"Casey's would waltz with the strawberry blonde . . ."
I'm not sure why "The Band Played On" is repeating in my brain. Maybe it's the idylls of summer counterpointed by shocking headlines and endless news feeds from the Gulf Coast disaster casting an ominous shadow on the Labor Day weekend that begins this afternoon. The song evokes a simpler world and time. And this time of year even I become a baseball fan. There is something so reassuring about the sound of the baseball game play-by-play on the radio.
Naro's club, where he is the chairman of the Tap Room (i.e., he runs the bar) is gearing up for the big final weekend of sail and sun. There is a cookout tonight, and a largish flotilla from the local yacht clubs will be heading out for Provincetown after dinner. The stewards (i.e., bartenders) have mostly returned to school, so Tap hours have been cut back, and the usual people were unavailable to receive the deliveries. Helping out a bit, I brought my laptop and did a little bit of work down there while waiting for the stuff to arrive.
The shoreline was breathtaking. We've had more than two weeks of nearly perfect weather interrupted by only a few fast-moving clouds, the remnants of Hurricane Katrina, and temperatures in the low to mid-80's -- exquisite. Meanwhile, newspapers show New Orleans's collapsed society as desperate humanity reverts to renegadism amid the ruins of their once beautiful city. A few members sat about discussing plans for next season and started drinking a little bit early and I sat by an open window looking out on the bay and the city skyline with the gentlest, most delicious breeze ruffling my papers and teasing strands of hair from my French braid while I listened to the conversation and worked on a gif animation for the Concert section of nine3.com.
A fellow I have seen around the club for many years sat at the next table and inquired about my work, so I told him about the concert. He said he was a concert promoter for many years back in the 70's and 80's, and named some big acts whose tours he had managed. I told him what the Rounder Records producer had told me about needing a tour schedule and marketing plan, and he said, "Oh, you just make the shit up. Nobody knows the difference."
"Yeah, but you're on the hook for thousands of dollars for the advertising in your marketing plan."
"Once the money starts coming in, they'll line up for a chance to sign you."
My guess is things are a little different now than they were in the 70's.
He said he was such a nervous wreck every time he did a show that he'd be doing shots at the bar and praying the audience would turn up. He said he had to quit drinking or quit the business because it just about killed him. When I asked him if he's still drinking he laughed.
"I quit both!"
He just had quadruple bypass surgery and spends all his time helping the homeless these days. He said he started a homeless shelter in Key West and is planning to spend the winter down there, if it's still standing. He is working with Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army, who recently received $2 billion gift from the McDonald's fortune to establish new shelters and renovate existing shelters all over the nation. He said the one in Key West is free the first night and $2/night thereafter, with big screen tv, air conditioning and a swimming pool. He said they'd be dining on lobsters and steaks -- only the best, brought over each night after the restaurants closed -- all winter long.
After he left to go sailing, another member told me to appreciate the things the guy had told me for their entertainment value, and to be careful who I do business with.
After the last of the deliveries arrived, I left -- filling the tank of my Chevy (Cavalier) on the way home. It took quite a long wait in line at the pump where I paid $3.19/gal. for regular gas, and I got home with just enough time to jot down a couple of notes before I have to go downstairs and put a few salmon steaks into a marinade.
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/strawberry.htm
Casey would waltz
With the strawberry blonde
And the band played on.
He'd glide 'cross the floor
With the girl he'd adore
And the band played on.
But his brain was so loaded
It nearly exploded
The poor girl
Would shake with alarm
He'd ne'er leave the girl
With the strawberry curl
And the band played on.
Have a happy Labor Day weekend, and please don't forget to send money to the Gulf Coast, if you are able. It's such a clearcut way to count your blessings.
Naro's club, where he is the chairman of the Tap Room (i.e., he runs the bar) is gearing up for the big final weekend of sail and sun. There is a cookout tonight, and a largish flotilla from the local yacht clubs will be heading out for Provincetown after dinner. The stewards (i.e., bartenders) have mostly returned to school, so Tap hours have been cut back, and the usual people were unavailable to receive the deliveries. Helping out a bit, I brought my laptop and did a little bit of work down there while waiting for the stuff to arrive.
The shoreline was breathtaking. We've had more than two weeks of nearly perfect weather interrupted by only a few fast-moving clouds, the remnants of Hurricane Katrina, and temperatures in the low to mid-80's -- exquisite. Meanwhile, newspapers show New Orleans's collapsed society as desperate humanity reverts to renegadism amid the ruins of their once beautiful city. A few members sat about discussing plans for next season and started drinking a little bit early and I sat by an open window looking out on the bay and the city skyline with the gentlest, most delicious breeze ruffling my papers and teasing strands of hair from my French braid while I listened to the conversation and worked on a gif animation for the Concert section of nine3.com.
A fellow I have seen around the club for many years sat at the next table and inquired about my work, so I told him about the concert. He said he was a concert promoter for many years back in the 70's and 80's, and named some big acts whose tours he had managed. I told him what the Rounder Records producer had told me about needing a tour schedule and marketing plan, and he said, "Oh, you just make the shit up. Nobody knows the difference."
"Yeah, but you're on the hook for thousands of dollars for the advertising in your marketing plan."
"Once the money starts coming in, they'll line up for a chance to sign you."
My guess is things are a little different now than they were in the 70's.
He said he was such a nervous wreck every time he did a show that he'd be doing shots at the bar and praying the audience would turn up. He said he had to quit drinking or quit the business because it just about killed him. When I asked him if he's still drinking he laughed.
"I quit both!"
He just had quadruple bypass surgery and spends all his time helping the homeless these days. He said he started a homeless shelter in Key West and is planning to spend the winter down there, if it's still standing. He is working with Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army, who recently received $2 billion gift from the McDonald's fortune to establish new shelters and renovate existing shelters all over the nation. He said the one in Key West is free the first night and $2/night thereafter, with big screen tv, air conditioning and a swimming pool. He said they'd be dining on lobsters and steaks -- only the best, brought over each night after the restaurants closed -- all winter long.
After he left to go sailing, another member told me to appreciate the things the guy had told me for their entertainment value, and to be careful who I do business with.
After the last of the deliveries arrived, I left -- filling the tank of my Chevy (Cavalier) on the way home. It took quite a long wait in line at the pump where I paid $3.19/gal. for regular gas, and I got home with just enough time to jot down a couple of notes before I have to go downstairs and put a few salmon steaks into a marinade.
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/strawberry.htm
Casey would waltz
With the strawberry blonde
And the band played on.
He'd glide 'cross the floor
With the girl he'd adore
And the band played on.
But his brain was so loaded
It nearly exploded
The poor girl
Would shake with alarm
He'd ne'er leave the girl
With the strawberry curl
And the band played on.
Have a happy Labor Day weekend, and please don't forget to send money to the Gulf Coast, if you are able. It's such a clearcut way to count your blessings.