FESTIVAL FEVERDearest Family and Friends
57 Cumberland Street, San Francisco CA 94110
Phone Number: +1 415 738 2112
August Highlights
Buying Nothing
Festival Flotsam and Finery
What’s a girl to do when two festivals fall a month apart and one is allowed to Buy Nothing?A: the universe provides. Well specifically Colman does. And so do the kind folk at www.fairylove.com. And so do the DLG.
For the Big Chill I travelled very light, not expecting to have any festival outfit this year. My sister, Louise, had forgotten her hat at Jessica’s wedding so Lucy brought it down from Manchester so I could take it to London. Result! I wore a posh straw hat all weekend at the Chill.
Jason and Shelley, aka the Fairies, provided me with a superb (ahem) costume for one afternoon out of their dressing up box (as well as a gift of some nipple tassels).
And for Burning Man Colman agreed to do all the preparations as I was in London. This had the happy consequence that he bought lots of stuff required for life in Black Rock City, thus neatly avoiding any necessity for me to do so.
He bought water storage canisters, tarpaulin, moonlight markers, rope, rebars, straw hats for us both, ear plugs, dust masks, bicycles, goggles, storage bins, hydration backpacks, gas canisters, and top of the range camping mattresses. Plus (over)plentiful supplies of food for the week.DLG Moment of the Month
My meagre costume wardrobe was definitely a little shabby, and I was tortured by all the second hand clothes shops down Valencia brandishing signs which read "Buy Your Burning Man Outfit Here!", so I suggested a DLG Costume Exchange - Julie hosted.
And took Kay and Jane. The DLG rose to the challenge magnificently Рthey brought wigs, bindis, tights, drapery, dresses, gold lam̩, a Hawaiian outfit (which looked terrific on Jane), a djellaba, a silver jumpsuit, hippy gear, and accoutrements across the gamut of many a Halloween.We had such fun trying everything on!
Thanks so much girls!
Transgressions of the Month
At the Big Chill, I couldn’t resist and bought a pair of false eyelashes from the Fairies – some small compensation for their huge generosity all weekend.
Back in SF, I bought two pairs of walking sandals – never before possessed. The first new shoes since my wedding shoes. Very necessary for the harsh BM conditions. And very comfy they are too!Interestingly the whole sales process of trying them on, getting an assistant’s attention, choosing these particular ones from the many different styles on display, working out which lines were on sale and what discount might apply, having to go to three different parts of the store to check prices on the sale goods vs the main display, I found far less pleasurable than might have been expected. I thought the ‘shopping therapy’ feelgood factor would kick in, but no.
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London
Zolt, Katy and Anna hosted a great afternoon in their open plan North London home for us and Jascha, Lisa, Amelie and Evie.Esme seemed not to mind the rain, (such a novelty darling) which sent everybody else scurrying into the garden shed, keen to stay playing with the tricycles.
Katy cooked up a storm and Zolt and Jasch manned the barbecue in a very ‘manly’ manner.
Anna was such a sweetheart with Esme all afternoon.
The girls showed off their impressive flexibility.
It had been three years since we'd seen Zolt and Katy - such fun!
Zoe and PeterA lovely leisurely sunny Sunday in Zoe and Peter’s garden (I did keep sneaking in to check on progress in the Ashes Test).
Adam, Cindy and Cain came up from Hastings.
All three on cracking form.
And thanks guys for the books and puzzles for Esme – she loves them.Enric and Xavier slummed it down ‘sarf’ to see us.
Xavier and Cain had a whale of an afternoon together.
We were joined by Dena, Dave and baby Jay.
And also by Davey, Gayani, Rob and John.
The fizz flowed and the barbecue baked – as did we in the sunshine. 
Esme loved playing on the trampoline; very intrigued by these two handsome boys as well.The perfect afternoon. Thanks Enric for the lift home!
Lucy and RoryHad just returned from their summer holidays
and so Esme and I journeyed to Brixton to meet baby Oisin. 
Esme very excited by so many cute babies on this trip – anybody would think there’s a recession on or something…
Callum and Finn rampaged around the newly revamped garden and kitchen dressing up as pirates and wreaking water colour havoc.
It was great to see Tanya, looking elegant in anticipation of her forthcoming wedding, who came over to see Esme.
And pleasingly so did Larissa and Richard with their two dayglo-blonde daughters, Maia and Isabella.
We also hadn’t seen each other in nearly 3 years… Thanks for the beautiful dress for Esme!
Family Moments
Great-aunt Nibbie came for lunch and so I got my four generations picture – her mother was the original Esme.
Pat and Niamh flew over from Dublin to see Esme – a sterling effort that was hugely appreciated – and lovely backpack & sonic book for her, both of which she really likes.I failed to get a picture of all four grandparents together. This is partly because I had to go to Bristol for work for 24 hours (great to see the whole i-escape team) and had to dash off. I was extremely upset when I realised on the train that for once I hadn’t grabbed the camera…
Thanks so much for coming to see Esme.
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The Big Chill
Weekend of the Year
As ever the weather gods smiled on the Big Chill. I’m a cracked record on how the Malverns/Ledbury region gets the best weather in the UK and even though it had rained lots in the week prior, I was confident the festival would be warm and sunny.I travelled down with Charlie and Nicola in Percy, the redoubtable campervan. The voyage was suitably entertaining with Nicola and I in the back with Jessica and Louis strapped into the front beside Charlie.
We were in convoy with Ben, Jacquie, Calum and Patrick.
Just as we passed the place where my alternator belt had given up 4 years previously on my (late lamented) Bobbie, Charlie noticed the battery light come on. Spooky! Which made our final few miles rather hair raising, but Percy made it!I was able to get into the camping field ahead of the rest of our party and managed to secure our site in good time.
For the first hour I lay on the grass meditating my good fortune in being at the Big Chill with such close friends and in having this moment of peace.Thursday
Within a few hours (and after hard slog from the car parks) our special field was transformed as tents mushroomed, our little hamlet took shape; delightfully we realised that another large party beside us were Mellie Mel and her crowd including Sandy, Celia, Jon and Debs. Perfect!
Charlie is to be congratulated for bringing two gazebos and the brazier again and chivvying everybody to bring charcoal – we had the best camp going with plenty of space, a well maintained site (I was Recycling Monitor) and welcoming fire (of which more anon).
By late afternoon we had been joined by Tom, Carrie, Elsie, Megan and her friendSophie. And Sloan, Candida, Xavier, Honor and Loel.
As well as Tansy, Jerry, Maddie, Lucien and Carmen.
And the two Taboda families: Basia, Alf and Vincent plus Oscar, Kathryn, Jack and George.With all these families the tent inflation trend was manifest. Tom and Carrie won the Outdoing the Joneses prize.
Although Zoe wasn’t there her (rather modest in comparison) tent was – thanks love – and we thought of her often during the weekend. And all those who have been in bygone years.A few decided not to camp with us this year, citing the different schedules families have with the all-nighters. Both parties end up sleep deprived either way it seems to me…
The first event was a call for participants to break the world mass zombies record by the main stage. Apparently discussions on the Big Chill message boards thought this a bad plan as kids may get scared and have nightmares. 
In fact, I’d have thought many an adult would have disturbed sleep after witnessing the gusto with which our camp, particularly the younger generation, metamorphosed into zombies with the full gamut of gruesome make up, lumbering gaits and ghoulish expressions.
Matthew and Amelia joined us to be made up (I was bashful about applying living dead make up); the best fun was getting ready and seeing how many others on the way to the gathering had applied a similar inventive enthusiasm to the task. The congregation itself, designed to provide mise en scene for the forthcoming futuristic zombie film I Spit on Your Rave starring Noel Fielding of Mighty Boosh infamy, left us all somewhat under the moon.
Friday
Lovely sunny day. Our camp grew larger with the arrival of Lucy and her school friend Rosie; their entertaining mates Sam and Brad camped close by.
A rope swing was hanging off a nearby tree, which kept the kids amused for hours – new allies and friendships formed.
I knew I was back on home turf after visiting the lovely and generous Fairies, Shelley and Jason, who run fairylove.com, which sells dressing up ephemera - tutus, glitter, eyelashes, wigs, and much else in shiny rainbow colours. 
This year Rico was ably assisting them on the stall.I felt somewhat under (or over) dressed in their company, having brought only a very small backpack for all personal effects, and lamented my lack of costume.
They kindly offered to make me over any time I liked. And use of their water and toilet facilities to beat the queues – an offer I took up with alacrity.
Here I also bumped into old friend and festival goddess Jane.
Lucy, Rosie and I meandered across the site taking in the Hickmans at the Castle Stage, the Art Car Boot Fair and the Derelict Drive In Movie Theatre curated by Film4 - think bashed up cars in front of a screen showing Bollywood films.
We ended up in the Village Green hooking up with Sam and Brad, and rode on the Victorian fun fair.
And wended to the lakeshore for a perfect bucolic sunny afternoon kicking back and giggling in front of the wicker man to be burned Sunday night in the Big Warm, this year conceived as a zombie.
Our idyll interrupted by dismal news from the 4th Ashes Test in Headingley where England was collapsing in spectacular fashion.
A big posse went down for evening festivities – including Megan, Sophie and Maddie – much to their excitement. We saw lively TexMex combo Calexico, followed by Ashley Beedle and then headliners Basement Jaxx who dazzled the crowd with their dozens of costume changes and high-energy routines.
When on song they were terrific although I wasn’t the only one who felt their hour and a half set felt padded out.
I retired to my tent after a session of banter and badinage round the flickering flames.Saturday
Another gorgeous day. Tai chi Master Tom was holding a morning workshop called Kung Fu Kids and so we trooped over to the Body and Soul area to watch nearly all the kids in our camp
plus others perform high kicks, wield the staff and follow a routine requiring focus, coordination, balance and energy.The (mostly horizontal) adults sat in the shade, conserving energy.
Afterwards, I took Megan to the Fairies for my make over.
Shelley said I think you need some fancies. And showed me the dressing up box full of ruffles, organza, petticoats, feathers and nipple tassels.
With much encouragement from Megan, I stripped off and added a tutu, frilly knickers on top, a bustle over that and the largest nipple tassels I could find in the box - pink feathers. Feeling somewhat naked still I added a purple feather boa and black leggings with pink garters. Crowned by the hat, it was certainly a look!
All the Fairies said I’d have a lovely afternoon in my costume and they were looking forward to hearing about it.
Feeling somewhat self-conscious we sashayed back to the camp, feathers flying in all directions.
Some heads turned. Some folk asked for photos. Our neighbour camp gave me a round of applause.
And as my fellow campmates returned, each reaction confirmed my worst fears about my less-than-washboard-pasty-white-and-wobbling midriff – to say nothing of the bobbling breasts.
Lucy’s friend Sam said, something’s different! New haircut?
Lucy said, a new high for festival costumes – I said, a new low you mean.
At last I met up with last night’s late arrivals, Kay and Joe.
Mellie Mel and Jane swung by and we headed down to the main stage for jazz legend Pharoah Sanders’s set. 
Followed by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, a group from Chicago playing 8 horns of differing sizes and shapes, whose sound blended reggae and hip hop with rock.
Mellie Mel’s team were dressed in red.Mel had a fetching pink parasol with green lights on it, an excellent beacon, both day and night.
By 5pm I was dying to get out of the costume, especially as one of the nipple tassels was coming adrift.
We were under this extraordinary and wonderful chandelier art installation made of plants and umbrellas, hanging between three majestic trees.
I hotfooted it to return the costume and change back into my dress, and thank the Fairies for the loan.
I met up with Kay, Joe and Jane again for the Penguin Caf̩ Orchestra reunion РI love their music. 
Thereafter we saw the Fairy Glitter Wrestling contest.This involved attractive semi-naked contestants grapple with each other in a small paddling pool full of glitter, while Rico acted as referee.
Priceless.
The evening revelries were a bit of a blur. I went down to the site with Mellie Mel and crew, saw most of Lamb who were excellent, lost Lucy and Rosie early on.
Saw Spiritualised and Justin Robertson from a distance, then wandered around, sometimes on my own. 
Bumped into Jane again. She had a stallholder friend with a Nokia charger, (who had heard of my Buying Nothing project and gave me a garland!) so I charged up my phone for 20 minutes while we saw some of Bonobo’s set on the Castle Stage.
We made our way into the scrum that was Orbital to meet Charlie playing bongo drums in his top hat, and the rest of our crew. 
I was dog tired by now, with just 36 hrs before my flight, so lasted until 1am.Then took the atmospheric long meandering way home, soaking up the atmosphere, watching the flaming lanterns floating across the sky and getting back to the campsite tired and replete, for a quiet sit down and a bit of contemplative fireside chat.
To my surprise two members of the Herefordshire constabulary were warming themselves by the embers, along with Nicola, Alf and Ben. The first thing the policeman said was, “oh Nadine is it, we’ve just seen your photo!” To which Nicola added, “I thought it would be an icebreaker!” And apparently had told them every detail of my costumes and antics past and present including the 'fancies' today!The police confirmed tent robberies were down this year, there was in general little trouble at a Big Chill. It seemed they had been warming themselves on their rounds every hour or so and had done so last night. Our own security force!
Eventually they left, we were joined by a somewhat incoherent Sam and Brad; by contrast Alf was on fine form keeping us entertained.
After we had all gone to bed apparently the police returned, much to Kay and Joe’s irritation as they were hoping for a romantic fireside interlude!
Sunday
Charlie had failed to get to bed and was suffering as the sun rose high in a clear sky. The children took great care to bounce on him as much as possible as he lay on his mattress.We were treated to a day visit by the Bristol contingent – Nikki, Aidan and Poppy, and Cat – who had managed to get comp day passes.
This was when I missed Esme the most as she and Poppy have a similar look - I could just see my darling at the festival.
Six of us from uni together again: Charlie, Tom, Ben, Candida, Nikki and I.
A charming morning – tents were struck, packing up commenced, children dressed up and painted faces, I took lots of portraits of everybody with Nicola’s camera – hanging out with old friends.
Comment of the morning: Charlie trying to describe my costume in complimentary terms to Nikki and Aidan – “well I must say you were very brave to wear it considering you had just given birth.”
And then my last journey down the hill for at least a year.
Impressively EVERYBODY made it to see Norman Jay for the final huzzah and goodbyes.
Even Mike Moody who we hadn’t seen all weekend, and Matthew and Amelia who had partied so hard in the live in vehicle field that in the morning they noticed all the tents near them had repitched as far away as possible during the night… Perhaps a wise decision not to camp with us!
True to form Norman took credit for the sunshine and played a diverse set which kept a packed crowd entertained for just under two hours.Several of our team’s antics made it onto the video screens.
And some karaoke was played after Norman to keep the crowd happy and prevent a mass exodus.After some obligatory cartwheels, I said tearful and fond farewells, and met up with dear Deepak, looked in at the Fairies to say goodbye and THANK YOU, and we refuelled for the journey home, sauntered out of the site and hit the motorway. A perfect hassle-free journey home and great to catch up.
Thanks to everybody who made the Big Chill 2009 such a terrific success – very especially to Katrina and her team, and to Charlie and Nicola for the lift down, the sleeping bag and taking Zoe’s tent back for me – and I hope to see you all there next year.
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Farewell to London
I finished packing that night as far as possible, and caught up with my parents. Esme had had a lovely time with my mother especially on Louise and family’s last full day in the UK before they moved to Zambia when they all played in fountains in the park.
Thanks Mum for looking after her so wonderfully well while I gallivanted!
My parents drove me to Heathrow the next day and we were there in good time so watched the planes take off and land.Thanks again for your hospitality and generosity for our time in London.
The flight turned out to be one of the best I’d taken with Esme. Mostly because it wasn’t full and I managed to get a seat diagonally across the aisle from her – and even got to see two movies!
She was really terrific, keeping amused and happy, and only really losing it about half an hour before we landed. Boy have I seen Ice Age 2 now though…
Very joyous to be reunited with Colman again after all this time. Too long to be apart.
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San Francisco Life and Times
Wine Weekend in Inverness
Dave and Cathy hosted a Wine Group gathering at their gorgeous place up the coast in Inverness.
We arrived early, went for a walk and birdwatch down near the coast and followed a trail to a pond, showing much evidence of a hot summer.We returned to their home just a few minutes after everybody else had gone on a long walk – doh!
We were reunited for an evening of “Reds under $10” – I declined the wine reasoning that with reds I’d like the ones over $10 – and played the Celebrity parlour game.We slept in the garden in our yellow tent on our swanky new mattresses bought for Burning Man.
After a very hearty breakfast we posed for a group shot for absent friend Margaret, and headed home.
Out of Towners
To see Cathy Ryan for a lovely dinner who was in the Bay Area for work. She and Colman managed to get a night out just the two of them as well.On another evening I had a very convivial dinner at Zuni’s because Jason was in town, with Brian and Adam – ages since we had all seen each other.
Elvis Costello
To the Mountain Winery with Sophia, Gerardo, Adam and Colman to see the consummate songsmith. He had a new album of bluegrass-influenced music to promote and only did a few of his old songs, including a superb version of Everyday I Write the Book, ending with What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding. He’s got a warm and authentic stage delivery and so fantastic to see him live – what a legend!Puddle Jumpers Workshop
Esme started at her new pre-school Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - here she is the on her first day. PJW is a co-op so parents are actively involved in supervision, administration and joint decision-making. With no more than 8 kids between 18mo and 3 at any time, they have lots of space and good resources. An Activities Coordinator is the only paid employee.
My schedule is that every Tuesday afternoon and every other Thursday afternoon I am on shift as a supervising parent. And there is also a lunch, snack, activity and laundry roster for parents.
We are still bedding down into the routine but Esme has adapted easily and is obviously enjoying all the opportunities afforded at the school.Lelli still looks after her on Wednesdays so I get one day where I have a clear 10 hours of childcare.
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A Weekend of Sorens
Soren’s 2nd Birthday Party
Also doubled up as Kristan and Steve’s housewarming and we took the BART over to Rockridge.They’d invested in a state-of-the-art bouncy castle, which had a slide as well a separate room full of balls inside, which kept children of all ages (and many adults) amused for hours.
Mexican food and mango juice kept flowing all afternoon.
Esme didn’t get a nap in but was oblivious for hours running around and falling down inside the castle.
Lovely to catch up with their friends and family, especially Nana. Soren had a splendid cake in the shape of a train.
Laurel, John and Ruby showed up for the second half.Good timing as Esme was beginning to fade so gave her a second burst of energy for the bouncy castle.
She slept well that night!
Soren and Sandy’s BBQ
The following day we went to the south bay for a feast of Tudor proportions at Soren and Sandy’s new palatial mansion.
And saw
Dev, Shital, Saumya and Shivan,plus some Yahoos over from London.
Another gorgeous day, Esme ran around the garden with the kids in high excitement.
We left late to midnight blue velvet skies as Jupiter hung low in the sky, our bright talisman all summer.Visitors of the Month
Kay and Jane
It was really special seeing both these statuesque beauties at the Big Chill. And knowing that Kay was coming out for Burning Man in a couple of weeks. Jane had been planning to travel back to New Zealand and was very keen to join us at Burning Man, so we encouraged her and with 2 weeks to go she announced she was coming!
They arrived on consecutive evenings, the week before.We went down to Burlingame to see Rob and Jecca one night, and I took them to the DLG for the costume exchange on another; we hung out downstairs with Kim, Tom and neighbour Noah for an impromptu garden picnic on the third night.
I took them on the Mission Murals tour – we all wilted in the heat, revived only with freshly squeezed juices.
Esme loved having this bustle and hustle in the house. 
She tried on clothes, kept opening the parasols and walked around in Kay’s shoes. She thought it cool having two exotic and well-costumed ladies in her room!
That final week before Burning Man was a frenzy of busyness and excitement: bicycles acquired, costumes accumulated, and piles of intrepid looking gear, including heavy duty water canisters, rope, rebar and tarpaulin, appeared all over the apartment.TO BE CONTINUED!!!!
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Mural of the Month
We love this superb version of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette by Georges-Pierre Seurat painted on the side wall of our local corner shop. We’d seen its steady progression all year and the charming references to Mexican ice cream sellers, gay couples, Mission Dolores, the SF skyline, and the ubiquitous dogs, makes us smile with recognition and fondness at the depiction of our home.
Stencil of the MonthBumper Sticker of the Month
If We Ignore the Environment, Maybe It Will Just Go Away
Love and hugs
Nadine, Colman and Esme xxx
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