It's Alright

Song - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton

The guy in front of me at a Dylan concert in Berkeley

Right now we need to be thinking twice

and

I hope it's going to be alright!

Stay Safe Out There!!!



"Some people feel the rain. 
Others just get wet." 

--Bob Dylan

A Face in the Crowd

Song - An American Girl by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Wednesday night was a lovely night in Berkeley. The weather was clear, the moon was watching over us, it was pleasantly comfortable and we were ready to rock & roll. Guess who took center stage at The Greek Theater?

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers!

There was excitement in the air and my friend, Kathy and I were thrilled to join in!

Kathy had texted me late in the afternoon on Tuesday saying she had an extra ticket and could I possibly join her.  After about a nano second I texted back "of course".  Later that night she told me that we also had backstage passes.....oh oh.....do you remember the last time this happened?

Click HERE to read about it.

So I was wracking my brain to come up with something brilliant to say in case we got the opportunity to actually meet Mr. Petty. I texted my three boys and their responses were using titles of his songs....Is it really Good To Be King? - hey I'm just An American Girl! - Yer So Bad - you really don't have to look Like a Refugee - and Mr. B's 2 cents...I Got A Room at the Top of the World Tonight.  Mmmm.....just not going to cut it.

The above photo is of  "the club house"  which is their practice studio and was behind the bands equipment onstage while we were waiting for them to perform.  Just look at all of those guitars!

We had absolutely incredible seats and occasionally they would display a view from behind the stage shooting out into the audience.  I'm the one in a black top, center stage, about 12 - 15 rows back!

 Thanks for the amazing concert!!  All of the band members are talented musicians but I especially liked the drummer, Steve Ferrone who had a big smile on his face the entire concert. They call him the "new kid" because he has only been with the band for 22 years!

After the concert we did get to go backstage and have some fine wine and talk with some very interesting people.  However, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers were already heading to their next venue. So I guess I will have to save my great "what do you say to a famous musician" for another time!

Thanks EB!!!

Today it's back to reality....

"A gentle giant with a quick smile and a soulful style...."  

Drummer Magazine's quote about Steve Ferrone

Berkeley Winning Streak

Song - The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel

My friend Kathy and I arrived in Berkeley on Friday late afternoon to the lovely temperature of 78 degrees (it was 100+ in Walnut Creek)!  We were there to see and hear Paul Simon's concert at the Greek Theater. 

We passed the band's buses on the way in from our parking spaces and waved to Paul as we passed by.

No, we didn't sit in the throne's but directly behind them with plenty of leg room - those are Kathy's knees on the far right.  All of the throne's have amazing quotes carved into the backs of them dating from the late 1800 - early 1900.

We got out back stage passes to the after concert party.....Not sure if you remember but we were able to go back stage several years ago and meet Paul Simon and I was ill prepared to met a celebrity and ended up shaking his hand and saying something like "Great concert...."

This time I was prepared.

I had done some reading on Paul's home life and career.  Although I didn't have a prepared speech, I was ready........

WE were ready!  Beautiful evening, great seats and the music was simply outstanding!  And after about three songs, this happened......

See how everyone is looking up in the stands, away from the stage and even toasting someone.  And that someone is the guy in the light blue shirt walking up the stairs.  Not sure who he was, I just snapped some photos.

Now the guy and his "entourage" were heading back down the stairs to much applause and Paul Simon pausing the concert.

By this time word had gotten around that this guy was Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors coach. Now truthfully, I am not a basketball fan but apparently a lot of people are and this was a big deal.

After conferring with some of the Greek Theater staff, they turned toward us to find their seats.....three rows behind ours!  I did get to "high-five" him as he walked past!

Seriously, it has got to be a tough life never having any privacy!  As they took their seats, Paul Simon said (in jest) that the next time Stephan Curry is attempting a three pointer, the singer was going to walk through HIS stadium!  

And the concert went on......

During the concert Paul was singing "The Boxer" and told us that Mohammad Ali had just passed.


After the concert we were escorted back stage and guess who else had back stage passes? 

Steve Kerr et all.....!

The back-back-stage where the band's equipment is stored and there is ping-pong etc. to enjoy.

Paul decided not to party that evening but invite Steve to join him privately.

So even though we didn't get to use our "unprepared" speeches on that evening we still got to enjoy wonderful food under the stars with Paul's amazing band in a beautiful little area of Berkeley.


And to top off our late evening we had to stop for a male jogger crossing the street at 11 pm au natural!  Now it just wouldn't be Bezerkeley without that to ice the cake!  Lucky for you, I didn't have my camera ready!!!  HA!

All Aboard

Song - Tilden Park Merry Go Round


This week I had the opportunity to spend some time with my niece's children, June & Cal.  It was a fun experience to get to know them better now that they are 7 & 8.

Monday we spent the day at Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills, where the kids got to feed some animals.  Aunt Jeanette was assuming there would be "pellets" to purchase but everyone else visiting was very generous in sharing their celery & lettuce!

Just look at that tongue......then look at that happy face on June!

I think Cal got slimmed on this one!

Can you tell that I asked them to pose for this shot?

Cal is giving the goat a "double treat"! It's all about choices.....

They got to see cows, chickens, ducks, bunny rabbits, geese, goats & sheep.

Then we headed over to the 100 year old Merry Go Round nearby.

The woman who sold the tickets told the kids that the chickens went the highest so for all of their rides, they always choose the only 2 chickens on the ride. 

 

The roof over the carousal ride.

The sea creature

The reindeer

Mr. Lion

I think it's a troll

Mr. Toad

A thoughtful giraffe

A wild zebra and sweet doggie

Then we had lunch and of course being an "Auntie" I had to buy them Cotton Candy!

After cleaning up -----(cough - Sticky......cough - blue mouths) we headed to the steam trains to ride ol' number 4.

It was fun to see all of the parents & grandparents & one Auntie looking like little kids for just a moment in time as the train wound it way through Redwood trees, over bridges and through tunnels.

At the end of the ride, the kids were able to talk to the conductor and ask questions like weather he steers it or not.

And what makes it go.....

Cal had spotted a turkey while on the train but no one else saw him for awhile until we caught him trying to cross the street!

Heading back home we decided it was time to relax and cool off in the pool.

Drip.......drip.......ahhhh.....

June is such a free spirit.  So while Cal pushed her around the pool, she was able to relax with her upside down goggles!!!

Mika was on guard the entire time they were swimming

The kids were very sweet with her and encouraged her to go swimming or ride on the raft but did not force the matter.

When they ended up in the hot tub she really had her work cut out for her!

They left to head back home today.  I miss them already but Mika is sound asleep and snoring by my side.

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around--and why his parents will always wave back." 

- William D. Tammeus