Saturday, July 2, 2011

Some thoughts

I think some serious thank you's are in order here:

Standing ovations for the following:

Bob & Helen for being the best hosts on the planet
Hank & Connie, Bob & Helen for emptying their pockets to get the whole PARADOX thing started
Diane for being our spiritual leader on this 6 year journey
Hannah for keeping T-Shirt sales going so we could pay for the Porta Potties
Steve for keeping the music flowing as seamlessly as possible, not an easy task.
All the musicians & poets both young and old who shared there many talents (you know who you are)
Hank & Connie for the famous Paradox chocolate chip cookies
The fantastic kitchen staff (you know who you are) under Sherry's watchful eye for keeping our bellies filled to the brim.
Ed for loaning his baritone voice & along side Henry kept the barbecue going, Steve for the Gumbo of Love, Pam for the outrageous Carnitas, Tara for all the brunches from the heart etc.,etc.
Linda & Mark for helping to get it all together early.
Dave who rose to the occasion as usual with the recording and sound.(also not an easy task)
Don & Bill & Steve for helping rescue the transport of the sound equipment when our transportation fell through at the last minute.
Daisy for protecting all her guests and keeping us entertained with her antics.
Tom & Vinnie for keeping the mice under control

Remember this folks............ " It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings"

14 comments:

Diane Smith said...

It's never over! The Paradox lives!

Unknown said...

I ain't singin' so I guess it ain't over.

I just got back from FL to visit my sister. Got to see Gators, Armadillos and birds almost as tall as I am. Very green and lush. Went with my two daughter's. They took such good care of me during plane changes etc. I was expectin' after a while they might get me a wheelchair. It was cute.

Unknown said...

My Daughter said, next time for us to trade houses for the week prior to the reunion so I won't stress like I do. Ya'all can do the clean up, setting up, shopping etc. This is such an ideal place to have it.
The short lady will sing (only in the shower) in 2 years. To much fun not to, besides, maybe Bill will come again.
Yeah Gary, I wouldn't even be thinking this if it wasn't for all the great help. Thank you all.

Gary and Susan Mullen said...

I did offer you my place to get away from it all!

Rik Elswit said...

I have no idea what it's like to have 50 of your friends take over your home for half a week, but it has to be unsettling, no matter how much you like them. 4 Days with no place to hide, at our age, has to be hard on the psyche. Even on the band bus, we each have a bunk with a curtain, where you can shut everybody else out.

I had a great time, the other night, rapping and playing a bit with Steve on my friend, David Gans', radio show on KPFA. Joe Romeo, and Susan, were there as well, and we went back to their place in the Haight for some chat afterwards.

Rik Elswit said...

Forgot to ad that what made that special was that I really didn't know Joe before, and it was nice getting to know him. Nice guy.

Diane Smith said...

And for those who, like me, wish they could have heard it, waltz across texas here until July 20:

http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/71300

Unknown said...

At our 1st reunion I thought Joe was someone's son, he's so youthful looking. He must have a picture of himself in his attic. Such a lovely family he has too. We their daughter was able to make it. In 2009, Daisy was napping on the couch, the Romeo 3 had to sit on the floor. We are ssure high class around here.......

Rik Elswit said...

I've got to put in a disclaimer. The only reason I had a guitar with me was because I had taken it to the store to work on it, and I don't have trunk, so I couldn't leave it in the car when I went into the station.

So, when Steve and David suggested that I sing one, I was totally cold. Hadn't sung or played all day. so you can hear my studio nerves. And I was hard put thinking up something to do to begin with. until It occurred to me to do my rather radical re-arrangement of one of David's own tunes. He'd never heard it, and had no idea I was working up one of his for my own use. His take is kind of a Tex-Mex deal. I have a somewhat punkier take. Luckily, he liked it. For a minute I thought I might be putting a 20 year friendship on the line.

David's truly one of the good guys. He's part of my online music circle, hosts a regular music salon at his house, and I even spent a couple of years in a Grateful Dead cover band with him, experimenting with using my guitar synth to do the keyboard parts. I used to get applause for my sax solos. And it was fun watching people come in, see a band with three guitarists and wonder where the hell the piano was coming from.

Diane Smith said...

I really enjoyed hearing you talk about how you know Steve and the Paradox generally. Music was great. The Grateful Dead were okay, too!

Tony Duque said...

Rik - I'm with Diane... it was really interesting to hear you talk (KPFA) about your musical connections and relationships, to the Paradox and to your other musical affiliations.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn I missed hearing that you've already written some of your stories down in some form (besides in song)... but if you haven't... well, I for one really think you should consider doing so.

Your have such an easy flowing writing (and speaking) style and stories I'm sure many folks would love to hear. I'm serious about this, too. Plus, Diane sits in the wings, ready to be your editor!

I don't mean to leave Nooner (or anyone else) out of such a proposition... but I get the feeling Steve is so busy looking ahead he's not likely to spend much time looking back. Not a criticism, mind you.

Unknown said...

.......and you too Tony.

Diane Smith said...

Diane sits in the wings taking notes!

MCatherine said...

Just want to know Helen, have you found the surprise Bob hid for you?