Brick House

 Several years ago the Giants offered fans the opportunity to purchase a brick (yes, a marketing gimmick but a sound one) behind the Willie Mays statue.  At the time I thought this would be an appropriate way to memorialize my friend John but of course by the time I got around to actually pursuing the idea, the deadline had passed.  I'm a bit cloudy on the dates (common recurring theme); that is if the first offer was prior to the opening of the park-2000, then John was still existing on our shared plane of existence.  Missing the deadline was soon followed by the opening of the park and John's too soon departure and so, a tremendous missed opportunity.

   Last year the opportunity came again (as it will in the future- much room for more bricks) and I jumped on it this time.  I added my parents and Dexter and Oliver- hope that they will get a kick showing their kids someday.  This reminds me of an engraving i did into some cement in the front of my bank  for Maria and me.  It's faded now and probably new cement has been laid over.  However  for a good fifteen years I would always visit the  fading square and proudly remember the day I showed Maria.  Dexter and Oliver, if you ever write in fresh cement- a business is preferred- plus write something meaningful or clever, something lasting, and run before you get caught.  As a responsible adult and role model, I do need to communicate the importance of not getting caught. Don't get caught.

   We didn't get out to see the brick as I missed the email notification of the where and when but after contacting the company (in Iowa?) we journeyed out to find it.  Located just beyond the Juan Marichal statue near the water on the Right Field border, it was an easy find.  A rewarding find.  We chose the traditional SF logo instead of the World Series symbol as the Giants will (rarely) be the World Series champs but always (certainly in my heart) be the San Francisco Giants.  All the names connect family, friends, and my sons, the joys of my  life. As a brick, my foundation.

    I asked my family to pose for the Dickinson family and without any complaint, they did so. 

"Today You Can Be The Boss"

this was the message from Oliver when I woke up today celebrated by those that make my life exceptional. and just between you and me, I will settle for exceptional any day.  with much love and appreciation.

Tetherball Championships 2012

Maria is competitive when it comes to Tether Ball.  Dexter met his match here.  At the same time the contestants were warned of anthills.  If the match had lasted any longer than 5 minutes, the weather/heat might have been a factor.  The Board is reviewing Maria's shirt to determine if the crazy hypnotizing patterns are legal.

 Also whenever I try to add photos to my last blog entry something gets erased.  The newer blogger format is easier in some ways but difficult to rearrange photos.  Rather than erasing something again,  I added more pictures into a new segment. By the way that Dexter is a special young man.

This past Friday we were very diligent and finally were able to sign up Oliver for Little League. Since the Giants won the World Series,  Little League sign ups fill the very first day, in hours. Way back when Dexter played, they never had enough kids.  

More Things About Cain

Wednesday night 6/13/12 Matt Cain threw the Giants (New York and San Francisco) first ever perfect game- of which only 22 have ever been accomplished (no runs, no hits, no walks, no errors, no nonsense).
Just a rough calculation- this is one game out of about 20,000 Giant games played.
Sometimes these accomplishments occur as a freak of nature where a talented pitcher with unrealized career potential do realize it on one night. Here was an example of the best kind: an excellent pitcher providing his team and city an occasion to celebrate.  The night before Cain's teammate Madison Bumgarner excelled but not to this level. For the record, Bobby and Meredyth, and our friends Michael, Sirina and Zachary were at the perfect game.  Michael caught a ball tossed up in the stands by Melky Cabrera in the  ninth inning as a topper. We watched the early part at my Dad's and then the last 3 nervous innings at home. I had no  superstition about hoping for a 27 up, 27 down game but thought it lost on the crushing drive that Gregor Blanco tracked down. On a 3-2 count, Cain was going to put one down the middle for the player to hit and rely on his defense not to let him down. Whew.

Anyway the press will cover in detail everything about the game but for you guys to remember- here are a few things about Matt Cain that have always impressed.
*player representative for the team (before big salary days and now, with a big salary)
*even when pitching a great game (exceptions may have just been this one game, possibly game 2 of the World Series), Cain walks off the mound and does not tip his cap to the crowd; he does not want to be interpreted as being disrespectful of the other team.
*he shows up, ready to pitch.  Cain has rarely missed a start in his time with the team (longest tenured current SF Giant), never complains about any lack of support (runs, errors) and no matter the circumstance of a loss- carries it as his loss, his failure to complete the task
*four or five years ago moved to the back of the team bus to protect his buddy Lincecum- when a teammate was wanting to do some harm to the slight #55 (Cain is not slight). It was done with proximity and support, not with fists or anger.
*happy to be a SF Giant , even with the nickname "Cainer"
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-06-14/matt-cain-perfect-game-buster-posey-san-francisco-giants-catchers-no-hitters

Protest For The Soul Of The Times- Picayune

Napoleon House, with along with Molly's In The Market and The Rose Nicaud will always have our business

Big Chief Tootie Montana in Louis Armstrong park. Indian Chief who led the way for Celebratory Urban Meetings to end peacefully strengthening the community.

my favorite purchase at Louisiana Music Factory. One VHS copy at $10 -an awesome find

odd unintended shaped ice cream cone  Angelo Brocato, MidCity

Oliver's records during a speedy windy boat ride

 The Times-Picayune in New Orleans will soon go to a 3 day publishing schedule. New Orleans will be the largest city without a daily newspaper. Plus many of its staff (turns out over 50 percent) will lose their jobs.  There is an online version (nola.com) but presently, it is not very good.  Gambit Magazine, a weekly bestofneworleans.com is better. Also for music offbeat.com. 

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/the-times-picayune-to-publish-three-times-per-week/Content?oid=2013127 

the benefit was held in front of Rock and Bowl: Mid City Lanes

outside at Rock and Bowl with a message for Kermit Ruffins,who considers himself as 1.a chef 2. a musician 3.a DJ (SirSmokesALot)

Allen Toussaint's vehicle

Protesting the new ownership of the Times-Picayunewho will change production of the daily newspaper to just  3 times a week

Allen Toussaint and the Iguanas at the Times Picayune event.  When he pulls up in his Golden car, he is thanked for showing.  Toussaint's  response is simply, "its us".

He crowded my picture

Slidell. Honey Island Swamp. A summer ritual

i hope we can do this a few more times

  

give me a hot dog and I'll give you a nine foot alligator.

the Mule is Daisy.  The man talking is Barry. another ritual.

family near Baton Rouge. Ronnie, Dennis and Cousin Sue. A warm visit . Family first but at the Oyster Fest we missed Irma Thomas& Kermit Ruffins. Unlike other trips where it seemed we saw Kermit every place we went to- and only some intentionally,this time around we missed Kermit several times, and only some intentionally

dressed for guests

taking this photo, another ritual.

cool in the blue

sharing a moment

John Boutte at DBA. a performer who engages with his audience

30 years of seeing Dave Alvin, here with the Guilty Men and Women. In the Blasters brother Phil sang Dave's songs and New Orleans legend Lee Allen played saxophone so many years ago. I once held open the doors for the great Big Joe Turner so that he could get to the deli table at some club South of Market that had an outdoor pool.  He grunted at me.

tasty sodas at the American Sector

last night at the Hotel Monteleone. roomview

Ambrose Pierce's WW2Museum. Impressive for its scope and depth of coverage, presentation and points of view

striking to me how much Germany wanted it all.

First Iguanas at the Rock and Bowl

a local artist has this sign in many cafes and shops. I think the sentiment is about right (despite todays' the customer is always, always right way of doing business).  I prefer to have kindness, efficiency and reality than a Stepford Wives blueprint.

At Elizabeth's, (great breakfast!)

The Lower Ninth Ward has more houses each time we visit but still a large part of the area is unoccupied.

Every 2 years I repeat stuff so here again, is the place where Maria and the boys are, but in 2005, when the levees broke

Now an area of the neighborhood has many homes with an esthetic flair but practical and necessary construct (elevation, sturdiness, solar heating and recycled water). A product of the Make It Right Project.

A favorite hang out. Needing a car to get to (or coordinating the trolley/bus lines).  Many places in New Orleans still allow smoking but Mid City Rock and Bowl does not. A nice big comfortable space where the prices are reasonable, and they didn't charge the kids admission.

The owner of MidCity Lanes (on the left) but this photo reproduction is here because years ago and in several visits, the guy in the middle took to Maria, with serious lover eyes, inward harp hand gestures and  dancing hips. For me, he provided just the deep stink eye.  The  back story with him is that initially he was 86'd from the Rock and Bowl but eventually won over John the owner- who gave him a job and a place to hang ; sort of a prince to John, the king.  Sad story is that shortly after Katrina, he died.   The weird for us- tonight when we visited with Cailin to see the Iguanas (very sparse crowd but easy to get a bowling lane) is that somehow, he is back. Alive.  Seriously spooked I am- a cousin? A brother?  And although he left Maria alone, he was drawn to Dexter and Oliver although he waved off the french fries they offered.  Not even going to try to determine the what but will allow the proper proximity to another New Orleans mystery.  

When Oliver isn't trying to get me to "dance crazy!" (as Dexter also did years before), he shared  a dance or two with his mom.

Can't visit in the summer without a visit (or two, or three) to Hansen's Sno-Bliz; the best.  I will spare everyone the usual photo of my over-enjoying my cream of nectar.  Instead Maria's eyes glisten in the moment.

Fats Domino's house in the L9.  Easy to access but we didn't.  Do you think his neighbors can tell which house is his?  I once saw Fats leaving the Praline Connection in the Marigny (he likes to eat there).  He gave me several hearty waves from inside his car.  I was thrilled.

Dexter swims.Oliver finding his comfort zone in the water, as his confidence soars.

swimming 2-3 times a day.  usually up by 7:30/8 to go swimming with Maria

glasses from next door. beverage Sucre.

Place D'Armes by night.  The pool is comfortable but smaller than this photo suggests.

our room had very high ceilings

Dexter enjoying the iPad. Cailin enjoying Dexter's enjoyment of iPad.

Thursday night Cailin watched the boys while Maria and I went out for a bit (after the Zephyrs game). We decided to pass on the Thursday night at Vaughn's (completely whiffing on any Kermit Ruffins shows this time around- also DJ as DJ SirSmokesALot on Wed., Friday on Frenchmen?, Sunday at the Free OysterFest). Instead we walked, caught a bit of the Young Fellas Brass Band on The Balcony Club (concluded that they do not play/know many tunes but the ones they do play, they play well and engage their audience) and settled in for a nice nightcap at Molly's At The Market on Decatur Street.  People like to talk here.  And it is here that many of the staff of the daily Times-Picayune newspaper gathered when they learned that their paper will go to a 3 day print schedule-also meaning that many will lose their jobs.  This will be the largest city without a daily newspaper when this happens (Aug/Sept). Awful.

Dexter so able to assemble things and make them work, got his glasses rolling. Dexter's shirt is from Dexter, Maine where from one letter the city council answered a request for anything with the word "Dexter" on it sent a care package of t-shirts and patches.

alright i couldn't resist. everyone loves a ham. i know i do.