jay | Valentines and GBS

I tend to think of V-Day as an opportunity to be creative in showing love and appreciation to my partners and sweeties. Although I tend follow themes... 4 years ago, massage kits and flowers, 2 years ago, lots of carnations, last year and three years ago hand-made chocolates (last year I made different flavors and tailored them to the preferences of the recipients). This year, I did flowers... remotely to Nancy, and something I thought

geekchick would like delivered. A dozen roses (yes, I know it isn't creative... ) to

patgreene, and I drove across the bay during a long lunch, to deliver bouquets to

tenacious_snail and

dawnd, happily both at home. (smile) And greeted others close to me in various ways, too. That's all a joyful work, as much fun as dispatching expeditions. And I was delighted to receive virtual tokens of affection myself, from a couple of the above. :D

Last night was the night of the Great Big Sea concert in SF, as well, and

patgreene and I had tickets. We schlepped through awful traffic, bumper-to-bumper for thirty miles up the Peninsula. Then joined friends at Bimbo's 365 Club, an art-deco 1940's nightclub setting with a dance floor and surrounding tables. We sat down with

karenbynight,

princeofwands, and

sarahh near the back at a table, and sipped champagne. :)

mactavish and

joedecker and

tshuma and

bk2w and

vvvexation and

deyo were at the very front, next to the stage. It seemed strange to me that

rosefox wasn't there, this year...

I loved the music, as always... the first set was based on traditional Newfoundland tunes, some acoustic, some from their latest album. The second set was a mix of everything else. But I got to hear "Jack Hinks", one of my favorites that they didn't perform the last two times here, as well as "The Night Pat Murphy Died" likewise. The sound system seemed a bit flat and distorted, I think it was oversized for the nightclub-style venue. But... sitting in the back wasn't working for me, I was restless and needed to dance and jump, so I excused myself towards the end of the first set and wandered down. I wasn't sure I'd be welcome to join the group in the front, so I hung back by myself for the rest of the concert, about 20 feet from the stage. Here's a photo:

Looking toward the stage, one can see the back of Kristin's head, with Joe's unmistakable blond locks to her left and glimpses of

mactavish and

deyo and

bk2w They were literally up against the stage, faces at the performer's midsections ;-). Pat came back at one point to check on me, then got stuck by the crowd-press and was unable to make her own way back to the front group... she was a bit grumpy about that, but sweetly stayed and kept me company. (smile) We bought the latest GBS CD at the merchandise table on the way out, but tour T-shirts have gone from being freebies to expensive (>$40 !). Overall, lots of fun.