We are back in the bay (actually, we have been back for nearly a week at this point) after heading back to the midwest for the wedding of some of our closest friends, Matt and Jill Gilmer. The wedding was fantastic, and it was great to see friends and family, even though we couldn't spend as much time with some of you as we would have liked. Another long time friend of mine, Jon Turner got married as well last monday at the Cincinnati courthouse.
Jon's wedding wasn't "typical" wedding as it took place in the courthouse, but after all, the end result is the same, right? Jon being one of my best friends in the world for many many years now, I would have loved to stand there with him on (hopefully) on of the happiest days of his life, alas, that wasn't the type of wedding the two of them wanted, and this, as most (read: all) things often do got me thinking. Now I know you are just riddled with suspense right now asking yourself, "What did this get him thinking about? I'll be it is something really interesting!". If this isn't the thought that is going through your head right now, humor me. Let me believe that people hang onto my every word just dying to know what I'll say next. Side note: I'm really not that shallow, but everyone likes to feel important and interesting now and then. Back to pertinent subject matter, I was thinking about what it actually is that makes you cool.
I don't mean cool as in wearing the hip clothes, listening to popular music, and having people beating down your door to hang out all the time. I mean cool as in being comfortable and confident with yourself and whatever it is that you may be doing. This is something that I have always admired my friend Jon for, is not giving two shits about what other people think, say or do, and just taking part in the things that make him happy. Being cool, in the truest sense of the word means doing what the fuck you want to do, when you want to do it (within reason of course!). People (I) get too caught up with what other people think if you and become self-conscious and self-doubting. Do what you (I) want to do, be who you (I) want to be. Easier said than done as most things are. I feel like I'm well on my way though. I'm living in the city I want to be living in, with the woman I love, and right now, I'm doing what I want to be doing (except for looking for a job, I hate that). Now, you may be thinking to yourself that this paragraph of text seems like mindless dribble, and you'd be correct. I have been thinking lately about my definition of being cool and, if you'll allow me to toot my own horn for just a moment more, Michelle and I are pretty fucking sweet as far as I'm concerned.
This past weekend, Michelle and I went to the Outsidelands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park (pretty high up on the aforementioned coolness scale). There was a point in the afternoon, as we were sitting in the middle of a polo field listening to My Morning Jacket play an absolutely killer set where Michelle looked at me and just said, "I can't believe we are actually sitting in Golden Gate Park listening to live music." to which I replied, "Yeah, and we only have to travel about forty minutes to get home". Once again, pretty God damn cool.
The festival itself reminded me of "simpler" times. A time, for me, where one of my few worries was what concert I was going to go see next. It was pretty great to feel that way again. Sure we weren't rolling joints all afternoon or having profound psychedelic experiences as can certainly be had at music festivals, but you know what? We had a really good time (cool). Highlights were the Levon Helm band, The Pimps of Joytime, My Morning Jacket, and Further. Further, a band made up of some really top notch musicians, including Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, both of the Grateful Dead, played a really cool set. After all, the Grateful Dead lived in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco so this was something of a hometown show for them. It was a neat experience to see the surviving members of the iconic band play a show, essentially where it all started. Another cool experience.
It's getting late here, and I am in need of some sleep. I caught a little bit of a cold from being outside in cold (yes, we've already become so accustomed to the weather here that 50's and 60's are considered cold). This is also Michelle's last week before starting school so we are bound and determined to enjoy it, damnit!
It was great seeing everyone recently, congrats to Matt and Jill, Jon and Ruth, and Amanda and Cody (they just had another baby girl). Until next time.
stay cool!!!
we are so jealous that you got to go to the music festival... glad you are enjoying the west!! can't wait to see you guys!!!! not too much longer :)
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