La Recessionista Files

I'm way behind in my storytelling. So here is a short little ditty about a band called Gogol Bordello. Last year Debbie suggested we catch their show at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. I loved them! They sounded (to me at least) like a punk rock Hungarian wedding band.

They came to the Fox theatre in Oakland (a beautiful historic venue) a few weeks back and Debbie, my parents and I piled in the car to cross the bridge. Little did we know the cables could have broken at any moment! We arrived safely.

The show was good - they are full-energy, full-sound. They did sound less-ethnic than I remembered. Maybe it was all those 'fumes' in the air at the Bluegrass festival, or maybe they changed their style. Either way - they were good. Just different.

You can check them out here.

     

Blue is in the 8th grade at The Laurel School out in the avenues. Seems like a really great school. Blue has certainly blossomed there, he is so smart, focused and has really tapped into his comedic genius. I know I am biased but I think you would agree, he is truly a unique and remarkable kid.

The school holds "Grandparents and Special Friends" days once a year where people like me can tour the school and sit in on a few classes. I tagged along for Blue's science class where we made a camera obscura and also for drama class. Great fun. Blue has lots to share and I love the way his hand goes up so quickly when the class is asked to participate. I likely embarrassed him with my big grin, my frequent squeezes and rapid fire photography. I can't help it! I just love that kid.

Blue will play the role of a werewolf in this year's theatre production. Last year he played a chicken and was a stand-out. Can't wait for this year. I'll be the one in the front row smiling my head off.

           

Golden Gate park on a warm sunny day.... hard to top that. Add a load of talented musicians you can see for free, a gaggle of your favorite friends, a gourmet picnic and a  flask of Maker's Mark and you've got yourself a party.

I love Bluegrass music. It sets a nice backdrop for daydreaming about living a hillbilly lifestyle. Dolly Parton makes it sound so heartwarming and noble in her song 'Coat Of Many Colors'....and then there is the televised influence of the Beverly Hillbillies. Anyway - enough of my daydreaming, I was there for the music and the line-up was unbelievable.

My absolute FAVORITE was Galactic, a funky band from New Orleans. They had the trombone player from Rebirth Jazz band (another great NO band) playing with them. Galactic is where the "Hardly Strictly" part of the show comes in because they are nothing near Bluegrass. Super funky, they even mixed in a bit of Led Zeppelin and Suzanne Vega to one song. The whole crowd was up on their feet and shakin it. Here is a clip of Galactic performing 'From The Corner To The Block' w/ the Vega riff. Sound quality is poor, but you'll get the idea.

My pops is a die-hard fan. He was happy to stay at the festival from start to finish BOTH days. Now that is staying power. We walked to our car with the light of a beautiful full moon.

See the little blond tyke at the lower left side of the poster? That is none other than Olivia, the beautiful offspring of Miss Sarah Davis. I need to get Olivia to sign my poster...the kid is gonna be famous.

                       

.... my favorite dancers of all-time, Jack and Angelique. First you should know they are regulars at the Silver Bar / Dance hall at the Madonna. In fact, they have their own special seat at the bar. Clearly, they've already won me over based on this alone. Then there is Angelique's hairstyle. It was as aerodynamically defying on Friday as it was on Saturday. I'd love to see how she sleeps. I'm betting a silk pillow and a hair net. Let's not forget Jack's bitchin chops and creative comb-over. Just love them. Then you see them dance - true magic.

I approached them (more like stalked them) to say we'd voted them best dancers. They were so tickled, especially Angelique. She told me their secret; they dance to the beat of their own drum. They "don't care about dance moves", they "just shake it". And to this I say "Amen!".

When Jack told me his name he added "it's not something you want to shout out in an airport". Enter my puzzled look, followed by a perfect comic pause, he then replies "Hi-Jack!". Love him. Good old Jack is from Montana and Angelique is home-grown in SLO. I wish I would have asked for their story. Are they married? If yes, for how long? They looked so happy my guess is they are either newly married or not married at all. Does that make me a pessimist? Because there is no room for pessimists at the Madonna Inn!

           

A big thanks to Alan and Christina for hosting such an incredible party at the Madonna Inn this weekend. Room-room cocktail parties, dinner at the Gold Rush steak house, ballroom dancing followed by sunny afternoons by the pool. Simply perfect.

                   

Some people go to Disneyland, for others its meditation, Barney's or perhaps a Zanax. My happy place is snuggled on a hillside right off highway 101....The Madonna Inn.

I love it because it combines two things that complete me; camp and countryside. At the Madonna Inn I could live out the 'Green Acres' lifestyle that fascinates me so. Throw on a fur coat to milk the goats, host glittering soirees in the fields come harvest time, share my mansion with miniature farm animals and a few assorted monkeys..things like that can happen at my happy place.

Alex and Phyliss Madonna created the hotel in the late 50's. I'd say they are absolute visionaries. Who knew that a cattleman and construction magnate could pull-off a themed hotel whose camp factor rivals that of Beach Blanket Babylon?

If you have never been, I highly suggest a visit. We just arrived home from a weekend of revelry celebrating Alan's 40th. Nearly 40 friends attended which meant we had plenty of rooms to visit during the rotating cocktail hours. More pics to come....

Went to dinner last night to celebrate Trystan's birthday. We tried a new-ish German restaurant called Schmidt's on 20th & Harrison. The meat eaters were very happy. I liked the salads but the spätzle was a little boring (but perhaps it is just a boring dish). Thought it was weird they only sold wine by the glass, not by the bottle.

Great to sit around and laugh with the old gang. I've known Trystan since he was a high school kid working for Jess's dad. Time flies, glad we are still having fun.

   

Monday night I invited three of San Francisco's finest little ladies over for high tea. I was dying for Miss Olivia (4) to meet Miss Jaqueline (6) and her younger sister Miss Katie (3). We dined by candle light on fine china and washed down chicken nuggets with mock champagne cocktails. After enjoying tea and eclairs, we took our sugar high up to the costume closet in the attic. And here is where things really cut-loose. Feathers were flying, sequins spilling and everyone was talking frantically to me at once. Now I see why parents often look so tired. Anyway - the girls styled themselves and decided to put on a play. Priceless.

Why is it that pot bellys look so darn cute on kids - yet not so cute on adults? Here are the little starlets looking so darn cute it hurts!

               

Jess and Paul win the award for biggest turn out for a baby shower. 51 people came to welcome Baby Rucker. I've known Jess since we were knee high to a grasshopper so it is very exciting to know her first baby is just about here.

We held the party in the backyard. The weather held up until late afternoon when Jack Frost sent in his high-powered, frigid winds. The weather worked to Jess's favor; she wasn't looking forward to the big fuss of opening gifts in front of a crowd and nearly all the guests departed with the cold weather.  I can't wait to see the little tyke in the dozens of outfits he received.

Funnily enough, our friend Michele (also from Gilroy) had her baby shower the same day in Dublin, Ireland. I have lots of new kiddos to meet - very exciting indeed!