ALL SUMMER LONG
Dear Family and Friends
July - August Highlights
10:10
We found much to celebrate in humanity this summer – in the miracle of birth, celebratory picnics, in music and dancing, parties both impromptu and planned, and weddings. 
But every new report that the glaciers are melting faster than predicted, that we are at risk of economic collapse and loss of culture from our denigration of the natural world, and that nation states cannot agree to work together in the common long-term interest over short-term entrenched and vested interests, it can be hard to keep positive and proactive.How Are We Doing?
According to our energy usage, July saw an unexplained spike in gas consumption , which then got back on track in August. We didn’t put the heating on – despite it being a very San Franciscan summer ie overcast until lunchtime when the fog burns off, only for it to roll back in again late afternoon/early evening. But I digress.Annoyingly electricity rose a little in July and further in August. Most frustrating!
July was a pretty quiet month – Colman was working very hard so was away a lot – and we had one weekend away to which we drove, but there were four of us in the car, which is preferable if you are going to drive.In August I took a flight to Chicago, which cancelled out any good endeavours for the whole summer (as fuel burns it creates three times its weight in CO2 and high altitude emissions have a considerably greater impact than low altitude equivalents).
But I did spend a rewarding morning clearing invasive shrubs and weeds from the shoreline on a Golden Gate Audubon volunteer workday.
And reading the informative and entertaining How Bad Are Bananas?Some of the Book's Top Tips
•
Eating less meat. Producing 1kg of beef results in more CO2 emissions than going for a three-hour drive while leaving all the lights on at home (a warming potential equivalent to 36.4kg of CO2). Animals are inefficient devices for food production, far better to eat plants directly so that the plant energy goes directly to us. 
Plus the water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains (1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef, in contrast tofu requires 220 gallons of water per pound). The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions… far more than transportation. So eating meat just once a week can reduce this trend. As well as the misuse of fertiliser, which directly leads to hypoxia in places like the Gulf of Mexico.•
Talking of cows, 1kg of hard cheese costs 12kg of carbon, because it takes about 10 litres of milk, adding up to a footprint which is higher than that of many meats. To reduce the carbon footprint of your cheese habit is to opt for soft cheeses, because these require less milk. • Milk production is surprisingly high-carbon because cows ruminate, burping up methane which doubles the footprint of the food they produce.
Esme loves milk so we only buy local milk (therefore not trucked hundreds of miles), in a cardboard carton, which is then recycled, rather than plastic. Better still, buy from your friendly local milkman who delivers it in a recyclable bottle on an electric vehicle, which also may assist in your plan to walk to the shops to buy groceries as your load will be lighter…•
You could conduct an energy audit to assess domestic energy conservation – such as unplugging appliances, ensuring weather sealing and insulation are in good working order, and using water efficiently. I have retrained myself this summer to turn on the cold tap, rather than reaching for the hot. Cold water is almost zero carbon emissions! Washing up by hand with extravagant water usage would be the equivalent of 8kg of carbon… and, interestingly, worse than a full load in an efficient dishwasher run at night when electricity demand is low and the grid more efficient. •
For laundry, we never use the dryer – nearly 75% of the carbon footprint of a typical 40ºC load of laundry (dried either in a washer/dryer or tumble dryer) comes from the drying. So installing a clothes rack and/or washing line would save nearly half a tonne of carbon emissions annually for the average household. Something we are guilty of is washing clothes too often, stuff does go in the wash unnecessarily often. Reducing the number of washes is also a time saving, so a great example of life getting better as the carbon comes down. Every little helps…How is 10:10 Doing?
I have been feeling disgruntled at the lack of encouragement from a clearly overwhelmed 10:10. They have (successfully) chosen to focus on outreach to government bodies, local authorities and businesses as better delivery mechanisms of significant change, than individuals at grass roots level such as myself. 
I did recently write a polite email to them with this feedback, and they responded by saying those supporters in the US were not receiving mailouts as they expected the US-based 350.org to lead the campaigning, but offering to add me to UK mailing lists. Hmm…
I have indeed been following the www.350.org (so-named for the 350 parts per million C02 in the atmosphere which scientists tell us we need to be at for a healthy planet; currently we are at 388) campaign on facebook. They are working with 10:10 for the Global Day of Action on 10.10.10.
And like 10:10 they have created a global movement. One of their recent inspiring campaigns is To Put Solar On It - a direct challenge to all world leaders to put solar panels on their roofs.
I am depressed, even stricken, by the enormity of the challenges facing us, we who have exploited and trashed our beautiful planet for short-term gain and false profit.
Especially when the technology exists for a clean, green future – we need to demand this future.
To make the change by being change.
Top
Visitors
And not least, in having good friends, whether near or far.
David and Mel Part Two
David and Mel returned to San Francisco for the 4th of July weekend. Ahead of Colman in fact, who was in New York, finalising his big deal which he’d been working on for a year.
They had had a wonderful circumnavigation of Northern California, making the most of their convertible Mustang.
I think they were disappointed by the lack of ticker tape parades and Uncle Sam hats in the ‘hood.
Nonetheless we were able to fete them on their final days, with dinner parties…
and spent the 4th itself in Golden Gate Park, first scoping out the playground
Then the Botanical GardensBefore taking in the wonders of the de Young sculpture garden and a luncheon stop.
… and garden parties with the gays:
Saal had just achieved tenure at Santa Cruz University so a celebration was held in his honour – 
the whole house came, plus a sexy piñata.
Bogie charmingly toasted his partner. I also toasted Colman on the culmination of his efforts over the last year as his big project at Yahoo
(divesting HotJobs from the company as a going concern to its rival in the market, Monster) had come to successful completion after a year’s hard graft. 
Booze and boys – a fabulous combination!
On their last morning we shot over Golden Gate Bridge for a final foggy photo op.Terrific to see you guys, thank you so much for coming – what fun we had!
Top
Candida and Sloan, Xavier, Honor and Loel
Paid their bi-annual visit to California early August; London vistors being some small compensation for missing the Big Chill Festival for the first time.
We met up on an uncharacteristically warm day in the most touristy part of San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf where we never go, in the suitably fruit-loopy Musee Mechanique 
a warehouse full of extraordinary vintage penny arcade games which kept the children amused, badgering their parents for quarters. Esme rode on a horse for the first time; her favourites were the orchestrons in their antique wooden boxes.
Next, a forced march through fevered hordes of tourists, collecting novelty balloons en route, kids all too easily distracted by living statues and balloon-manipulators, to the sea lions at Pier 39; 
Esme found these to be somewhat noisy so watched them in fascination, fingers plugged firmly into her ears.
We made our our way back through the mob to Hyde Street Pier.
As soon as a slip of beach hove into view, the three younger ones were not to be moved. I stayed with them: Esme, Honor and Loel working the oars of a beached rowing boat,
performing daring gymnastics and wave chasing exploits…while the adults plus Xavier sauntered along admiring the seafaring exhibits housed within the Maritime National Historical Park.
We piled back to ours thereafter for roast chicken, horse-play in the garden, scratched DVDs and sentimental gossip. When all children bar Esme were prostrate in our bedroom, the grown ups reluctantly bade each other emotional farewells, me as usual shedding tears.Xavier told me we should stay living in San Francisco as long as we came back for more holidays.
Top
Guy and Haruko, Hannah, Sophie and GeorgeThe following weekend, we were blessed by a visit from my cousin Guy and his family who had a sensational 10 day Vegas – Grand Canyon – Death Valley – Mammoth Lakes – June Lake Loop – Yosemite – San Francisco holiday.
We hadn’t seen Guy and Haruko since we were last in New York 3.5 yrs ago, and the children not since our wedding in 2005, so it was a great reunion.Esme took an instant shine to George, commanding him hither and yon.
And had a great time with her charming cousins.They had a first day cycling over Golden Gate Bridge and exploring the delights of Crissy Field and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Their second day we took them to the Academy of Sciences which was a very palpable hit with all age groups and interests.
The rainforest biome pleased all but the aquarium turned out to be the real crowd-pleaser. Especially when you walk through a glass tunnel and look up through the ‘flooded Amazon basin’ to the skylights of the rainforest biome above.
Esme delighted in the splash pools and squinting at exotic dragon fish.The girls loved the walls of rich kelp forest.
Photo opportunities were taken on the living roof with its undulating swards.
And then back to the Mission for the obligatory tour of the quintessential murals and wacky shops that grace our neighbourhood.
And further photo opportunities.
There are distinct advantages in having lovely teenage daughters who can babysit.
Allowing the senior members of the family to go out for dinner at my friend Tracey’s new restaurant, Commonwealth which had just opened that week in a former taqueria (sign of the times!), and a worthy candidate for restaurant of the summer.
The progressive American menu is arranged by theme (meat, fish, vegetarian) and you order dishes in any order. Haruko’s scallop crudo with grapefruit and mint met with acclaim; Colman went for the ambitious young hen and spot prawn combo enhanced by chocolate-almond emulsion.
More fine food was forthcoming at brunch the next morning, kindly hosted by Guy at the excellent Maverick where we spent as long agonising over the choices (Duck hash? Crispy pork belly in chile rojo? Pecan-crusted French toast? Andouille sausage Benedict?), as we did walking to the restaurant.
I was overwhelmed when it came to doorstep farewells, but a quick round of Mellor Legs left me in stitches. Imposter George wants in on the Mellor Leg Bandwagon in this picture.We are beginning to conjecture that Esme may at last be displaying some trace of Me (other than that bossy gene which is clearly secure) in these, ahem, shapely calves.
Thank you so much Guys for coming to see us, it meant so much! And what fun!
Top
Burning Man VisitorsThe veteran of last year’s Burn, Jane, arrived first, in time for a couple of DLG sessions, and for some shopping and preparation.
She coincided with the lovely Amy B who was visiting from San Diego for a wedding – what a treat to have such classy chicks staying with us!
I dragged Amy to Bi-rite’s 18th Street Block Party, a gourmet celebration.
Esme and I cut a rug in fine style to the children’s beat combo.
A day after Jane left for the Playa, Mark, a BM virgin, showed up from London via NYC and South America, having done little prep.
But in fine last-minute style, he bought a tent for $5 in a thrift store, and a cheap bicycle which actually worked (well the seat kept collapsing) and set off with Gerardo, much to our envy.
We would love to go to Burning Man again – this year wasn’t to be.
HowieBut Wilma’s ashes did go to Burning Man with another friend, Jane P; and by a happy coincidence the weekend prior, Howie was in town for a conference and popped by – making himself at home in the garden with the gays while we were upstairs as Esme had had a meltdown. We hadn’t seen him in three years, excellent to catch up and see pictures of baby Minnie.
Top
Adventures
Our July Adventure involved a Gathering of the Wine Group Clan in Mendocino County; all heeded the Summons to Drink and Eat apart from Arne and Cati whose due date was that weekend. We recorded a special pushing and heaving message for them in their absence.We drove up with Morgan through the Anderson Valley on Friday night. Journey’s end was shrouded in swirling thick fog: a picture-perfect eccentric A-frame holiday home perched on a cliff overlooking the Navarro River at its mouth with the Pacific.
The house has been in Randall’s family for 40 years, built by his grandparents.
We were assured a spectacular view in daylight and, once the fog cleared, there it was.
Glorious.
Caroline and Esme were overjoyed to be reunited with each other. They spent many a happy hour climbing up and down the vertiginous ladder to the loft bedroom, inducing heart attacks in watching parents, and playing hide and seek.
There were two Saturday expeditions.
First, to clapboard-cute Mendocino town just up the coast, to browse in bookshops and wander back alleyways.After a hearty luncheon, the group split. Cathy and Patrick got stuck in to the extremely addictive Carcassonne;
Maria, Randall and Zella (crawling!) led the way to the beach with Colman, Esme, Catherine and Caroline;
While Dave, Morgan and I headed through the fog bank into the sun-splashed Anderson Valley hills on an exciting mission to seek out the long lost house belonging to Morgan and his brother Saor.Clearly A-frames are all the rage in these parts.
We plunged deep into mysterious silent forests, climbed padlocked gates and broken rural machinery, forded streams, foraged for wild berries, and discussed real estate.Morgan was literally in Memory Lane, recalling his wild untamed childhood.
We came upon a sedan-chair cabin bridging a river, followed by a hobgoblin-meets-spaceship dwelling, and there up the slope was the fabled A-frame.It was in better nick than Morgan feared. A modicum of housekeeping, a dash of roof repair, a pinch of deck rebuilding – bob’s your uncle!
We returned along the sunny lane, future-scheming about the yurt, the sacrificial platform, the east wing extension…
Reunited, the rest of the afternoon was spent in gambolling around the garden (me, Caroline, Esme), drinking heavily (Colman, Dave, Patrick, Morgan), cooing over Zella (Margaret, Catherine, Maria, Randall)
and playing Carcassonne (Cathy with anybody).
Dinner was a sumptuous repast, thereafter a tipsy Colman was easily persuaded to tinkle the ivories of the vintage organ in the front parlour.
Until he became self-conscious at his strange lack of coordination.
On our final day we all ventured to the beach again.
Grown ups balanced on logs.
Esme and Caroline boldly striking out in the delta’s shallows, through all the arboreal flotsam and jetsam from upstream, backlogged by the sandbank.
They had a marching band going at one point. Esme had to be coaxed very hard to return to the car and to go home.
As did we in truth. Thank you Maria, Randall and Zella for hosting such a terrific weekend!
Top
Morgan’s Family
Is a complex series of cross-Atlantic social and familial relationships. Many a PhD student has foundered in their quest to interpret its labyrinthine yet extraordinarily cordial byways.
So I was very excited to be invited to meet the majority of them in Stinson Beach one very sunny Sunday in August.Esme explored the beach with Morgan and his niece,
I gossiped with one of his mothers (did I mention it was complicated), and took pictures of the tribe at play (here he is with his siblings and his father).
Pleasingly, his kindred were all thrilled by his whirlwind romance with the lovely Catherine, and I basked in reflected glory.Babies
What bigger life adventure can there be than having a baby? Arne and Cati produced Haraldur, who became the apple of their eye within nanoseconds of arrival. 
And Michelle and Brent had the very gorgeous and very little Liam and Melina safely in July.
On our visit, she started to breastfeed the pair at once, ‘rugby hold’ style; we were sitting beside her, Esme dived in and sucked my breast declaring ‘there is milk in there!’ We were all in fits of giggles, especially when Brent wandered in, don’t mind me ladies…It is super to see Michelle happy and loved up – motherhood becomes her.
Top
Weddings
Amy and AkhilTheir much-anticipated nuptials took place at Wente Vineyards in the East Bay on a Saturday in August.
We arrived early as Esme – drum roll here – was part of the wedding party as Amy had very kindly asked Esme to be her flowergirl!!!!!
She was sharing the honours with another nearly-3 year old little girl, Inga.
Esme had been coached that all she had to do was hold hands with Inga and walk towards Akhil. So she kept trying to hold Inga’s hand, with variable results.
We hung out with the DLG beside the pool, before heading to the vineyard.
Where we got dressed in our finery: me in a black velvet figure hugging sheath bought from my neighbour who held The Best Garage Sale Ever in the History of Garage Sales, which had revamped my wardrobe.Colman wore his brown ‘70s suit – which one wag instantly dubbed the ‘Leon Trotsky in New Media’ look.
And darling Esme : white dress, white satin shoes, pink sash, basket and flower wreath.To say she looked adorable would be an understatement akin to saying I felt proud.
And she behaved immaculately, despite her temperature of 101ºF 2 nights prior.
It was an absolute privilege to be in the inner sanctum and watch Amy so serene, yet with her finger always on the pulse, get ready in her beautiful dress.She looked wonderful.
So radiant and happy.
Never more certain of anything!
Esme and Inga obligingly posed for the photographers clutching their baskets, and sometimes, each other.Then we retreated inside while the guests arrived.
Before processing out, two by two with groomsmen and bridesmaids leading the way, across the lawn to the ceremony.
It was a very long walk for a little girl. Esme led the way down the petal-strewn aisle.
She and I watched the heartfelt service together in the front row, me choked with emotion, saying I love you, I love you to her over and over. In return, she clung to me with devotion.
We processed back up the aisle again, Esme and I tripping along, both buoyant.
Drinks and nibbles followed, plus a group photo of the DLG –
what a fine bunch we are!
Before I had had a chance to really chat to anybody or have a drink, 
the wedding party lined up again to process for the final time to the tables for the grand re-entrance of the bride and groom.During a lull in proceedings after dinner, Esme took it upon herself to provide the entertainment:
interpretive dancing to the incidental music. So cute!
Amy and Akhil both made charming speeches; Akhil’s father was a delight, conjuring a comic shift by promising us a traditional Indian wedding song then singing ‘Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night’ by the Black-eyed Peas.Finally we heard from Jason (assisted by Abby) who spoke gracefully and wittily on behalf of the DLG, reminding the assembled it was at a DLG wedding Amy and Akhil had actually met…
and referring to a cause very dear to Amy’s heart - marriage equality – recalling his own wedding 2 years ago, and all of our great hope that Amy and Geri can be legally wed in this country very soon.Amy and Akhil looked so happy together for the first dance.
Esme and I danced together for a few songs, before she found it too much.
Eventually Colman took her to the car and they both fell asleep.
The dance floor did see much cavorting and shimmying – the DLG really giving it their all!
I had an hour to boogie – unfortunately it coincided with ghetto hip-hop hour, so I tried out my best badass moves.
It was a very emotional time for me. Compounded saying goodbye to that wonderful woman, Rachel.
Without whose generosity of spirit after the death of her fiancé, my old friend Tom, I never would have met the DLG.
Thank you Amy and Akhil for a beautiful day, we are so thrilled for your happiness!
Top
Steve and IritThe next morning I left a slumbering Colman at 5.00am for my flight to Chicago for Steve and Irit’s wedding.
In my dazed state I went to the wrong terminal and had actually gone through security before spotting the error. Luckily I had built in contingency.
I had been to Chicago only once before, 9 years ago. The wedding was at the Intercontinental Hotel (est 1929 as a private club) on the Magnificent Mile.
I had an hour to sight see so wandered around the Michigan-Wacker Historic District and did a circuit involving the Chicago River, checking out the kayaks and tourist boats…
but always marvelling at the skyscrapers including the Trump International Hotel & Tower (Chicago’s tallest and brashest)
…the wonderful 1920s art deco Wrigley Building with its acute angles
…and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.
I changed into a 70s disco halterneck dress – yes from the Best Garage Sale Ever –
and headed for the Seville Ballroom which had panelled walls and a rather busy carpet.
Here I met up with my old (and once very dear) friend from school, Sarah.
She had also come without her husband, so we were partners in crime from then on.We reminisced with Steve’s mother about those bygone schooldays, and what a good friend he has been over the years.
I hadn’t seen either Steve or Irit since Burning Man 2009 – and did quip to her that I barely recognised her with her clothes on - both were thrilled that Sarah and I had come.
Irit looked amazing in soft art deco grey.The legal ceremony was held, we moved to the adjacent chandelier-lit Renaissance Ballroom for the Jewish ceremony and sit down dinner.
Irit was given away by her sisters, both parents having passed away.I choked up when they gave a stunning speech about how proud their parents would have been to have seen this day.
Steve’s cousin was the rabbi and he was suitably pantomimic (is there such a word?) yet sincere.
The best man, Steve’s brother, gave a great speech based on how he always saw his elder brother as James Bond.
Steve and Irit performed an excellently flamboyant first dance.The band played classic funk and disco hits, I was shaking it baby!
The highlight for me though was Irit taking the mike - what a voice! – to sing ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’.
She and Steve then did a brilliant duet of Baby, It’s Cold Outside.
Sarah and I tried to pace ourselves on the booze, but failed utterly.The party ended at midnight so we trooped down to the firmly shut bar.
Steve produced a couple of bottles and the remnants carried on until 2am, I sensibly stopped drinking alcohol, but less intelligently didn’t source water to replenish…
So felt like DEATH the next morning. Rolled out of bed at 8, showered, packed, dressed, rose to the challenge of the hotel breakfast – just – and hopped in a taxi by 8.45 to meet (Tom’s) old friend Neal and his wife Julie and new baby, Sara.I stuck my head out of the window in the taxi all the way there.
Recovering sufficiently enough to play with Sara, give her some first birthday presents (I hadn’t had time to get to her party the day before), and catch up with Neal and meet Julie.
I sent him Rachel’s love.
Soon it was time to head to the airport. Here I am feeling like death again.I slowly recovered, gazing down as the Mid-West farmland give way to arid Basin and Range…
And then to Mono Lake and Yosemite National Park on the descent into San Francisco so I could retrace my holiday with Mum and Esme from a year ago [see the Burning Bright entry from 2009]…
I was just in time to collect Esme from school.
Thank you Steve and Irit for my August Adventure!
Top
Music and Dancing
Esme really likes replaying these videos on my iPhone.
She loves music and dancing.
Any opportunity to twirl and whirl, strum her banjo,
bang on her piano, twiddle a mouth organ, bang a drum,
toot on an imaginary trumpet and join an impromptu marching band.
If we see buskers in the street, we have to stop to listen. If a car passes blaring hip-hop, she comments. At school naptime she drives the teachers and other kids to distraction by singing to herself while not napping.
Hard to the FrenchJulie DLG knows the promoters of the hippest monthly Outdoor Afternoon Dance Party in the Mission – Hard French.
So having heard Jason and Jen rave about the glories of the Scene at old-timer dive bar, El Rio, I took Mel with me to check it out on the 3rd of July.
As the original promotional flyer put it: “Hard French is a party where drag queens mingle with lesbians, leather daddys soul dance with cholas, sharps share hot dogs with activists, jocks make out with twinks, brown meets white meets purple meets gay guy meets ladies meets q and everyone leaves with excited feelings for the next party.”
It is a princely $5 for entry, and the queue to get in when it opened at 3pm stretched around the block.
Inside we met up with the Js: Julie, James, Jen, Jason and Jim.It is safe to say that Mel and I had never experienced a crowd like it! Talk about Get Your Freak On!
Every gay and lesbian (and straight) subculture one had never contemplated was grooving to original ‘50s and ‘60s soul, chomping on BBQ buns and downing beers and cocktails.
We had a blast!
Mel was propositioned by a very ample dyke who did have excellent banter, she backed off when she saw me hovering; coincidentally Mel and I were both wearing sky blue, nailing any suspicion we were a couple.
We couldn’t keep our eyes off their stalks at the array of outfits, hairdos, tattoos and extraordinary combinations of humanity all dressed to impress in the school of shock.
Mel asked me if I had ever been hit on by a girl since living in that Sapphic haunt, the Mission, all this time.
When I realised I hadn’t, I felt somewhat disgruntled. I mean, hell, what’s wrong with me!?!So I returned the following month with the Js again in a new snazzy hipster outfit (from The Best Garage Sale Ever).
I looked the bomb.
And was gratified when a tall, willowy, dark-haired (though chain-smoking) trendy (glimpsed in this clip on the LH side in blue dancing on the stage) came up to me after an hour and asked me if my friend had left.
Flummoxed and excited – trying to think of suitable chit-chat, which could be heard over the music – I replied, which friend, do you mean Julie?
She said – the Asian girl?
Oh yes, I said – I was really in with a chance now – she’s probably with James. Her boyfriend, I added meaningfully.
Oh, she said. She’s straight?
Yes, I said – this was it!
Oh, she said. And walked off.
My crest was never so fallen.
Top
Concerts
In my quest to see them all before they die, I took in some legends this summer.
Adam and I went to see Crowded House at the Mountain Winery – a rare treat to catch up; Neil Finn is a consummate pro, a very warm and heartfelt gig, that never felt performed by rote.
Paula, Ethan, Colman and I really enjoyed James Taylor and Carole King, the Troubadour Reunion Tour.
Despite being in a huge arena in Oakland, their love of music and each other was apparent, and lent an intimacy to proceedings.They so loved playing the gig, getting down on the revolving stage; the audience was really moved by the spectacle.
But I was most thrilled to see Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band at the Mountain Winery with Geoff and Armani.
The (somewhat cheesy) concept is skinny black-clad Ringo with a bunch of mates from the biz, mostly one/two-hit wonders, taking it in turns to sing their back catalogue. On this incarnation of the All-Starrs we heard ‘Broken Wings’, ‘Hang on Sloopy’ and ‘Talking in My Sleep’ – a huge swathe of musical styles was represented.
Ringo bookended the gig, playing deep cuts from very early Beatles days – I shivered down my spine at the realisation he’d been playing some of these for over 50 years, the lineage! The legacy! – including I Wanna Be Your Man, Act Naturally, Honey Don’t.
The geriatric crowd re-enacted some Beatlemania at Yellow Submarine and With A Little Help From My Friends, the latter introduced in laconic Scouse as ‘this song didn’t go down so well last night, so if you don’t like it, we’ll just toss it from the set’, segueing into Give Peace a Chance as the finale.
I didn’t dare tell Esme I was going to see him live as she ADORES the Beatles and would have wanted to come. She counts each one of her fingers as the four Beatles (the thumb is George Martin), and when we play them on long car journeys, she always needs to know who is singing and which of them wrote the song.
Sunday StreetsSome unexpected dancing opportunities arose at the second Mission Sunday Streets in July.
This coincided with the World Cup Final and televisions were arraigned along the route by enterprising bars and clubs. Most in this Latino ‘hood were going with Spain, Colman wore his orange djellaba as it was the only costume he had which could fit in with the theme.
We saw the first half at Arne and Cati’s house. Esme lured there on the promise of seeing Cati’s big belly – to which she replied, yes and Arne’s big belly too!They both wore orange as well. Which looked great against sunny blue skies when we ventured out for the second half.
Finally we found a bar with enough space for us to squeeze underneath the screen to neck-achingly peer at the action until Esme rebelled and we headed to the Puddle Jumpers stall.Here, we helped out while ducking into the taqueria opposite showing the action in Spanish. GOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! Hooray for Spain’s deserved victory!
Horns tooted and people swung their partners in the streets – such a great idea to ban cars from inner city streets.
Emily very kindly bought Esme and Maite little guitars, the two of them instant troubadours – so cute!On our way home from the stall we passed Kim and her friend, Lewis, in front of a big house party which had a band rocking out.
Lewis and I launched into a frenzied, totally impromptu, dance routine.
We even made the local blog, people applauded as the final song ended!
Top
Parties and Picnics
DLG Gathering of the Summer
We plus Annie and Todd hosted a farewell to Rachel pot luck dinner with a guess the wine varietal component for the DLG plus partners.
We had a terrific turnout.Rachel has accepted a job at the Max Planck Institute in Bremen so is moving to Europe.
She will be sorely missed and I made a little speech (in my new pink glittery wool trousers from that Best Garage Sale Ever, in case you were wondering).
We also took the opportunity to toast Amy and Akhil for their forthcoming nuptials.Stella’s Birthday
One of Esme’s closest friends at her parent-run coop school, Puddle Jumpers Workshop, is Stella who turned 3 on the first weekend of August, and had a party to which most came.
It was a bittersweet affair, as we were all to be moving on or had already done so (the school is only from 18mo to 3y).We had formed a valuable close-knit community in our year together.
Made lasting friendships with the other parents.And met people we would never otherwise have met.
It was a very fun day, the sun even shone for playtime in the paddling pool.
Esme needed no encouragement to strip off and splash in!
Coming and Going Picnic
During August, of her closer school friends, Stella and Theo along with Noam decamped to Little Bear School;
Calliope left…Sophie Lee too.
We felt quite bereft.
I realised that while the school did take up a great deal of my time during the summer it was a social outlet for me, as well as Esme - seen here with buddy Oz.And although looking after 8 kids under 3 at once (with the help of the other working parent and paid teacher, Nellie, seen here in this video clip) had its undoubted challenges (as they say in America, something more unparliamentary probably in the UK), it taught me a lot about myself, about children and provided camaraderie with fellow parents and teacher.
My regular work partners through the year were Phu, Stella’s father – the Pied Piper of the school as all the kids loved him; Judy; 
Emily (mother of Maite); and Eric (father of Otis) who teased me, and I him, especially over English vs American pronunciation.
So we gladly attended the Coming and Going Picnic at the end of August to which all old and new families went.The kids ran riot in the playground.
The grown ups chatted.
I had made a photobook of the past year, which luckily everybody liked.
It was an emotional farewell, so long to Puddle Jumpers!
Top
Cook-Off in Livermore
For gastro-BBQs this one took the brisket. Ethan’s parents have a cook-off every year in their home.
And everybody brings a dish – whether a competition entry, dessert or sides – the standard from the 60-70 or so guests was phenomenal! (we cheated and brought gourmet salads from Bi-rite).We met up with Geoff and Armani, Marcus and Esme delighting in playing with Iggy and trying to pat the horses.
Each year is themed: there was a chilli competition, which Ethan won.
There were BBQ stations all over the garden – monstrous contraptions some of them!
Geoff tied for first place in the beef BBQ stakes, having slow smoked his brisket – get him!
Top
Pinniped of the MonthA California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus forging through the waters of the Bay back to Pier 39, with Alcatraz looming behind.
Birds MatterA personal plea: now is the autumn migration season for birds. Minimise bird strikes (collisions with windows, cars, communication towers etc) by closing curtains or blinds.
Ask your employer or building manager to turn off lights (especially in tall buildings) at night, which will also conserve energy and save money.Murals of the Summer
Stencils of the Summer
Bumper Stickers of the Summer
If You Don’t Vote, Don’t Whine
Speak Your Mind, Even If Your Voice Shakes
