May Day 2012

5/1

For workers and Occupiers in New York City this year, May Day seems as exciting and is as much anticipated as Christmas. There will be a whole day’s worth of activities all over the city. I’ve made my own choice.

Heading down to the church to take the train with Teddy and Steve to Federal Plaza for Tracy’s May Day demonstration. Teddy tells me that Antonia was very happy and thankful to be able to be  inside last night. Teddy had assigned Little Chris to take care of her. He’d made her a bed, got her somthing to eat, found her some fresh clothes. When she got up in the morning, she was helping to make breakfast, helping people with their beds. Teddy called Project Reachout right away and Kris came. Antonia agreed to go with Kris to see if they could find her a place to live. A good start to the day.

As we step outside to head to the subway, Teddy points out the unmarked cars from the Drug Enforcement Administration across the street. Anna has told us stories of late night crack use, crack sales. When I first came here in ’95, the corner of 87th was notorious. The trade seems to be amkig its way south into our neighborhood again. Teddy jokes about the dashboard signs in the undercover cars. Probably don't want to get ticketed by the NYPD. Teddy has also seen the unmarked white van with its tell tale antennas. Listening devices. 

(The demonstration was by Justice Will Be Served and the National Movement Against Sweatshops of which our neighborhood group is a part. The focus was on ending Employer Sanctions laws which strip undocumented workers of all rights and pit worker against worker.  Teddy spoke to express solidarity from OWS and as a union steam fitter. And I closed out the demonstration.)

Teddy and Bob

When I get back from downtown, RL and David are hard at work drawing up designs for a solution to our sidewalk grate situation. They seem to have come up with a workable plan. David will be going to check out materials.

Jerry who used to play oboe with Jens Nygard and the Jupiter Symphony, back in the day, was here most recently with David Grunman and the Spectrum Orchestra. Jerry’s interested in doing his own concert later on.

As we’re talking with Jerry, two representatives of a Jewish congregation have come to check out the  building. They’ve got a growing group of younger people, in their twenties and thirties, and have outgrown their current space. I continue to marvel at the rapid growth of Jewish congregations in the neighborhood. 

We talk until it's time for me to head to the train to go and teach my seminary class.

Seventeenth Day in Lent: A great and radical reversal

3/12

Good conversation with Tracy. Winning the release of two of the arrested workers in a good thing. The third remains under threat of deportation. And there remain the big picture issues around immigration...like how amnesty or legalization for a certain percentage would lead to criminalization for others. How documented workers need to grow in thier undstanding of how discrimination against undocumented only lowers the value of thei own labor. It’s not about protecting American jobs, it’s about a global economy and the shared interest of workers across borders. 

I introduce Tracy to Teddy and Steve. I continue to work on linking the anti-sweatshop organizers with #ows organizers. Get the anti-sweatshop folks involved in the M17/18 actions. The hunger issue, the exploitation of immigrants issues, are right in line with the solemn march being planned for Saturday.

Ted and Marsha have come and continue to work on budgets for both the congregation and Center. It looks like we might have something that is actually achievable. Not easy, but possible. 

We gather for Bible Study. It’s a good group, including a visitor who was in worship on Sunday and Rev. Brenda Berry from the Bronx. She’s also part of Presbytery’s Committee on Nurture of Congregations, a group we felt received us well and understands what we are trying to do. I’m sharing something new I've learned. 

John H had approached me about scheduling the Dark Lady Players for a production on March 25th,  the Feast of the Anunciation. Realized that was one I hadn’t been aware of. A little research told me that for centuries, the Eastern Church, the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches celebrate this day, nine months before Christmas. For the Orthidox, it actually marks the beginning of the Incarnation. And so, even though it seems to fit better in Advent, we study Luke 1:26-38.

We read about the visit of the angel Gabriel. Literary echoes of Sinai and Pentecost. The same story in the Quran. One way or another, Luke wants us to see this as special, even as a beginning of a new creation.  But we wind up with the words of the Magnificat, 

almost a paraphrase of Sarah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Both have this promise of a great and radical reversal, but with one difference, in Mary’s song, she proclaims that it is already accomplished....

He has shown strength with his arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts;

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the holy;

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent empty away.

And there is interest that such strong prophetic words were spoken by women. And Pastor Berry brings up the prophet Anna who appears in the Temple at the time of the song of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis. Our study closes with plans to come back next week for St.Joseph's Day. 

On the way home, I run into Teddy. Catch up on his day. It’s dark. And warm. A good night. 

If God wants it, it will be...

2/2

After breakfast with John H, after a moment where I feel like I know how this might all actually work, I’m greeted by Rafael and Steve and Chris and Teddy and the news that Dan was taken to the pysch ward at St. Luke’s. Apparenty there was a disagreement that ended with Dan throwing sugar in Teddy’s face. His eye is still watering and he is visibly upset. I’m actually relieved to hear some of this because I am hoping Dan can get the help he needs.

Apparently there were many issues with Maria over the course of the nght, too, and that helped trigger this morning’s conflict. 

The counter point here is going on in the sanctuary where Matt Webster is rehearsing his show. Not sure what it’s about, but the sound is good, clean, contemporary musical music. It’s calming.

But Dan soon retiuns and I’m quickly sucked into a mediation session.The community wants Dan out but my position is if he takes responsibiity to deal with his issues, he should stay. Dan has talked his way out of psych. He is apologetic at first, but then caustic and combative. I have to make clear that any specai agreements have to do with his storage of stuff and not living arrangements. Those have to do with the community and I will not undermine that process. It’s clear that this is not getting anywhere anytime soon. Everyone is using their best conflict resolution skills, but there’s a limit....Seems like they want Dan to take a break, come back tomorrow and work through this with the community. 

Luli from Noche is in to check out the spaces again. I’m hoping we can soon bring these negotiations to a close. 

I need to keep it together to get to a Presbytery Council on Social Witness meeting. But first, coffee with Jane at our Starbucks annex.

2/3

On the steps are an umbrella, a woven basket, a bag of clothes...I need help with this.

The news of the day is that  the conflict with Dan continued into the night and that Teddy decided to press charges and the police came and in the process found drugs and paraphanelia so this leaps from Precinct 24 to central booking. Danielle will spend many hours trying unsuceesfully to track him down.

Matt is rehearsing again. Charles, a timpanist with Spectrum, has his own symphony and a lot of creative ideas about rearranging the front of the sanctuary, lighting, etc. And his own possible series. When we walk into the sanctuary, he says, Are these the Occupy guys? and I say, Uh,no, it’s musical theatre, and the easiness of that confusion I find ironic.

Berik arrives and is confronted with the reality that with Dan in jail, he needs a DJ. Who can manage electronica for the models, disco for the party and ’80’s romantic pop for the anticipated Russians. 

So in addition for searching for Dan, we’re now searching for a DJ. Berik was paying Dan with art, what can he offer now?

In the middle of our searching, the Fire Department shows up and Danielle and I hold our breath. Seeing the FDNY, Teddy jumps in. His uncle is one of the bravest, as we call them. He handles it well. At the end, it’s a matter of a few new EXIT signs, which Teddy says can be easily handled. Danielle and I exhale. 

I’m off to meet with Pastor Elise.

On the way back to the church, I see the pickets are out at Saigon Grill. I greet Tracy, ask about Wednesday’s rally for the arrested workers. It’s a complicated issue, hard to reduce down to soundbyte size. Hope’ s on the line. First I’ve seen her since she’s returned from Atlanta. At this moment, in the midst of the picket, afer this day, after my conversation with Elise, I’m feeling good. That is, at peace. I know competely that we are doing exactly what it is we are supposed to be doing. I tell Hope we’ll be okay.

At the church, Berik’s fashion show is already underway. I’m happy to see Samantha and Lilly and Brandy and Hugo and Arcadia. Later, I see that Jane is here, too.  The music is thumping, models are walking and pouting and posing. An there’s wine and snacks and Argentinian empanadas. 

I share with Hugo my conversation with Hugo and he says, If God wants it to happen, it will happen..

After the show, Jane and Samantha and everyone are busy trying on things they can never afford. It;s disco music now.  

I think about what Hugo said. Pickets, models, security by #OWS, Russians and empanadas. We will do all we can do, and then, if God wants it, it will be....

Jane

Hugo and Lilly

Arcadia and Leila

Berik impresario

Samantha and Brandy

2/4

Just a brief stop in after a Dark Lady Players’ dinner at wth John H. Only Requiem and his girl are here. I think abiut the affection I’ve come to feel for Requiem. How as he’s been given responsibility, he’s grown into it. He’s proven to be stand up. I remind them to keep people out of  the yard after 10. How voices carry. Checking  the steps in the morning. Welcome at services if you want.  

They talk about their backgrounds, she from the dead milltowns of western Massachusetts. I mention MASSMOCA, the contemporary art museum. She shrugs, my people don’t go there. Like my son Micah said about MOMA, one percent. I come from rough, she says. So does he, and Requiem nods and talks about northern Florida swamp country. They met here. She took him back home once, between SPSA and West-Park.

She jokes that Dan’s yarmulke should calm him down. I look at her, slightly puzzled. She’s funny that way, says Requiem, and she’s Jewish. I like the absurd, you know, she says. And I get it.

As for rough, that’s how they see us now, too. It’s not intentional. It just is. 

Our world's in your world, now

1/21

Go with Tracy across the street for coffee. To review the march last Monday and how it was another good connection between the antisweatshop coalition and the neighborhood. And the value of a campaign that is localized. I make a comparison to our recent experinces with #ows and say to Tracy You guys are easy. And she laughs and then reminds me that workers are easier to organize than say, intellectuals, or others, because, well, they work. There’s an inherent discipline that develops from having to show up and work every day even if you are exploited...you understand discipline. We talk more about how too connnect #ows activits with localized campaigns  and actions, how too connect the lines between the macro issues and the micro on the ground actions for justice. 

Ocer on the steps, I see teh doorways are full. In the souht doorway I think I recognize an #ows sleepin gbag. Can’t be here during the day, man, I say. And then explain that while homeless people sleep on our steps, they  leave in the morning, and we have relationships  and work with Goddard-Riverside Reachout to try and find housing. He tells me his friends went for coffee. Doesn’t matter, I say.

And then in  front if our office  door, I’m surprised to find Kanaska, the singer-songwriter. She tells me she’s not feeling well. Then get your stuff and get inside, I say, you don’t beed to be out here. And as I’m telling her this, Red from Occupy Portland comes up. I explain the  drill to him. But people been givin us presents all day, he says. All the more  reason man. Can’t be here. Got to go, I say. 

Teddy’s puttting Kanaska togetehr with Mary, the sweet older woman from Staten island. Still can’t figure out ho she lost her job and home. And need to keep Red and the guys away. 

Dan has brought me a collection of baseball cards that were found somewhere along the way. All from 1979. Mostly commons. But a lot. Dan thinks  it may replace my laptop. Uh,no. At most, worth around $250, I think.  (Actually, $150, the baseball card market has crashed too.) I do like the Pirates in their bumblebee unis though.

I feel like #ows has moved all thie rtents inside of me and set up camp. Occupy me. 

Kevin is back to plan another event. May have a national group from Iceland to perform. And another of his own productions he’d like to  run. With a little less scaring the neighbors. And he’s interested in the development aspect of the project as well. 

I have to run off to Newark and talk with Douglas Bendall about teaching at the Newark School of Theology. When I get back, it appears that spokes council has just ended. I look inside, things seem realtively calm.

As I’m leaving, I notice George on the steps. Knew he’d be back sooner or later. So Occupy Wall Street’s Occupy 86th Street,huh? And he laughs. Then tells  me a story I don’t like about people smoking weed in front of the church. The police stopping by. 

I go back in. Talk to Rafael. Yes, it happened, yes it got broken up. And I try and explain that it can’t even happen. How exposed and vulberabe I am right now.. More talk of plans to do more reconstruction work. A union guy wants to connect with artesnas. OK, OK. I need to see plans on paper, No more talk. 

I go back and tell Jeff what I need to see on paper. And that this project in this form is over as of next Saturday. Given enough time, maybe Jason’s paln woud work. Maybe everyone could be turned aound, come  togtehr as a community. We wouldn’t last that long. Dan had his DJ mike and adapter and head phones stolen. This project is over. 

George has been watching all this street action from the steps.  

Occupy Wall Street, humph. Me and that Mexican, we regulars. Get here these people takin up my place. The don’t belong here. Don’t know nothin about bein homeless. You let em in the  church? 

I nod.

He laughs again.

Got these fools out here smokin weed. Got cops copmin by. What the fuck? These fools gonna get me busted and I don’t even have nothin to do with all that. This Spanish guy Rafael, he tell me he represent the church. Rep you. I say, fine, do your goddam job.

George looks at me and laughs. Our world in your world now, he says and laughs again.   I tell him about the news people coming around. And he goes on again, They demonize those young folk. Demonize them. They may be fools. but ain’t no demons. Homless hell, yeah, homeless hell. Our world in  your world.

I tell him I have to go home. See him soon. And i think to myself, he;s right. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: I'm doing this because I follow Jesus, not because I think it's a good idea

1/16

The People's Liberation Army is highly disciplined; it is fair in buying and selling and is not allowed to take even a needle or a piece of thread from the people. 

Chairman Mao

• + +

 I take Jeff and Danielle across the street for coffee and tea. There is a sense of sadness. And also relief. Maybe we all need, a breather, a break. I feel like I do.  Jeff has Stan looking for alternative housing. The move out is being organized. 

I’m getting ready for the 10th Annual Upper Westside Martin Luther King, Jr. March for Peace sponsored by Westsiders or Peace and Justice. This year’s theme is Occupy. Faithful. Dialogue. Bobby comes in and I direct him to the sanctuary to wait for Jane and the service. West-Park and Sanctuary NYC are co-hosting the stop at West-Park. The march will begin at Holy Name, go on to SPSA, then to West-Park,(for the first time in over five years)  then to Central Baptist (for the first time ever), then to Elise’s church, Advent, co-hosted by their partner Broadway Community, and then back to Holy Name. Lynnea walks in while I’m trying to pull things together to wish us a Happy New Year. I’m happy to see her,  but I don’t have time to visit right now. 

I get a call that the march has left SPSA and is heading this way. It’s brutal cold. We open the doors and welcome the marchers in. Jeremy and a bass player and a percussionist on a box are playing music to welcome them. I’m happy to see my friends Elise, Father Mike, Alistair and Tony. The sanctuary is almost filled.  I welcome everyone and introduce Sarah and Carlos from the Sweatshop Free Upper West Side group. They talk about the ongoing Saigon Grill picket and the citywide Dominos’ Pizza boycott. (Readers, feel free to join....) And pass out postcards to mail in. 

Tracy

Talking about justice

Then I read two quote from Dr. King:

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.

and...

Somehow the preacher must have a kind of fire shut up in his bones. And whenever injustice is around he tell it. Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and saith, "When God speaks who can but prophesy?" Again with Amos, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow the preacher must say with Jesus, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me," and he's anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."

Then I introduce Jane and she and I lead a responsive prayer of commitment, the prayer of St. Francis of Assissi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury,pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

And then Jane leads us in:

If you miss me in the back of the bus 

And you don’t see me back there

Come on up to the fron to the bus, 

I’ll be riding up there....

And after a few verses, Jeremy takes the lead:

If you miss me in Zucotti Park

And you don’t see me down there

Come on up to the Brooklyn Bridge

I’ll be marching up there...

If you miss me on the Brooklyn Bridge 

And you don’t see me up there

Come on out to the whole wide world

I’ll be marching out there...

And as the marchers file out, the singers voices rise in a rousing gospel chorus. Out on the steps, Father Mike in his brown robe says My favorite prayer. He, of course, a Franciscan. 

Bob and Father Mike

I stay a couple of minutes to wrap things up, then hurry up Amsterdam to join the march. 

+++

I’m back at the church. Rafael and Susie the social worker want to talk with me. I was waiting for this ever since one of the octogenarian peace activists across the street, called to plead with me to let the ows folks stay because of the frigid weather. It was hard to stand tough.

They want to clarify exactly what I said. And I say again that I had given them until the end of Sppokes Council to receive  a coherent community response to what had happened. Rafael almost has tears in his eyes. He’s using all his networks, cops, drug dealers, fences, to try and locate the basin cover. They both want to know, if,....if....., they can come up with an answer, will I change my mind? I explain that I will not make separate deals with anyone. That I must stick by what  I said. It has to be a coherent community response. They say that they understand. 

Up in Mc Alpin, near chaos has  broken out. The disrupter that Jason had previoulsy had excluded is back at it. A circle has surrounded her. They’re asking me if they have my permission to call the police. I tell them that Rafae is in charge of secuirty. If he asks me to call on the poice, I will. 

I have begun to feellke I am simewher ebetweena revival of Hair and The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade ...

Carolyn, a volunteer chaplain has joined me. She works as a chaplain at St.Luke’s hospital. A CPE veteran. I know that I can count on her. Rafael has calmed the disrupter down. She is non-violent. The guy is amazing. 

Jeff asks me to address Spokes. I stand in the center. Begin to speak. There’s pesristnt whisltling an dI look u an dnotice it’s Noel the Rastaman. So I stop. And everyone asks him to stop whistling. When he’s quiet, I basically redo my speech from last night. And add a couple of things. That concensus only works among people who have agreed to where they are going and simply want to resolve differences over strategy and tactics in order to get there.  Wthout that, it becomes not empowering but disempowering and even oppressive and violent to the majority. I see the raised wiggling fingers for agreement. And then I say this is serious business. You have to be ready for the long haul. You are ready to take to ourselves out before the real struggle has even been engaged. And again, the wiggling fingers. 

I’m ready to leave. But they ask me to stay. A young woman asks me politely if they come up with a response, can they stay?  And i say, that’s my word. Then  I go out to catch my breath. 

Individuals keep asking to speak to me in private. I’ve got ths new congregation of the poverty diaspora calling me Pastor Bob. The darkened sanctuary becomes my confessional, my counseling office. One young man, almost in tears, asks if he can take a swing at me in public, just to force the community to respond. And we talk, and I explain why not. Another man with an eastern  European accent wants to give me his laptiop. I am very appreciaitve, but explain that this isn’t what this is about . It has to be a community response. Can’t be one person on behalf of the community. The one in tears takes notice. 

Personal problems.  Issues. Fears. The people keep coming. I find that Nathaniel, a veteran chaplain of the stay at Judson Memorial,  has arrived. I take him and Carolyn with me to the narthex.  And we talk. And talk. 

It’s nearing 11. Max from the central office, part CPA, part go to, can do techno hipster guy, approaches me. Look, he says, this isn’t getting anywhere. They keep saying, and rightly so, that they can’t make a promise to you they can’t expect to keep. i look at him as if today, so? He goes on,  But, look, it’s 19 degrees. It’s after 11. Is there someway they can stay the night? Just a select list? Somehow? I look at my chaplain volunteers. So, what do you think?

And they both weigh in. We look at it from all sides. So are we going go for concensus here? And they both laugh. Moral repsonsibility versus giving in after having made a firm statement. Maybe that would be for the best, says Nathaniel. I talk to Max about the breather I felt we all needed. The space. I agree, he says, they do need that. Maybe it’s best. But it’s 19 degrees...

Anf I thnk if th man with his six months pregnant wife. They shouldn’t even be here. But they are.  

Nathaniel looks at me. This is it, isn’t it? he says, the Jesus moment.

Yeah, I’m afraid so, I say. Max looks puzzled. Then I say, so here it is, anyone already on the list can stay until morning. Rafael runs securiry. Everyone out in the morning. No one comes back until we’ve resolved this. Max looks at me. Carolyn and Nathaniel look relieved. 

Max says, I’m taking that upstairs.  And I say, one thing, Max, I’m doing this because I follow Jesus, not because I think it’s a good idea. He looks at me, nods.

But before he can get back ustairs, we hear applause. I am called for . They have a plan. Continue  to search for  the basin cover. If not found, they will reach out to artisans and metal workers, create a new top. In future years, as the story of the church gets told again, the new top will be a symbol that #ows was here, back  in the day. That West-Park remained faithful. And they will create a two week exit strategy. Accept Rafael’s role as security point perosn. And they will speak directly to our congregation to make amends. What do I say?

Damn, I think. No breather. What will I tell danielle? Jane? Councilmember Brewer who’s got nervous constituents? Who’s support   I still need. I respect the hours of work you’ve put in, I say. And your creative response.  And caring response. And commitment to change. I can only say yes. But this more...when Danielle gets here in the morning, she won’t even know you’ve beenhere, ok? And there are hugs all around. 

I’m getting ready to leave. A young woman wants to speak to me. She had been crying earlier. Underneath the semi-shaved head,creative braids, nose and lip piercings and tatoos, I can see her basic beauty. And I always relate to someone with a guitar. So I sit with her. She shiws me he guitar. Her kong time uitar was destroye din te eviction. An older widow had given her her husband’s guitar. She shows me that it now has been broken.  She wants to organize a concert, a night for poetry, speak out, song, spoken word, healing. I affirm that. Talk to her about her guitar(s). Her music. She may be headed to Occupy Congress in DC. . I wish her well. 

Kanaska Carter, singer-songwriter

I am exhausted. Max and Carolyn are spending the night. Really exhausted. I have to go home. 

Heading up the  street, I see the Mexican with his shopping cart of bottles  and cans has returned. 

Three days of peace, love and music. And crafts. And art. Days 1 and 2.

12/16

The day begins with an explosion of activity. Ted and Judith and the crafts people are hustling about getting ready for the festival to open. DJ Dan has been hired to work security. Amanda and Teddy are working on a big brown paper sign that says Music and Crafts today. Deacon James is sweeping the steps. Jason and Danielle are in serious negotiation for the ongoing presence of Occupy Wall Street here at West-Park. I call Micah and invite him down.  And Tracy has arrived to go to coffee and talk about strategy for the anti-sweat shop campaign. Meanwhile, discussions with Con Ed continue and there seems to be some kind of breakthrough. They will come Monday, work on the lines, run a pressure test. If all goes well, the heat can come on. 

Berik and Leila

Micah arrives, I introduce him to Jason and they head off together. Nick is feverishly at work trying to finish his installation piece and Leila and Berik are finishing their exhibit in the chapel. The doors to the festival swing open and I show Tracy around. The Christmas lights are sparkling and the music ready to begin. 

Brandon stops by to say hello, checks out the festival. Amazed. 

Mandola Joe

Amanda and Aaron

Amanda and Piano Dan

The music begns with violinist/fiddler Katy Rowell followed by Mandola Joe and his Buskers group. Amanda plays a set accomoanied by Aaron Rito on guitar, who also does his own set. And then Piano Dan.

Jeremy and Bob

Late in the afternoon, RL is not able to perform so Amanda asks me to step in and I set my nerves aside and do a short set. DJ Dan and Teddy and Marc the sound guy seem surprised that this is me, too. Piano Dan arrives for his set. When Jeremy arrives,we go to the Chapel to rehearse. He does his set, asks me to do some harmonies on a couple of his,  and then we do two together: Early on one Christmas Morn, originally recorded by the Cottontop Mountain Sanctified Singers, Frankie (Half-Pint) Jaxon, lead singer, and Go tell It on the Mountain, in the style of the Swan Silvertone Singers (by way of Bruce Cockburn.)

And now its time for the art shows to open. Andrea and Dan and Nate arrive. Micah has gone off to Occupy. The singers are ending, artists arriving. Nick Etre has emptied the session room and installed two portable radios under the floor playing the Beach Boys’ Let’s Go Away on loop until the batteries die. This is part of his Wear Your Love Like Heaven installation with surprises in unexpected places, again in dialogue with the building. Oh and Yeah featured sculpture, painting and print by Peggy Chiang, Maude Kasperzak, Joanna Kopczyk, Margo Malter and Bettina Yung.

Teddy and Sarah

I go off for dinner with Andrea and Nate. Then come back to close up. The Mc Alpin gallery is filled with young artists and friends. I share some wine, conversation and then its time for Sarah and I to lock up. We’re almost ready to leave when I hear noise upstairs. We go up to find some occupiers in the attic, the old Boy Scout room. When I see a ladder, I have to climb it, one says. Well no, not exactly. 

So we clear the building. Go outside. All the doorways are filled with sleepers. And to make it perfect, George is there in the south doorway, looking over all. Welcome back, George, I say, good to see you. 

Judith

12/17

Exhausted but another day begins. Mandola Joe opens the day followed by Jeremy. I sit in with some harmonies again, then run off to a play, Hand to God, with the family where I’m surprised to find two Woodshed friends, Kaitlin Binnie, the wardrobe supervisor and the playwright, Robert Askins. 

Neil

Piano Dan and Cindy

RL rocks

When I get back, Neil Howard is doing a set. Judith is concerned that the moody music will hurt sales. Uh...anyways, Piano Dan arrives with his vocalist Cindy Thrall. She’s energetic and lands somewhere between Nashville, lounge, and kick ass wedding singer. My son Dan and his friends are all in the balcony listening. RL arrives, ready to perform. Asks the audience to stay. 

He straps on the guitar and launches into his own Christmas song, Who’s That Fat Man?, complete with Elvis shake and swagger,  which if I had it recorded would go right on my play list. And then does his reading of Red Ryder and the Fat Woman, a wonderful story of a long ago Christmas, his grandmother Mabel and a BB gun. How life goes on, you use what you have. What he came back to  read at the end of the Festival clean up last year. You might say that was the beginning.Pastor K’s family has stayed and is glad they did. Dan and his friends glad they stayed, too.  

Amanda asks me to come on one more time. This time, she joins in with harmonies, which feels good. And playing is gettng easier, more comfortable, all the time. 

A good end to a good day.Time to join my Occupying boys.