McCartney and Mike, and Thoughts about Robin Williams

  My brother Mike asked several months ago if I had any interest in going with him to see Paul McCartney play the very last event at Candlestick Park- the location of the Beatles last performance nearly 50 years ago.  Sure I said.  We didn't have any other discussion about this until the day before when Mike called and said he wanted go with me (his treat!) to the show.  As much to hang out with my brother as to see McCartney, I agreed.

  Although he didn't introduce his band by name other than "my band", it's worth noting that he's played with these same four (one not pictured) musicians longer than he had played with the Beatles or most of the Wings line ups.  They are very good.  Playing to a full house with a start time delayed by traffic, McCartney and his fellows knew how to entertain and deliver what the people want.  While performing some expected (desired) standards, he also sang some lesser known songs from his extensive catalog.  The guys cover some of McCartney's lessening of his once powerful vocal range (but still sounding mighty good on ballads and rockers). 

   McCartney engaged the crowd and took plenty of time between songs to gaze out and breathe in the experience. This was his experience as well as ours.  Might also be a smart way to catch a rest too, as he works hard.  The firework show during Live and Let Die was fun and his story about how everyone learned guitar playing Blackbird ( a civil rights song) but noted "you all got it wrong!".  A good night, a friendly loving crowd.  So long Candlestick Park!  I took a walk pre-show to see the 49'ers wall of fame. Food lines were crazy slow with very limited choices (most vendors had already finished their time at the stick). I felt guilty in the burger line while holding Paul's Peta DVD.  I'm working on it, Paul!

   Walking into the show (not a great move that Mike and I forgot which lot we parked in, later) maybe Iwas amazed that this 70+ year old dude was putting so many people intp profitable employment. All of the t-shirt guys outside the stadium were doing a brisk business.

    It was a beautiful night at the old park but we weren't cold.  On this night the coldness that sometimes exists between us was gone.  I thank my brother Mike for this opportunity for us to be fans, friends and brothers.

    Just a day or two before we all heard about the death of Robin Williams.  Anyone who has worked retail in San Francisco in the last three decades has a Robin Williams story.  And perhaps the crazy cost of living could be partially sourced at his unfailing loyalty to the bay area and San Francisco in particular.  He helped make San Francisco a cool place to want to live in; a different place to be.  So our getting the boot from Hyde Street is your fault Robin!

    There is a feeling that leaving his family and this world  in the way he chose was selfish and a waste of life. Perhaps. Definitely very sad that he felt that this was the best option for him.  It's worth noting that his life is very different from most people.  Even doctors that he might seek out for help would prefer him to be funny- "that's important to discuss Robin but (I like you better when you're zany)".  His TV show depended on his visibility and star power to draw ratings-(unlike) a movie that when complete is over.  Unless there are sequels, the work is done. A TV show has a large crew depending on coming back to work the next season. Tthe cancellation of his first TV show might have been a large self imposed weight. 

    Even us cool bay area types that allowed him his space still gave off odd vibes.  In the cafes I've worked he popped into all of them- some quite often (usually prdering a 1 or 2 shot espresso),  soft spoken, quiet, sometimes a spark (usually a baby) would rev him up but generally he liked to quietly participate. Years ago I saw him completely plastered (with a friend) but since the 90's he mostly came in places alone.  Although once i witnessed him visibly irritated,  Williams always was respectful of people working, and had no problems waiting in lines.

    The first time I met him I was working in a 2 person kitchen at a benefit for the Boarding House comedy club on Columbus Street.  He would visit us as we prepared meals before he went on stage. I got one of his big seal laughs from something absurd that I said, and I've remembered that.  After we were done cooking we were free to wander in and watch the second set of the 2 nights he did the benefits.  Although I noticed that often the audience laughed before he actually delivered punchlines, it was a great experience to watch him work on his craft.  This may have been 1982 and the World According To Garp was about to be released.

     Once we were taking some goofy Before and After coffee photos in front of Peets (Chestnut). Maria,Dexter (baby), Bobby and Cailin are posing for the Before (drab) and After (perky!) Coffee snapshots. Behind them and coming out of the front door was Williams. When he saw my camera  he flinched- paparazzi! but then noticed that I wasn't taking a photo at him but instead- at these silly folks sitting on the Peets bench.  He slid behind me to gather another look (we were in the After stage), and from this safe vantage point, laughed.

    The following is an excellent interview with Marc Maron. Williams is very relaxed, thoughtful, and of course, funny. His funniest bit may now in hindsight be the saddest moment. It's a good listen and a fine memory of who he was and how important he was to the Bay Area and to the comedy world.  I'll definitely miss him.

  2010 Marc Maron and Robin Williams, interview


Tonight the Dodgers clinch the Pennant vs. the Giants 9-1.  Kershaw rocks, no doubt.
However i don't like the Dodgers. Bleh.

  

   

   

What Are The Boys Up To?

Dexter's team's effort. He says his big idea was the fan plates behind the head.

 Dexter excels in the creative arts at school (however it is a battle with other studies-ungh). In groups of three, his classmates devised amazing creatures using cardboard and spray paint.  Every teams work is very impressive.  In a vote of  their peers, other students and instructors, Dexter's team won in a close vote. At several points he tried to influence why his team should instead win second place, in respect to a peer whose work he respects very much. Alas, he will have to deal with winning.

   

Big O has run for Games Coordinator twice previously. Dexter ran three times and won three times. Oliver was up to try one more time in his last year.  We worked on his campaign sign together- it's unique shape supplied by Kwapy and Dexter.  Oliver and Maria worked on his speech- mostly Oliver's words. The day of speeches, Ollie gave it his best try.  I hoped it wouldn't have been a loss for him; I would not have been any less proud but I know he would have been hurting.  His hard work paid off and Big O is this year's Games Coordinator.  Yes!!

         More bike rides. Less electronics and we will be much better.  They impress me continually.

I Saw A Whale Breach

not my photo; looked more like a cigar exploding out of the water from where i was

 It has to do with trying to get a routine again. It has to do with finding the cord I use to download photos.  Funny thing is the cord I had from day one set in a proper place. Somewhere around day 7 I had no idea where that proper place was.  The routine is up to me of course.

  Yesterday we were at a beach home of some very nice folks from Laurel Hill in Half Moon Bay.  Amazing with a view of the water and the beach below. This area is private land to the homeowners that are there with minimal human impact on the beach and the ocean.  Sitting outside i enjoyed spotting sea life and although i made one rookie mistake "that's a boat"- I did see several (actual non-boat) whales.

   Later in the afternoon I followed the path of one as it swam deeper into the horizon; appearing every 30-40 seconds at a distance further right and blowing air, then water (and mucus!) out of its blowhole. Late in its trek, there was a large splash and as my eyes focused on this, I saw the whale soar out into the sky.  Impressive.

    Our turtles have settled into a nice balance in the pond. Stop trying to escape!! The filter we use has cleared up the water and although one of the old girls seems lost forever, we were happy to find that the biggest of our two-Lou is still in the pond.  Maria, dismayed to hear of this the same day I convinced her that we needed turtles in our turtle pond- with her consent I went with the boys to pick up two little (but not baby) turtles.

   With the discovery of Big Lou my concern was if she would attack the new ones but a few days later I came home early to see Lou sunning on a brick with one of the new guys sitting on top of her shell. It looked like a kid on a top of a hot air balloon.  Lou is a giant compared to these guys. Perhaps 6-7 times larger.

   We're tired as night arrives too early with traffic coming back home seems to move slower. I've taken to riding AC transit to get home sooner.  Also with the business of Hyde Street still lingers and to my obligation to all parties involved. Regrets that this moving business has had us absent in taking proper note of a big birthday for Eileen and making an appearance at a special celebration for old friends, Mike (Mike's 60th) and Darlene.  Despite this, the opportunity each night to be able to sway in the moonlight with eyes to the sky makes everything well and the world feels big with great promise.

    Work had me going to a double shift  Friday 9/12 night, and a full day Sunday for a moves project. The rest of the team worked Saturday too.  Tired over-worked co-workers!  I asked for Saturday off to spend a full day with Dexter the day after his 16th birthday. I regret missing his actual birthday on Friday. Noted for future considerations.

   We also had a nice visit with Family here and I know that Maria was very very happy to have Mom and Dad (and everyone else that could make it) in our home.  I still don't have my jukebox back- 3 months!! I know that I do not want to make the folks at Past Perfect unhappy but this is getting somewhat bewildering.

Happy Birthday Meghan

    After leading our Fantasy Baseball for nearly 4 months our team pooped out (not unlike the '78 Giants). Realistically we hope to finish third. Next year I've got a much better idea how to plan out for an entire baseball season...Family Football Fantasy league is back in play (thanks Jeremiah!)

     Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Tom's wedding is coming up in early October.  Catching up with everyone else and slowing down for ourselves.  Giants and the A's limping into the playoffs (we hope).  Whew. The Giants just beat the Dodgers 5-2 in 13 innings.  Okay. The night just got better!