tying 2 run hit in the 10th with 2 outs and 2 strikes said that as a child you imagine this situation playing in your backyard but with the pressure of letting down the fans and your teammates after getting a second strike, he felt huge pressure. Although he was able to relax and deliver the big clutch hit, Berkman cautions kids to "be careful for what you wish for".

My Favorite Paul

I suppose my favorite Paul is one that I actually know, Paul Matheson. However I'm not writing about Paul or Lisa, or busybunny.com, or Paul's bad jokes when he worked for the waste treatment company- "you flush it, I see it". I'm sure I will next year if the travel plans hold up.

Overall, my favorite Beatle is Paul. Perhaps not the hippest choice as George has moved into that spot with his biting wit, love of rockabilly and Ravi Shankar as well as holding court with the Monty Python gang. In Paul's defense for staying alive (we might love you more if you weren't), Sir Paul is a great example for how we can be as we get older. He always seems to be playing live shows and playing well, with enthusiasm and craft intact. Also, the decent English gentleman, reformed vegetarian (thanks Linda!) , always writing songs and music and doesn't mind paying (higher) taxes in his homeland in the UK- didn't move to the states to pay less. But this aint about that Paul neither.

(A quick George story from a recent documentary: As he was being taken away by the paramedics after suffering near fatal stab wounds from a crazy intruder at his home, George saw a member of his staff who had just started that day and said, "how was your first day at work?")

My favorite Paul (other than Mathis) is Brother Paul Gonsalves. Alright, he wasn't my brother and no one referred to or wrote to him as "Brother Paul". Paul would have been as old as my father, born in 1920. He was born in Boston (maybe Brockton, MA) of Portuguese descent by way of the Cape Verde Islands. He died in 1974 just days before the death of his boss, Duke Ellington (b1899) having stayed with the Ellington band since he signed up in 1950. How many people work for someone for 24 years and decide that they can't live without their boss?!


When Paul was twenty two he was drafted in the Army until he was released two years later in 1944. Shortly after he joined Count Basie's band (the greatest big band for rhythm, riffs, and creating solos from the structure of the music), and one year in 1949 in Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band, incorporating more complexities to the swing. It was with Ellington that Gonsalves wanted to get to, and in '50, he had his chance and seized it.



Big bands were dying out as small groups were in vogue and more economical. At one point in the early '50's all the big bands had broken up-(Basie had reduced to a seven piece) except Ellington's; never the most popular big band but his orchestra was always the most creative. In short for his compositional skills and his creation of unusual sounds, voicing, and feeling- and in particular, the distinctive qualities of his musicians.


Gonsalves is not the first musician people associate with Ellington (Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, Ben Webster, Cootie Williams, Tricky Sam Nanton, Bubber Miley, Harry Carney- Carney played with Ellington nearly 50 years!) but he's my favorite Paul! For his carefree love of life and music, passion when he played, and for some of the goofy stories I occasionally can find. While the music is what is lasting and important, I find these stories endearing. Paul didn't seem to be particularly ambitious but enjoyed experiencing the world, curious and carefree, passing time until the night when playing with the band, he could search, explore, create. Hoping to connect and find magic everyday.

However when you're on the road eleven months of the year, every year it can take a mental and physical toll. The pay was alright but each night's bed was probably in a two star hotel downtown. Paul developed bad habits that really impacted his being noticeably the last years of his life, where he really starts to look older than he was. He only hurt himself but along with recognizing the tragic consequences of his eventual alcohol and narcotics abuse, it does have a lighter side.

I've read where the band couldn't find him until they looked into his hotel closet and found Paul passed out while attempting to hang up his jacket, one arm hooked on a hanger. On stage and not in the best of sobriety, stumbled to his feet for his first solo but hearing the audience's appreciation for the previous soloist, he forgot that he hadn't yet played a note, bowed his head in thanks and sat back down.

Once after the band had departed to their next stop on a tour in the Far East, some US officials saw someone in the street that looked like Gonsalves. It was Gonsalves -who had fallen asleep outside and had missed his transport.

With similar interests- both having gone to school studying design, Paul and Ellington got on well. Also because of Paul's kind nature, Duke was very fond of him tolerating his occasional escapades, looking upon Paul in a fatherly way. One major screw up during an important gig, Gonsalves had gotten the band into some trouble with local officials. Ellington was infuriated pushing Gonsalves hard around the room and telling him that this was it - he was getting kicked out of the band, "on a slow boat to China". Gonsalves shook off the last shove from Ellington, looked up and said, " Duke, you sure play rough". Ellington couldn't help himself, cracking up at the response and Paul was in.



It's Paul's sound that appeals to me; distinctly warm on ballads but because he made his mark playing a fast long piece at Newport in 1956, he always was called to do similar pieces with audiences until he died. Ellington is quoted as saying "I was reborn at Newport" where Gonsalves played a driving blistering solo that builds to a near crazed excitement from the audience- without resorting to honks or gimmicks. Just the rhythm and the notes, thank you. It is a marvel of building a piece of music- if you were to listen to how calmly Paul starts in to the finish of his solo, the development is not unlike a conversation that starts in one place and goes somewhere completely different and wonderful making perfect sense- although you couldn't have seen it going where it did.

Gonsalves had a warm husky tone not as big as others (Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster) or as sweet as his band mate's (Johnny Hodges), or as fast and creative as Charlie Parker or Coltrane, as vulnerable as Lester Young but the point is very much a part of all of them. His tenor playing was a slithering, fluid style, sometimes atonal cascading notes. When he played Gonsalves scrunched his facial features with the veins in his temple pulled back like taunt rubber bands, his body curled to the side. After a solo, he would open his eyes, have a shy smile and a wave, and move back to playing with the ensemble.

Paul was a rock solid for Duke especially from '50-'66, and still played well after that time but as later photos suggest to me that his consistency of performance was probably inconsistent at best. In May of 1974 knowing that Ellington was dying, (i believe) Paul took a fatal overdose and died too young at only 53 years. I can't imagine going from shabby hotel to hotel, night after night- ten, eleven, twelve months of the year for 25 years. It would be easy to pick up some bad habits but sometimes Gonsalves is dismissed because of this and I think this is wrong. Much like him, I look for the magic that I can find in a day, in a discussion, in an interaction. I can't play the notes so it's the search for the odd moment, genuine laughter.

Serpentine, Paul. Here's to you.

"...we call him the strolling violins because he will take his horn and walk over to a group, or do his whole solo to one child in the audience. He wants to be liked by everyone and doesn't want anything from anyone but a kind word and a water chaser. He will stand around and talk and socialize with people all night, whether or not he knows them, and always he says, "they're some beautiful cats, man.

He has respect for respect, but never makes demands for himself. There is never an evil thought in his mind. In fact, his purity of mind suggests to me that he would have made a good priest. His punch line, of course is "Jack Daniels", but that is just kind of a facade."

-Duke Ellington, Music Is My Mistress 1973

references from various Ellington biographies, articles and a newly discovered paulgonsalves.org-yes!

Ellington at Newport 1956
Far East Suite 1967
Dizzy Gillespie's Sittin' In 1957 with Paul, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Dizzy

Seattle 2011

Maria has been working so hard. I was really happy that she ok'd a short trip from Friday-Monday. Coincidentally Dexter and I went here the same week last year.


A long weekend's journey to Seattle. Maria and Oliver's first time. VirginAir makes for a good flight.


Swimming the next day in the rain and cool brings my ranking up to a shared #1. No longer at the sixth spot behind the cats. Still, Oliver refers to Dext as "chubb chubb" and me as "chubba chubba" and Maria as "boss,boss".

Dressed for success? Oliver is easier to find in a camera lens. Dexter begins to take after his mom, and runs for shelter.

for the record, staying in Pioneer Square, Silver Cloud Stadium.















The Great Dominoes Rematch with
Sarah and Drew on Capitol Hill.


Drew won the first match, Maria (the novice) won the second and Dexter finished second in both, with a bright flurry in the second match. Somebody else didn't win anything.
As always the hospitality was relaxed and fun.


After a round of see saw, Lava /Monster Tag in the park
Yao Ming would only have come up to the top of this guy's necktie.
Center for Wooden Boats where I saw a random salmon (pretty!) jump out of the water. Also where we experienced a panic attack when a sea plane appeared to head straight for us. Maria wanted to go left, Dexter pulled the rope to go right, I was trying to recall the maritime advice our neighborhood drunk was trying to communicate to me ("Red Right Return") and Oliver was laughing at the thought of how funny it would be if the plane landed on us.
Oliver was here a minute ago.....


Serving just desserts. Beecher's cheese makes great sandwiches and mac and cheese!



Fremont with Bella and Bob.







This month's theme at the 5 Spot is Philadelphia. It was nice to see Josh and Jackie who moved up here to start their own life in July.










It was nice to see you Seattle.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Days

September 30-October 2

These are the days I block out every year for this event, and this event only. No birthdays, or other commitments. A renewal of meaning, and faith found in songs of sadness and sorrow. Faith in spirit and the beauty of life.

Some observations:

This year had the sunniest weather from Friday on to the end of Sunday's close. When it seemed to begin to chill about 4:30 on Sunday with the first gray skies, the sun pushed through not long after. For the first time for Hardly Strictly, not a sweater or coat was needed for the entire festival.

Although it was a chore to get them into our possession through negotiation with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Friends and Family passes that we won in the school auction made a large difference in the enjoyment and comfort factor for this family. It allowed us access into less crowded, closer to the stage areas and in the big Banjo stage set-up, shelter and free food and beverage. One of the drawbacks at this event for us is the abundance of enveloping and penetrating smoke but in the Friends and Family spots, we were free of this. At the same time it should be noted that last year with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance, there was only ONE arrest. Mostly because the event does not sell alcohol, and that people, doing whatever they need to relax themselves, are mostly relaxed.

friends and family tent area, Banjo stage

Volunteers also receive a Friends and Family pass for the weekend, for just volunteering for a four hour shift. Each pass is good for one child (which we didn't know until later). I had made a deal with another family that I observed bidding against us during the auction and feeling a little guilty about raising the bid as soon as she walked away, I proposed that we split the passes (later we ended up getting more).

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is an unusual special festival; paid for by one man as his love letter to San Francisco and musicians. Without advertisements, the hard sell or promotion machine in

place, it lacks (and does not desire) the hype and media that other events court. It is not used as a corporate Public Relations tool that for example, Jazz Fest in New Orleans is used as (no complaint against the musicians here)- where the polluters of the waters and land- the oil companies are the sponsors of Jazz Fest.

Reunion: I last saw two of the performers nearly 30! years ago. Chris Isaak is worth seeing just for the crazy clothes he wears. In 1982 I saw him play a room at SF State when he was in a band called, Silvertone, the first time I was taken with "Blue Hotel". Isaak said HSB was a great gig noting the wonderful weather and the location being just two blocks from his house.

His vocals carry the flourish of Elvis and the sweet nuance of Roy Orbison, except oddly, when he sings an Elvis song. My other brief reunion, Bob Mould playing an energetic solo set . The sunshine was in contra st to dark room of the former I-Beam on Haight Straight, where he played as a member of Husker Du. Once night at the I-Beam the buzz was that Rock Hudson had been in the club the night before. The beginning of those days.

Robert Plant with his amazing front line of Patty Griffin (she can belt 'em out) and Buddy Miller. Plant is in fine form having a great time dedicated to the songs and still occasionally wailing in the sustained Led Zep way of yesterday. When he does, the crowd is stunned and after, laughing with the band in a shared experience of the moment.

His set is powerful and joyful. Plus, knowing that he enjoys the spirit of the fest, he shows up at Patty Griffin's set on Saturday and at 1pm at Buddy Miller's on Sunday. Buddy Miller, as unselfish and skilled musician as there can be was thanked by Robert Plant as "the great Buddy Miller, savior of my legitimate career". Plant must enjoy this stage of his career, focused on music he has a passion for and no longer playing the poser rock star while fellow AARP bandmates play pointless guitar solos in their shiny white pants. Shortly after, Emmylou Harris bounds up on stage to sing with her Buddy. Miller's set, with and without guests is as good as any this weekend.

I enjoyed the scheduling of Ricky Skaggs very early Saturday, he of the tradition of the high lonesome harmonies and rocking mandolin playing- also of the crazy preacher hair and sweet

stories of his parents. Also the discoveryof the Swanson Family Band playing the smallest-Porch stage, obviously a little nervous and shy. This family band of five plus two neighbors were in California for the first time and stopped their show when they saw someone wearing a Swanson Family Band t-shirt in the audience- "how did you get that?".

From the jack-o-lantern command of a big Banjo stage and audience (sorry, I always think of the big friendly alien at the end of Close Encounters Of the Third Kind) Gillian Welch and David

captivate every year, to the big band sets of soul master Otis Clay or the tried and true rousing gospel of the Blind Boys of Alabama, to the New Orleans contingent of Irma Thomas and Dr. John (the fonk!), to excellent closing sets by Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris, viewing if only briefly of ex-customer Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers, hearing Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson (their set was too crowded for playing a smaller stage), warmed in the presence and continued existence of the Mountain Music master (his preferred term than Bluegrass) Dr.

Ralph Stanley to the great acts that I knew were present but couldn't/didn't see.

Playing ball tag with Dexter and Oliver and other kids that joined us. One boy came up with a clever idea of how to get the ball from Oliver by choking him. Handing Steve Earle some photos, sitting with family at festival close, kettle corn and roast corn, the long walks at the end of the day are immediate and lasting memories.

The last word spoken was a skyward shout by Emmylou Harris of "Hazel!" as memory to Hazel Dickens who died this year. Dickens, who along wit h Harris, were the only two performers that had been at every show when it began eleven years ago. Then, it was only one day, nine acts. This year, four days- around 90 bands. San Francisco's benefactor, Warren Hellman moves noticeably slower but his will stipulates that his children will carry on the tradition fifteen years after he dies. I'm hoping for at least twenty more years of this. The feeling I can equate it to is the feeling of the night when Barack Obama became President of these United States; a shared feeling of hope and joy, born from a history full of trouble and heartache.

these two pics courtesy Bob Cupp. Me and Cai and above, Uncle Pappy!