Bastille Day has a certain resonance with me here in California, as spending on the prison-industrial-compex has eclipsed educational spending, and the state has dropped from the nation’s shining example to 49th in terms of spending. I’ve been spending the summer at home planning for my fall classes and taking two USF courses, Applied Educational Statistics and a directed studies course on Central American refugees, which is basically in preparation of my dissertation, which I’ll be starting in the fall. A recent article featured in the New York Times outlines a growing dispute between faculty and trustees at City College and features my friend and colleague Jim Sauve (his office is next to mine), and a former student, Lerone Matthis (an exemplary student from Richmond that took two courses with me).
I spent a great twenty four hours in Portland for my second sneak-visit this year last in June and saw Eric the day after our birthday for an awesome weekend at the High Sierra Music Festival, which he has produced for something like eight years. It was amazing seeing Magnolia at six months after seeing her at two months and such a treat to be with her in another unique stage of her growth. She is really cute and starting to smile! Her radiant blue eyes follow every movement in the room. Celebrated Eric’s first father’s day with a classic dim sum brunch: Priceless. She is lucky to have incredible parents that live for her and are with her with every step; soon the footsteps will come!
Seeing Eric in action rocking the production for the festival was awesome. When I arrived on Friday, Eric met me with a VIP parking pass and all-access pass for the entire show; later to come were the handfuls of free beer tickets and rollaway bed in his room at Los Ranchitos motel. Even nicer than the treatment was meeting all of Eric’s friends and hearing all of the long-winded compliments. The music was amazing and it was great to hang with my old friend Gabe and family: Trombone Shorty, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bela Fleck with Edgar Meyer and Zakir Huissain, Rubblebucket, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Zach Deputy, Robert Walter, Johnny Vidacovich, Wil Blades, Karl Denson, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Widespread Panic, The Radiators, Jerry Joseph, etc.
Check out the High Sierra photos and movie 1 and movie 2!
I’ve been catching a lot of the World Cup games on Univision. I love the Latino announcers, though the Spanish announcers for the final game took it. Goooooooooooooooool! I watched the first game and USA vs. England with Thad and Michiko and the final game with mom and dad, and a paella on the deck!
I saw Jamie when he was in town and heard My First Earthquake at The Ricksaw Stop on Fell St. in SF. I had a nice dinner at Swell with Branko, and met Stefan a co-owner from France and Branko’s friend, and enjoyed good food and wine: scalops on think sticks of green apple with mayonayse and Japanese lemon, and a couple of glasses of Saint Emilion, a tasty Bordeaux. After dinner, we went to Dave and Nadja’s going away party – they are moving to Berlin – and jammed music in the garage with a full band. I played solo guitar at Adam’s wedding party. Check out the photo-montage.
I’m heading to the East coast on July 26th for a couple of weeks. I’m meeting Jen in NY and going to my 20th high school reunion in Connecticut, and then heading up to Maine and Montreal to see Sokol, Jess, and Dave.
